You think the Hulk is scary? Try running into this guy....
- The series was cited in parenting and media books as one of the most frightening for kids typically under the age of 10 with Banner's swift transformation and animals sounds. However, those same books note that when a typical kid has matured from that age onward, the circumstances Banner is often in become the scarier part of the show with him in deadly danger and the usual musical and visual cues that he's about to transform into the Hulk becoming a relief as the superhero monster arises to conquer the danger.
- Word is that Bill Bixby wouldn't even allow his children to watch the show for various reasons as he was afraid it would terrify them. An episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood would later go behind the scenes of the show to reveal the actors and makeup process, in hopes of making children less afraid of the transformation.
- "The First" two-parter introduces us to Del Frye, who was turned into a Hulk a long time ago and was subsequently cured. When David meets Del, Del tricks him into turning him into a Hulk once again. At first, one thinks its just because Del wants to be cured of his arthritis and other age-related ailments...until we see him deliberately placing himself in situations where he will transform. And we see just how much he likes being the monster. A monster that has no qualms about killing.
- The Hulk's second appearance in the first pilot movie is downright terrifying. Banner transforms while asleep due to his recurring nightmare, and he spends several minutes savagely destroying everything in the containment chamber as Elaina documents the entire situation on a tape recorder, clearly shaken. It's the most violent and unhinged Ferrigno's Hulk ever acts, and he emerges from the chamber like this
◊ before Elaina calms him down.
