Bruce Banner has a tough time dealing with the monster that lives inside of him. Sometimes he can control his anger, but other times he has little say in the matter. Though volatile, he's forged a lot of meaningful and time-tested friendships over the years. Banner's also enjoyed membership on several important super teams in the Marvel Universe, allowing a lot of the heroes of the universe to see his better qualities. He values these friendships greatly, and has become keenly aware of how his alter ego can put them in danger. Living with The Hulk has never been simple, but social interactions are often undercut by his potential appearances. A lot of the time the two are very different, Banner does not always align with the Hulk.
The Hulk isn't the easiest to get along with, for obvious reasons. Whether he is in control of his actions or not, he leaves a path of destruction when he lets loose. This has led to him coming into conflict with not only villains, but members of the superhero community as well. When you're that dangerous, sometimes even your allies have to take steps to make sure you're subdued. Due to Hulk's issues with the hero community in the past, across events like World War Hulk, he's been wary of his comrades. Some of the more complicit heroes in schemes against the big guy in the past have even beckoned Hulk's hatred. Let's take a look at his allies and see who are Banner's buddies and who Hulk hates!
20 LOVES: DR. STRANGE
Strange and Hulk have shared each others' company on a few teams across the years. The closest they ever worked together was when they were both part of The Defenders. Though Stephen was part of the Illuminati who made the reluctant decision to shoot Hulk into space, he did not make the choice lightly.
When Hulk returned for revenge, Strange initially attempted to subdue The Hulk in the most painless way possible, using magic to get inside of his head. This failed, however, and Hulk broke his hands, removing the magic. The two have since reconciled, a feat made easier by their shared history.
19 CAN'T STAND: WOLVERINE
Hulk and Wolverine have a history of scrapping with one another. Hulk usually comes out on top, but that hasn't stopped Logan from trying. Even across multiple universes and timelines the two have traded blows and claws. The most infamous clash being the Ultimate Universe confrontation which left Wolvie torn in two.
Though the two would rather be kept separate, there is at least some respect between the two. Just before their clash with Thanos in Infinity Gauntlet, the heroes had a discussion in which they found they understood one another, citing that they "get" each other where others see them as monsters. Will this stop them from having a go at each other here and there? Oh, it hasn't and it never will.
18 LOVES: SHE-HULK
They say blood is thicker than water, so gamma-irradiated blood must be even thicker. Given her powers by a blood transfusion from none other than Bruce, saving her life was vastly important to the hero. She-Hulk would also follow in her cousin's footsteps and become a member of the Avengers.
Though mostly not as prone to the same uncontrollable rage as often as her cousin, Jennifer Walters has succumbed to it on occasion. These struggles have allowed her to better relate to Bruce's hardships as Hulk. Most recently, Jennifer lost control of her powers and was brought into locking horns (and lips) with Thor. It would appear conflict with Thor also runs in the family.
17 CAN'T STAND: IRON MAN
One of the chief advocates for shooting Hulk into space prior to Planet Hulk, Tony Stark has drawn Hulk's ire several times. Iron Man was one of Hulk's primary targets when he returned from space to get his own back on the Illuminati for the forced exile.
During Original Sin, Bruce was given a vision involving Tony from the explosion of knowledge that occurred. The vision appeared to depict Tony being the cause of his initial transformation into the Hulk. In one of the most intense meetings in Avengers' history, Bruce confronted Tony, having to inject himself with sedatives during the meeting so his rage would not overtake him.
16 LOVES: SILVER SURFER
Another member of the Defenders alongside Hulk, Namor and Dr. Strange, Norrin Radd befriended Hulk during his time on the team. Silver Surfer seems to get on with just about everyone, even Galactus. His friendship with the Hulk has not wavered, however, respecting not only the big green machine and his power, but the man he is inside, too.
The two would also find themselves locked in battle during the events of Planet Hulk. Though made to fight one another against their wills, they were able to find a way to remove their control discs, even if Hulk did nearly destroy Norrin in the process. There appears to be no hard feelings since, however.
15 CAN'T STAND: THOR
The rivalry between Thor and Hulk is a classic tale of two guys trying to prove who is stronger. It's been an underlying theme in their time alongside each other in the Avengers. The rivalry even made the transition over into the MCU in Avengers.
During Fear Itself, Thor also commented on their longstanding rivalry as he took on Banner, who was possessed by an Asgardian hammer, turning him into Nul, Breaker of Worlds. Thor states that he could never beat Hulk and that he never really could. This turned out to be a ruse by the Asgardian, allowing Nul's guard to drop long enough for Thor to launch him into space.
14 LOVES: AMADEUS CHO
Amadeus Cho first became friends with Bruce Banner due to his work alongside some of the more scientific minds in the Marvel Universe. His knack for mathematical science showed itself to be very useful for various think-tanks in the super-community. Cho would later gain the powers of the Hulk and become somewhat of a protege to the older hulk.
In Bruce's absence, the young hero would take it upon himself to defeat dangerous monsters across the globe, containing them by shrinking them down for storage. This wasn't the first time he'd stand in for Hulk as he previously helped Hercules carry out Hulk's responsibilities after World War Hulk.
13 CAN'T STAND: MR. FANTASTIC
Another of the antagonists in Hulk's exile from Earth prior to Planet Hulk, Mr. Fantastic's logical approach to the proceedings appeared quite remorseless. Though this was not entirely the case, Richards' consideration of the greater good over his supposed friend's free will was telling enough for Bruce. The Baxter Building was one of the prime targets for Hulk upon his return, his rage decimating a good chunk of it.
Reed couldn't stop Hulk's fury and it seemed to be the end for the leader of the Fantastic Four until The Thing showed up to hold off Banner. Hulk would re-purpose the control discs from Sakaar and attach one to Reed with the intention to have him fight his fellow Illuminati members. Through this, he would finally know what he had subjected Bruce to.
12 LOVES: BETTY ROSS
It goes without saying that Bruce loves Betty Ross, though the two haven't had the easiest romantic past. Bruce's need to protect Betty from The Hulk has led him to push her away at times, but the two always find a way back to one another. For a time, Betty was able to become Red She-Hulk, mirroring some of the abilities of Bruce.
In the events of Fear Itself, when Hulk was possessed by one of the Serpent's hammers, Betty took it upon herself to preempt his destruction by saving as many people as she could. Betty most recently plotted revenge on Hawkeye for ending Bruce's life in Civil War II but abandoned the plans when she found out Bruce requested Hawkeye's intervention.
11 CAN'T STAND: RED HULK
There have been a few Red Hulks but the most annoying for Bruce historically is General Thunderbolt Ross, father to Betty Ross. The general was obsessed with stopping Hulk even before he took on the role of the Red Hulk, using countless military resources to try and bring down Banner.
Believing the Hulk to be nothing but a threat, he would use the powers of Red Hulk to try and take Bruce down once and for all. Though he failed, the resentment between the two remained, even after Red Hulk was accepted into the Avengers shortly before Avengers Vs. X-Men.
10 LOVES: HERCULES
Hulk has tested his mettle against several Gods of the Marvel Universe in the past, including Hercules. Where most of the Gods he fights with harbor a rivalry with Banner following their clashes, Hercules delights in it. Due to Hercules' respect for Hulk and his power, he became a friend to the good doctor.
In order to honor his friend and those his friend cared about, Hercules once took up Hulk's responsibilities. In the pages of The Incredible Hercules, Herc stepped in for an absent Hulk. Partnering with Amadeus Cho following World War Hulk, the pair would take care of business until Banner's return.
9 CAN'T STAND: JUGGERNAUT
Though traditionally a villain, Juggernaut has had a few spells on the right side of the law, even if it rarely lasts. Right or wrong, good or bad, Juggernaut and Hulk have clashed a few times to devastating results. The two behemoths are both nigh unstoppable, so wins have been traded between the two.
In one particular encounter, Juggernaut was able to get the drop on Banner and the fight ended with Hulk being put in a sleeper hold until he passed out. Not one to forget a defeat, Hulk would pay Cain back in kind during World War Hulk. Cain's powers were initially in a downward flux at the time, but they came back during their fight, where they were evenly matched, until the Green Scar outwitted his unstoppable foe.
8 LOVES: RICK JONES
Rick Jones is Bruce Banner's best friend, the pair's destinies have been intertwined since before Bruce became the Hulk. In fact, the whole reason Banner became the Hulk was due to rescuing Rick from Gamma-related peril. Though Hulk has lost control a fair few times over the years, one person who has never given up on him is Rick Jones.
Rick has been shown on the odd occasion to be able to talk Bruce down from his rages, speaking to the bond between the two friends. For a brief period Rick was transformed into A-Bomb, a being that mirrored the original Abomination. From his time as a mirror version of the classic Hulk villain, he was able to get a taste of Hulk-level power himself.
7 CAN'T STAND: THE THING
Longstanding rivals, Hulk and Ben Grimm have given each other hands a lot of times in the past. Though Ben understands Hulk's struggles with being seen as a monster, he's certainly not afraid of fighting him. Ben managed to briefly hold off an incredibly enraged Hulk during World War Hulk, fairing better than most.
Ben has even had the unfortunate responsibility of fighting Grey Hulk. In this form, Hulk is a lot smarter, which allowed him to decimate The Thing (who had actually gotten a power boost at the time) as they battled across Central Park. The fight ended when Hulk held Ben underwater until he was weak enough to easily knock out.
6 LOVES: NAMOR
Namor and Hulk have been heroes for a very long time. The two have crossed paths across the years to do good together, forming a friendship out of mutual respect. The two heroes shared membership of The Defenders for a time and Namor even helped Hulk fight the Avengers at one time.
Namor, being the leader of Atlantis, respects power most of all and that is something Hulk has in abundance. Prior to the events of Planet Hulk when the Illuminati voted to exile Hulk due to the danger he posed to Earth, Namor vehemently protested against the punishment. His aversion to the actions of his fellow members caused him to leave shortly thereafter.
5 CAN'T STAND: HAVOK
You'd think Havok and Hulk would be on the same page given that both men have a history of issues dealing with the vast amount of power held inside of them. However, while the two haven't fought often, the X-Man has more bragging rights than most, given that he has defeated Hulk on two separate occasions.
One of these fights was a result of mistaken identity, when Hulk mistook Polaris for one of his former partners. Havok, Polaris' actual partner at the time, sought to save her from the Hulk. He managed to focus all of his energy into a blast focused on the Hulk's head, which caused the big guy to pass out.
4 LOVES: SENTRY
The Sentry is the most powerful hero in the Marvel Universe and the hero the world needed to stop Hulk when he was at his most powerful during World War Hulk. Though the two fought like bitter enemies until Hulk was able to revert back to Bruce Banner, the two are actually great friends.
Bob and Bruce share similar motives in keeping their loved ones safe from the adverse affects of the powers lurking inside of the men. Bob's suppression of the Void, a powerful and evil entity which lives inside of him, mirrors Bruce's control (or lack thereof) of the Hulk. Additionally, when they are out in the field, Sentry's energy gives off a golden light, which has calming effects on Hulk.
3 CAN'T STAND: DOC SAMSON
Though Doc Samson and Bruce Banner are on decent terms these days, the Hulk himself still harbors resentment towards him. Given similar but greatly reduced powers to that of the Hulk, only Doc's hair is green and at one time, its length affected his level of strength (much like his namesake).
Doc and Bruce, however, once vied for the affections of Betty Ross. Not being able to keep his rage in check, the Hulk would do battle with Doc over this, attempting to remove his rival from the situation. Unfortunately, the beating he gave Samson only garnered sympathy for him from Betty, furthering Hulk's predicament.
2 LOVES: SKAAR
Skaar is the son of Hulk, a result of his time on the planet Sakaar. Though he did not grow up with his father, the two would be reunited on Earth during a time when Banner could no longer turn into Hulk. Bruce's tumultuous relationship with his own father affected his ability to connect with Skaar, of course, but the two worked through the difficulties.
Bruce agreed to help Skaar control his abilities and strength, and use them to defeat powerful enemies. He even helped stage a fight between the young Hulk and the Juggernaut. He stressed the importance of using brains alongside power in order to defeat foes... until he ultimately depowered his son and left him to his own devices.
1 CAN'T STAND: EX NIHILO & ABYSS
When Steve Rogers and Tony Stark assembled the Avengers Machine, they tapped the Hulk to be their powerhouse. One of their first outings was investigating a disturbance on the moon. When they arrived, they found Ex Nihilo terraforming the moon, with further designs on the Earth beyond. The Avengers engaged the being, finding him to be extremely powerful.
Hulk obviously tried smashing, only to have his mind interfered with by Ex Nihilo's assistant, Abyss, turning him against his fellow Avengers. Not enjoying his mind and agency being compromised at the best of times, Bruce remained suspicious of the aliens even after they became allies during Infinity.