The Hulk is cast as the emotional and impulsive alter ego of the
withdrawn and reserved physicist Dr. Bruce Banner. The Hulk appears
shortly after Banner is accidentally exposed to the blast of a test
detonation of a gamma bomb he invented. Subsequently, Banner will
involuntarily transform into the Hulk, depicted as a giant, raging,
humanoid monster, leading to extreme complications in Banner's
life. Lee said the Hulk's creation was inspired by a combination of
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Frankenstein.[3]
Although the Hulk's coloration has varied throughout the
character's publication history, the most consistent shade is
green. As the Hulk, Banner is capable of significant feats of
strength, which increases in direct proportion to the character's
anger. As the character himself puts it, "The madder Hulk gets, the
stronger Hulk gets!" Strong emotions such as anger, terror and
grief are also triggers for forcing Banner's transformation into
the Hulk. A common storyline is the pursuit of both Banner and the
Hulk by the U.S. authorities, due to the destruction he causes.
