Marvel Confirms One Hero is Stronger than Hulk and Superman… Combined

Warning! Spoilers for Fantastic Four #40 by Marvel Comics

There are a handful of powerhouses in the Marvel Universe who compare to the pure strength of the Hulk and Marvel’s Superman, Hyperion. However, in Fantastic Four #40 by Marvel Comics, The Thing makes an interesting comment about Gladiator, saying the Shi’ar hero is stronger than the Hulk and Hyperion combined. The comment is certainly noteworthy, as it’s quite a statement to make about Gladiator’s power.

Hulk is one of the strongest heroes in comics, as his Gamma-fueled rage puts him on a power level largely unrivaled by other characters. Hyperion, meanwhile, is Marvel’s Superman pastiche, and like DC’s Man of Steel, he packs quite a powerful punch. Gladiator is no slouch himself, as the Shi’ar cosmic hero has the strength to shatter entire planets, with a series of other abilities that increase to impressive levels based on his confidence. Gladiator’s mix of offensive and defensive prowess makes him rank among the top of the strongest heroes in the Marvel Universe. However, a new claim about his powers shows how strong he truly is.

In Fantastic Four #40 by Dan Slott, Rachael Stott, Jesus Aburtov, and VC’s Joe Caramagna, a Watcher-powered Reed Richards, the Fantastic Four, and She-Hulk end up traveling to Shi’ar space to see the damage caused by the Reckoning. The villains, who have turned technological gifts into weapons of war, have provided numerous warring aliens firepower that’s causing havoc across the cosmos. When the Fantastic Four arrive and see Gladiator and his allies defeated, Ben Grimm comments how unlikely that is, given that Gladiator is “stronger’n the Hulk and Hyperion smooshed together.” Yes, he means combined.

The Hulk and Hyperion are two of Marvel’s strongest heroes, so the claim that Gladiator is stronger than both of them feels a bit off. Gladiator definitely rivals those heroes’ powers and could top them individually, sure, but together? Hyperion with the Hulk’s rage would be one of the most unstoppable forces in the entire Multiverse.

Clearly, Slott wanted to emphasize how much of a threat the Reckoning is across space to even the strongest heroes in the Marvel Universe. Taking down the Gladiator and the Shi’ar Empire certainly shows that to be true. Grimm mentioning that Gladiator, who was defeated, is stronger than Hulk and Hyperion combined, also illustrates that to be the case – even if it’s a comment that some readers might scrutinize. The Fantastic Four try to stop the Reckoning in Fantastic Four #40 by Marvel Comic, which is in comic book stores now.

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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