Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #117

Title: “World’s End?”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Herbie Trimpe

Inker: Herbie Trimpe

Betty tells Leader not to launch the missile and that if he does it will start World War III. Leader says that is the point. He says that when the East and the West destroy one another that he alone will rule. Leader pushes the button and the missile comes out of its silo. Leader says that not even the Hulk, who is once again trapped in plasti-thene, can stop him. Betty says that he must be stopped, and that only Hulk has the power to stop him. Leader says that he told her that the Hulk is powerless, and that it is useless to try and distract him. He says that nothing will stop him from pushing the button a second time.

Inside the plasti-thene, Hulk can hear most of what Leader is saying. He says that he can’t let millions of people die. He says that even though they made him an outcast that he can’t let the Leader murder them.

Betty shouts at Hulk to keep trying to break free. Leader says that Hulk’s strength can’t beat his superhuman brain. Betty says that she knows that it can if he only gets the chance.

Hulk says that the more he struggles the more it wraps itself tighter around him. He says that the madder he gets the stronger he gets, and that he will never give up. He says that he will break free.

Leader says that it isn’t possible and that no one could have struggled so long. He says that the Hulk’s struggling seems to be getting stronger instead of weaker. He says that even if the Hulk breaks out that his super humanoid will defeat him as he did before.

Hulk says that he never beat him, and that no one ever defeated him. He says that it was a trick and that they took him by surprise. He says that he will not be surprised again ever. Hulk smashes through the plasti-thene. Hulk tells the super humanoid that even he won’t stop him from smashing Leader. Hulk says that nothing can beat him twice. Leader says that his humanoid was created to be his superior, but that he can’t let Hulk fight around all his valuable equipment. He says that they can’t battle here. He says that he will transport them away to a place where it doesn’t matter which one of them triumphs. Leader teleports them away and says that it is done. He says that even if the Hulk wins that he is too far away to stop his plan. Leader says that he wins again.

The super humanoid tells Hulk that even as they prepare to battle that the Leader is starting an atomic war that will destroy civilization. Hulk says that he won’t let him, but the super humanoid blasts Hulk and says that he can’t stop him. He says that he is programmed to delay and then destroy him. He says that Hulk can’t begin to suspect his combat powers. The super humanoid steps on Hulk and says that he is increasing his body weight until he is as heavy as a mountain. He says that he will bear down harder and harder until the Hulk is no more. Hulk says that his only power is his strength, but that it has never failed him, and that it won’t fail him now. Hulk throws the super humanoid off. He tells Hulk that he has done the impossible, but that his body is impervious and can’t be harmed. Hulk says that he can do it and rockets himself into the super humanoid. Hulk bounces right off its rubbery body. The super humanoid says that defenses aren’t enough and that he was also created to attack. He picks up a large rock and says that there is nothing the Hulk can do that he can’t do better. The super humanoid throws the rock at Hulk, but Hulk punches it and destroys it. Hulk says that he might not be able to think, but that he can fight. Hulk pulls up a tree and hits super humanoid with it. He says that he won’t give him a chance to attack again. Hulk pulls the tree back on both sides and then releases the one side and smashes it into the super humanoid. Super humanoid says that Hulk is too powerful and that he must battle him at total power. He fires and destroys the tree Hulk holds. Hulk says that he will show him what power is. Hulk charges in under the super humanoid’s beam. He rams super humanoid and knocks him to the ground. Hulk grabs its foot and starts spinning it around and around. He lets go and tosses the super humanoid into an active volcano. Hulk smashes the ground and causes the volcano to erupt. As the island is blowing up, Hulk leaps off and says that he has to get to the Leader.

Leader launches the missile. He says that in minutes there will be a counter attack and that they should get to his concrete bunker. Suddenly the Hulk smashes through the roof. He says that this time that Leader won’t get away and that he will win forever. Betty says that Hulk has to forget the Leader and that he has to stop the missile. Leader says that it is too late even for Hulk. He says that he can’t jump fast enough to stop it. Betty says that he is right. Hulk asks if everyone will die. Betty says, “Yes! Unless…”

Leader runs away. He says that he doesn’t know how Hulk defeated his super humanoid, but that he doesn’t need to stick around to face his wrath. Leader says that he will head to his shelter and leave them to the bombs.

Betty tells Hulk that he has to understand. She says that he is also Bruce Banner, the world’s greatest atomic scientist. She says that there is a chance that he could stop the missiles. Hulk asks how. Betty says that only he knows, but that if Hulk can calm down. She says that the change usually comes when the Hulk gets quiet. She tells him to forget the Leader and everything except taking a rest. She talks to him slowly and says that no one wants to harm you. She says that there are no more enemies waiting around. Hulk says that it has been so long since Hulk rested. He says that it feels good to close his eyes. Suddenly Hulk transforms back into Bruce. Bruce sees Betty and asks what she is doing here and what is happening. Betty says that they don’t have an instant to lose. She says that Leader has seized the missile base and launched a missile. She says that if it lands that it will start an atomic war. She asks Bruce if there is any way to stop it. Bruce says that there is his new Hunter missile, but that it is waiting for its final test. He says that it could catch it. Bruce says that he doesn’t know where it is, but Betty grabs his hand and says that the new weapons complex is in the building next door. She says that they only have minutes. They find the Hunter missile and Bruce says that he just needs to finish programming fast enough. Bruce quickly finishes and launches the Hunter missile. Bruce says that they have a fighting chance now. Betty asks if there is anything else they can do. Bruce suggests praying.

The warhead separates from the missile as the Hunter missile arrives. It blows the warhead out of the sky

Betty tells Bruce that he did it, but sees that he is holding his head. Betty asks what is wrong. Bruce says that it must be the strain.

Leader sees his missile has been destroyed. He says that he doesn’t know how, but that they have beaten him. Leader says that the final round will belong to him. He says that there was only one Hunter missile that could have done that. He says that he only has to launch another missile and that they will be powerless to stop it.

Back at control central, Leader launches another missile. Suddenly, the Hulk charges through the wall. Leader says that Hulk is too late and that he has launched another missile. He says that the world as they know it is doomed. As Betty arrives, Leader runs off. Betty tells Hulk that they don’t need another Hunter missile. She says that the rocket won’t attain maximum speed for another few seconds. She says that he can stop it himself. She says that if he leaps far enough, fast enough that he can reach it. Hulk says that he can do anything. Hulk leaps out the roof. He lands on the missile and says that if he fails that nothing will matter anymore.

The missile starts to decline, but Hulk says that it must not hit the city below. He says that he must make it go up and starts pulling on it. Hulk manages to pull the rocket upward. Hulk says that the missile can’t go up forever and that he can’t be there when it explodes. Hulk leaps off the missile as it explodes. The impact knocks Hulk unconscious and hurling toward the water.

Leader says that the monster has defeated him again. He says that he doesn’t have time for another launch and that the mental control he used will be wearing off. He says that he could try to repeat his plan, but that without the super humanoid that the odds would be against him. He says that he is too smart to fight the odds. He says that since his work is over that he will erased all evidence of his presence. He says that those that awaken will have no memory of what has happened, and that no one will believe one hysterical female. Leader climbs into an aircraft and takes off. He says that sooner or later he will face the Hulk again. Something falls by Leader’s window and splashes into the water. Leader sees it, but decides that he has no time for such matters and that no fallen object could be of his concern. As Leader flies off, Bruce Banner’s body floats up to the surface.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

 Review and pictures by The Leader

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