Although originally introduced as a love interest for Bruce Banner, the character of Betty Ross has since undergone numerous alterations, including becoming the antiheroine Red She-Hulk. But how did this character make such a drastic transformation?

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Ross made her first appearance in Incredible Hulk #1 in 1962. As the only daughter of General Thaddeus E. “Thunderbolt” Ross, she was a conventionally polite woman who was still strong willed and independent-minded. After graduating, Ross joined her father on a top secret project to create a weapon with gamma radiation. Dr. Bruce Banner is the head scientist on the project and immediately captivated Ross with his intellect and soft-spoken manner. Unfortunately, less than an hour after their first meeting, Banner is struck by the Gamma Bomb and turned into the Incredible Hulk. 

Initially, Banner tried to keep his newfound condition a secret from Ross but this only served to alienate her from him. Around this time, Banner was a hunted fugitive and Ross was being pursued by Major Glenn Talbot. However, after his dual identity becomes public knowledge and he learns to control his transformations, Banner proposes to Ross. She was an on-and-off again supporting character in the Hulk’s various series for decades, serving as his longest running love interest. 

In 2009, Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness introduced a new version of Ross in Hulk Vol. 2 #15. Following a storyline that places Ross in cryogenic suspension, it is revealed that she was resurrected by the Leader and MODOK at the urgings of her father. During this process, Ross is transformed into the Red She-Hulk and gains superhuman strength, speed, durability, endurance, healing factor and energy absorption. Assisted by the villainous Doc Samson, Leader brainwashed Ross and placed her in an extremely confused and aggressive state. 

After being stabbed by Skaar, Ross reverts to her true identity. Although she begs Banner to let her die, Ross transforms back into the Red She-Hulk and heals her injuries. Now in control of her own mind, Ross becomes an antiheroine and fights alongside Spider-Woman, Ms. Marvel, and Protector. Red She-Hulk is also present in Civil War II, the storylines “Chaos War” and “Fear Itself,” and became a member of the Defenders. 

Ross has appeared in both live-action and animated features, while her Red She-Hulk persona has made appearances as a playable character in various video games. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, who knows if Ross’ Red She-Hulk will come barreling onto the silver screen sometime soon?