Heroes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own set of strengths and flaws. Some superhero identities are more well-known and popular than others; when we think of the Hulk, we think of a well-built superhero with green skin and great strength.
Despite the fact that he was the most well-known Hulk, the Grey Hulk was the one who set the groundwork. This Hulk, known as Joe Fixit and first appearing in ‘The Incredible Hulk’ (#1), has a history as both a superhero and a criminal. This character was inspired by the Frankenstein monster and Mr. Hyde from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and was created by Stan Lee.
The Grey Hulk, however, was not a practical alternative due to printing ink concerns and was quickly transformed into the Green Hulk. Despite his lack of fame, the Grey Hulk was no ordinary Hulk, and he came from a fascinating history. Let us have a look at Joe Fixit, aka the Mighty Grey Hulk!
How Joe Fixit or the Grey Hulk came into existence
The Grey Hulk was the very first Hulk to be introduced, as Stan Lee originally intended for the Hulk to be grey. However, the Hulk’s hue changed to green due to ink issues. This was explained by claiming that the Grey Hulk that it was the first Hulk to appear before Banner was struck by the Gamma Bomb. However, as a result of Banner’s frequent usage of gamma radiation devices, the considerably more well-known Green Hulk [Savage Hulk] evolved.
His infrequent appearances are further explained by the fact that the Grey Hulk and Green Hulk personas fight in Banner’s psyche. Because of his greater strength, the Green Hulk won most of the time, allowing the Savage Hulk character to show up more frequently.
Peter David’s contributions to the Incredible Hulk comics altered the nature of Banner’s connection with the Hulk. David revisited the Stern and Mantlo abuse plot, increasing the damage caused and depicting Banner as suffering from a dissociative identity disorder (DID).
Banner had major mental difficulties even before he was even the Hulk, according to David’s recollections. David radically changed Banner’s character, giving him an alternate identity ‘Joe Fixit’ [Grey Hulk] who worked nights in a Las Vegas Mafia clan. The name Fixit was taken from the expression ‘Fix It,’ since he used his abilities to aid the mafia.
The Grey Hulk is about 6’6 feet tall, grey-skinned, and usually is seen in this persona at night. Bruce Banner was subconsciously ashamed of the dark thoughts and emotions he felt as the Grey Hulk, and would thus transform into the Grey Hulk at night and return to his human self at dawn.
This character symbolizes Banner’s alternate personality that is capable of doing all of the bad things that Bruce is hesitant to do himself. Some of these traits include indifference towards others and using tricky and manipulative tactics. This Hulk has a lifting capacity of around 75 tonnes.
This version of the Hulk also possesses the ability to grow stronger, the more angries he gets, but at a much slower rate. This could be due to the fact that this Hulk has more intellect and logical reasoning, and thus he does not lose control as easily as the Savage Hulk.
Joe Fixit’s return as the Grey Skinned Goliath
Let us have a look at Joe Fixit, as the Grey Hulk, in The Incredible Hulk Comics #324 [Return of the Grey Skinned Goliath]. The comic begins in the experimental lab at the Gamma Base, where Bruce Banner is restrained with powerful restraints and contraptions under the eye of Dr. Samson and Rick Jones who holds himself responsible for the Hulk’s current state. It appears that Banner keeps transforming into the Hulk back and forth, worrying his wife Betty as well as the doctor.
Samson says that, while the Vision was successful in uniting Banner and the Hulk, a new problem emerged. He believes, nevertheless, that he can reverse the chemical bath process that turned him into the Hulk and treat Banner for once and all, ridding him of the Hulk persona. The Hulk had gone on a rampant spree in New Mexico, and Betty even had to protect him from the Avengers to stop them from killing Banner.
In a different corner of the Gamma Base, Thaddeus Ross vows revenge and requests that they continue experiments on him in case he has to go up against the Hulk. Meanwhile, Bruce regains consciousness and asks to be killed so that the Hulk does not cause any more harm before drifting back into his Hulk persona. He breaks free from the restraints, and Banner’s head emerges from his chest, trying to harm the Hulk’s head. The two personas battle within, and eventually the Hulk emerges victorious.
In a weakened state, the Hulk is unable to break through the walls and escape and is overpowered by the agents who request him to get into the chemical bath. They proceed cautiously, making sure to not kill Bruce Banner whose face emerges within the Hulk’s body as he tries to calm the Hulk down. The agents manage to corner the Hulk and they put some pressure on him, making him move backward and into the chemical bath machine.
Meanwhile, Thaddeus Ross sneaks into the lab and tweaks the chemical bath settings. Rick Jones spots him and chases after him, only to end up getting thrown into the chemical bath himself while Ross smashes the controls of the machine.
The machine soon starts cracking and shatters open to reveal the Hulk in his original persona, as the Grey Hulk while the room breaks into the discussion. They try to kill him when the Hulk hears mentions of Bruce and starts to transform back into Bruce Banner and reunites with Betty as all ends well. This comic not only marks the return of the appearance of the Grey Hulk but also recaps his history and how he came into existence.
Joe Fixit in The Incredible Hulk animated series
Various portrayals of the Grey Hulk have been incorporated into the television, ranging from the Incredible Hulk cartoon series to the Ultimate Spider-Man animated show.
In ‘The Incredible Hulk’ [1956], we see Bruce Banner’s struggle with the exposure to radiation, as well as the Green Hulk and the Grey Hulk battling it out inside his mind over controlling his body.
We also see a weaker version of the Grey Hulk in the ‘Super Hero Squad Show’ cartoon, where he struggles with his strength and also dabbles with the Sword of Infinity.
The Gray Hulk’s origins were explored in the ‘Iron Man: Armoured Adventures’ cartoons, where we get to see him exposed to the Gamma Radiations, which made him more controlled and smarter.
And finally, we see Joe Fixit’s Hulk return in the Ultimate Spider-Man Cartoons. Here, Fixit plays the role of a criminal rather than a hero, which is also a link to the “Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. cartoon”.
Some Lesser known facts about Joe Fixit
With his ability to speak logically and devise schemes that suited his sneaky character, the Grey Hulk was considered the smartest of all Hulk portrayals. He preferred to use his rational thinking and intellect over raw might, despite becoming stronger as he became more enraged.
The Grey Hulk was scheduled to make a cameo in Avengers: Age of Ultron, during the South Africa rampage of the Hulk. Joss Whedon, the film’s director, explored this concept to demonstrate how the Scarlett Witch influenced the Hulk. However, in the end, they opted for a green hulk that was reminiscent of the Savage Hulk.
The Grey Hulk had battled ‘The Thing’ on more than one occasion, losing the fight due to physical weakness in the first clash. However, in Peter David’s The Incredible Hulk’ [#350], they combat again and this time, Fixit’s Hulk manages to beat him with intellect and wit. This clash demonstrated just how filthy Joe Fixit is willing to fight to defeat his opponents.
In the same comics, it was disclosed that the Hulks were multiple personalities of Banner’s psyche that materialized in physical forms when he transformed. It was revealed that both the Savage Hulk as well as the Grey Hulk competed with each other to emerge and that the Savage Hulk’s persona triumphed more often, resulting in more appearances.
How strong is Joe Fixit?
Although not as strong as the green hulk, Joe Fixit’s Grey hulk does possess a lot of supernatural strength as well as the ability to think smart and devise plans. He can also perform human tasks, such as driving a car among other things. The Grey Hulk’s ability to possess restraint and control over his actions combined with his strength and stamina altogether makes him a very powerful Hulk.
Conclusion
Joe Fixit’s Grey Hulk laid the foundation for the Hulks, and will always remain the OG Hulk. Since this hulk persona is a part of Bruce Banner’s psyche, it is only a matter of time before he emerges once again. And when he does, it’s best not to stir up trouble for this mighty Hulk and stay out of his way. Of course, that being said, we do hope to see him be a part of upcoming projects in this cinematic universe!