Torch's Nova isn't really that impressive, given his size and mass, and output of energy. Not compared to the Sun, or what Hulk can and has handled. Hulk's ability to fluctuate in power is extremely inconsistent, especially since he can amp, due to physical stress and trauma, in a similar way to shooting Banner in the head with a gun, but Hulk landing on the ground, then of course getting back up.  
 
One feat in particular that screws up the gradient curve is his bracing the mountain range in Secret Wars. There are various ways we could downplay this feat, or overblow it, but still, the degree of increase needed and the speed of that increase for a character that starts off at 90 tons to get to where he needs to be.... his fight with Gladiator is a nice measuring stick too, its possible that Hulk gets hit hard and his durability will do two things? React almost instantly, allowing him to cope? Then it starts to increase more and more alongside his healing factor, or he gets knocked out, and this has happened a few times, but with relatively weak characters too. 

Considering that he can also punch his way through dimensions and he trounced Black Blot, and The Sentry, I find the concept of superman defeating him a little far fetched, if it was Dr Manhattan or the Spectre then that would make more sense.

" @hydrabob:  hey it comics, you should know real world rules don't always apply "

He is underrated. But the argument "the angrier he gets the stronger he gets" can't be used in every Hulk thread. People have to try harder than this.

Here on the Vine I think he mostly gets overestimated. Especially when compared to the 'powerhouses' of DC.

I frankly do not see how Superman can 'stomp' the Hulk. Surely, anyone who says this is doing so more of the fact they are DC enthusiasts. The Hulk is Marvel's Invincible beast and Superman is DC shining poster boy. A clash between them is no cakewalk for either. Speed? Power? Those comparisons between these two are speculative and ridiculous. It boils down to who has common sense and we all know who loses it when he gets angry..

ive said this a million times and a millions times its been true the hulk can do anything and beat most anyone but its all a matter of circumstance hulk could be another molecule man and be "too powerful" and get retconned which is stupid

I think Hulk is definitely underestimated over on the DC forums. I'm a fan of both Hulk and Superman and suggested on the Superman forum that Hulk v Superman would be a tough fight. I got some fairly robust replies from Superman fans asking me if I'd ever read a Superman comic, which I kinda thought was insulting seeing as I was into Superman before most of them were a twinkle in their daddy's eyes. Some Thor fans also underestimate Hulk. However I think also that some Hulk fans overestimate his powers. I mean going back to the Superman thing again, Superman and Hulk arguably have similar levels of physical strength, Superman starts off stronger, but Hulk quickly ramps up. However, Superman is much, much faster. If you get two boxers of similar strength, the faster man usually wins. So Hulk fans who think their hero takes out Superman easily are really kidding themselves. Hulks amazing durability makes him really hard to KO, but even Hulk fans surely admit that If Superman uses all his potential combat speed in a battle with Hulk, i.e. just doesn't try to slug it out as Sentry did in WWH, Hulk has his work cut out.

When did he trounce Sentry? The WWH fight was a draw (Banner got the last punch in on Robert after they had both transformed back) and only because Sentry chose to slug it out with Hulk rather than use his other considerable powers. Anyone slugging it out with Hulk will eventually lose. The Black Bolt was a Skull imposter. The real Black Bolt ko'd Hulk rather convincingly when they previously met in "Hulk battles the inhumans". Superman has the edge on Hulk because he can move much faster.

@bezza:

Considering Hulk was confirmed to be holding back that entire arc and considering he was the one that returned seconds later while Sentry was still KO'd. It's easy to see why Hulk is seen as the overall victor. Tell me what of Sentries other powers would have done to WWH? He released all his energy in those punches and they still didn't keep the Hulk down. So tell me what else is there that would be more effective? The Skrull imposter of BB is pretty much no different than the real BB as he has all of his powers and i hope you are not suggesting that the real one would have won against WWH because of their previous bout.