Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #141

Title: “His Name is… Samson!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Penciller: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Editor: Stan Lee

Hulk stands by a small pool of water. He sticks his hand inside it, but the only thing running through his mind is the name of Jarella. Hulk thinks about the girl that loved him for what he was. Hulk recalls that someone came and took him away from Jarella and that now he can’t find her no matter where he goes. Hulk sees a plane flying overhead. He sees that it is not looking for him and decides that it means nothing at all to him.

Inside that same plane, Ross, Talbot, and the crystallized Betty Ross are flying with one Doctor Leonard Samson. Ross tells Talbot that his daughter is not really alive, but that he has been told that she is dying. Talbot says that he knows that it doesn’t seem possible. Samson says that it may not, but that it is true. Samson says that he knows Ross puts little value in his opinions. Ross says that he had never even heard of Samson before he came to him with his vague plan, but that he never held much with headshrinkers. He tells Samson he means no offense, but he figured that it was time for him to start clutching at straws. Samson says that isn’t very flattering. He says that he has been avoiding phrasing his plan in layman’s terms, but that it seems like time he made an attempt.

Samson lays out his plan to Ross as they land, leave the plane, and head towards his lab. He says that Ross knows that all the doctors agree that soon it will be impossible to reverse the process of crystallization in Betty. Samson says that it seems that a special energy-force might retard and even reverse the process. Talbot asks Samson how he can be so cold and clinical about a girl’s life. Samson says that is the only way he can achieve scientific objectivity. Samson goes on to say that he and his colleges agree that the best source of this energy is the Hulk himself. He says that there is even a 37% chance that the Hulk may be cured in the process. Talbot says that he doesn’t believe in the Tooth Fairy. Ross says that it might be a long shot, but that it is all they have.

Hulk has wandered into a city. He says that everywhere he goes he finds people, but that he can’t find the world where Jarella waits for him. Hulk says that it must be somewhere. He smashes a car. Hulk says that he will find Jarella if he has to tear the world apart with his bare hands. Suddenly Hulk stops smashing. He says, “But… no! This is not the way. Hulk must think… think. Where could Jarella’s world be? Where? Where?” Hulk walks on unaware that Jarella’s world is within a mote of dust on Hulk’s pants.

Talbot says that they have a fix on the Hulk. Ross says that they had better get going for both Betty’s, Bruce’s, and the world’s sake. They go after Hulk in a plane. They arrive near Hulk. Hulk says to himself that he knows Jarella is near him somewhere. He thinks that he hears a plane, but when he turns around the plane with Ross, Talbot, and Samson has landed. Hulk says that it was lucky that there wasn’t a plane full of soldiers that shoot at him… lucky for the soldiers. Talbot pops out from around a building. He says that he knows Hulk hates him and all he stands for. Hulk recognizes Talbot and says that he is one of the soldiers that shoot at him. Hulk says that he won’t get a chance this time. Talbot tells Hulk to wait. He says that the Hulk must have heard about Betty being turned to crystal. Talbot says that it is true and that only the Hulk can save her by coming with him. Hulk says, “Betty? Hulk doesn’t remember any Betty.” Hulk says that Talbot is trying to trick him, but that he will never trick anyone again. Ross tells Samson to fire his “gun”. Samson says that he will, but that firing early won’t help anyone. Samson fires an image of the crystal Betty on the wall next to Talbot. Hulk asks who that is. After thanking the lord, Talbot goes on to tell Hulk that is Betty Ross. He says that she is a girl he loved and must still love deep inside. Talbot says that only Hulk can save her by coming with him. Hulk starts to remember Betty. He remembers her smile and her being kind and gentle with him. Hulk starts to transform back into Banner. Bruce says, “Betty… oh lord… what have I done to you?” Samson and Talbot hold Banner up. Ross is surprised it worked. Samson says that it was all a matter of timing and psychological discipline. Bruce calls out Betty’s name. Talbot says that they will take him to her soon. Talbot tells Samson that it looks like he will have a chance to play God.

Over the next week, a tranquilized Bruce Banner is subjected to the latest tools of analysis, medical science, and an electroencephalograph. Finally Samson tells Bruce that he is ready when he is. Bruce tells Samson to fire at will. As they walk to the lab, Bruce thinks to himself that he may not live through this, but that it is worth it if there is a chance it will save Betty. Ross thinks to himself that he don’t know what he will do if Betty dies. Talbot thinks how he wants Betty to live even if it means he will lose her to Banner forever. Samson opens the door to his lab. He says that the device pointed at Betty is his new experimental Cathexis-ray. He says that the next few minutes will decide if Betty lives or dies. He says that he hopes she survives. Ross looks at Betty and thinks that if she dies the way her mother did… Samson guides Bruce into the chamber. He tells him to do as he has been instructed. He says that when the change comes not to fight it. Bruce says that he won’t though fighting it never stopped it. Bruce asks what will happen if the Hulk breaks free. Samson says that he won’t, He says that the moment the Hulk comes into being that his machine will drain off the Hulk’s energy, or psychic force. Samson says that Bruce will never become the Hulk again.

Bruce sits in the chamber alone thinking to himself how he has heard that he will be cured of being the Hulk before.

Samson is told that all systems are checking out okay. Samson says that they don’t need a countdown and to commence. Suddenly Bruce feels the change coming on. He changes into the Hulk. Hulk starts to say that he is getting out of there, but no sooner does he become the Hulk when he changes back into Bruce Banner. Samson tells Bruce that he is Banner again for good. He says that they can’t allow the Hulk’s energy to dissipate. He says to fire the psychic force at Betty Ross. Betty’s crystal form turns human again and she collapses. Samson tells Ross that he can hold his daughter though she may seem a little stiff still. Ross holds Betty and Betty asks where she is. Talbot tells her to never mind and that it is all over now. Samson says that the nightmare may be over, but that his research is not. He says that there is much to be learned from the residues of the Hulk’s gamma-ray power. Samson says, “Oh, by the way… you may come out as well, Dr. Banner.” Banner says, “Yeah… thanks…”

That night, while Bruce and Betty are recuperating, Samson is in his lab. Samson thinks to himself that the Hulk was more powerful than he imagined. He says that it only took a small portion of the Hulk’s energy to save Betty. He says that most of it is still inside the Cathexis-ray. Samson thinks to himself that an explosion turned Banner into the bestial Hulk, but that controlled radiation is something else. He says that it is something he has to investigate.

Soon, Samson is standing before his ray. He says that it is strange how this has become an obsession for him in the last few hours. He wonders if he had subconsciously intended to do this all along. He says that all his life he has been an intellectual like Banner. He says that he has been despised by emotional and physical men like Major Talbot. He says that it is time for him to show them what an “egghead” can do. Samson fires the gamma rays on himself. The newly transformed Dr. Samson has large muscles and long green hair. He says that he wasn’t really ready for that. Samson says that the Hulk’s cellular structure must have altered the gamma radiation into something different. He says that even the Cathexis ray couldn’t fully control the rampant energy. Samson says, “But… I always did talk too much. Right now, it’s how I feel that counts… and I feel. Different somehow. Wonder how I look!?” Samson stands before a mirror. He says that this is more like it. He says that if only his colleagues in the American Psychiatric Association could see him now. Samson says that his physique is almost as good as the Hulk’s. He says that because of the controlled nature of his transformation that he may even be more powerful than the Hulk. He says that he will never get to test that however, since the Hulk is no more. He says that there are some unpleasant side effects like the long green hair. He says that it is a small price to pay. Suddenly Samson’s doorbell rings. He peeks through the open door and sees Betty Ross. Samson tells her that he isn’t presentable, but asks her to come in.

Samson puts on a shirt. Betty starts to thank him for what he did for her and Bruce. She is stunned by his hair. He says that if she had seen him earlier that she would have noticed some more significant changes. Betty says that he does seem larger and his hair is longer. Samson says that is very observant and asks if he really came all that way to thank him. She says that she also wanted to know if it is true that Bruce will never become the Hulk again. Samson says that if his calculations are correct, and that they usually are, that he won’t. Samson says that he will elaborate as they take a spin around town. He asks if she was on her way to see Banner. Betty says that they told him he was asleep. Samson says that she can see him tomorrow and that tonight belongs to the new and improved Leonard Samson. Bruce watches Betty and Samson drive off. Bruce thinks, “And so, it appears, does a lady named Betty Ross.” He says that he snick out of the hospital early. He says that it doesn’t take much to figure out what happened to Samson. He says that he guesses that he will be nothing but a 98 pound weakling to Betty now. He says that he can’t compete with his savior in that department and that he guesses that he won’t even try.

Samson leaves a costume store and thinks that there is no denying it now. He says that for all his big words that he has always wanted to be a superhero. He says that now he has that opportunity. Samson dons his costume and begins training. He says that he has strength and stamina, but that he must have speed and agility as well. Samson bends a steel girder and says that it is unfortunate that the Hulk is dead, and that he just knows that the Hulk would be child’s play for him now.

Samson is dining with Betty. Betty thinks to herself that while Samson is kind and gentle that it is Bruce that she loves. She wonders why Bruce won’t call or see her.

Bruce says that Samson saved Betty’s life and his own life in a way, but he wonders what good his life is without the only one he ever wanted to share it with. Banner says that Samson is using power that was once his to steal the woman he loves. Bruce says that there is only one thing he can do. Days from now people will say that they should have been watching Bruce Banner more carefully. They will say that they should have known that he might crack beneath the strain and pressure. Bruce sneaks into a laboratory and exposes himself to gamma radiation. The building explodes. The Hulk rises from the rubble.

General Ross walks into the room as Betty is saying, “No, Len, I… I can’t give you an answer… not just now, I….” Ross tells them that Banner must have sneaked into the lab and that he has become the Hulk again. Betty asks why he would do that. Samson says that they both know the probable reason. Samson tells Ross to let him try and stop the Hulk before he tries other means. He says that he will change into his fighting togs and that he isn’t doing very well around there anyway. Ross says that it will take more than fighting togs to stop the Hulk on a rampage. Samson says, “Yes… more. Such as… someone who possesses the Hulk’s own strength.”

Hulk says that he has been locked in some dark place. He says that now he is free, and that no one will lock him up again. Hulk tries to remember why he came back. Samson calls out to Hulk and says that perhaps he will remember when he meets Doc Samson. Hulk says, “Samson? Yes… Samson! Hulk knows that name… don’t know why… but Hulk hates that name…” Hulk says that what he hates he smashes, but Samson ducks under Hulk’s swing. Samson says that Hulk isn’t used to missing and that they should put it down to beginner’s luck. Samson hits Hulk, but Hulk quickly recovers and swings again. Samson dodges again and says that it was Hulk’s own fist in a fashion that hit him. Hulk says that he doesn’t know what Samson’s big words mean, but that he knows that Hulk will smash. Hulk and Samson square off. Samson rams his shoulder into Hulk’s stomach. He grabs Hulk and pins Hulk’s arm behind him. He wraps his other arm around Hulk’s neck. Samson says that he knows that Hulk doesn’t understand, but that he is doing this for his own good. Hulk says that he has heard that before. He says that he didn’t believe it then, and that he doesn’t believe it now. Hulk breaks Samson’s hold and hits him in the face. Samson says that an elephant couldn’t have broken that grip. Hulk says that it is grips that Samson cares about. Hulk says that he will show him that he has the mightiest grip of all. Samson says that he thinks that anything the Hulk can do he can do better… or at least just as well. Samson and Hulk lock hands. Samson had forgotten something vital. Samson possesses the power of the Hulk from when the transferal took place, but that the Hulk was clam then. And the angrier the Hulk gets the stronger Hulk gets. Samson strains and falls. Hulk says, “You have lost. Say it then. Hulk has won! Say it!”

Betty, Ross, and Talbot are watching on. Betty says that she has to go to him. Ross says that he knows that Hulk seems quiet now, but that he might flare up at any second. Betty says that she doesn’t want to go to the Hulk. She says that she wants to go to Samson. Betty runs to Samson. Hulk says to take Samson and that he wasn’t a match for him at all. Betty asks Samson if he is all right. Samson says that all that is wounded is his pride. He says that he isn’t much of a superhero and that he was beaten on his first time out. He says that he is a failure as a doctor and as Samson. Betty helps Samson up. She says that it doesn’t matter to her. As they walk off she tells him to lean on her a bit. She says that they will get through it together. Hulk watches them walk off. He is vaguely aware that he has lost something, but that he can’t figure out what it is.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

First there was the Hulk, then the Leader, next was the Abomination, now after a wait of over 50 issues we have Doc Samson. The Gamma People are growing around us. I always loved Doc Samson. His psychological ramifications revealed as he says that he always really wanted to be a superhero, and obviously he was influenced by his namesake. Sadly. Samson’ lot in the Marvel universe has never been a glorious one. An intelligent and powerful man to be sure, but he never really manages to lose that “rookie curse” and develop into anything more than a supporting character. Herb Trimpe does a great job with the storytelling. The only reason this book didn’t get a 10 for 10 is because the Hulk/Samson fight is painfully short. Samson should have put up more of a fight instead of fighting over whose handshake was stronger.

Review by The Leader

Pictures 1, 3, and 4 by Captain Nate. Others done by The Leader

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