Robert Maverick

General Robert L. Maverick is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the second character to use the Red Hulk identity after Thunderbolt Ross.^[1][2]

Robert Maverick
Robert Maverick as depicted in New Avengers (vol. 4) #8 (March 2016). Art by Marcus To (penciler/inker) and Dono Sánchez-Almara (colorist).
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Avengers vol. 6 #0 (October 2015) U.S.Avengers #1 (January 2017; as Red Hulk)
Created by	Al Ewing Gerardo Sandoval
In-story information
Species	Human mutate
Team affiliations	United States Army U.S.Avengers
Notable aliases	Red Hulk, Iron Hulk
Abilities	Military tactician As Red Hulk: Superhuman strength, stamina and durability Enhanced leaping Fire resistance

Publication history

Robert Maverick was created by Al Ewing and Gerardo Sandoval and first appeared in Avengers (vol. 6) #0 (October 2015).^[3] He first appeared as Red Hulk in U.S.Avengers #1 (January 2017).

Fictional character biography

In his debut during the Avengers: Standoff! storyline, Maverick oversees Project: Troubleshooter and Todd Ziller's transformation into the American Kaiju.^[4] He sends American Kaiju after the New Avengers when they illegally break into S.H.I.E.L.D. to rescue Rick Jones, but is defeated.^[5][6]

After Sunspot defeats the Maker, Maverick invites the former to work with the government, hoping that they can cooperate.^[7]

Maverick later joins the U.S.Avengers using the Hulk Plug-In, which enables him to transform into a Red Hulk form for one hour at a time.^[8] The group are approached by a future equivalent of Captain America who they work with to stop the Golden Skull.^[9][10]

The Red Hulk is later sent to confront and defeat the American Kaiju, who is attacking Europe. During this time, he encounters Deadpool, who was turned into a monster by the mad scientist Dr. Vandoom. He later encounters Gorilla-Man, but is saved by Squirrel Girl.^[11]

In Secret Empire, Maverick receives a nanite injection from undercover Hydra agent Kyle that will ostensibly increase the duration of his transformations, but is intended to control him. After being freed, Maverick is left weakened and with permanently red skin due to Hydra exceeding the time limit of his transformations.^[12][13] Despite this, he assists Smasher and the U.S.Avengers in restoring order on the planet Kral X.^[14]

During the "Avengers: No Surrender" arc (2018), most superheroes are placed in stasis during a contest between the Grandmaster's Lethal Legion and the Challenger's Black Order. Maverick is among the few who escape capture and utilizes the Iron Patriot armor as the Iron Hulk before being drained of his gamma energy and fully restored to his human form.^[15]

In Sam Wilson, Captain America (2025), Maverick regains his powers and becomes the head of security at Eaglestar International.^[16][3][17]

Powers and abilities

Robert Maverick is a military tactician.^[4] Using an improved variation of the Hulk Plug-In, he can transform into a Red Hulk who possesses similar abilities to Thunderbolt Ross, but lacks his heat-based abilities and healing factor.^[13]

In other media

Robert Maverick / Red Hulk appears as an alternate skin for Thunderbolt Ross / Red Hulk in Marvel: Future Fight.^{[citation needed]}