Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Ultimates #6! Since her Marvel Comics debut, Hulk title, as her feats of strength and proven heroism are impressive enough to make her an Avenger. But, between the two Hulks, who’s stronger? Well, the latest fight between Hulk and She-Hulk settles that for good with one gory injury that highlights the huge chasm between their power levels.

In The Ultimates #6 by Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri, the Ultimates are breaking into a facility owned and operated by the Maker, as they believe he’s holding a number of superheroes captive behind the vault doors. However, when they open the doors, the Ultimates don’t find a prison, but rather an entire pocket dimension known as K’un-Lun. The Ultimates walk right into an arena, and sitting patiently waiting for them is the Hulk and his gamma-mutant disciples. Seeing him sparks an unparalleled burst of rage within She-Hulk, forcing her to attack this ruthless villain - and she suffers the consequences.

In the new Ultimate Universe of Earth-6160, the Hulk isn’t just a gamma-powered brute, he’s also the Immortal Iron Fist (aka the Atomic Iron Fist). So, when She-Hulk charges him, the Hulk simply powers his Iron Fist, and hits her with a single strike that packs the same punch as 15 atomic bombs. However, She-Hulk didn’t let that keep her down. Later in the battle, She-Hulk attacked Hulk again. However, Hulk catches one of She-Hulk’s punches and crushes her fist in his hand. In other words, Hulk proved far more powerful than She-Hulk, and it isn’t even close.

She-Hulk will Never Close the Power Gap Between Herself & Hulk in the Ultimate Universe

Hulk Wields the Power of Iron Fist On Top Of His Gamma Strength

She-Hulk suffers a horrifically gory injury while fighting the Hulk, one that leaves her hand as little more than a bloody stump. While her gamma-powered healing factor should fix her in no time, the implication of that injury is more painful than the injury itself, as it proves that She-Hulk will never be able to match the Hulk’s strength in the Ultimate Universe. Which, given their shared history, stings even more.

In the Ultimate Universe, Hulk and She-Hulk aren’t cousins. In fact, the only reason She-Hulk is a gamma-mutate is that she and her entire island community were exposed to the gamma fallout of Bruce Banner’s experiments. She-Hulk was the only one who became ‘super’ as a result of the gamma exposure, while everyone else she had ever loved suffered horrific, cancerous mutations. That’s why She-Hulk wanted to kill Hulk on-sight, and why it’s extra tragic that she’ll never be able to close the power gap between them.

Hulk Already Proved He’s Stronger than She-Hulk in Earth-616 As Well

World War Hulk #2 by Greg Pak and John Romita Jr.

While Hulk proved to be much stronger than She-Hulk in the Ultimate Universe because of his added Iron Fist power, he also proved as much in the original Marvel Comics continuity of Earth-616. During the World War Hulk event, when Hulk was arguably at his most powerful, he and She-Hulk fought one-on-one, and She-Hulk was beaten in a matter of moments. Sure, their power levels might be comparable on most days, but when considering the Hulk at his peak, She-Hulk simply doesn’t compare.

Of course, the difference between Earth-616 and Earth-6160 in regard to Hulk vs She-Hulk is that She-Hulk has the potential to reach Hulk’s level in Earth-616, whereas she cannot hope to do so in the Ultimate Universe. That means, with one gory injury, Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Universe settles who is stronger between Hulk and She-Hulk while making it clear there’s a huge chasm between them.

The Ultimates #6 by Marvel Comics is available now.