The Hulk is seen by many as a monster, but one of his friendships changed the way a classic MCU Avenger sees the Green Goliath.
The Hulk has connections all across the Marvel Universe. As a founding member of both the Avengers and the Defenders, the Green Goliath has developed a variety of friendships during his adventures. One of Bruce Banner’s closest friends, Jim Wilson, connects the Jade Giant to another Avenger: Sam Wilson, the Falcon.
Jim was first introduced in 1970’s Incredible Hulk #131 by Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe. The Hulk’s young ally grew up in Harlem, dreaming of travel and adventure. Against his parents’ wishes, Jim dropped out of high school and ran off to Los Angeles. For a time, Jim lived on the streets of LA, until he found an abandoned old tenement building. It was here that Jim first met the Hulk. Indeed, the Jolly Green Giant arrived as a fugitive from the law, seeking shelter in Jim’s building. The two became fast friends, bonding over their shared roles as social outcasts. Jim then became a sort of sidekick for the Hulk, much like Rick Jones.
During his time with the Green Goliath, Jim helped the Hulk against numerous villains, including HYDRA, the Leader, Xemnu, Rhino, the Abomination and several others. Jim was also a close associate of the US army, despite their antagonism towards the Hulk. It was because of Jim’s positive influence on the Hulk that the army called on the behemoth’s young ally for help. Jim even became friendly with General Ross, a longtime enemy of the Hulk, along with his daughter Betty. Jim’s biggest adventures, however, came when he helped the Hulk against the Corporation, a malicious organization. Initially joining the Corporation, Jim turned on the villains when he learned of their true nature. The Corporation sent the Constrictor to kill Jim, before the Hulk intervened.
A short while later, when Jim and Doc Samson were trying to rehabilitate the Hulk, the Corporation sent Moonstone to sabotage the process. Jim joined the Hulk, Captain America, the Falcon and Marvel Man in defeating the Corporation, and Jim also discovering that his uncle was the Falcon. This discovery inspired Jim to join the Young Watchers, a community police force. As part of the Young Watchers, Jim helped the Falcon against several criminals.
Jim did not appear again until 1991’s Incredible Hulk #388, by Peter David and Dale Keown. It was revealed here that Jim contracted HIV, later becoming the manager of an AIDS clinic in LA. Jim called the Hulk and Rick Jones for help when the clinic was targeted by a crime boss. Although the newly intelligent Professor Hulk fought off the assassin Speedfreek, Jim was wounded in the battle.
Jim seemed to recover from his injuries, yet his AIDS continued to degrade his health. In 1994’s unforgettable Incredible Hulk #420, by Peter David and Gary Frank, the Hulk took Jim to get medical help after being attacked by an angry mob. Jim pleaded with the Hulk for a blood transfusion, hoping that Banner’s irradiated blood would save his life. Yet Banner refused, unwilling to risk the creation of another gamma monster. Jim accepted this, dying peacefully in his hospital bed.
The Hulk’s friendship with Jim Wilson gave him a lot of credibility with the Falcon. From the start, the Hulk’s status as an outsider gave Jim someone with whom he could relate. Jim was one of the few people who the Hulk could call a friend, protecting and caring for the Falcon’s nephew.
The Hulk’s heroism also helped inspire Jim to do more for his community, such as joining the Young Watchers. In the end, Banner did everything he could to help Jim in his last moments, comforting his friend in the hospital. While many would see the Hulk as a monster, his connection with Jim gives the Falcon a glimmer of goodness from the Green Goliath.
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