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- "We didn't lose him; we had him and something hit us. Something big - ten feet tall and green."
"That was Banner." - ―Emil Blonsky and Thaddeus Ross[src]
The Bruce Banner Manhunt was a years-long search for Bruce Banner in an attempt to recover Hulk for the United States military.
Background[]
- "I got it out before they carted it all away."
- ―Betty Ross[src]
Bruce Banner and Betty Ross worked together at Culver University on Project Gamma Pulse. In the experiment, Banner injected himself with Gamma Radiation, turning him into a large green monster known as Hulk. Hulk nearly killed Ross and caused a panic in the street, lifting up a car and throwing it as people ran away. The military began searching for Hulk, but Banner swore never to hurt anyone again, so he ran from the military and went into hiding. The military confiscated all data on Project Gamma Pulse from Culver University, but Ross managed to steal a copy of the data and keep it on a USB drive.[1]
Manhunt[]
Life in Porto Verde[]
Quiet Life[]
- "Try a higher concentration?"
"Impossible. My supply is limited." - ―"Mr. Blue" and Bruce Banner[src]
Bruce Banner eventually managed to settle down in Porto Verde, where he worked on controlling his heart rate and got a job at a bottling plant. He also established contact with a scientist he knew as "Mr. Blue" to work on developing a cure. One morning, he went on a run and monitored his pulse, satisfied at his ability to keep it down to prevent Hulk from coming out. Banner went to work that day and accidentally bled, unaware that his blood had gotten into a soda bottle.
That night, Banner attempted a cure suggested by Mr. Blue, but it did not work. Banner reported the results to Mr. Blue, who suggested a higher concentration. When Banner said that it would not work due to a limited supply, Mr. Blue said that his supply was not limited and asked for a blood sample. Banner sent the sample and went to bed, thinking about Betty Ross. The next morning, he sent a blood sample to Mr. Blue. Mr. Blue replied several days later, reporting that he had found a way to lessen the gamma saturation in Banner's blood. However, Mr. Blue needed more information about the original experiment that turned Banner into Hulk, which Banner would be easy since it would be at Culver University.[1]
Ambush in Porto Verde[]
- "This is your target and location. He's a fugitive from the U.S. government, and he's dangerous. Don't wait to see if he's a fighter."
- ―Kathleen Sparr[src]
Meanwhile, a woman in Milwaukee succumbed to Gamma Radiation sickness due to having drank from a bottle infected with Bruce Banner's blood. The United States military became aware of the gamma sickness, and Kathleen Sparr discovered the information. Recognizing the possible connection to Banner, she brought the information to Thaddeus Ross, who ordered a search for Banner at the bottling plant and put together a Special Forces team.
The team, led by Purple Heart recipient Emil Blonsky, flew to Porto Verde, Brazil, and Sparr briefed the team on Banner. She warned that he was dangerous and not to see if he was a fighter. The team arrived at Bruce Banner's Apartment Building and burst open the door to his apartment, but Banner had figured out their presence and fled already. The soldiers found what they believed to be Banner under the cover, but quickly realized was pillows and a mannequin head. Meanwhile, Banner ran into the bottling plant where he worked. The soldiers ambushed Banner at the bottling plant, resulting in Banner transforming into Hulk. The soldiers attacked Hulk, who hit them away easily. Hulk then managed to run away and transformed back into Banner, who continued running.
Blonsky reported back on what happened, leading Ross to tell Blonsky the truth about Banner and Hulk's past. Blonsky decided that he wanted the extra strength to fight Hulk, so he asked Ross to put him through the same experimentation as Banner. Blonsky was given a low dose of the Super Soldier Serum, assuring Blonsky that they would stop when they saw a side effect.[1]
Return to the United States[]
Recovering Stolen Data[]
- "He needs the original data for the experiment, but it's gone."
- ―Bruce Banner[src]
Bruce Banner returned to Culver University and walked through campus, reaching a computer terminal. He attempted to access the school's network and search for data on Project Gamma Pulse, but the computer showed no results. This led Banner to realize that the data had been erased. Unsure of what to do next, Banner came across Betty Ross and told her about Mr. Blue, who Ross recognized as Samuel Sterns. Banner explained that Sterns needs the data from the experiment, so Ross revealed that she had taken a copy.[1]
Ambush at the Bus Station[]
Betty Ross and Bruce Banner went to a bus station, where soldiers suddenly appeared and began chasing Banner. Banner tried to run though an underpass, but was cut off by an explosion which caused smoke to fill the area. Ross attempted to run toward Banner, but was stopped by a soldier grabbing her arm. This angered Banner, who transformed into Hulk. Hulk punched the ground, causing a shockwave that lifted cars and soldiers off the ground, sending them flying back. Emil Blonsky confronted Hulk and attempted to fight him, but Hulk continued to fight well and defeated Blonsky. Hulk defeated the rest of the soldiers and left the area with Ross.
Hulk and Ross found shelter in a cave in the forrest. Ross looked at Hulk and recognized Banner within him, believing that Hulk recognized her and wanted to protect her as well. Banner eventually returned to his body and decided it was time to find Samuel Sterns. The left for Empire State University, and on the way, Banner sent the data from Project Gamma Pulse to Sterns so that he could use it to find a cure. Meanwhile, Blonsky was told by doctors that he would never be able to walk again. However, he soon healed and became even more determined to capture Hulk. He was given a new dose of the Super Soldier Serum.[1]
Curing Hulk[]
- "You're all right! It's over!"
- ―Betty Ross to Bruce Banner[src]
Once they reached Empire State University, Bruce Banner and Betty Ross found Samuel Sterns, who revealed he had an antidote. He revealed that Banner would have to transform into Hulk to administer the antidote, so Banner did so without hesitation. During the transformation, Sterns injected him with the antidote, causing Hulk to immediately transform back into Banner.
Ross celebrated Banner being cured, when Emil Blonsky suddenly led a military team into the building and Banner was shot with a tranquilizer dart. Banner was taken away to see Thaddeus Ross while Blonsky stayed behind. He turned to Sterns and demanded that Sterns inject him with the what he learned from Banner. Scared, Sterns injected Blonsky with Banner's blood, transforming him in a large monster known as "Abomination."[1]
Duel of Manhattan[]
- "I'm the only thing that can stop it."
- ―Bruce Banner[src]
Thaddeus Ross was satisfied that he had arrested Bruce Banner, when suddenly there was an explosion nearby. A soldier suddenly came in and declared Hulk to be attacking in the street. Ross thought this was impossible due to Banner being in front of him, but then turned to the television to see S&SN reporting on a large green monster causing havoc and chaos in New York City. Ross recognized Abomination as Emil Blonsky, realizing that he created this monster.
Banner saw the news and was alarmed as well, and Ross allowed him to go. Hulk confronted Abomination, stopping his path of destruction. Hulk punched Abomination repeatedly, but Abomination returned the punched with more strength. Hulk eventually delivered a fateful blow and defeated Abomination.[1]
Aftermath[]
Hulk stood among the wreckage of the fight, newly confident in himself.[1]