Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #168Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #168
Title: “The Hate of the Harpy!”
Writer: Steve Englehart
Penciller: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Jack Abel
Colors: S. Goldberg
Editor: Roy Thomas
Hulk lifts a police car over his head upside down. The cop inside falls out to the ground. Other police shoot at Hulk and Hulk says that everyone wants to keep him away from his friend, but that he can’t be stopped. Hulk says that he will show them what he thinks of them and their guns. Hulk throws the car at them. Hulk picks up the flowers he dropped and says that he just wants to see Betty and make her like him again. He points out that he brought her flowers. The doctor shouts at the Hulk from the front steps. He tells Hulk that he will upset his patients. He tells him that visiting hours are over. Hulk says that he is going to see his friend and that he will give her a happy surprise. Hulk pushes the doctor aside.
Betty stands at the window watching everything with “maniacal eyes” She walks wraith-like across the room towards the large French windows.
The police rush through the hospital. The doctor asks if they worked up the nerve to tackle the Hulk again, but mentions that they can’t use their guns in the hospital. One of the cops says that it is easy for the doctor to say.
Hulk walks through the door to Betty’s
room. He calls to her, but gets no answer. Hulk notices a
“flimsy stuff” nightgown on the floor. He asks if that
is here then where is Betty. The police and the doctor enter the
room. The doctor shouts, “You monster! What have you done
with Mrs. Talbot?” 
Hulk wants to
know why they keep calling Betty that. He wants to know why they
are bothering him when he just wants to make friends. He tells
them to stop hounding him. Hulk goes to leave. The cops say that
he is getting away and to shoot to kill. The police trample
Hulk’s flowers as they run after him. Hulk smashes through
the wall. He says that he needs a place to sit and think. Hulk is
confused because he is in the back of the hospital. He sees a
truck blocking his way. Hulk is going to smash the truck, but Jim
Wilson yells to Hulk that it is him. Hulk says that he left Jim
far from there and that it is a trick. Jim says that he heard
what was happening and grabbed his girlfriend’s
father’s truck to come help him, He tells Hulk to get in.
Hulk asks why he should. Hulk says that he does what he wants,
and that if the puny humans don’t like it that he will smash
them. Jim says that they have really ticked them off this time
and to trust and listen to him. The police spot a truck with its
lights off and go to it. Jim asks the police what the problem is.
The cop asks him what he is doing out there. Jim says that he is
just looking for a parking spot to bring his girl to later. The
cop asks why his lights are off. Jim asks the cop how he thinks
you park. The cop tells him to go ahead and have his laugh, but
that there is a public menace out there and to get lost. Jim
drives off and tells them not to take any brass knuckles. One cop
tells his sergeant that they never looked under the tarp. The
sarge says that he is just a smart aleck kid and no real danger.
Jim drives away smiling.
Betty Talbot runs naked through the woods. She is doesn’t know where she is going until she finally hears a voice come to her. It says that she knows his voice and to come to him. Betty repeats that she knows him. He tells her to come as they agreed. Betty repeats as they agreed. She walks to a rocket. Betty gets in and the rocket takes off.
Ross and Armbruster have been summoned by the Pentagon. Ross says that he should be in New York with Betty instead of in Washington meeting with desk officers. Armbruster agrees but says that when the Pentagon calls that a soldier comes. He says that he doesn’t know why they were sent for, but that they are coming. The officer says that he will get right to the point. He says that in view of recent embarrassing events that the President has decided to relieve General Ross of his command and that Colonel Armbruster will be chief of Project: Greenskin. Ross bangs the desk and asks if they are saying he is unfit. He says that he has headed the Hulkbusters since before they had that name. He says that this is crazy. Armbruster puts his hand on Ross’ shoulder and says that maybe the point is that he has had the same job for too long. Armbruster says that he will take a short vacation and that he will come back better than ever. He whispers to Ross not to make a scene. Ross says that of course Armbruster is right. He shakes his hand and congratulates him. Armbruster says that was spoken like a true soldier. He tells Ross again that he had no idea that this would happen. Ross turns and says, “Good day, gentlemen! Good day…”
In the New York metropolitan area, Jim and Hulk have returned to his girlfriends’ house. Jim tells Hulk to relax while he introduces him. Talia opens the door for Jim. She says that she was starting to worry about him. Jim says that he hopes her father didn’t need his truck. He says that he had some business with an old friend… the Hulk. Hulk says hello. Talia asks Jim if he is crazy brining a monster there. Jim says that the man is on Hulk’s tail and that he thought he could hide in her basement. Talia says that her father worked hard to pay off the mortgage to the house, and that he isn’t bringing in something that can knock it over by breathing hard. She says that Jim has to settle down and giving up his running around. She says that he can start by forgetting his association with the Hulk. Hulk thinks to himself that he doesn’t think Talia likes him. He says that he shouldn’t have come. Hulk turns and says goodbye. Jim tells Hulk to wait. Talia tells Jim to come back. Jim tells Talia that he is only dating her and that nobody made her his mother. Talia says that Jim needs a keeper. She asks how he is ever going to get married. Jim asks who said anything about getting married. Talia says that he sure didn’t and that he wants to think that the world is full of adventure and never make any commitments. Jim and Talia argue on as Hulk walks away.
Betty stands nude before MODOK. MODOK says
that Betty has followed all the instructions he gave her. He says
that her “listless mind” is perfect for the seeds of
hate he wants to sow. MODOK says that she has come to get revenge
on the Hulk for causing her new husband to die while rescuing her
father. Betty says yes. MODOK says that his technology will serve
her. He tells her to lay in the center of the gamma-ray
transformer. He says that her physical structure after years of
being near Bruce Banner and his experiments have accustomed her
to gamma radiation. He says that she can survive a massive
dosage… more than Banner received. He says that she will
live where others would die, but that the question is what will
she survive as. MODOK says that fortunately he doesn’t care
and that Betty isn’t of the mind to voice her worries. He
says that all he knows is that she will be mightier than the
Hulk. MODOK fires a button and Betty is bathed in the greenish
shadows of the beaming light. MODOK cuts it off when he sees that
Betty can’t take anymore. The dome that was over Betty has
become seared and charred. MODOK says that he can’t see her.
Suddenly the
dome begins to rock and break apart. Steam breaks through the
crevices. Finally a wing breaks through and it appears. MODOK has
only one word to describe what he sees, “Harpy!” Harpy
demands to know where Bruce Banner and the Hulk are. Harpy says
that she will destroy him. She lets off a powerful blast towards
MODOK. MODOK tells her to relax. He says that she will have
plenty time to seek her vengeance. He thinks to himself that she
is more than he hoped for. He thinks that the blasts from her
hands are as powerful as nuclear weapons. He notices that her
mind, while still seething hatred for the Hulk has become more
lucid. Harpy tells MODOK to tell her where he is and that she
craves his death. MODOK says that has had spies everywhere and
that as soon as the Hulk appears that they will know. An agent
enters and tells MODOK that the Hulk is in Manhattan. MODOK tells
Harpy to quickly go to the roof. He says that he will point her
in the right direction and that she should fly until she finds
her foe. He tells her to finish him. Harpy flies.
Downtown, Hulk says that he shouldn’t
have listened to Jim. He says that he shouldn’t have left
the hospital. He asks how he will find Betty now. Hulk hears
something flying by. Hulk says that he heard it, but that it was
too fast for him to see. Suddenly Harpy’s claw hits Hulk
from behind. Harpy tells Hulk to die. She lets off a blast and
hits the Hulk. Harpy says that Hulk might have brute strength,
but that she has the power of her hellbolts. She says that her
gamma-ray powers are even greater than Hulk’s, and that she
has the power of flight. Harpy grabs Hulk in her claws and flies
into the sky. Hulk tells her to put him down. Harpy says that she
will put him way down. She drops him from high above. Hulk
smashes into the ground. Hulk says that the Bird-Thing thinks
that it can hurt him, but that nothing can hurt him. Hulk says
that he will strike back. Harpy says that he will never have the
chance. She blasts him with another hellbolt. Harpy tells him to
get back in his hole and that it is his grave. Hulk thinks to
himself that the creature’s blast weaken him. He says that
this strength melts when the blasts hit him. Hulk wonders what he
can do and says that he has to play a trick on the creature.
Harpy stands over the Hulk in the hole. She says that he lies so
still and that he couldn’t stand before her righteous
revenge. She says that one more blast should finish him forever.
Hulk springs up with a pipe and hits Harpy. Hulk lifts a car over
his head. He says that he isn’t dying today. He says that
she is. Harpy realizes that she has to defend herself. Hulk
throws the car, but Harpy smashes it with a hellbolt. Harpy
stands recovering from the shockwaves, but Hulk doesn’t need
to recover. He tackles Harpy and says that Bird-Thing will pay
now. Hulk raises his fists above his head and says that he will
smash her into the street the pay she tried to do to him. 
Harpy says,
“No! Don’t! Wait! Can’t you see who I am, Hulk?
I’m… Betty!” Hulk looks at her and says,
“Betty? Betty?” Harpy says that she knows that it is
hard for him to understand. She says that if she looks at her
closely with his eyes that he will see the truth. Hulk says that
he can see her face now. Hulk says that Betty is his friend. He
asks why she keeps trying to hurt him. Harpy says, “Poor
thing… you’re so confused. Help me up. I’ll
explain.” Harpy reaches her arms out towards the Hulk. As
Hulk reaches out Harpy blasts him. 
Hulk grunts and
hits the ground unconscious. Harpy stands over the Hulk and says,
“A hellbolt… at point-blank range… directly into
his chest! There can be no doubt now! The Harpy has won, and the
world will never forget! This is the day the Hulk died!”
No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10
Man alive is Harpy a cool character. Betty makes a great Gamma Person! I’ve always thought that it was a shame that the Harpy never really made another appearance save for these two issues. You know it might be a cure for the gamma poisoned Betty, who is being preserved in a case, to take on her gamma attributes again… hint hint. MODOK carries out his pan to perfection and the poor confused Hulk doesn’t stand a chance against Harpy’s hellbolts and her feminine wiles. Herb Trimpe does a magnificent job with the Harpy and the attention to detail on her feathers is just amazing. I only wish that the coloring techniques were a little better than they were. Still you have to just chalk that up to a sign of the times with a masterpiece like this.
Review and pictures by The Leader