Is there a difference between paying life and taking damage? For example, I use Punisher- McRook to knock out a target character. My opponent chooses to pay 2 life to prevent this effect. Does this life loss trigger a character such as Hulk- Green Goliath? "While Hulk is active, whenever either you or Hulk takes damage, Hulk deals 2 damage to each opposing character (no matter how many Hulks are fielded)."
Would this ruling apply similarly to the Ironman- Inventor or Vibranium Shield globals? Because paying costs cannot be avoided are you unable to redirect or prevent damage when paying life?
Thanks!