Hulk Can Use His Powers Without Transforming (& It's Way More Terrifying)

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Bruce Banner is known for his incredible transformation into the monstrous Jade Giant, but he doesn't always need to become the Hulk to use his gamma energy powers.  In Hulk #50, Banner fights a group of angry diner patrons. But, when they hit him, the hero isn't vulnerable to their attacks. Instead, he channels his powers without transforming into his angrier self, showing that even without Hulking out, he can be quite the terrifying opponent.

Famously, Bruce Banner gained his powers to transform into the Hulk after being exposed to a deadly gamma radiation experiment. The exposure led to Banner becoming the green monster when angry, as his Hulk-form was one of the strongest but most terrifying beings in the Marvel Universe. However, Banner actually died in the gamma bomb blast. But, thanks to the Green Door that connected him with the Below-Place, which granted gamma-infected like the Hulk immortality, Bruce was brought back to life without anyone realizing he had perished — including him. The Hulk's connection to the Below-Place and Green Door also explained how Banner could use his powers without transforming.

Related: Hulk Gets His Own Mech Suit to Face A Terrifying New Venom Form

In Hulk #50 by Bruce Jones, Mike Deodato Jr., Studio F, and Dave Sharpe from Marvel Comics, Bruce Banner ends up at a diner, where a group of angry men harasses a waitress. Bruce intervenes, telling a massive man to leave her alone. The aggressor scoffs at the comment and can't believe that he's being interrupted by Banner. So he punches him in the face. However, the attack doesn't leave a mark on Banner, as he subsequently takes down all of the men violently without ever transforming into the Hulk but still using his gamma powers.

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