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Gamma Radiation

Gamma Radiation from Immortal Hulk Vol 1 12 001

Gamma radiation refers to the highest known frequency wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, which can manifest scientifically as both a wave and a particle,[1] and a mutagenic third form known as extreme gamma.[2] In large doses, gamma radiation is lethal to most living beings, but individuals affected by the third form are instead transformed into beings called Gamma Mutates. During the experimental detonation of a Gamma Bomb, scientist Dr. Bruce Banner was hit with the blast, absorbing massive amounts of gamma radiation. The radiation enhanced his body so whenever he became enraged, he changed into the Hulk.[3] Many different gamma mutates have been created since, including the Abomination, She-Hulk, the Leader, Red Hulk, and Sasquatch, to name a few.

Reed Richards — the smartest human alive — admitted that he knows very little about extreme gamma, stating that only Banner, Sasquatch, and perhaps one other are experts. "Sometimes I wonder if you could call it science at all", he said. "Or if it's something else".[2] Richards was correct; the third form is supernatural in nature,[4] originating from a malevolent deity called the One Below All, who is trapped in the Below-Place, a dimension situated in the lowest layer of reality, below the deepest layer of Hell. Whenever they die, a gamma mutate's soul will be plunged into the Below-Place until, eventually, a Green Door leading them back to the land of the living opens, and they return to life without memory of their stay in the Below-Place.[5]

Gamma radiation is the antithesis of Cosmic radiation.[6][2]

Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-199999)

Bruce Banner experimented with gamma radiation in hopes of making soldiers immune to radiation poisoning, as per his agreement with Thaddeus Ross, and accidentally turned himself into the Hulk in the process.[7]

The Tesseract is mentioned to emit small amounts of gamma radiation, leading to the recruitment of Bruce Banner to assist in finding it. When Tony Stark and Banner discuss their relative "handicaps", Stark cites that the Hulk saved Banner's life, because any other human would have died absorbing that much gamma radiation.[8]

Gamma radiation is one of the components of the Centipede Serum, an item designated to give a person superhuman abilities. The rest of the components are the Extremis virus, a variation of the Super Soldier Serum, and technology from the Chitauri for injection.[9]

See Also



(See Also: Incredible Hulk #1, Category:Gamma Radiation, Category:Gamma Ray Exposure)

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