Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #180

Title: “And the Wind Howls Wendigo!"

Writer: Len Wein

Penciller: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Colors: Glynis Wein

Editor: Roy Thomas

The Hulk lands from one of his leaps. He crashes through a fence. Hulk wonders where he is. Jasper asks Hector if he saw what the big gorilla did to his fence. He says that fence cost him six hundred and fifty eight dollars. Jasper's horses run away through the broken fence. Jasper slams his hat against the ground and says that Hulk broke his fence and his horses ran off. He asks Hulk what he intends to do. Hulk is somewhat taken back by someone actually standing up to him. Hulk says that he is sorry. He says that he will fix it if puny human will stop yelling at him. Suddenly Hulk says, "Wait! What is Hulk doing?" Hulk pushes Jasper over and tells him to get out of his way before Hulk loses his temper. Hulk says that he is leaving.

Hulk soars through the air. He says that everywhere he goes there are puny humans that confuse him. Hulk says that he will find someplace with no puny humans and that maybe he will find peace. Hulk leaps and leaps. He smashes through some trees as he lands in Canada. Hulk says that it is quiet and the trees are pretty. Hulk says that he will find no puny humans there.

Hulk's arrival in Canada was detected and reported at the top secret Royal Canadian Air Force Tracking Installation. One of the men says that one of the specific reasons the installation was created was to detect the Hulk. He says that after the havoc the Hulk caused last time they have no choice but to mobilize Weapon X.

Hulk says that he is right and that it is peaceful here. He says that there are no people there. Hulk hears a howling and says that dogs are in the forest. A pack of wolves attacks Hulk out of hunger. Hulk says that the big dogs attack him and asks why. Hulk says that he likes little animals and little dogs most of all, but that dogs that attack him are no better than puny humans and that he doesn't like puny humans. Hulk fights the wolves, but they attack and attack until Hulk is backed up and falls into an empty ravine. The pack of wolves swarms over Hulk, but not for long. Hulk breaks free. The wolves run away an Hulk tells them to run or he will smash them all. Hulk says that he doesn't need dogs to be his friends. He says that he doesn't need anyone. He says that he has Hulk to be his friend... he says that he always has Hulk.

In the New Mexican desert at Hulkbuster Base One, Armbruster tells Ross that the President has planned to come late next week to congratulate Talbot on escaping from the Russkies. He says that is if Talbot is up to it. Ross says that is a good point. He says that the doctors have cleared Talbot, but that it might be better if he waited. Talbot stands up out of his wheelchair and says that they are talking about him like he wasn't there. He says that if the President is coming that he wants to meet him. He frantically says that he has to meet him. Betty tells Glenn to calm down and that her father was just looking out for him. Talbot apologizes to Ross and Armbruster. Betty says that he doesn't have to apologize and that they all know the strain he has been under. Ross tells Talbot to take it easy for a few days and that if he wants to meet the President so badly he promises he will have the chance. Armbruster thinks to himself that he isn't so sure about that. He thinks that Talbot isn't fit to meet anyone much less the most important man in America.

Hulk walks along when he hears a voice call his name. Hulk turns but doesn't see anyone. Hulk says that there must be bugs in his ears and that he will fix his ears. The voice tells Hulk to come. Hulk puts his hands over his ears and says to leave him alone. The voice just tells him to come again. Hulk asks where the voice is hiding. He asks if it is behind the tree and chops the tree down. The voice tells Hulk to come again. Hulk is getting aggravated. Hulk says that he told the voice to leave him alone, but that now he will find the voice and smash it.

Inside a stone slab hovel, not far from the Hulk, the owner of the voice calling Hulk tells Hulk to come. Georges tells Marie to listen to him. He says that it isn't too late to stop this madness. Marie tells Georges that he is wrong and that it was too late for her a long, long time ago. She says that it was too late when her brother Paul was lost to her. She says that when Paul ate human flesh it changed him into the Wendigo. Marie says that she is going to save her brother however she must. She tells Georges that he is going to help her. Georges says that her plan is monstrous and inhuman. Marie says that it is no more inhuman than what John has become. Marie says that Paul was studying to become a doctor. She says that he wouldn't have even been there if it weren't for Georges. She says that he never would have done what he did. She says that he owes him. Georges says that he isn't there out of debt. He asks how she will effect this miraculous cure. Marie says that the Wendigo is a supernatural curse and that she has studied the dark arts since Paul's transformation. She points to two stone pallets. She says that Paul has to lie on one of the pallets and a second being on the other one. She says that she will use the ancient arts to transfer the curse from Paul to someone else. Georges says that she can't do that. He asks what right she has to condemn another to hell. Marie tells Georges that the one she has chosen is not a man and that the hell can be no worse than the one he is already leaving. She says that it doesn't matter any longer and that it is no longer in her hands. She says that the one she has summoned is coming.

Hulk sees the "house of stone" and knows that is where the voice is coming from. Hulk says that he will see who is inside the house and then he will smash. Hulk walks toward the house, but then something lets him sense the danger inside. Hulk ignores it and walks up to the house. Hulk asks who is there and who is responsible for the voice in his head. Hulk sees Georges and Marie inside. Georges says that Marie brought him there and asks her she is going to do with him. Marie tells him to be quiet and greets the Hulk. Hulk says that it is only another puny human... a girl dressed like an animal. Hulk says that there is something familiar about her, but that he can't remember. Marie tells him to try. She says that he helped them before and that they need his help again now. Hulk remembers that the two of them were his friends.

Marie asks Hulk if he is enjoying his dinner. Hulk says that it is good and thanks her. Georges asks Marie how she can do this. He says that the Hulk is so simple and gullible. Marie tells Georges to be quiet before he ruins everything. Marie tells Hulk to drink some broth to wash his food down with. Mist rises from the bowl. Hulk says that it smells good, but that he isn't hungry anymore. Hulk says that he is sleepy. Marie tells Hulk to lie down and that he will feel better after a rest.

Hulk sleeps on a pallet. Marie says that the Vapors of Slumber have done their job well. She says that he will sleep until the transformation is complete. Georges says that she must be proud betraying a creature that trusted her. Marie says that pride doesn't enter into it and that she is doing what she must. Marie turns from Georges. She returns her attention to the mystic potions and starts to chant in a language older than the trees.

Not far away, the Wendigo hears the chanting and stirs.

As Marie continues working, the Hulk awakens from the potion ahead of schedule. Hulk remembers that he is in animal-girl's house. He says that he will go and tell her that he is awake again and see if she has any more good food.

Georges asks Marie if there is no way to stop her. He asks her if she thinks her brother would want to regain his humanity at the cost of another's soul. He asks if Paul will be able to live with her sins on his conscience. Marie says that she can't answer, but that maybe he could ask him himself. Georges turns and sees the Wendigo standing behind him.

Hulk peers into the room and sees Wendigo. Hulk remembers fighting him and even remembers his name. Hulk wonders what he is doing in his friend's house and walks forward and asks Wendigo. Marie tries to tell Hulk that Wendigo is his friend and that he isn't there to hurt anyone, but Hulk has already leapt at Wendigo to fight. Hulk hits Wendigo and they knock down the wall on their way out. The other walls start falling and Georges and Marie start to run and just barely make it out before the place collapses.

The Wendigo hits the Hulk. Hulk shakes his head and then picks a giant rock over his head. He says that Wendigo thinks he is strong, but that Hulk is stronger than anyone. Hulk throws the rock, but it just shatters against Wendigo. Hulk leaps into Wendigo and kicks him. Wendigo grabs a tree and hits Hulk in the head with it. Hulk rips the ground up and overturns it on Wendigo. Hulk and Wendigo charge one another and smash together head to head. Hulk and Wendigo punch each other back and forth until they hear a voice behind them, "All right, you freaks... just hold it! If you really want to tangle with someone... why not try your luck against... the Wolverine!" Wolverine stands there with his claws out.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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