| For alternate versions of the Duel of Harlem, see the Duel of Harlem's Event Hub |
The Duel of Harlem was the final confrontation between Hulk and Emil Blonsky, who had transformed himself into the monstrous Abomination and started terrorizing New York City.
Background[]
Working on the Project Gamma Pulse, Bruce Banner turned himself into a monster known as the Hulk. The United States Army started hunting Banner, who went on the run to Porto Verde. Emil Blonsky was called in to help with the hunt, and he led an ambush on Banner. Banner hid in a building which was then blown up, triggering Banner's transformation into Hulk. Hulk fought through the Army's forces, and Thaddeus Ross explained to Blonsky that Banner and Ross were the same person.
In order to continue the hunt, Ross gave Blonsky the same serum which turned Banner into the Hulk on a lower dosage, which heightened his strength and abilities. Meanwhile, Banner went to Samuel Sterns in hopes of developing a cure for the Hulk, and Sterns asked for the data from the original experiment. Banner went to Culver University to retrieve the data, but was cornered by the military, leading to a fight between them and Hulk. Although Hulk defeated Blonsky and nearly killed him, the serum allowed him to heal quickly. Blonsky's fast recovery encouraged Ross to authorize him for the full treatment, which took a toll on Blonsky mentally.
Blonsky was sent to monitor Banner as he attempted to cure himself of Hulk and went against Ross' orders as he approached Empire State University. The cure suppressed Hulk, but Ross appeared with his soldiers and brought Banner and Betty Ross onto their helicopter. Blonsky then broke into the lab and held Sterns at gunpoint, forcing Sterns to put him through the same experiment that Banner went to, turning him into the monstrous Abomination. Abomination went into the streets of New York City and started terrorizing the citizens. Banner and Thaddeus saw this from the helicopter, and Banner chose to jump out of the helicopter to trigger a transformation into Hulk, who confronted Abomination.[1]
Duel[]
Hulk and Abomination started to fight, and Hulk caused significant damage. Abomination picked up a taxi and threw it at the military's helicopter, causing it to crash onto the roof of a building. Thaddeus and Betty Ross rushed out of the helicopter before it blew up. Hulk saw that the Rosses were trapped and put out the helicopter's fire before it exploded. Abomination went onto the building and attacked, but Hulk overpowered him and punched him repeatedly, knocking him out. Hulk called for Betty before leaving, and Betty expressed her disappointment in Thaddeus.[1]
Aftermath[]
With Abomination and the Army out of his way, Hulk was able to defeat the Enclave by destroying their bases.[1]