For a surprisingly long time Banner managed to conceal the fact that he was the Hulk from virtually everyone but Rick Jones. However, during a time when the Hulk was missing and presumed dead, Jones told General Ross's aide, Major Glen Talbot, that Banner was the Hulk, and Banner's secret inevitably became public knowledge.
With the assistance of the Fantastic Four's Reed Richards, Banner managed to put his mind in control of the Hulk. Believing his problems were over, Banner proposed to Betty, who accepted. However, the Leader sought vengeance on the Hulk, sending the Rhino to disrupt the wedding and using a gamma weapon to restore the savage Hulk. When Gen. Ross was injured in the subsequent battle, the Hulk's nature caused a long-term rift between Bruce and Betty. Rick had previously left the Hulk, who, not surprisingly, had few other friends. One of his other close friends was Jim Wilson, who stayed by his side for a number of lengthy periods. He was also befriended by Mogol, an agent of Tyrannus, but upon learning that Mogol was a robot, the Hulk flew into a rage and smashed Mogol to pieces. The Hulk briefly befriended the homeless "Crackajack" Jackson, who taught him to read, before being killed by the criminals Hammer and Anvil. Rick Jones would return to the Hulk's side for long periods in the future.
The Hulk found friends and allies as a member of the Defenders. However, the general public was unaware of the existence of the Defenders as a team during the years that the Hulk was a member, and hence the Hulk continued to be regarded as a menace.
For years, Betty Ross continued to love Banner, despite her knowledge of his double identity. However, Banner's feelings were divided after the Hulk fell in love with Jarella, queen of the extradimensional world of K'ai. Eventually Betty married Glenn Talbot and Jarella was accidentally killed, but Betty continued to harbor a secret love for Banner.
While Banner was visiting his cousin Jennifer in Los Angeles, she was shot by an agent of gangster Nicholas Trask. To save his cousin's life Banner improvised an emergency blood transfusion. The transfusion of Banner's blood mutated Walters herself, causing her to become the She-Hulk.
Continued...