Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #102Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #102
Title: “…This World Not His Own!”
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Penciller: Marie Severin
Inker: George Tuska
Editor: Stan Lee
As Hulk leaps across a bottomless chasm,
mystic power affects the Hulk and changes him back into Bruce
Banner. 
Bruce’s
life is flashing before his eyes as he plummets. He thinks how he
will never have the chance to ease the pain he has caused Betty
and Rick because of death. Enchantress is standing with
Executioner when she spots Banner falling. She says that he looks
like a mortal. Executioner says that if he is a mortal that he is
falling towards a fate most fitting because the chasm leads back
down to Earth. He asks why they should even care about such petty
matters when the Realm Eternal will soon be theirs for the
taking. Enchantress says that the mortal may have tidings of
Hercules, whom Enchantress has given her heart, and that he must
be spared. Executioner says that the longings of the female heart
is interfering with far more important proceedings. Not listening
to Executioner, Enchantress casts a spell and stops Bruce from
falling. She says that he is saved and that she must now bring
him to her. Executioner says that before the day is over than
Enchantress will regret this. He says that this can only hinder
the invasion of Asgard.
Back at the top of the chasm, Volstagg is peering down and says that he fears that the green skinned stranger must be dead by now. Hogun says that he is inclined to agree as not even an immortal could survive such a fall. Fandrall says that they may as well press on and journey to consult with Oldar. He says that maybe she can tell them about the stranger and where he got his strength and valor. They ride on for hours until they come to the edge of a dark mysterious forest. They see the enchanted gong that will, when struck, summon Oldar, the Oracle. Fandrall says that striking the gong sounds like a job for Volstagg. Volstagg says that his fighting courage would be wasted on such a trivial chore. Hogun asks if it is the lack of importance or the eerie surroundings that make him shy away. Volstagg says that if they are afraid to do it that he will and says to remember that they would have remained ignorant of the departed stranger if it wasn’t for him. Volstagg strikes the gong. The vibrations for the gong are so strong that they hurl Volstagg back as if he were a “leaf in a gale”. Oldar begins to appear and Volstagg says that they should get out of there before they are consumed by the all-consuming force of evil. Oldar appears and says that they have nothing to fear from her. She tells them to ask what they want to know. Volstagg tells Hogun and Fandrall that he will protect them from the witch. Hogun says that is Oldar, the one that they have come to see. She tells them to lay down their weapons and come near. Volstagg says not to trust her, but Fandrall tells Volstagg to still his cowardly tongue. As Oldar sits by the fire she is transformed from an elderly woman into a young beautiful woman. She says that she already knows why they have come and that she will tell them all she knows about the stranger from Earth.
Igor tells Bruce Banner that he has to stop his insane project because it is too dangerous. Bruce says that they are too close to success to giving the country a weapon that can assure world peace forever. Bruce says that in a few seconds they will know what happens when gamma rays are released in the most powerful explosion man has ever known. Bruce spots Rick driving onto the test area, He says that he has to get out there and warn him before it is too late. Bruce tells Igor to delay the countdown. Igor says that he will, but as Bruce drives off Igor says that he has been in Banner’s shadow long enough and that this is his chance to take over. Bruce Banner tells Rick that he is in a forbidden test area. Rick says that it isn’t like they are going to be “blowin’ the big one or somethin’”. Bruce says to guess again and manages to get Rick to the shelter, but then the explosion goes off and Banner is bathed in gamma rays. Later on, when he is with Rick in the sick bay, Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk. Rick watches the transformation and says that this has to be a “gag”. Hulk swats Rick and says, “You… get out of way! Me not listen to anyone! Me to powerful to take orders! No one strong as me! Me go! Must kill… destroy! Must prove to world no one stronger!”
The Oracle goes on to say that even after the Hulk’s thought of hate passed that his fellow man would never give him peace. Hulk says that he just wants to be left alone. Eventually it was discovered that Bruce Banner was the Hulk, but General Ross says that it only matters if Bruce agrees to let Ross destroy him. Bruce thinks that maybe they are right and that he should be killed. Oracle says that Banner tried to find a way to end his double life, but that there was no easy way because men would always hunt, hate, and hound him. Hulk fought Thor, Executioner, Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner, and many more. Oracle says that now the Hulk threatens Asgard’s door. Fandrall says that Oldar speaks as though the Hulk still lives and that he may attack Asgard. Oldar says that she can say no more as their time with her is over. Oldar ages and fades from sight.
Banner’s hands are bound behind him as
he kneels on the ground. Enchantress tells Banner to tell her
everything she knows about the Avenger Hercules. Bruce says that
he doesn’t know anything about Hercules. He says that there
are millions of men on Earth and that he doesn’t know them
all. Executioner asks if Enchantress has heard enough to learn
that the mortal will not tell her what she wants to know.
Enchantress tells Executioner to go ahead and kill the mortal
since he serves no purpose. As Executioner hauls back his axe,
Bruce notices the archaic speech patterns and thinks about how
strange it is that they save him, ask him about a character from
Greek mythology, and then because he doesn’t know him they
are going to kill him. Executioner pauses as he watches Bruce
Banner transform into the Hulk. Executioner says that he has
fought the Hulk before. Echantress tells Executioner to stand
back and that her magic will take care of the Hulk, but
Executioner says that in their last fight that he met defeat, but
that this time he will kill the Hulk with his axe. Hulk says that
they held Banner, but that no man can keep him prisoner. 
Hulk dodges
Executioner’s axe and then hits him. Executioner says that
was an awesome display of strength, but that it doesn’t
match the mystic power of his axe. Suddenly Hulk feels some
strange force gripping him. Executioner says that Hulk falls to
him just as Asgard soon will. Executioner says that with the
troll legions that Asgard will crumble. Hulk feels his strength
fading. He says that he has to act before it is too late. Hulk
hits the ground so hard that Executioner loses his grip on his
axe. Enchantress says that now they are going to do things her
way. She orders the troll legions to attack. The trolls rushin to
find Hulk swinging Executioner around by the ankle. Executioner
says to kill him quickly because they are supposed to be invading
Asgard in seconds. Hulk throws Executioner directly into the
oncoming troll legion. Hulk says that they want to kill him, but
that he will stop them. Hulk smashes the wall and tons of brick
fall down between him and the troll legion.
On the other side of the rubble, Enchantress tells Executioner not to fear and that a mere gesture will protect them from the falling debris. Executioner says that it isn’t fear in his heart, but rather it is hatred. Enchantress says that is enough of his vengeful ways, and that too much time has been wasted on the Earthling. Enchantress says that all that matters is their conquest of Asgard. She holds up a horn and says that she id going to give the troll legions the signal. Executioner says that for once Enchantress speaks with wisdom, but that once Asgard is theirs that he will have vengeance on the Hulk. Executioner shouts for the trolls to follow him to the ultimate glory that they will soon revel in. Enchantress says that now Executioner speaks as the born ruler that he truly is. She says to give the word and she will follow him down his path to glory.
As the invasion begins, Oldar tells Fandrall, Hogun, and Volstagg, “Soon Asgard faces invasion… as it has not seen in past, and of the mortal men call Hulk… thee have no seen the last!” Fandrall wonders who would dare to attack Asgard, but as she is now completely faded he says that her prophecies leave them with one course of action. He says that they must go on to Asgard.
Hulk finds that there is no way out where he is at, and that he must go back the way he came in. Hulk starts smashing the rocks and says that if his enemies are still waiting for him that he will smash them. After Hulk gets back he finds the place empty. Hulk figures that they must have been scared of him and run away, but he soon discovers that the troll legion is climbing the cavern up to the sky. Hulk says that he will follow them back to the surface. Hulk looks down and sees only darkness. He leaps as high as he can, but he doesn’t make it up the thousands of feet to the chasm’s mouth. Hulk starts to fall, but he manages to grab a ledge and pulls himself up.
At the chasm’s mouth, the troll armies start moving to attack Asgard. Inside Asgard, Hogun tells Odin of the warning that Oldar gave them about the invasion. Fandrall says that he can see them coming even now on the horizon. Odin says that they have held off invasions before and will do so again. He orders a call to arms. As the men of Asgard prepare for battle, Enchantress says that with the aid of her might that the men of Asgard will stand helpless before the troll army. Ahe says thaty before the day is over that Asgard will belong to Enchantress and the Executioner.
As the first sounds of battle begin at Asgard, Hulk finally makes it to the top. Hulk hears fighting and wonders if the men that helped him before are in trouble. He says that he will go and see.
Fandral and Hogun find that they cannot lift their weapons to fight back. Hogun says that he thinks that Asgard’s legions have been bewitched.
Hulk sees that he was right and that his friends are under attack. Hulk says that the Under-Earth creatures can’t win when he fights them. As Hulk leaps towards them, the troll armies spot Hulk coming at them. They charge him and say that he will not get away this time. Hulk watches them come and says that they are fools. He says that he beat them before and that he will do it again. Hulk says that there may be thousands of them with weapons, but that they are no match for him. Hulk hits the ground and knocks the trolls off their feet. Executioner says that the Hulk is responsible for this, but that he can’t be defeated when victory is so close. The troll armies start running for it because they believe that the ground itself had turned against them.
Enchantress asks what kind of cowards they have allied themselves with that run at ground tremors. She says that it doesn’t matter and that they will still have victory.
Hulk sees the armies running away and says that they will not get away from him. Hulk grabs th crack that he made when he hit the ground and starts ripping it open for the trolls to fall into. Odin sees Hulk’s efforts and uses the power of his Sceptor of Strength to help Hulk open the hole. Once the armies all fall in, Hulk says that he is going to cover the hole in rocks and that he must make sure that they never get to the surface again. Hulk says, “underground men must never forget Hulk! They must remember no one can beat him!”
Enchnatress is fuming and says that she never should have let Executioner talk her into letting the trolls join them. She says that now their cause is lost because her magic doesn’t affect Odin. She says that if it had not been for the mortal that they could have won the battle before Odin realized what was happening. She says that even in defeat she will have her revenge against the Hulk.
Hulk turns to face Fandrall when he is struck by Enchantress’ revenge. Fandrall asks if death is Hulk’s reward for helping them. Hogun says that Hulk is not breathing. Odin says, “Nay, brave Fandrall… for none who hath lifted his hand in behalf of Odin may suffer such a fate! By all the power which be mine to command… the mortal shall live! So be it!” But even before Odin’s scepter is lowered the Hulk awakens. Hulk thinks that Odin is pointing a weapon at him. He says that he was wrong and that they are not his friends. Hulk says that he has no friends. Hulk starts to advance on Odin. Odin tells Hulk to stay back or he will feel his wrath. Hulk says that Odin can’t threaten him and that he will smash him just like he did those that attacked him. Odin says that no one talks to him that way. Fandral begs Odin for mercy and says that the Earthling doesn’t know what he is saying because he was affected by some mysterious ray. Odin asks how he dare interfere with his justice, but Hogun says that Fandral is right and that the mortal is not responsible for his deeds. Fandral says that Oldar told them so. Odin decides that because Hulk fought for Asgard that he won’t kill him, but that he will just send him back to where he came from. Odin says that one such as the Hulk has no place in Asgard.
No Excuses rating: 6.5 out of 10
This is a somewhat odd story to tell in Hulk’s “Big Premiere Issue!” He seems to be a supporting character at best. This is more of a Tales of Asgard book. Hulk does seem to handle the Executioner somewhat but besides that he doesn’t fight the trolls because he is trying to get away and his only real feat of strength is assisted by Odin’s power. It’s interesting to note the absence of the communuist factor in the retelling of the Hulk’s origin. Igor seems portrayed as simply ambitious instead of being part of the evil communist machine. Lastly, Gary Friedrich seemed to have a pretty good handle on the whole Asgard thing until right at the end when Odin calls Fandrall Balder, and Fandrall calls Hogun Fandrall. The art is pretty good. It tells the story and has a decent style, but it certainly isn’t setting the world on fire. Art gets a 3.5 out of 5.