Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #115

Title: “Lo, the Leader Lives”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Dan Adkins 

Hulk is strapped to a table. Ross says that they have downed the Hulk at last. Betty says that they made him think that she betrayed him. Talbot says that it is best this way and that maybe now he will be out of her life forever. Ross says that it was the neutralizer ray that Tony Stark created that did it, but that they can’t keep using it. He says that repeated dosages will allow Hulk to develop an immunity to it. He says that they have to find a more permanent method of keeping the Hulk helpless. Talbot says that Hulk is always escaping them, and that he is too powerful and dangerous to take chances. Talbot says that the Hulk must be killed. Betty says that it would be murder, but Ross says that no one is safe while Hulk lives. Betty asks if they have forgotten that if they kill the Hulk that Bruce Banner will also die. She says that there has to be another answer. Betty suggests that maybe Rick Jones knows how to control the Hulk. Ross gets on the phone and says that it is worth a call. He says that anything is better than taking a life. Talbot says that Jones was Hulk’s only friend and that he might be able to tell them his weaknesses. Betty thinks to herself that no matter what happens that Bruce will be lost to her forever. Ross finds that Rick isn’t at his old address. Betty suggests calling the Avengers. Ross does so, but says that Jones isn’t there. Betty takes the phone. The cleaning woman at Avengers mansion says that they don’t tell her their whereabouts. She says that she did overhear that Rick Jones was teaming with Captain America, but that there has been no word for days. She adds that with the tragedy that has befallen the Avengers that they may never hear from him again. With a tear in her eye, Betty says that was the Hulk’s last hope.

A ship flies over the missile base. The pilot thinks to himself how easy it is for him to elude their radar. He says that the special aura makes his ship undetectable.

Ross asks if anyone else just heard a ship land. Talbot says that it couldn’t be without the radar alarm being triggered. Betty says that she heard something too. Outside the door, someone is being told that they cannot go in, but the voice tells the fool to stand aside and that he has come too far to be halted now. Ross asks what is going on. Leader bursts in the door and says that he has come to aid Ross. He says that he can show them how to keep Hulk powerless forever. Ross recognizes the Leader and Talbot says that he thought that Leader was dead. Leader says that they can see for himself that he is alive. He tells them to remember that he was exposed to gamma radiation and that it affected his brain just as it effected Hulk’s strength. He says that he alone can show them how to crush him. Ross tells Leader that he is wanted criminal. Leader says that isn’t so. He says that he has been declared legally dead, and that the law cannot prosecute a dead man. Talbot tells Ross to be careful, and asks why a dangerous creep like that would want to help them. Ross tells Talbot to back off and that he is still in command there. He says that he would accept help from the Devil himself if it meant being free of the Hulk. Leader says that he just wishes to clear his name and make amends for past deeds. Ross asks Leader how he comes to be alive. Leader says that when the Ultimate Machine caused his death that it activated a special humanoid that was programmed with the sole purpose of restoring him to life. Leader says that he knew the gamma radiation that he absorbed would allow him survive an actual heart attack for several minutes. He says that was enough time for his humanoid to reach him and place him on a specially prepared reviver beam. Leader says that he thought of everything. Leader says that if Hulk is to be defeated that he must begin to work immediately. Ross says that he will get him all the men and material he needs.

Talbot asks Ross if he is sure that this isn’t a mistake. He asks how they can trust a man like the Leader. Ross asks how they can afford not to.

Leader works. He thinks to himself that he knew that their fear of the Hulk would get him what he wanted. He says that everything has to go as planned. He says that he will render the monster harmless as he planned, but that they will find that he is a far greater danger.

Hulk lies restrained on his bed. A MP stands in front of him holding the neutralizer ray. His replacement comes to relieve him and the soldier places the neutralizer ray against the wall. Suddenly Hulk wakes up and smashes out of his restraints. Hulk says that he is free now and that nobody can keep him locked up like an animal. Hulk kicks a machine and destroys it. The soldiers run out of the room as Hulk picks up the neutralizer ray. He says that this is the gun that put him to sleep and destroys it. Hulk says that he hates machines and starts wrecking the place.

The soldiers run down the hallway yelling “Condition Red! Condition Red! The Hulk is loose!”

Ross tells Leader that the Hulk has broken free. Leader says that they have to hold him off until his work is complete. Talbot says that he has called all available men, but that the Hulk already destroyed the neutralizer ray. Ross tells Talbot to call ordinance and that they have some duplicates, and that he wants them there now.

The soldiers fan out to search for the Hulk, but they don’t have to look long as Hulk’s arm comes crashing through the wall. The soldiers start shooting, but Hulk tells them that he could smash them all like fleas, but that there is a better way. Hulk hits the floor and destroys it. The soldiers fall in as the floor collapses. Talbot, Ross, and a man with the neutralizer ray arrive. Hulk recognizes the gun and says that he has to escape before they can use it again. Hulk leaps through the ceiling. The soldier misses the first time, but outside the gets a clear shot and nails the Hulk in flight. Hulk falls to the ground and smashes through a jet. Ross says that if Leader’s plans work that he will never threaten them again. Betty finds Hulk in the crater. She asks them if there will ever be an end to this and if nothing but his death will satisfy them. She shouts that he is not a monster and runs away. Talbot says that they don’t want to hurt him, and that they are giving the Leader a chance. Betty says that there is nothing that can help him now as she runs off. Talbot tries to call after her, but Ross says to just let her go. He says that there is no reasoning with her at a time like this. Talbot says that she only cares about the Hulk because of Banner, He asks how he can fight something like that.

Minutes later, six men are loading Hulk onto the back of a flatbed truck. They say that he is too heavy and that they need more men. One of the soldiers says that the Leader says that he is ready.

Leader stands before a large object which looks like a cave with an open mouth. He says to out the Hulk inside. Talbot asks Leader what that thing is, but Leader just ignores him and orders the men to bring up the sealer beam. Leader tells them to get back and fires the sealer beam. He says that now the Hulk is sealed forever in a living cage. Leader says that nothing that lives can smash through the plasti-thene walls.

Inside the cage, Hulk wakes up listening to the voices. He says that again they try to trap him. He asks why they never learn. Hulk smashes out of the restraints on the table. He asks if he has to destroy everyone before he can be free.

Ross is sitting at his desk with his head in his hand. He asks himself why his daughter had to fall in love with Banner. He says that the more he fights the Hulk the more it breaks her heart. He says that he has no choice.  A man rushes into Ross’ office and says that the Hulk is awake and broken the bonds within his cage. Ross says that this is the moment of truth and that they will see if they have finally beaten him. The soldier says that the Leader requested total privacy, but Ross yells that he is still in command there and not to forget it.

Talbot tells Betty to get back to her quarters and that this is no place for her. Betty says that she is staying. Leader stands before the view scan. He turns to Ross and says that he told him that he wanted to be left alone. Ross says that he gives the orders there and tells Leader to go about his business and make sure that the Hulk doesn’t get out. Leader says that he told Ross that nothing can escape. Hulk turns and sees a view screen inside the cage. Hulk says that he knows those faces and voices. Hulk recognizes Betty. He says that he thought she was his friend, but that she betrayed him. He says that he knows now that he can have no friends. Betty cries and asks if they saw the Hulk’s hatred. Leader asks what it matters now, and that he is going to remain in there forever. Leader tells Hulk to look at him and realize who beat him. Hulk says that he has seen him before and wonders where. Hulk thinks about the green skin and realizes who the Leader is. He recalls his battle against the humanoids and how Leader sent him after the Ultimate Machine. Leader says, “Ahh! At last I see the light of recognition in your dull and bestial eyes! My triumph would be empty… unless you knew it was I who had defeated you!” Hulk says that no one defeats him. He leaps into his cage and it throws him back. Hulk says that it is like rubber. Hulk says that the angrier he gets the stronger he gets and that nothing can hold out against his strength. Hulk hurls his platform at the cage, but it too bounces off the wall and back at Hulk. Hulk hits it and destroys it. He asks how he can escape when nothing breaks the wall. Hulk says that he doesn’t have to break the walls and that he can make shock waves that will destroy everything. The shock wave bounces back at Hulk. Hulk grips his ears as he feels it reverberating in his head. Leader says that there is nothing more that the Hulk can do. Ross tells Betty to come with him. He says that even though he accomplished what they wanted that the sight of Leader gloating makes his blood run cold. Talbot says that maybe Banner’s nightmare is over. After they leave, Leader says that now he can bask in his triumph. He says that this is a far greater victory than any imagine. He says that he will be a deadlier menace to mankind than the Hulk could ever have been. He says that the Hulk is the only one with the power that could have challenged him and that he has been rendered helpless for all time.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

 Review and pictures by The Leader

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