When did Hulk die?

Key answers up front

In Marvel canon, Hulk has died multiple times in stories, most notably in Planet Hulk (2006) — killed by the Illuminator in 2007 — and World War Hulk (2007), where he survives and returns. Other major deaths include Old Man Hulk (Earth-148611) in No Road Home (2019) and deaths in noncanonical or alternate continuities. On screen, the 2003 film features his death, while the TV show The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982) preserves him as alive. Below is a quick reference of notable Hulk deaths and their canonicity.

What “Hulk dies” usually means

When fans ask when Hulk died, they are usually referencing a prominent comic storyline in which the Hulk appears to die, is killed on screen in a TV show or film, or exists in an alternate universe where he perishes. Because Hulk exists across many continuities — main Earth-616 canon, alternate Earths, noncanonical films, and TV shows — there is no single date that applies to all stories. In core Marvel continuity (Earth-616), Hulk has died and returned more than once, while other versions of the character remain alive or experience permanent ends depending on the medium.

Hulk deaths in Marvel Comics (Earth-616)

Marvel’s primary universe, Earth-616, contains multiple Hulk deaths that are later undone or contextualized as alternate timelines. These storylines are well documented in long-form events and character arcs rather than single issues, and they reflect the Hulk’s dual nature as both a destructible body and an enduring persona.

Planet Hulk and World War Hulk

In Planet Hulk (2006), the Illuminator launches Hulk into space toward an uninhabited planet, and in-story he is believed dead. The narrative continues in World War Hulk (2007), where Hulk returns seeking vengeance, demonstrating that the earlier death was not final in Earth-616 continuity. These arcs were landmark events that reshaped Hulk’s relationships and set the stage for later developments.

Old Man Hulk in No Road Home

During the 2019 No Road Home event, an aged version of Hulk known as Old Man Hulk (from Earth-148611) dies after gambles with cosmic entities. This version represents a future timeline distinct from core Earth-616 Hulk, confirming that while specific versions can end, others persist in the larger multiverse framework.

Noncanonical versions and alternate continuities

Outside Earth-616, many Hulk depictions either avoid death entirely or treat it as permanent within a self-contained story. These alternate versions are useful for exploring themes but do not overwrite the status of Hulk in main continuity.

2003 live-action film

The 2003 film Hulk portrays Hulk dying after a battle in Calcutta, only to regenerate in a post-credits scene. Because this film exists outside the main comic canon, the on-screen death is treated as nonpermanent and noncanonical.

1978–1982 TV series

The television series The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982) never shows Hulk dying; the character remains alive throughout the show’s run, and no canonical comic death is referenced. This version is widely regarded as a noncanonical alternate take consistent with television storytelling of the era.

Other media and what counts as canon

Across video games, animated projects, and variant covers, Hulk is shown dying, surviving, or resetting in ways that may or may not affect Earth-616. Marvel Studios productions, such as the MCU, use Hulk as an ongoing character, while some indie or alternate-universe stories treat a Hulk death as a definitive endpoint. When evaluating a claim that Hulk died, check whether the source is part of Earth-616, a multiverse variant, or a noncanonical adaptation.

How to interpret Hulk’s status across stories

Because Hulk is both a person (Bruce Banner) and a recurring avatar (the Hulk persona), his deaths often carry symbolic weight beyond physical expiration. Storylines may separate Banner’s fate from the Hulk’s continuity, use death to reset relationships, or exploit multiverse rules to preserve key traits. Understanding whether a given version is mainline, alternate, or noncanonical clarifies whether the death is permanent within its own context.

• Check continuity: Earth-616 events differ from alternate Earths and noncanonical adaptations.
• Distinguish persona from person: The Hulk can be killed in story while Banner survives, or vice versa.
• Consult original sources: Trade paperbacks, event miniseries, and official Marvel databases provide definitive context.