Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #171Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #171
Title: “Revenge!”
Writer: Gerry Conway
Plotter: Steve Englehart
Penciller: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Jack Abel
Colors: G. Roussos
Editor: Roy Thomas
Hulk wonders how much longer he has to sit in the dark. He wonders when the plane will land so he can get out. Hulk says that he doesn’t like sitting still and that it makes him angry. On Hulk’s plane, someone tells Mrs. Talbot, Betty, that they are approaching Hulkbuster Base #1. He tells her that one of the planes in front of them is carrying her father and that she is almost home. The soldier sitting next to her asks her how it feels to be getting back to civilization. He says that he bet she can’t wait to see the General again and he says that her father is a heck of a guy. Betty looks out the window and says that she supposes he is. She says that sometimes she wonders if she has ever really known him. She wonders if he is really her father or just a man named Thunderbolt Ross. Hulk hears Betty’s voice and says that he forgot she was there. He says that he remembers now that he got into the box because of her. Hulk says that Betty is his friend. The soldier says that it isn’t his business, but that he understands that Betty and her father haven’t been getting along. Betty says that the soldier is right and that it isn’t any of his business. Hulk says that Betty sounds angry and wonders if he should go help her. He says that it is hard for him to think.
The plane lands. Outside the plane, Ross excuses himself from Colonel Armbruster. He says that he wants to be alone when he sees his daughter. He says that the last time he saw her that she blamed him for Talbot’s death. Armbruster says that he understands. Betty rushes to Ross’ arms and they hug. Both of them cry and walk off together. One soldier salutes Armbruster. He says that he has checked the control tower, the barracks, and even the mess hall. He says that they were all empty and that the base is completely deserted. Armbruster says that if that means what he thinks it means that they are all in big trouble.
Back aboard the jet, Bruce Banner awakens. He says that the Hulk must have relaxed for a moment and changed back. Bruce wonders where he is now. He says that it looks like a military jet and that if what he remembers is true that he better get some camouflage. Moments later, Bruce walks off the jet in fatigues. Bruce walks over to an air vent. He lifts the lid and says that if he remembers the layout of the base that this will lead to the main underground concourse and that the concourse will lead to the kitchen. Bruce says that he knows to never make plans on an empty stomach especially when he is about to faint from hunger.
Rodgers comes up to Armbruster as he supervises the unloading of a half-track. Armbruster asks if there is still no sign of the men. Rodgers says that it is worse than that. He says that he went to the radio bunker and that all the equipment there was sabotaged. He says that they have the radios in their jets, but that other than that they are cut off from the rest of the world. Armbruster asks what the problem is then. He says that the situation is well in hand. He says that they will check out the desertion after they unload, but that things are under control.
Hidden inside a hangar, two shadowed figures aim a giant cannon. One tells the other to aim carefully since they won’t have time for a second shot. The other says that once he fires the cannon that the soldiers will be as much trouble as first graders.
The shot goes off and the army jet is
destroyed. Armbruster starts ordering six men to go hit the
hangar when a second shot blows him off his feet. When the
soldiers recover, Armbruster tells one of his men to find him a
chopper to attack with. The soldier says that Armbruster had
better see what is happening for himself. 
Armbruster
looks to see the Abomination holding a tank over his head while
the Rhino is charging at them. Rhino tells Abomination to show
them that they mean business and that he will get them a hostage.
Rhino says that no one will ever stop them again. Abomination
tells Rhino to watch who he is ordering around. He says that
their alliance is only temporary. Ross is charging Abomination
with a gun in his hand and says that he is the same kind of
creature that the Hulk is. Abomination punches Ross in the face
and says that Ross is wrong. He says that he is far more powerful
than the Hulk. Rhino says that if Abomination can handle the Hulk
as well as he did an old man that they might have their revenge
after all. Rhino says to look at what he caught as he drags Betty
Talbot behind him. Betty asks what they want with her. Rhino says
that they want the Hulk’s hide. Rhino says that both he and
Abomination owe the Hulk a beating and that since they have that
in common that they thought that they would team up. Rhino says
that it isn’t really their concern. He says that they will
use all the Hulkbuster equipment to get the Hulk there and that
after that all of them will be dead.
Twelve hours later, Jim Wilson, and his girlfriend Talia, are driving towards Hulkbusters base. Talia says that she doesn’t know how she let him talk her into doing this. She says that they have come over 2,000 miles from Newark just so he could say hello to some friends. Jim starts to tell Talia that they are more than friends when they come to an army blockade. In the twelve hours, a general alert was sounded and soldiers and equipment have completely surrounded the base. Jim asks if this is some sort of raid. The soldier tells Jim that is their business and to move along. Jim says that he gets the message and turns the car around.
Two hours later, Bruce Banner wakes up in an emergency bunker. He says that it just goes to show that a man can’t lead a double life without getting exhausted. He realizes that he fell asleep before he found any food. Bruce makes his way into the hall and realizes that there is no one there. He says that there is no guard or KP pulling overtime. Bruce thinks to himself that it can’t be his luck because he doesn’t have any luck. Bruce says that he doesn’t need any more problems, but that he better look into this. Bruce suddenly finds Betty, Ross, Armbruster, and a bunch of soldiers sealed up in one of the Hulk containment cells. Bruce stares stunned through the one way glass. He doesn’t even hear the Abomination come up behind him until Abomination has grabbed him. Abomination says that he thought they had captured all the humans and that now they will have to go search for more. Abomination starts to drag Bruce to the entrance of the cell when Bruce starts to transform. Hulk smacks Abomination off of him. Rhino charges into Hulk’s back and says that it is lucky for Abomination that he was patrolling the area. Hulk says that he doesn’t understand. He says that he wakes up and everyone is attacking him. Hulk recognizes Rhino. He says that he showed him he was stronger than Rhino before and that he will do it again. Hulk charges into Rhino. Abomination emerges with a gun. He tells Rhino that he is no match for the Hulk by himself. He says that there is no point in battling him physically when they can use the Hulkbuster Base specially designed weapons. Hulk sees Abomination holding the gun. He says that he thought only soldiers used guns. Hulk says that he doesn’t like guns and that he is leaving. Hulk plows through the wall. Rhino shouts to stop Hulk, but Abomination says to let him go. He says that despite his stupidity that the Hulk is basically curious. He says that Hulk will be back and that they will be ready for him.
One hour later, Jim and Talia have found an unguarded way onto the Hulkbuster Base and are snooping around despite Talia’s fears. Jim says that something is wrong and that no one is around and that there is wreckage everywhere. Talia tells Jim that she wants to leave. Suddenly Jim sees Hulk. He quickly covers Talia’s mouth and tells Hulk that he is glad to see him. Jim says that he was worried with the way Hulk just walked off. Jim asks Hulk if he knows what is happening there. Hulk says that Jim is his friend and wonders if Jim can tell him why ugly people are attacking him. Hulk tells Jim everything he remembers. His face lightens after proud of himself. Jim says that it seems like the two guys are after Hulk and that they are willing to kill everyone to do it. Jim says that they have no choice but to use Talia as a decoy. Talia starts shouting at Jim that he is out of his mind. She says to count her out. Jim says that he isn’t going to argue, but that if she doesn’t help that not one of them is going to get off the base alive.
In the Central Control Complex, Abomination says that the machines readings tell him that the Hulk is still in the vicinity. He says that soon Hulk will be theirs. He spots someone running past the door. Abomination tells Rhino to get on his feet and that they can’t let her escape. Talia starts to climb up a ladder to the surface. Abomination wonders if she heard about the bomb. Rhino says that it depends on how long she was listening. He says to grab her and they can find out.
Abomination and Rhino reach the surface. Abomination says that she is gone. Rhino says that Abomination let her get away and that he could have caught her. Abomination tells Rhino to stop being an imbecile. He asks what good that would do him. He says that it doesn’t matter anyway and that the bomb has already been set. He says that not even the Hulk can stop them now. Suddenly Hulk leaps and pounds Abomination and Rhino while Talia hides.
Jim Wilson climbs down the ladder. He says that he has to find Ross and that from there he guesses he’ll wing it. Jim reaches the cell Ross and the others are being held in. He picks up a communicator and tells Ross that he is there. Ross thanks Heaven that someone found them. He tells Jim not to worry about them and that there is something far more important for him to take care of… a gamma bomb. Jim asks if Ross means one like the one that created Hulk. Ross says that is the type and says that the Abomination has set it to go off in 150 seconds. Jim asks why he would do that. Ross says that Abomination knew that Hulk was in the area and that he expected to escape before it went off.
Jim listens to Ross’ instructions and sets the cell intercom onto maximum volume. Ross leads Jim down the corridors to a pressure chamber. He gives Jim the combination to open the door. Ross leads Jim to a control panel with ninety seconds left. Ross tells Jim that the letter combination to the panel spells C-H-A-O-S. Ross says that there is sixty-eight seconds left. Jim says to cut it out and that he has the top off. Ross says that they aren’t done yet. He says that Jim has to reverse the detonation fuse. Jim asks how he is supposed to do that. Ross says that he doesn’t know. He says that each fuse is different and that he doesn’t know how Abomination set it. Ross tells Jim that he has forty-seven seconds left. Jim says that he told Ross to stop that. He says that he isn’t a scientist and wonders how he is going to stop the bomb. Ross says that there is a small pin and to touch it lightly to see which way it gives. Ross tells Jim to pick a direction and pull the pin. With three seconds left, the bomb is stopped. Jim throws his fist up in celebration.
Hulk says that he is tired of hitting the
Rhino and says that he will stop him. Hulk punches Rhino.
Abomination tackles Rhino from behind. He tells Rhino to back up
to plow into Hulk. He says that they had better get out of there
and that the bomb must be ready to blast. Hulk throws Abomination
off of him. He says that Jim told him to fight them, but that he
is sick of fighting. Hulk says that he wants to finish it. Rhino
says that they’re going to finish it as only they can.
Abomination and Rhino start to charge the Hulk. Hulk says that
this is stupid. He says that he could beat either of them, but
that Jim said to wait. Hulk says that he has waited long enough
and so he will leave. 
Hulk moves out
of the way and Abomination and Rhino run headlong into each
other. The noise of their impact hurts Hulk’s ears and he
turns to see a smoldering crater behind him. Hulk wonders why the
world won’t leave him alone.
At the perimeter, soldiers spot the signal for orderly advance from Hulkbuster Base.
Half and hour later, there is an unusual press conference. A reporter holds a microphone to the Hulk and asks him how he defeated the Abomination and the Rhino. Hulk tells the reporter to take the microphone out of his face or he will break it. Ross asks Hulk if he can thank him. Hulk says that Ross is the one that hates him and chases him. Ross says that he also owes Hulk his life. He says that maybe he needs to learn something from that. Jim shouts a warning to Hulk, but he is too late. A cage slams down on Hulk. Ross shouts at Armbruster what the devil he is doing. Armbruster says that he is doing his patriotic duty and that he has captured the Hulk.
No Excuses rating: 6.5 out of 10
First I have to give Conway and Englehart credit for teaming up Rhino and Abomination. It’s a really cool idea. With that said I have to go on that there is far too much time spent on the potatoes and not nearly enough on the meat. Hulk seems to handle Abomination and Rhino with apparent ease (especially considering that he didn’t seem so much mad as he did annoyed) and I’m not so sure that he should be able to take them at all. There is a lot of back and forth and very little time on what should be the slugfest of the century. There are also little plot holes I have problems with, but on the whole the issue is a fun read. 3 out of 5 for writing. Trimpe does a good job with the penciling, but I wish there was more panels devoted to the fight.