Now, the Red Hulk lasted beyond Loeb’s tenure and so other writers have gotten the chance to use him. Jeff Parker’s subsequent “Hulk” issues have been called an improvement, for instance. But the rot is foundational.
The Red Hulk is a character a 10-year-old would imagine. The Hulk… but red (and that’s all his design is too). But also, he’s even stronger! And he controls fire when he gets angrier and angrier! And also he’s smart! With a super-gun! The very name “Red Hulk” (not to mention the ludicrous nickname, “Rulk”) shows what a lazy character he is.
A writer as accomplished as Loeb should’ve swept the idea to the back of his head but instead become convinced he’d struck gold. So, his “Hulk” run (especially the first six issues) keeps reminding you how totally awesome the Red Hulk is. In “Hulk” #5, the Red Hulk even defeats Thor by lifting his enchanted hammer Mjolnir.
Marvel Comics
Now, I find power scaling — debating which fictional character is stronger — to be dull. It’s a puerile conversation that can never be wholly answered because these people aren’t real. So while I do find Red Hulk defeating Thor ludicrous, I’m not going to criticize it solely for narrative rule-breaking (that being Mjolnir is magically enchanted so only those “Worthy” can wield it — Ross hardly qualifies as a hero worthy of Thor.)
No, let’s ask why Loeb wrote his story this way. He’s employing a classic wrestling move; have the new guy beat the old favorite to show how cool the new guy is. In superhero comics, this usually happens as a new villain coming in and replacing the old bad guy, i.e. Red Hulk supplanting the Abomination, who had historically been the “evil, smart Hulk” villain.
Loeb was so proud of the Red Hulk that he became the book’s protagonist halfway through, while “Hulk” #15 featured Betty Ross returning as a Red She-Hulk. (Fingers crossed they don’t make Liv Tyler do that in the MCU.)
Harrison Ford playing “Thunderbolt” Ross as the President is fine casting, and a fun throwback when he played a different president in “Air Force One.” But turning Ross into the Red Hulk, an already ridiculous character, sullies him and is beneath the dignity that a living Hollywood legend like Ford deserves.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is now playing in theaters.