The Hulk and Namor: A Tenuous Bond in World War Hulk
The Question at Hand
Has there ever been a moment in the World War Hulk storyline where the Hulk acknowledges Namor, who was part of the group that voted to send the Hulk into space, albeit against the character's wishes? Let's explore this intriguing aspect of the Marvel comics' most legendary event.
The Hulk's Journey and Interaction with the Illuminati
During the World War Hulk storyline, the Hulk returned to Earth after being sent to space by the characters of the Illuminati, a secret organization comprising Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, and Blackagar Boltagon. However, the Hulk was unaware of Namor's presence in these discussions from the outset.
The Video Message
A key moment in the storyline involves the video message left by the Illuminati for the Hulk. This message, recorded before the Hulk's exile, featured Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, and Blackagar Boltagon. These are four of the six members of the Illuminati, a secret group known for its power and intellect. Unaware of Namor's involvement, the Hulk plays the video and delivers the powerful message to the Earth's heroes:
“Puny Humans. I've come to smash and you should know who's to blame. You call them heroes. I call them monsters. Listen to what they told me before they tried to kill me.”
Unintentional Acknowledgment
While the Hulk does acknowledge the Illuminati's role in his exile, the recognition of Namor's involvement is not direct. Instead, the events leading up to his exile are the focus. The Hulk is more concerned with expressing his anger towards the Illuminati as a whole, of which Namor is a member.
Bonding Through Circumstances
Despite their differing stances on the Hulk's exile, if the Hulk did later become aware of Namor's role in the Illuminati, it could have potentially strengthened their bond. However, based on the available content, there is no explicit acknowledgment or acknowledgment of this from the Hulk.
Recent Developments and Potential For Change
In recent works, such as Immortal Hulk 26, we see a potential display of trust between the Hulk and Namor, suggesting that similar moments of recognition might have occurred in earlier works. Namor and the Hulk's partnership might indicate a deeper understanding of each other's positions.
Conclusion
While there is no direct confrontation between the Hulk and Namor in the World War Hulk storyline, the Hulk does show recognition of the Illuminati's role, of which Namor is a part. Whether this would have created a stronger bond between the characters is a matter of speculation. Future developments in the storylines of both characters might provide more insight into their relationship.