Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #147

Title: “The End of Doc Samson!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Penciller: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Editor: Stan Lee

The President asks “General Ross” if he can explain that delay in the proceedings. Ross says that he is afraid that there is no way to make the jet move faster, and that the jet carrying the Hulk to this base is moving pretty fast as it is. Ross says that in the meantime he will explain their latest brainchild… the Mark Twelve Sonic Depressor!

The plane comes into view from the base and the Hulk is still holding onto the engine. Hulk says that he is tired. He says that it was night just a little while ago, but now the moon is gone. “Ross” tells the men to hold their fire and that there are passengers on the plane. He says that they can’t chance anything except the sonic gun. Hulk leaps off the landing plane and says that he knows this place, but can’t remember why. As he hits the ground it dawns on him that this is the place where they try to hurt Hulk, but he says that he won’t be hurt anymore.

The secret service men warn the President to stay back. Ross says that his boys can handle the Hulk and that they have done it before. He says that he is going to oversee this personally. Ross tells a soldier to get the fire systems clicking. He says that they are going to the bunker and for them to take over. The sonic gun goes off and Hulk drops to his knees as his ears burn.

Betty stands up and tells Samson to look at what they are doing to Bruce. She says that her father promised that he wouldn’t. Samson tells Betty to get inside quick.

“Ross” is checking in with the Leader. Leader says that while the sonic gun that he built for him is keeping the mindless marauder at bay that his men will proceed with Plan C. Leader says that in a few moments that the two most important American statesmen will be his, and that not even their bodyguards will know the difference. Betty bursts in. She looks in her “father’s” eyes and realizes that he isn’t her father. “Ross” recognizes this and slaps Betty to the ground. Ross tells the Leader that the girl knows of them and asks what they will do. Leader says that they don’t have to do anything and that nothing can stop them now.

Hulk bursts through the wall to escape the sonic gun. He sees “Ross” there and recognizes him as the one that hunts him. Hulk says that he has been waiting to do this a long time. Hulk hits Ross and Ross shatters into a bunch of mechanical pieces. Hulk says that he doesn’t understand and asks why Ross was broken into pieces like a broken clock. Betty says that the man pretending to be her father was a robot. Samson says that he knew all along, and that he was just waiting for the Hulk to arrive because they need him now.

Outside thousands of Leader’s robots march toward the President and Vice President. The pink and purple robots climb up one another until somehow they synethize into one giant robot. The robot speaks, “I… am… the… Leader! His thoughts are my thoughts… his mind, my mind! We did not wish this action… but now, there is no other choice! Our plan must succeed… and for it to succeed… you all must die!!” A beam shoots out of the robot’s eyes and hits the Hulk. Hulk says that it hurts him and asks why. Samson steps in front of the beams and tells Hulk that they are gamma rays. He says that the Leader is trying to give Hulk a fatal overdose, and that he can’t allow that. Samson says that he owes a man called Banner. The rays bounce off Samson’s chest and back into the robot’s face. Samson’s body is too fresh, unlike the Hulk’s, and the returning power overloads the robot’s circuits.

The power goes all the way back to the source and the control room where the Leader is explodes. Leader is blown backward off his chair. Leader’s body lies on the floor in a lump. The power feedback cuts off the power and the cell door keeping Ross, Talbot, and the Colonel is opened. Ross says to get out there after those androids. The Colonel says that it doesn’t look like they have to worry about them anymore as one of the guards lies on the ground. Talbot says that even though the android is out that whatever caused the power surge could have quite an opposite effect on the Leader’s other creations. The three men climb into a car.

The giant robot is still grabbing its face. Samson tells Hulk that he stopped those rays, but that he also stopped himself. Samson says that he can’t even stand up and that it is the Hulk’s game now. Hulk says that he plays no games. Hulk leaps up into the robot’s face with his two hands together. The robot tells the “human” that he will be pulped. He says that he is alone and in the darkness that he can still destroy. The giant robot hits Hulk. Hulk says that big thing is strong, but not strong enough.

Betty kneels over Samson’s unconscious body.

The President tells the Vice-President that Samson needs help, and that the Hulk may be facing his last battle.

Hulk says that everyone speaks words at him. He asks what he wants with their words. Hulk hits the giant robot and knocks it over. The robots calls out for its master. It asks where its master is and why he has left him in darkness. It says that an ant attacks it and to tell it what to do. Hulk tells the robot to shut up. He says that he is sick of hearing about masters and orders. Hulk says that he has no masters and takes no orders. He says that is why he is the Hulk. Hulk stands over the robot’s body as it seems to dissolve back into individual smaller bodies. All is quiet for a moment until suddenly, off in the distance, the Leader’s lab explodes. Ross and Talbot pull up in the car. Talbot says that it is all over. Hulk asks what is over. Ross hugs Betty and says that somehow the Leader escaped the insanity they thought had broken him. He says that Leader returned and replaced half of his base with androids. Ross sees Samson and asks him what happened to him. Leonard Samson stands before them, in his pre-transformed body, and asks them to excuse his less than heroic appearance. He says that he is afraid that the Doc Samson that saved the Hulk from the gamma rays is dead. Ross says that they are all just thankful that he is back to normal. Samson says, “We’? General, speak for yourself! Maybe my strength was too much to control, but nonetheless…” Hulk tells everyone to be quiet. Hulk says that they are always running from him or at him, and that now they are pretending that he isn’t even there. Hulk says that he has fought enough for today, and that everyone he fights is crazy. Hulk says that it is enough to drive him crazy. Hulk leaps off leaving everyone behind.

No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10

Not much of a master plan this time. Leader is going to replace the President and the Vice-President with robots under his control. Hulk shows up and Leader immediately goes to his last resort… despite the fact that Leader was waiting for Hulk to show up to start his plan… huh? So he basically invites Hulk there so he can only have one chance for his plan to succeed? Doesn’t sound too smart to me. I’m not real happy to see Samson gone either. Thankfully he comes back in 47 issues. Herb Trimpe does a nice job with the art. 4 out of 5 for the art.

Title: “Heaven is a Very Small Place!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Penciller: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Editor: Stan Lee

Hulk walks along in the noonday sun of the desert. Hulk sees something up ahead. He says that he came to this place to get away from humans that hate him, but that now he sees a town that doesn’t belong in the desert. A seeming mirage forms in front of the Hulk’s eyes as the town materializes. Hulk says that there shouldn’t be a town there, but that where there is a town there is water and he is thirsty. Hulk says that if humans try to stop him from getting water that he will smash them. Hulk walks into the town and sees that it looks friendly. He says that when they see him that they will run like always. Hulk senses, not being like everyone else’s, may be seeing a town that is actually far away. A man spots Hulk and tips his hat to him. Hulk says that they treat him like he is any other humans. Hulk says that everyone is acting as if he weren’t there. Hulk says that this is the way that he always dreamed it would be. Hulk shakes his head and says, “But… dreams don’t come true… do they?” Hulk notices that there are no sounds as if he were still in the desert. Hulk decides that doesn’t matter. Suddenly Hulk turns to see a machine bearing down on him. Hulk thinks that he has been tricked again, but when he turns to smash the machine he sees a happy man riding a street cleaner. Hulk looks at the driver smiling. Hulk wonders if the driver was smiling at him or at the children being guided across the street by a crossing guard. Hulk says that he doesn’t understand this place, but that he likes it. He says that everyone is moving from place to place. He wishes that there were one that would stand still and be Hulk’s friend.

Hulk turns and spots a young blond girl in a wheelchair. Hulk sees that she is smiling at him. Hulk says that she smiles, but that she doesn’t talk. He says that if she would only say something that he would be happy at last. Hulk says that he would stay there forever. Suddenly the girl says in a very quiet voice, “My friend… my dearest friend… I am so glad that you have come today. I have been so lonely… but no longer.” Hulk says that she can talk. The girl says that they will talk as long as Hulk likes. Hulk says that they will talk. He says that he was lonely too with no one to talk to him. He says that everyone turns away from him… everyone but her. In a faraway city, a somber thought comes across the young girl’s mind. She looks down and the smile disappears from her face. Hulk asks his friend what is wrong. He asks if he said or did something. Hulk goes to take the girl’s hand and says that he will show her that nothing will ever part them now. Hulk’s hand passes through the girl and the girl starts to fade away as if she were a ghost. The girl disappears. Hulk says that someone has taken her, but that he will find her. Hulk runs from the yard, but when he runs he goes through the fence… though not smashing it. Hulk looks at the others in the town and sees that they are fading away too. Hulk keeps trying to touch things, but they keep disappearing as his hand passes through them. Hulk asks what is happening to him. He thinks that maybe it isn’t him, but the town that has something wrong with it. Hulk says that he likes the town and that he won’t let anyone take it. Hulk says that he will protect the town, but the entire town fades from Hulk’s sight. Hulk says that he is going to be all alone again and that he doesn’t want to be all alone anymore. Hulk shouts for the town to come back. Hulk sits there on the ground all alone. He raises his fists over his head and slams them against the ground hard.

Two men watch a seismograph go wild and then completely go flat again. The one man says that it happened out in the middle of the desert. He says, “There was nobody around to be hurt by it… nobody at all.”

No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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