Fans argue Edward Norton’s Hulk is stronger than Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk after comparing their fights against Tim Roth’s Abomination.

Thanks to She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, audiences once again got to see the return of Tim Roth as the Hulk villain, Abomination. Only this time, instead of facing Edward Norton’s Hulk, Roth battled against Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk. And surprisingly, people believe that Norton’s green giant is far more powerful than Ruffalo’s smart one.

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner aka Hulk in the Avengers franchise | image: Marvel Studios

A debate originated on X after netizens compared images from The Incredible Hulk (2008) and the Marvel show She-Hulk: Attorney At Law where Abomination fought the two different variants of Hulk. And according to snippets shared online, fans believe that while Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk struggled to fight off Tim Roth’s character, Edward Norton managed to take him down with ease.

Fans believe Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk struggled to win against Abomination

Ever since Mark Ruffalo replaced Edward Norton as MCU’s Hulk, fans had been hoping for the actor to get his standalone film. However, over the years, Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk was reduced to franchise appearances and cameo roles. But, then came the live-action series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which allowed fans to witness a common faceoff between Hulk and Abomination, much like shown in The Incredible Hulk.

Surprisingly, while the faceoff between Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk and Tim Roth’s Abomination was supposed to be exciting, it suddenly became a topic of debate online. Watching the fight between the two characters, fans took to X, to express how Smart Hulk appeared to struggle in his battle against the monstrous Abomination, despite his massive strength.

Abomination and Smart Hulk’s face-off in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law | image: Disney, Marvel Studios

Stating how it wasn’t even a real fight—rather a cage match that seemed less intense than what many had expected from the two characters—viewers pointed out that while Smart Hulk used intelligence and mind power, he certainly lacked raw strength, compared to Edward Norton’s Hulk. Fans thus argued that Smart Hulk felt like he was holding back, not using his full potential to overpower Abomination.

This sparked online debate on X after netizens began comparing the fight scene from Edward Norton’s The Incredible Hulk and Mark Ruffalo’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Netizens spoke in favor of Edward Norton’s Hulk who seemed like a God 

Drawing a comparison between the fighting style of Edward Norton‘s Hulk and Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk, fans noted that Norton’s version often displayed his sheer rage and raw power, whereas Ruffalo’s version used a more balanced approach that made him less formidable. Therefore, when comparing the two Hulk variants, many fans expressed admiration for Norton’s portrayal of the green giant, over Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk.

Taking to X, @heroguy360 thus noted how Edward Norton’s Hulk seemed practically unstoppable and almost God-like during his combat with Abomination in The Incredible Hulk. Focusing on his fierceness and intensity, fans noted how Norton’s version wasted no time in taking down Tim Roth’s character, whereas, when it came to Mark Ruffalo’s Smart Hulk, he seemed to struggle mightily.

Edward Norton’s Hulk defeated Tim Roth’s Abomination in The Incredible Hulk | image: Marvel Studios

Now although Mark Ruffalo’s version has taken down some of the most formidable foes throughout the MCU—The Fenris Wolf, Thanos, and others—fans noted that ultimately he seemed weak compared to Edward Norton’s Hulk. Emphasizing that it’s Hulk’s sheer rage, unstoppable force, and penchant for destruction that makes him formidable, fans noted that Smart Hulk’s even-tempered, strategic fighter qualities made him look weak in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Claiming that the unbridled strength of Edward Norton’s version will prove more effective in battle, fans cited that the particular battle against Abomination turned him into a godlike figure compared to Mark Ruffalo’s version.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is currently available to watch on Disney+.