The Leader: Complete History of the Hulk’s Arch-Villain

With Red Hulk’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through Captain America: Brave New World, it’s easy to forget the return of another intriguing character who last graced our screens in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Samuel Sterns, known in the Marvel Comics world as The Leader, is set to be portrayed once again by veteran actor and musician Tim Blake Nelson in his second MCU outing.

Although The Leader’s presence in the MCU has been sparse, the character has long been one of Hulk’s most cunning and consistent adversaries in the comics.

In the MCU, Sterns is first known by the alias Mr. Blue in The Incredible Hulk. He starts as a mysterious benefactor helping Bruce Banner, who is on the run, to find a cure for his gamma-induced transformations. The collaboration involves secure messaging and exchanges of materials until Thunderbolt Ross discovers Banner’s hideout in Brazil.

Eventually, Mr. Blue is revealed to be Samuel Sterns, a cellular biologist at Harlem-based Grayburn College, who has been working on synthesizing a cure using Banner’s blood samples. The procedure initially appears successful, halting Banner’s transformation halfway and seemingly eliminating the Hulk. However, Sterns admits he has been using the blood for other research purposes. Before he can destroy the samples, Thunderbolt Ross’ forces, led by Emil Blonsky, interrupt him, Banner, and Betty Ross.

As Banner and Ross are taken away, Blonsky forces Sterns at gunpoint to inject him with Banner’s blood to replicate the gamma experiment. The combination of gamma radiation, Banner’s blood, and the super soldier serum in Blonsky transforms him into the Abomination. Sterns is thrown aside as his lab is destroyed, but not before a drop of Banner’s blood enters an open wound on Stern’s head, hinting at his transformation into The Leader.

It remains unclear what role Sterns will play in Captain America: Brave New World, but given Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige’s hints, it’s likely he will play a pivotal role in the movie’s events.

In the comics, Sterns has a more humble beginning. Introduced in 1964’s Tales to Astonish #2, Sterns is originally a janitor and driver at a chemical plant in Boise, Idaho. His brilliant brother Philip’s success drives Sterns’ desire to surpass him, which he ultimately achieves through an accident that exposes him to gamma radiation. This transforms his skin green, enlarges his brain, and boosts his intelligence astronomically. Over time, he also gains telepathy, telekinesis, and psionic blast abilities to combat the Hulk and other heroes.

Following the accident, Sterns adopts the moniker The Leader and establishes a worldwide espionage ring aiming for global domination. His frequent clashes with the Hulk and other heroes like Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man stem from his quest to harness Hulk’s gamma-based powers for himself.

One notable encounter involves The Leader tricking Hulk into stealing the Ultimate Machine, believed to contain all universal knowledge. Exposure to the device seems to kill The Leader, but he is later resurrected using the Revivo-Beam, continuing his nefarious agenda.

Furthering his goal of world domination, The Leader establishes Freehold, an independent city beneath Canada’s Columbia Ice Fields, as a haven for brilliant scientists and gamma-mutated beings. Freehold’s population includes radiation exposure victims and mutates who defend the city and aid The Leader’s schemes. The Riot Squad, a group of gamma mutates, emerges as a notable team from this effort, with Thunderbolt Ross piloting the Redeemer to combat Hulk.

The Leader’s most notorious creation, however, is Red Hulk. This results from his collaboration with the Intelligencia, spearheaded by MODOK through AIM, and aided by Doc Samson’s villainous side. Their aim is to create agents that match Hulk’s power. Red Hulk quickly becomes a formidable adversary, killing several of Hulk’s foes, destroying SHIELD’s Helicarrier, and causing a massive earthquake in San Francisco. Despite being ultimately subdued by heroes like Thor and Hulk, Red Hulk remains a persistent menace.

Red Hulk’s identity is later revealed to be Thunderbolt Ross, who faked his death. Ross undergoes this transformation to better combat Hulk, leading to the creation of the second Harpy and Red She-Hulk. However, Ross’s discovery that Red She-Hulk is his daughter Betty leads him to destroy the Intelligencia’s facility where he was transformed. Ross drains the gamma radiation from The Leader, reverting him back to Samuel Sterns.

Though Sterns regains partial intelligence later with a dose of red gamma, becoming The Red Leader and serving Ross temporarily, he eventually escapes and returns to his original form, intelligence, and powers through a pact with Mephisto.

The Leader’s future in the MCU remains shrouded in mystery. While Red Hulk is teased for Captain America: Brave New World, The Leader’s involvement could mirror his comic role, potentially creating Red Hulk. The film’s tone, similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, hints at a possible new global espionage ring under The Leader’s control.

Captain America: Brave New World is slated for a theatrical release on February 14, 2025.

Source: ClutchPoints