Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #112

Title: “The Brute Battles On!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Dan Adkins 

A member of the alien race notifies the Princess that her uncle, the Warlord Supreme, has returned from Earth, and that he has brought a green skinned monster with him. The Princess tells the man to be silent and that she will see for herself as she activates a view screen. The Princess sees that the Hulk is defying the Galaxy Master. She says that the madness of space must be upon him and that she will turn on the audio to hear his last words.

Hulk says that the monster calls himself the Galaxy Master and that he is going to kill him. Hulk says, “But Hulk says… you lie!” The Warlord Supreme tells Galaxy Master that they would have slain him in space, but that they brought the monster to him so that he could have the pleasure. Galaxy Master tells the “fawning, fork-tongued sycophant” to spare him his lies. He says that he has seen all that has happened. Galaxy Master says that he will kill the creature, but that first he wants to learn about the source of his power. Hulk leaps at Galaxy Master and says that he will teach him about power, but that he will teach him more than he expects. Galaxy Master asks Hulk if he thinks that a single being can threaten one that decimated entire planets. He says that one blast of primordial power will show him how wrong he is. Hulk is hit and falls to the ground. Galaxy Master says that if he gets up again that he will be his slave. Warlord Supreme starts to praise Galaxy Master when he sees Hulk rising again. He tells Galaxy Master to strike him again before he harms his faithful servants. Hulk tells the Warlord that he will settle with him later. Galaxy Master says that it has been ages since he tasted the thrill of battle. He says that he has never found one worthy of his mettle. He says that he will accept the gargoyle’s challenge. Galaxy Master says that he can take any form he desires and becomes a giant one eyed, hammer-fisted monster. He says that he will crush the Hulk, but Hulk says that no one can crush him. Galaxy Master hits Hulk and shatters his hand against him. Hulk looks up at Galaxy Master. Galaxy Master is surprised that Hulk still lives. He says that his strength is far greater than any he has ever fought before. He says that Hulk will afford him much amusement. Hulk says that he will live and that he will never stop fighting him. Hulk says that he cannot tire, and that the more he fights the stronger he becomes. Hulk says that he can smash anyone, but when he leaps at Galaxy Master he passes right through him. Galaxy Master says that he can’t smash something he can’t touch. Hulk says that Galaxy Master is afraid to fight him.

One of the Warlord’s men says that maybe the Hulk will defeat their master and allow them to be free again. The Warlord tells the man not to speak to him of treason. He says that the Galaxy Master is just toying with him.

As Galaxy Master starts to transform, Hulk says that no matter what he becomes that he will still beat him. Galaxy Master becomes a swarm of large crawling bug-like creatures. He tells Hulk that he cannot defeat a multiplying enemy that can divide himself into countless deadly parts. The insects start to swarm over Hulk. Hulk runs to the star ship. Galaxy Master says that he cannot escape his final fate. Hulk lifts the ship over his head and throws it. The ship crashes and the atomic fuel tanks explode. The people watching start running for their lives. They say that nothing that lives could have survived. Hulk claps his hands and spreads the fire so he can escape. Galaxy Master appears and says that he has wearied of their game. He says that it is time to end it.

Back in the throne room, the Warlord Supreme says that the monster must not win. He says that they must act. The Princess tells her uncle to spare her more proof of his cowardice. She says that with all her heart she prays that the Galaxy Master falls. She says that their people have been enslaved for too long. She says that they have served his evil purpose for too long. She asks if he remembers the events that turned them into “cringing serfs” She says that the Galaxy Master was spawned in evil, with creatures of evil, a thousand universes away. She says that Galaxy Master was one of them, but that he was the most evil of all. He turned against those who were a part of him, and that he didn’t rest until he had destroyed them all. She says that his only instinct is in self-preservation. She says that he never knew when another would arise to challenge him so he roamed the cosmos destroying every world that he found so that he would ensure that there would never be another one like him. She says that they were only spared because in their cowardice they offered to serve him. She says that maybe this has given them the means to make amends. She says that they have to aid the “gallant, green-skinned monster”. The Warlord says that he will not hear of it. He says that the Galaxy Master spared them and protected them. He says that they have great wealth because of him. He says that nothing must change that. The Princess’ herald runs in and she asks him what news there is. He tells her that the green monster still fights on. He says that their people dare to hope. Princess tells her uncle to say what he will, but that she sides with the monster. She says that it is better to die for a cause than to live in bondage. The Princess leaves. The Warlord summons a sentry. He orders him to go to the Galaxy Master and tell him that the Princess is leading a forbidden revolt. He says that the Galaxy Master’s gratitude will be boundless.

The Princess leads her forces.

Another ship sets out to stop them.

Hulk’s battle with the Galaxy Master continues. Hulk is subjected to “deadly forces beyond mortal description”, but Hulk’s power keeps fueling him. His rage increases with each second. Galaxy Master says that he has never seen such physical prowess and will to live. Hulk says, “Words! Words! Hulk has no use for just words! All I know is… you try to kill me! And for that… you must pay!” Galaxy Master says that no one has ever dared to threaten him before, and that since Hulk is the first that he must also be the last. He says that he is going to transform himself into his most deadly form. He says that nothing that breathes can resist a cloud of toxic gas. He says that no matter how strong he is that he still must breathe. Hulk passes out and falls to the floor. Galaxy Master says that he must be sure that Hulk never rises again and so he will create a chasm that extends to the core of the planet where Hulk will remain forever. The Warlord’s emissary arrives. He tells the Galaxy Master that the traitorous princess is leading forces against him. He tells Galaxy Master that he and his Warlord serve him faithfully. He says that the Princess is arriving now, but that he doesn’t fear because he knows that the Galaxy Master will protect him. Galaxy Master says that the man is less than a fleeting thought. He kills the man where he stands and says that he only protects himself. The Princess’ forces realize that the Galaxy Master has been warned, they know that they cannot breach his defenses. The legions on the ground begin to fire on the Galaxy Master as well. The Galaxy Master is amazed that they believe he can be defeated with artillery shells. He says that they are worse than traitors and that they are mad. Galaxy Master transforms into a barrage of white hot meteors. The ships are being destroyed by the meteors.

The Warlord says that this is better than he hoped. He says that when the Princess falls that he will be both ruler and warlord. The warlord fires from his ship and hits the Princess’ ship. As she falls to the ground, he wishes her farewell and says that she was too weak to rule

As she falls to her death, the Princess realizes that her uncle betrayed her. Suddenly her fall is stopped. The Galaxy Master ensnares her in a force field. As she rises she thinks that she can’t even contemplate her fate.

Suddenly the forgotten Hulk gets up. Hulk looks up and sees a beam leading toward his enemy. Hulk says that he must reach it before it fades. Hulk leaps up. He sees the girl trapped in the beam and says that maybe he can save her. Hulk enters the beam and is drawn right into the Galaxy Master. Galaxy Master says that he wanted the female as a hostage and not him. Hulk says that it is too late and that he is there. Hulk says that he can smash anything that Galaxy Master sends against him. He says that he can’t use gas or weapons and that anything that could kill Hulk would also kill him. Hulk sees a construct within the Galaxy Master. Galaxy Master says, “Stay back! Stay back! Come no further!” Hulk says that for the first time that he hears panic in the Galaxy Master’s voice. He says that he knows what he must do and smashes through the construct.

Galaxy Master fades away and Hulk and the Princess start to fall. Hulk says that he has to save the woman. The people rejoice that Galaxy Master has been slain. They shout that they are free. Hulk holds the Princess as he lands and says that he will never let an innocent person die. The Princess confronts her uncle and says that he betrayed them. She says that he must pay, but as her uncle starts backing away he falls into the chasm. Hulk says that this world is mad and that he wants no part of it. The Princess says that it will be as he wishes it. She says that though he has given them the greatest gift that his place is not with them. She says that they, as a people, have much to atone for, but that they must do it alone. She says that they will send him back to where he came from. She adds that it will take a half a day for them to adjust the vessel’s cabin pressure. Hulk says that he will not wait and that he can survive in any kind of pressure. He orders them to let him leave their world now.

The space ship is launched, but suddenly Hulk starts to change into Bruce Banner. Banner clutches at his throat as the air is too thin for him to breathe and the pressure is more than he can bear.

No Excuses rating: 8.5 out of 10

 Review by The Leader

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