Iron Man, the indomitable hero known for his technological prowess, has encountered an antagonist who possesses a superpower so formidable that it can not only defeat but potentially kill the mighty Hulk himself.

Spoiler Alert: Insights From The Invincible Iron Man #5

Invincible Iron Man 

In the latest issue of The Invincible Iron Man, Tony Stark discovers that his self-proclaimed archenemy, Feilong, possesses a startling ability capable of overpowering even the Hulk. Feilong, a mutant-hating billionaire who has enhanced his own physical capabilities through experimental procedures, has gained a power that allows him to unleash a destructive force unlike anything witnessed before. By channeling the Cosmic Rays responsible for the Fantastic Four’s abilities through ruby quartz lenses, Feilong can unleash a devastating green cosmic fire from his mouth. This power has already proven lethal to remarkably strong superhumans, but its true potential for devastation lies in Feilong’s exploitation of the Hulk’s singular weakness.

Cosmic Radiation: The Achilles’ Heel Of Hulk

World-War-Hulk

In the Marvel universe, gamma radiation is the catalyst behind the Hulk’s transformation. Interestingly, this form of energy stands in stark contrast to Cosmic Radiation, making it the one force that poses a significant challenge to the Hulk’s formidable powers. Some of the Hulk’s most dangerous adversaries, such as the U-Foes, a villainous team fashioned after the Fantastic Four, gained their abilities through a similar process involving Cosmic Radiation. In The Immortal Hulk #45, X-Ray, a member of the U-Foes, demonstrates the ability to generate cosmic rays that penetrate the Hulk’s body with ease, leading to the Hulk’s demise. Now, Feilong possesses this same power and holds the potential to exploit the Hulk’s vulnerability to devastating effect.

Iron Man’s Adversary: The Hulk-Killing Menace

Hulk

The Hulk’s gamma energy is intricately connected to the mystical forces that permeate the Marvel Universe, with Cosmic Radiation serving as its antithesis on both scientific and magical levels. As a result, the Hulk has always been exceptionally susceptible to the effects of cosmic rays. Although the Hulk briefly harnessed cosmic radiation to resurrect himself in an altered form following his defeat at the hands of the U-Foes, subsequent storylines, such as Donny Cates and Ryan Ottley’s Hulk series, reintroduced gamma radiation as the central focus, implying that the cosmic resurrection was short-lived. Consequently, Marvel introduces a new villain whose unique power could potentially disintegrate the Hulk instantaneously, just as he did when faced with a similarly muscular mutant on Phobos.

Utilizing Feilong’s Powers To Turn The Tide

Feilong

Paradoxically, while the Hulk should steer clear of Feilong due to his newfound abilities, Iron Man might find in them the key to defeating this villain. Having cunningly stripped Tony Stark of his fortune and company, Feilong has left Iron Man with a solitary suit that has already suffered significant damage. As Feilong employs Stark technology to construct advanced Sentinels, Tony must neutralize the threat swiftly, and gamma radiation may prove to be the decisive factor. Despite cosmic radiation being the Hulk’s weakness, it is not inherently more potent than gamma radiation; rather, the two forces exist as opposites. By introducing gamma radiation into Feilong’s system, Iron Man could potentially disrupt his powers explosively. However, there is also the risk of unintentionally creating another Hulk-like entity.