The original Hulkbusters were the large military force, consisting of both United States Army and Air Force personnel, whose primary mission was the capture or destruction of the menace known as the Hulk. The Hulkbusters were headquartered at Hulkbuster Base, New Mexico (also known as the Gamma Base) and were commanded by General Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross, the military officer with the longest experience in battling the Hulk.

After Bruce Banner, the man who was the Hulk, achieved a state in which his normal intelligence and personality remained dominant when he was in the Hulk's form, the Hulk received a presidential pardon, and the Hulkbusters ceased to exist. Hulkbuster members were assigned to new projects. Hulkbuster Base itself was demolished by the criminal U-Foes.

Later, however, the Hulk reverted to his bestial personality and was captured by Dr. Leonard Samson. Samson persuaded the federal government to rebuild and refinance Gamma Base, where through unknown means, he managed to separate Banner and the Hulk into two discrete beings. The Hulk subsequently escaped.

The federal government then made Banner himself the leader of the new Hulkbusters. This group is not primarily a large military force, but instead is at its core a small team of highly skilled individuals selected and led by Banner. The new Gamma Base in New Mexico is their current headquarters. The new Hulkbusters are depicted here.

First Appearance: (new Hulkbusters) INCREDIBLE HULK #317