One of the Hulk’s greatest victories came against Black Bolt, as the World War Hulk version of the hero was able to withstand the Inhuman’s powerful screams in a stunning victory in their fight. However, Marvel Comics would later reveal a huge secret regarding the King of Atillan the Jade Giant took down: He was actually a Skrull in disguise. The claim threw a wrench in the idea Hulk could take on Black Bolt’s scream and continue a fight where most others failed.
World War Hulk was the epic sequel to Planet Hulk, where the Jade Giant at the height of his rage returned to Earth to take down the Illuminati, the superteam who sent him to space believing he was too dangerous. One of his first fights happened on his way to Earth, where the Hulk faced off against Black on the moon. Despite losing multiple battles against Black Bolt in the past, somehow, the Hulk withstood his powerful scream and ended up taking down the Inhuman in a shocking win.
However, Marvel Comics later revealed that the claim the Hulk could take on Black Bolt’s scream and still win a fight against him was false. Not because the Hulk didn’t withstand a version of Black Bolt’s powers and take down the hero in World War Hulk, but because it was later retconned that the Inhuman ruler was a Skrull in disguise. And not just a normal Skrull, one that was capable of recreating the powers of the entire Illuminati.
In New Avengers: Illuminati #5 by Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Reed, Mark Morales, Justin Ponsor, Jim Cheung, and VC’s Cory Petit from Marvel Comics, the Illuminati learn Black Bolt was a powerful Super-Skrull pretending to be him while the real hero was captured by the shape-shifting race. The Skrull was able to engineer the superteam’s powers, allowing him to send a sonic scream during his battle with the Hulk, which turned out to be less powerful against the Jade Giant during World War Hulk.
While it was cool to see the Hulk take down Black Bolt in World War Hulk, the fight victory ultimately didn’t mean what was intended at the time. The Hulk’s durability wasn’t able to suddenly withstand Black Bolt’s scream, one of the most powerful attacks in the Marvel Universe; instead, it took on a cheap version of the power and hero and won.
Black Bolt’s power, skill, and experience are considerable, meaning the Hulk has never beaten him as the comic initially showed. While it’s not out of the question that Hulk could fight and possibly win against Black Bolt in future Marvel Comics stories, as his own power levels (especially as Starship Hulk) are nearly unmatched until that happens, his chances of taking on Black Bolt’s scream, not being knocked out, and defeating his opponent are still unlikely.
