Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #104Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #104
Title: “Ring Around the Rhino!”
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Penciller: Marie Severin
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Editor: Stan Lee
The headline of the newspaper says that the Hulk has been captured. The show pictures of Bruce Banner being dragged away by police.
Bruce Banner sits in his cell and wonders if this is how it is going to end for him. Outside the cell, Ross tells Talbot that he doesn’t know what they are going to do with him, and suggests going in to talk to him. As Ross and Talbot enter the room, Bruce says that they can’t keep him there under the influence of sedatives. He says that he thinks that he knows of a way to save himself if they will just take him to his lab. Talbot grabs Banner and says that there is no way that he is going to escape. Banner starts shouting that he doesn’t want to escape and that he is tired of running. They quickly give Bruce another shot that prevents him from turning into the Hulk. Bruce drops to the ground. He says that he thinks he knows of a way to prevent him from ever becoming the Hulk again. Talbot says that they just can’t take the risk, and that they know he won’t become the Hulk if they just keep him under sedation.
While not wearing a rhino armor, the Rhino
lies on an examination table high above the ground of the room.
He asks Igor and Georgi on the ground when they are going to be
finished. They tell him to have patience and that it will only be
a few more minutes until the Rhino walks the Earth again. Rhino
thinks to himself that he has been waiting three months and that
a couple more minutes won’t kill him. He thinks to himself
that it feels like it has been ten years since he got out of
prison. Rhino had been sitting on his bed inside his apartment
wondering how he can be anything but an ex-con since he has
nothing going for him but his criminal record when there was a
knock on his door. Igor and Georgi, the two men that originally
made him the Rhino, were standing there. They told him that they
weren’t there for revenge but to offer him a job. Rhino saw
the money they are holding and said that they were speaking his
language. They told Rhino that there were no hard feelings and
showed him some film of himself as the Rhino. They told him that
if he accepts their proposal that he could be that powerful
again. Rhino says that he had nothing going for him so he went
with them. Igor and Georgi tell Rhino that the process is
finished and that he can come down. Rhino leaps down and they
show him the finishing touch… a new Rhino suit. They tell
him that this one is far stronger than the original and that it
will not break down if exposed to acid. Rhino starts putting on
the suit and says that he can feel the suit giving him strength.
He asks if they figured out a way to make the suit give him more
strength. They say that is indeed what they have done. They say
that the threads that the costume was woven from were treated to
compliment the strength that was given to him by gamma ray
bombardments. Rhino realizes that is what they have been shooting
him with for the last few weeks. He decides that he doesn’t
care as long as he is strong again. One of the men says that it
is time to get down to their protégé’s first mission for
them.
Rhino says to
just tell him what to do and that nothing can stop him. The two
men show Rhino a film of the Hulk. They say that the Hulk is the
most powerful being known to man and that if he could defeat him
that the Rhino would become the strongest being alive. Rhino
tears the screen down and says that he can handle him as easy as
he did the screen. He says that he was stupid when he let
Spider-Man beat him, but that it will never happen again. He
tells them to just tell him where the Hulk is and that he is as
good as dead now.
Bruce Banner is having fitful nightmares, as he is strapped down to a gurney. Ross tells them that Banner could wake up at any minute and that they have to get him to JFK airport within two hours. Suddenly Betty is there and she rushes to Bruce’s side. Betty asks what they have done to him. She says that she loves him, and that they are treating him like he is some kind of wild beast. Ross asks her what she is doing there and that there is nothing that she can do for him. Betty says that he knows how much she cares for him and that he can at least ride with him to the airport. Ross says that she can, but that it won’t be pleasant. He says that Banner is to be kept at a high security prison and that there is nothing she can do about that.
Rick Jones sits and watches as they load Banner into the transport. Rick says that he knows that this is for the best, but that he hates seeing Bruce hauled away like a murderer. He says that he knows that there is nothing that he can do about it at this stage, but that he feels like he has to go see him one last time. Rick hopes to make him at least understand why he turned against him and ask him to forgive him.
A few blocks from where Banner is, Igor and Georgi tell him that it is actually Bruce Banner that they are interested in. They say that their organization could make great use of a man with such extensive knowledge of gamma radiation. They tell Rhino that his real goal is to capture Bruce Banner, but that he has to be prepared to fight the Hulk in case he can change before he gets him back to them. He tells the Rhino that his suit is equipped with a destructive device in case he turns on them again. Rhino tells them not to worry about it. He says that he knows that he needs their brains to go with his muscle. He tells them to get a welcoming party for Banner ready and plows through the wall.
Banner’s heavily escorted ambulance pulls onto the Long Island Expressway a few miles from JFK airport. The police are saying that they’ll be happy when they get Banner on a plane and out of their hair. Betty yells at the doctor and asks him why he has to sit there with a needle pointed at Bruce like he were guarding a prisoner with a gun. The doctor apologizes and says that he is only doing his job. Ross says that if only Congress would let them destroy him that they could finally end this. Talbot thinks to himself that he wants the same thing, but wonders to himself if that is really how he wants to win Betty’s heart. Suddenly one of the officers shouts to hit the brakes. The driver says that he sees it, but that it is too late. Rhino smashes into the armored ambulance head on. The police start shooting at Rhino, but the bullets just bounce off of him. Rhino says that nothing can stop the strongest man alive from getting to Banner. Rhino rips open the back of the ambulance. Betty is trying to wake Bruce. She tells him that everyone else was knocked unconscious from the crash. Bruce wakes up, but he is still in his restraints.
Rick Jones is driving towards Bruce when he hears a radio report about the ambulance being attacked. Rick says that he should have known that something like this would happen. He says that maybe he will be able to do something when he gets up there.
A helicopter starts to descend over the ambulance. Rhino’s two benefactors are inside. Georgi is flying the helicopter while Igor is readying chloroform. Georgi says that now if they can just get Rhino to put him on the helicopter. He says that Rhino will probably think that they didn’t trust him… which they didn’t.
Rick continues speeding as he spots “some costumed guy” pulling Bruce and Betty towards the hovering helicopter.
The police start focusing their fire at the helicopter. Rhino says that his partners will be proud of him thinking to bring the girl along so they could use her to control Banner. Ross shouts for somebody to stop Rhino. Rhino gets Betty on board first and asks them what’s with them cutting in on his act. Georgi tells Igor to get the chloroform on Banner and that he can’t fly the helicopter with Banner thrashing around that way. Igor finally gets the chloroform on Banner and the helicopter starts to rise. Rick says that he doesn’t know if this will work, but that he has to try for Bruce. Rick leaps out of his car as he lets it ram into the helicopter. Igor is knocked out of the helicopter. Bruce is about to fall when Rhino grabs him. Rhino notices that Bruce is shaking all over. Bruce transform into Hulk. Rhino looks over and asks what is going on there. Georgi tells Rhino that Banner has transformed into the Hulk. He tells him to drop him before it is too late. Hulk tells Rhino that he can’t hold him captive. Rhino says that Hulk convinced him and drops him from the helicopter. Hulk sees Betty Ross and realizes that she doesn’t want to be with them. Hulk manages to hold onto the helicopter with his leg muscles. He breaks out of his restraints and then flips so that he can hand onto the helicopter with his hand. Hulk says that now he can rescue her. Hulk smashes the helicopter’s blade and then gets under the helicopter to cushion its landing. Hulk says that he is suddenly feeling dizzy. The helicopter lands safely.
Hulk says that he is getting weaker by the second and rests on his knees. Hulk says that it is getting hard to think. Rhino climbs out of the helicopter. He says that it looks like there is something wrong with the Hulk, and that is his cue to attack. Rhino charges into Hulk from behind. He says, “Here’s to yer health, ugly… and hopin’ I can make it a lot worse!” Georgi draws a gun from his jacket. He tells Rhino to beat the Hulk senseless while he takes care of his lady friend. Betty says that she doesn’t care what happens to her, but that Bruce, the Hulk, can’t be harmed. Georgi tells her to shut up and move. Rhino says that the Hulk is so dopey from the chloroform that they gave him that he won’t pose much more of a challenge to him than a normal man would. He says that he will have him back at headquarters in no time.
From the flight tower a man tells all aircraft coming to JFK to divert their routes elsewhere.
Hulk says that the dizziness has passed and that now the Rhino isn’t fighting a sick man but the Hulk. Hulk kicks Rhino into a plane. He says that Rhino is too puny and awkward to stand a chance. Hulk says that he has to find the girl. He says that he doesn’t know why, but that some uncontrollable urge tells him that he must. Georgi tells Betty to stop struggling and that they have to get out of there. Georgi spots the Hulk. He tells him to stay back or he will shoot. Betty tells Hulk to stay back. Hulk asks them if he thinks that bullets will stop him when he can rip a plane apart with his hands. Hulk punches a plane and shatters it. Betty says that Hulk seems to recognize her and that maybe she can reason with him and prevent hundreds of deaths. Georgi says that she can stay if she wants to, but that he is getting out of there. Rhino hears that Georgi is deserting him and decides that there is no need for him to stick around and get his brains kicked in.
Betty is on the ground in front of Hulk. She says that if there is any part of him that is Bruce Banner that he will leave now and not harm anyone. She says that if people are hurt that they will hunt him down and kill him. Hulk sees that Betty is concerned about him and asks why. He decides that if she cares about him that he has to protect her too. Hulk grabs Betty and leaps to the top of a tower. He says that she will be safe there. Hulk tells her to wait there and that he will return for her. Betty says that she will. She thinks to herself that she is terrified of him, but that somehow she knows that she has nothing to fear from him. Hulk leaps off the tower and says that he has to go fight and prove that no one is stronger than him.
Hulk leaps in front of the Rhino. He asks
Rhino why he is running away and asks him if he is scared. Rhino
says that he didn’t see the advantage in slugging it out
with him, but since he has made it a matter of pride. Rhino
smacks Hulk in the face. Hulk says that it will take more than a
punch like a flyswatter to stop him, but that one hit is all he
should need to put him down. 
Hulk grabs
Rhino’s horn and smashes his face into the ground. Hulk
looks at the face down Rhino and says that he wins again. Rhino
gets up and tells Hulk to guess again. Rhino tells Hulk that he
is up against the Rhino now. Hulk asks what that means to him and
that it takes more than a name and a costume to beat him. Hulk
grabs Rhino’s arm and hits him again. Rhino says that if
that is the best that Hulk can give that he had better get ready
to take some. Rhino throws a truck at Hulk. Hulk catches the
truck and says that they will see if Rhino can do the same. Rhino
says that they won’t have to. He starts charging Hulk and
says that he is too slow to hit him before he reaches him. Hulk
brings the truck down on Rhino’s head as he reaches him.
Hulk doesn’t notice that the truck is full of jet fuel and
when the truck makes impact the fuel explodes. Both of them are
consumed by an enormous wall of flame. Rhino says that he is
blinded. Hulk says that he has to escape, but that he can’t
let the Rhino die this way. Hulk grabs Rhino’s horn and
leaps out of the fire with him.
Hulk and Rhino land in the waters of Jamaica Bay. Hulk emerges from the water still holding the Rhino’s horn. Hulk says that all the fight has gone out of the Rhino and that he will just leave him there on the shore. The Hulk starts to walk away, but Rhino gets back up. Half of his suit is burned off. Rhino asks Hulk if he is running from the fight because he is afraid that he will beat him. He says, “Well… maybe I understand! ‘Cause I’m human… and not an animal… like you!” Hulk says that he saved his life and he still insults and challenges him. Hulk says that Rhino is going to die by his hand then. Rhino says that Hulk only talks a good fight. Rhino thinks to himself that he is badly burned, but that he has to get Hulk to fight him. Hulk says that Rhino is just trying to make him mad and that he isn’t even strong enough to stand up. Rhino starts to get up and says that he can’t let Hulk walk off. Rhino thinks to himself that he is too badly hurt, but that at least he can die like a winner. Rhino uses all of his energy for one last charge into Hulk’s back. Rhino leaps into the air to try and finish the Hulk with a punch, but Hulk blocks the blow. Rhino drops to the ground. Hulk tells Rhino to admit that no one can defeat the Hulk before he dies. Rhino says that he will never say it in this life or the one that he is going to. Hulk holds Rhino up the suit on his chest with his fist cocked. Rhino says that Hulk was just lucky that the truck exploded and that he would have beaten him easy if it hadn’t. Hulk tells Rhino that he lies. He says to admit that no one can beat him, but Hulk realizes it is pointless and that the Rhino is dead. Hulk drops Rhino and says that he would have beaten him and that the rest of the world will know it too.
At that moment, Talbot, Ross, and some men are getting Betty down from where the Hulk left her. Hulk returns to where he left Betty and wonders why she didn't wait for him like he told her to. He looks down and sees that Betty is with Ross, the one that hunts him. Hulk shouts at them to give Betty back or he will kill them all. Ross says that it will be over his dead body that he ever touches her again. Hulk says that threats don't scare him and that he will get the girl one way or the other. He says that unless he hears her say that she hates the Hulk. Betty says that she doens't hate the Hulk, but that he is driving her insane. She tells him to go away and that she can't take the madness and hatred anymore. Hulk asks why she is so nervous and that he knows that she doesn't fear him. Hulk decides that it is the others that made her this way. He leaps down and grabs her. Betty tells him to let her go and that this isn't what she wants. Hulk says that Betty is confused and that she doesn't know what she wants. Hulk says that he will take her where they will never find them, and that he will smash anyone that tries to follow. Betty tries to tell the Hulk that what he is doing is wrong, but Hulk doesn't understand. Talbot says that they have to stop Hulk, but Rick says that as long as Hulk has Betty that they can't get near Hulk. Ross says that Rick is right and that they are at the Hulk's mercy.
No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10
Well you know that I love it when Hulk crosses paths with someone that can actually give him a decent fight. Rhino becomes a Gamma Person, which I also love. He puts up a great fight and shows that he really has guts. At this point in chronology, Spider-Man should NEVER overpower Rhino again. Sadly in the world of comics, popularity often amplifies one's powers beyond their scope (I mean Spider-Man beat Firelord tell me how that's possible. Marie Severin does a great job with the fight and really works with the story. Good stuff all around.