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Interview with the Incredible Hulk
An evening on the town with The Thing
By Franny French and Ken DuBois

Dr. Bruce Banner received his undergraduate degree from Desert State University in Navapo, New Mexico, in 1950, and his doctorate in nuclear physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1954. While working at the nuclear research facility at Desert Base, New Mexico, he was exposed to a massive dose of gamma radiation, and became The Hulk in 1956. He continued to work as a research scientist until his retirement in 1995. We caught up with Banner at his home in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Your portrayal in comic books and on television has been something less than flattering. How do you feel about the way your story has been told?

It's a little embarrassing, to tell the truth. I have had something of a problem with self-control over the years, and they really play that up. And the incoherent grunting and snarling, they make me look like a monster. I've got a Ph.D., but they don't talk about that. The green skin doesn't help either. It's hard to overlook that.

And the tattered clothes.

No, see, that's what everybody thinks. But I switched to Sansabelt slacks a long time ago, and Polyester blend shirts. I don't get the tattered clothes anymore, but that's what people think of.

The Superfriends era in the 1960s was certainly an exciting time, with so many great action figures joining together. Was the Superfriends alliance genuine, or was it more of a media fabrication?

Fabrication. Most of those guys I wouldn't even call Superacquaintances. I did hang out with a few of them. The Thing and I used to go out and tear up the town.

You'd go out drinking...?

Drinking? No, we would literally tear up the town. Knock over buildings, stomp on people. No, I can't drink because of my condition, the radiation thing. Anyway, I still see Thing sometimes. He and Lorraine are in Scottsdale. He kind of blew me off the last time he was in town.

How about other members of the Fantastic Four?

Oh, I was pretty tight with the Human Torch, back when his whole 'Flame on!' thing was just a catchphrase. Then it became more of a lifestyle. And Captain America, I was pretty good friends with him until he got so political. Now he calls me up and tries to get me to donate to right-wing campaigns. Really annoying. With Superfriends like that, who needs mortal enemies.

Well, let's talk about enemies a bit. Who would you say is your arch enemy right now?

I try not to think in those terms anymore: who's my enemy, who isn't. I try to see a little bit of good in every one. If a villain seems like he's pure evil, I say, 'Okay, but what are his good qualities?'

How often do you get into Hulk mode these days? When was the last time you launched into one of your trademark rampages?

Oh, I don't know. There was a thing at the public library involving some overdue fines...

You caused some damage...?

Leveled it. Leveled the library and killed everyone inside, but that almost never happens anymore. I have a great doctor. It turns out, the whole Hulk thing, it's just stress-related. And I can control it with deep breathing and meditation and such. Now, as soon as I feel myself getting tense, I close my eyes and do some visualization. I've got a buckwheat pillow in my study...

So the Hulk is not making regular public appearances these days?

Let's face it, no one wants to see that. A 73-year-old man, 600 pounds — and, let's face it, a lot of that bulk has gone south. Some days I'm lucky if I can get on and off the toilet.

Dr. Banner, thank you. It's been a privilege talking with you.

God bless.