| For alternate versions of the Duel of Harlem, see the Duel of Harlem's Event Hub |
- "You know, I tried to kill him, you know. So let's get that out of the way. It wasn't personal or anything. So... I was under direct orders from your government."
"But then you went on a destructive rampage in Harlem. That wasn't sanctioned by the government." - ―Emil Blonsky and Jennifer Walters[src]
The Duel of Harlem, dubbed Harlem Terror by the press and the Harlem Incident by S.H.I.E.L.D., was a destructive showdown between Hulk and Abomination on the streets of Harlem. It began when Emil Blonsky transformed into the Abomination and fled to the streets following an experiment gone wrong at Grayburn College. Following the capture of long-wanted scientist Bruce Banner, he was suddenly released from General Thaddeus Ross to unleash Hulk once again, as it was their only hope against Blonsky's rampage.
Although there was military and local NYPD interference, their involvement proved to be of little value after the Hulk arrived on the scene. The two beasts sparred in brutal close-quarters combat on the streets of Harlem, both vying for supremacy of power, and chasing each other across the rooftops of Harlem. The duel met its climax on a building rooftop in ruins: The Hulk managed to save General Ross and his daughter Betty Ross from an explosive helicopter crash, and escaped to British Columbia, leaving the defeated Blonsky in Ross' captivity.
Background[]
- "Tell them to bring everything they got and head for Harlem."
"It has to be me. You have to take me back there."
"What are you saying? You think you can control it?"
"No, no, not control it, but... I don't know, maybe aim it." - ―Thaddeus Ross, Bruce Banner and Betty Ross[src]
Bruce Banner and Betty Ross were trying to get an antidote for Banner's Gamma Radiation condition, so they went to Samuel Sterns at Grayburn College, whom Banner had been working with indirectly for more than a year through the computer messaging aliases of "Mr. Green," and "Mr. Blue." Banner tested the antidote, which seemed to work, but only temporarily. General Thaddeus Ross and his squad captured Banner and Betty.
Emil Blonsky is injected with Bruce Banner's blood
Emil Blonsky made Sterns transfuse Hulk's blood into his body. When he did, the mix of the Super Soldier Serum and gamma radiation transformed Blonsky into an "Abomination." Taking on the mantle, Abomination then threw Sterns into a container of Banner's blood, which leaked into a wound in Stern's forehead, which made his brain grow and gave him a higher level intellect.
As both Banner and Betty Ross were taken into custody, Blonsky, now a hideous titan known as Abomination, began rampaging through the city in a bid to draw out Hulk. Banner, realizing that he was the only one who could stop Abomination, was able to convince General Thaddeus Ross to release him. Banner suggested that he could aim Hulk's aggression towards Abomination. After Ross questioned him about his ability to control Hulk, Banner convinced the general by pointing out that all of them were responsible for the disaster. Ross ordered the pilot to land the helicopter close to the scene, to which Banner told him to keep it high and drop him out the back door.
Hulk prepares to challenge Abomination
Following an attempt by Betty to keep him on the helicopter in fear that he may not transform, Banner jumped out, counting on the fall to trigger a transformation. Banner's plan succeeded and he transformed into Hulk. Hulk emerged from a crater, roaring down the street. He ripped off the remains of his shirt, and began to run towards the Abomination, who did the same.[4]
Duel[]
Hulk rips an entire police car in half
- "The last time I was in New York, I kind of... broke Harlem."
- ―Bruce Banner to Tony Stark[src]
Hulk charged toward Abomination, who speared him off his feet. Hulk smashed a police car in half and used the pieces as boxing gloves. He punched Abomination repeatedly into the pavement so hard it created a crater.
Hulk furiously fights against Abomination
Hulk prepared to give him one more punch, but Abomination kicked him through a wall into a nearby building. Abomination climbed the wall and General Thaddeus Ross ordered the helicopter to open fire on him, chasing him to the roof. The helicopter chased Abomination across the rooftops, then he lunged and grabbed the helicopter just as Hulk arrived and grabbed him. The two goliaths' wrestling caused the helicopter to crash on the ruins of a building and crush Abomination. Betty and the general tried to get out before Abomination appeared unharmed and taunted Hulk once more.
Abomination crashes General Ross' helicopter
The two faced off again and Abomination pinned Hulk against a wall and stabbed him in the chest with his exposed elbow while mocking him. Meanwhile, the destroyed helicopter was leaking fuel and releasing sparks, threatening to cause a fire with Betty and the general still trapped inside it. However, seeing Betty in danger made Hulk angrier, so he overpowered Abomination and slammed him into the wall just as the helicopter caught fire. Banner clapped his hands together, creating a shockwave that blew out the fire, saving Betty and the general.
Hulk pushes back against Abomination
Abomination hit Hulk with a concrete pillar on a chain, then turned his attention to the Ross'. As he was about to kill them, Hulk yelled "Hulk, Smash!" and smashed the ground to create a big crack in which Abomination's foot got caught causing him to lose the chain and the pillar hit him in the head. Hulk grabbed the chain and wrapped it around Blonsky's neck. After a final struggle, Hulk managed to strangle Abomination into submission. Banner prepared to kill Blonsky with the chain, but Betty told him to stop.
Hulk stands victorious over Abomination
The police and several witnesses arrived to the scene only to find that Hulk had already won the battle. Knowing that Abomination was defeated, Hulk dropped him to the ground, stomped him, and roared to declare his victory. Banner delivered an unconscious Blonsky to Ross who asked to call Nick Fury. Hulk shared a brief moment with Betty, but when the army appeared, he decided that staying would only put Betty in more danger and left the scene with the army in hot pursuit. General Ross silently allowed Hulk to escape, having understood that his power is too great.[4]
Aftermath[]
Government's Reaction[]
- "They consider Blonsky a war hero. They want him exonerated, released, and then added to the roster."
- ―Phil Coulson to Jasper Sitwell[src]
Following the Duel of Harlem, the World Security Council publicly blamed Hulk, declaring that Emil Blonsky was a war hero who was defending himself. The World Security Council ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. to exonerate and release Blonsky and induct him into the Avengers Initiative. Knowing that Blonsky was the one responsible, S.H.I.E.L.D. sent Tony Stark to meet with Thaddeus Ross, who had Blonsky imprisoned under his custody. Frustrated and humiliated by the failure of the project he worked on for five years, he went to a bar to get drunk before encountering Stark. Stark told him that a team was being put together, although Ross refused to relinquish custody of Blonsky over to S.H.I.E.L.D. due to Stark's behavior.[5]
Ross' role in responding to the battle would be cited by President Matthew Ellis as examples of the newly appointed Secretary of State's experience with super-powered individuals and the incidents involving them, during an interview with WHiH World News anchor Christine Everhart on May 3, 2016 in which he gave his vote of confidence in Ross' ability to negotiate a governmental relationship with the Avengers.[6]
Bruce Banner's Status[]
New York Bulletin’s article report on the event
- "That fight was so many years ago, I'm a completely different person now. Literally."
- ―Bruce Banner to Jennifer Walters[src]
Ben Urich wrote an article for the New York Bulletin called "Harlem Terror," declaring Hulk victorious.[7]
Bruce Banner fled north to Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada. Thirty-one days on the run, he had found himself a secluded place to rest. Having discovered that Hulk's behavior indeed can be controlled, he began practicing a new technique of initiating his transformations in a controlled manner rather than suppressing them.[4] After joining the Avengers, Banner was publicly revered as a hero, which led to Blonsky being publicly held responsible for the Harlem Incident.[8]
Abomination's Incarceration[]
- "Mr. Blonsky has been serving his sentence in an ultra-high security prison."
- ―Holden Holliway to Jennifer Walters[src]
In the aftermath of the incident, Emil Blonsky was taken into the United States Army's custody under Thaddeus Ross' sector, although this was classified. Those within the government, including S.H.I.E.L.D. agents below Level 7, believed that S.H.I.E.L.D. had Blonsky in their custody.[5] Blonsky was kept at a cryo-cell facility at the Vault in Barrow, Alaska.[9]
Blonsky was eventually awakened from cryosleep and transferred to the custody of the United States Department of Damage Control and imprisoned at their supermax prison. During this time, he contacted Bruce Banner to make amends and made friends with other inmates as well as Wong. By 2025, he was eligible for parole and was represented pro bono by Jennifer Walters of Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway to secure his release from prison.[8]
Appearances[]
| Appearances for Duel of Harlem |
|---|
|
In chronological order:
|
Behind the Scenes[]
- The creative team of What If...? originally wanted to depict the Duel of Harlem in What If... The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes? for the scene of the Hulk's death, but ultimately chose to use the Battle at Culver University instead because it "led itself" better to the story.[10]
References[]
- ↑ The Art of the Avengers timeline
- ↑ The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week
- ↑ Tony Stark's file from a deleted scene from The Avengers
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Incredible Hulk
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant
- ↑ WHiH Newsfront: 2.04: WHIH Newsfront Exclusive: President Ellis Discusses the Avengers
- ↑ Daredevil: 1.03: Rabbit in a Snowstorm
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: 1.02: Superhuman Law
- ↑ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: 1.13: T.R.A.C.K.S.
- ↑ Breaking Down Fury’s Big Week with ‘What If…?’ Head Writer A.C. Bradley – Exclusive Interview
