WARNING: The following contains spoilers for What If…? Season 1, Episode 5, “What If… Zombies?!” streaming now on Disney+ and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, now in theaters.
In Avengers: Infinity War, many fans were sad to learn that after the Hulk’s early appearance in the film, he wouldn’t be seen in that form again. Instead, he hid inside Bruce for the whole film, and by Avengers: Endgame he’s merged with the scientist into a “Smart Hulk.” Since then fans have been wondering how Bruce managed to work out an agreement with the Hulk. This week’s episode of What If…? may have finally given a potential explanation for how Bruce Banner beat the Hulk.
In the show’s fifth episode, The Watcher sends viewers to a world overrun by a zombie plague. To help get fans acquainted with this new world, Bruce Banner serves as the episode’s focus. He is initially sent to Earth to warn of Thanos’ imminent arrival, but discovers more present issues taking place. With most of Earth’s mightiest heroes turned into zombies, it’s up to the Hulk to help make a difference. However, he wants nothing to do with it. Much like in the film, the Hulk refuses to come out even when needed most. Banner even refers to him as “on a sabbatical” at one point.
Towards the episode’s climax, Bruce decides to buy some time for the survivors to make an escape. After the Hulk protects Bruce from being bit, he realizes that he could appeal to the Hulk’s desire to be a hero. Doing so finally allows Banner to become the Hulk again and fight a zombified Scarlet Witch. Before this episode, we’d never gotten an explanation as to how the Hulk and Banner came together in the prime MCU. All that we knew was that Bruce spent 18 months in a gamma lab, leading to them coming to an agreement.
While the canon reason for the merger hasn’t been revealed, What If…? has given context to how some other unseen events have taken place, including a reference to Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben. Therefore, it’s possible that a big part of why the Hulk agreed to come out was because Banner finally understood that the Hulk was a hero, not a weapon. Being used as a last resort for the Avengers eventually wore thin on the green goliath. This is best shown by how the Hulk thrived fighting on Sakaar without Banner. There he could be accepted for who he was and not treated as a means to an end. This also explains why he didn’t want Banner to retake control, because he knew that would mean sacrificing his freedom again.
It’s possible that following The Blip, Bruce and the Hulk were able to bond over a mutual feeling of defeat. It’s likely the experience helped Banner understand that being a weapon has a cost, and the two were finally able to see eye to eye. By using the same logic as what was used in What If…?, Banner could have offered a deal for the Hulk to have a more active role in their lives, so both could be heroes. This would explain how “Smart Hulk” was born, and would be the main reason why, in the five years following Infinity War, the two were able to save lives. Another positive of their deal is that it helped the Hulk be viewed as something more than a monster.
After Avengers: Endgame the Hulk’s strength takes a major hit. The massive energy output caused when bringing back the lives Thanos snapped away puts the Hulk’s arm in a sling. The next time he is seen, in the mid-credits of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, it’s Banner we see, not Hulk. This opens up a whole new set of questions — and speculation. With Banner returning, it’s possible that the Hulk realized people will only ever want him for his strength and Banner’s mind was needed more. However, it’s also possible the Hulk persona faded away, as he was not needed after Endgame. Nevertheless, What If…? proves that there is a way for Banner to defeat the Hulk, and it’s by appealing to his inner heroism.
What If…? releases new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.
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