Empire State University is a university in New York City.
History[]
T-Shirts[]
Empire State University T-shirts were worn by Samuel Sterns[1] and Benjamin Pollack.[2]
Alternate Universe[]
Samuel Sterns' Studies[]
In an alternate universe, Samuel Sterns worked at Empire State University. He was approached at the college by Bruce Banner, who was looking for a cure for his transformation into the Hulk. Unaware that the NSA was monitoring their conversation, Sterns took a blood sample from Banner and analyzed the data, asking Banner for data which the United States Army had. Banner brought it back to him, and Sterns suggested that Banner talk to Simon Utrecht, whose research appeared to be similar to Banner's. When Banner returned again, Sterns told him that something was interfering with the data and asked Banner to find it. Sterns then called Banner from the University and told him that he needed the Army' nanites for the cure.
Samuel Sterns gives Hulk the countermeasure for the mind control
Sterns worked at Empire State University to create the Scrubber and clear the city's contamination brought on by the Enclave's chemical bombs. The Hulk went to the university to retrieve it and brought it back once he had cleaned all of the infected areas. Sterns put the Scrubber in a container before it blew up. Hulk and Rick Jones later returned to the University and had Sterns develop a countermeasure to the Enclave's Mind Control Device. Sterns developed the countermeasure and gave it to Hulk as Jones explained that the Enclave was using them to lure people toward their Energy Consumption Engines.
Banner later returned to the university, where Sterns explained that a cure would not be possible unless they elevated Banner's gamma levels, which Banner hesitantly agreed to. As Hulk, Banner retrieved the several pieces of equipment which Sterns needed to create the device and brought them to the university. While in Sterns' office, Sterns asked Banner for the data from the experiment which created the Hulk, so Banner went to Culver University to retrieve it.
Glenn Talbot kidnapped Betty Ross and brought her to Empire State University, setting a trap for Hulk. Hulk fought through Talbot's forces and destroyed the generators powering the electrical box that Ross was being held in, allowing Ross to explain to the soldiers who she was. The Hulkbuster present confirmed Ross' identity and freed Ross, leaving to report to her father. Hulk transformed back into Banner, who introduced Ross and Jones to each other. The three then agreed that it was time to defeat Talbot for good.
Banner met with Sterns again, who told Banner that he was close to developing a cure, but wanted to test it using the Enclave's Genetic Simulator. Hulk retrieved the simulator and brought it back to the university, where he defended it from the Enclave's attempts to recover it. Hulk brought Sterns from the university to a contaminated building, where Sterns test the cure on an Enclave Bio-Weapon before Hulk brought him back to the campus.
Samuel Sterns prepares Bruce Banner for the cure
Once Sterns finished developing the cure, Banner and Betty Ross went to Empire State University, where they administered the cure for the Hulk despite Sterns' warnings. Just then, Thaddeus Ross arrived with the military and had Banner shot with a tranquilizer dart. Banner and Betty were brought to the military's helicopter while Thaddeus told Sterns that he expected the scientist's full cooperation with the military. Emil Blonsky then broke into Sterns' lab and threatened Sterns into putting him through the same experiment Banner went through. Sterns conducted the experiment, turning him into the monstrous Abomination, who went on a rampage in New York City.
Hulk destroyed a building at Empire State University.[3]
Appearances[]
The Incredible Hulk (logo)
The Incredible Hulk (alternate universe)- The Incredible Hulk Movie Novelization (alternate universe)
- The Incredible Hulk: Front Row Seat Storybook (alternate universe)
- The Incredible Hulk (alternate universe)
- Marvel One-Shot: Item 47 (logo)
Trivia[]
- Wildcats and Mickey Rats are two teams related to Empire State University, as shown in the T-shirt worn by Samuel Sterns.
- Empire State University is one of the various landmarks featured in the video game The Incredible Hulk.
- In the comics, Peter Parker and Flash Thompson studied at Empire State University after graduating high school. Theodore Sallis was also a biochemistry professor at the university before his transformation.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Louis Leterrier, director of The Incredible Hulk, wanted Bruce Banner to meet Samuel Sterns at Empire State University instead of Grayburn College, but Sony Pictures Entertainment refused as owner of the film rights to everything related to Spider-Man.[4] However, Sterns still wears an ESU T-shirt in the movie. In the video game Lego Marvel's Avengers, an NPC pedestrian in New York City references this situation by saying: "Grayburn College? I thought it was Empire State University."
