Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Red Hulk #5!Iron Man has created countless Marvel just unveiled a Hulk Buster that is so gruesome and ruthless that Iron Man wouldn’t dare to imagine it. While Tony Stark has always had a distinct way of engineering armor to fight the Hulk, Marvel’s latest method of taking down Red Hulk redefined the meaning of “Hulk Buster” in the most brutal way.

...it's shown to nearly turn Red Hulk into a fried pile of flesh...

Red Hulk #5, written by Benjamin Percy, with art by Geoff Shaw, picks up with General Thaddeus Ross, aka Red Hulk, rampaging through Latveria in an attempt to escape Doctor Doom, when the US Military intervenes, claiming Red Hulk violated their treaty.

The Military unleashes a massive anti-matter cannon on the Red Hulk, which disrupts gamma wavelengths, melting Thaddeus Ross out of his Hulk form and leaving the Red Giant as a deformed horror. With this visceral display of the new weapon’s power, Marvel completely redefines the meaning of a Hulk Buster by foregoing the iconic Iron Man suit.

Marvel Unleashes Its Most Visceral and Unsettling Hulk Buster to Date

Red Hulk #5 Written By Benjamin Percy; Art By Geoff Shaw; Color By Brian Valenza; Letters By Cory Petit

Hulks are one of Marvel’s most powerful and indomitable beings within the Marvel Universe, and while Red Hulk is nowhere near Bruce Banner’s level, Thaddeus Ross is still a mighty force to be reckoned with. Thaddeus is far more alert in his Hulk form compared to Banner, as he lacks an alternate persona, has taken hits from Thor wielding the Odin-Force, and can lift over 100 tons. However, Red Hulk has two well-known weaknesses: his fiery temper and anti-gamma weaponry, which this new Hulk Buster demonstrates in the most brutal way possible.

This military-grade “Hulk Buster” is a complete departure from the classic designs Iron Man so often uses to get Bruce Banner under control, as the weapon presents a far more sterile method that is simple and effective, yet vastly more disturbing. Unlike Banner’s Hulk, Thaddeus isn’t afforded the luxury of a fight and is instead torn to shreds in a matter of seconds. Not only does this new Hulk Buster leave Thaddeus looking positively grotesque, but it also appears to be vastly more efficient than any Hulk Buster Tony Stark has assembled.

Red Hulk's Latest Hulk Buster Is So Ruthless, Even Tony Stark Would Never Build It

Marvel Introduces Its Most Lethal Version of the Hulk Buster

Tony Stark would never make a Hulk Buster of this caliber because, while effective, this weapon goes against everything that Iron Man stands for. It’s apparent in his array of Hulk Busters that Tony often takes a more personal approach, opting to engineer suits to fight the Hulk personally rather than completely obliterate him. While Tony Stark has used anti-gamma tech before to knock out the Hulk, as seen in The Incredible Hulk #70-74 by Bruce Jones and Mike Deodato Jr., it’s apparent that his weapons are only meant to contain the Hulk, as he doesn’t want to harm his fellow Avenger severely.

A major part of Tony Stark’s character is the continuous strides he makes to prevent Stark Technologies from being used in weapons manufacturing and arms sales, especially after his company was taken over by Feilong and Orchis. Knowing the type of hero Iron Man currently is, Tony Stark would never create a Hulk-busting weapon for the government, especially not for a government that has chosen to ally with Doctor Doom. With Thaddeus already struggling with his Hulk form, there’s no telling what kind of effect this massive cannon will have on him.

Marvel Redefines the Meaning of a Hulk Buster by Crafting a Brutal Anti-Gamma Weapon

Red Hulk Didn’t Stand a Chance Against Marvel’s Latest Hulk Buster

This Hulk Buster death cannon lacks the pomp and flair of Tony Stark's suits but is far more ruthless and effective, as it's shown to nearly turn Red Hulk into a fried pile of flesh in what appears to be a matter of seconds. Though it’s evident that Tony Stark has the intellect and capabilities to create anti-gamma weaponry, should Iron Man create such a brutal weapon, it would be hard to call him a hero. It’s clear Marvel’s latest Hulk Buster spells massive danger for Red Hulk, with its cruel design showing to be a daunting weakness for the anti-hero.

Red Hulk #5 is available now from Marvel Comics!