Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #182Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #182
Title: “Between Hammer and Anvil!”
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Herb Trimpe
Colors: Glynis Wein
Editor: Roy Thomas
An RCAF aircraft hovers above Hulk and Wolverine. A loud speaker informs Wolverine that his six hours have elapsed. He says that he was assigned to capture the Hulk and that he has failed. Wolverine says that his failure was only temporary. He says that he can still defeat him. A personal carriage lowers down for Wolverine. They tell him that he has his orders. Wolverine starts to get in and asks what about the Hulk. The voice says that they will take care of him in their own fashion. The aircraft releases a metal net on Hulk, but Hulk smashes it into pieces before it lands on him. Commandoes leap from the craft and start to charge Hulk. Hulk says that he doesn’t like guns, and that he likes puny humans even less. Hulk smacks them back. With the physical approach not working the aircraft releases a gas rocket. The rocket hits and the Hulk falls asleep.
A while later, a cold breeze on his face
wakes Hulk. He finds himself in a titanium steel cage hanging off
the bottom of the aircraft. Hulk tears open the bars and leaps
out. By the time the aircraft doubles back, Hulk is long gone.
Hulk walks and walks until Quebec is lost in the distance. Night
falls and Hulk lumbers onward until he hears music. Hulk’s
head turns. Hulk walks towards the strange music. Hulk listens to
the song “Nobody knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”. He
stands mesmerized by the music. He looks through the bushes to
see an elderly man, clearly a hobo, playing the harmonica. The
player senses his audience and turns. He says that he hopes his
music wasn’t bothering him. 
Crackajack
Jackson says that he guesses that he isn’t the musician that
he once was. He asks Hulk if he wants to take a turn. Hulk,
feeling like he has been caught, turns and says that he is
leaving since it is only another puny human. Crackajack tells the
Hulk not to go. He says that he is lonely, and to come back and
sit for a while. He says that the fire isn’t much, but that
it is warm. Crackajack says that Hulk’s presence will make
it warmer. Crackajack says that he doesn’t have much food,
but he holds out a plate of beans for Hulk. Crackajack says that
he guesses Hulk was hungry as he watches Hulk pour the beans into
his mouth right off the plate. Hulk says, “Beans are…
urp… good.”
Someone in administration had thought that
it would be funny to chain together Johnny Anvil, a racist, with
“Hammer” Jackson, an African-American that hates
everything. They won’t think it is funny in the morning when
they discover that the duo has escaped from prison. Hammer yells
at Anvil to keep up. He says that Anvil says that he is a better
man than him and to prove it now. Anvil tells Hammer to get off
it. He says that they lost the search party two hours ago. He
says that he doesn’t like being stuck with him either, but
until they get the chains off that they are stuck together.
Hammer is in the middle of threatening Anvil when he hears
something moving. An alien walks over the horizon, hurt and
holding its arm. It says, “Planet dwellers… I beseech
you…” Hammer says that the alien isn’t going to
“beseech” him. He pulls out the gun that he stole from
the guard and lets four shots off. The alien is stunned as he
watches the bullets sink into its chest. Then a smile seemingly
crosses its face. The alien thanks them for preventing his death.
Anvil asks if it means that the bullets saved his life. The alien
says that the metal they injected in him will help sustain his
internal support systems. The alien sees the chain holding them
together. He says that the “drab adornments”
aren’t worthy of them. The chains break apart. The alien
then uses his molecular transfuser and creates a new bond between
the two of them. 
Hammer asks if
this is the thanks they get. He says that he can take this reward
and stuff it. Anvil says that the last thing they want is another
chain between them. The alien says that what they are wearing is
not a shackle, but an energy-synthicon. He says that if it is
properly applied that its energies cannot be withstood. He says
to try it out on that tall tree there. Hammer and Anvil run
towards the tree. Anvil says that if this doesn’t work that
they are going to reverse that “life-saving bit”.
Hammer and Anvil suddenly find their tired bodies surging with
power. Their new chain slices right through the tree and cuts it
down. Hammer says that the freak wasn’t kidding, and that he
feels strong enough to take on the army. Anvil says that he feels
string enough to be an army. Suddenly they hear the alien’s
ship take off and they realize that he is gone. Hammer and Anvil
start to head back towards the prison for revenge.
The next morning, Crackajack awakens. He asks the Hulk if he slept well. Hulk says that he wasn’t tired. He says that he was only hungry and that he has been waiting for more beans. Crackajack says that he is sorry, but that he is out of beans. He says that if Hulk wants to that he can help him catch breakfast. Hulk’s stomach grumbles.
Hulk sits with Crackajack as they fish. Crackajack says that Hulk is a funny name, but that at least it is a name. Crackajack says that there isn’t a honky-tonk that doesn’t know the name of Crackajack Jackson. Hulk says that “little man is making fish go away.” As they walk along together, Crackajack says that it has been a while since he had a job making music. He says that all he has left is his boy Leroy. Crackajack says that he is on his way too see him now. He says that Hulk is heading to see him now. He says that Hulk is welcome to come if he wants. Hulk says that he has nowhere else to go.
Hulk and Crackajack travel together all day. At night they set up camp and the beans are put on the fire. Crackajack gives Hulk a plate of beans and a fork. Hulk asks what a fork is. Crackajack says that it is to eat with, and that it saves wear and tear on the plate. Hulk says that he will do what Crackajack says. Hulk bites the fork off as he chews his beans. Hulk says that he still thinks that beans taste better without the fork. He says that the fork tastes funny. Crackajack lets out a loud laugh. Later he asks Hulk what he has. Hulk says that he has a stick. Crackajack asks if he is going to write his memoirs with it. Hulk asks what writing is. Crackajack takes the stick and writes HULK in the dirt. He tells Hulk that is how he spells his name. Hulk says that he wishes he knew how to write his name. Crackajack slowly teaches Hulk how to write the alphabet. Finally, Hulk spells his name in the dirt. Crackajack says that he is proud of Hulk. He says that a man doesn’t have anything if he doesn’t have his name. Crackajack puts his hand on Hulk’s shoulder. He says that Hulk has the wrong skin color, but that people used to say that about him. Crackajack says that Hulk is so quiet, but that no matter what else he is that Hulk is his friend. Hulk says that he knows.
At Hulkbuster Base, Armbruster says that he doesn’t care how it is done so long as it gets done. The man says that what he is asking is almost impossible. Armbruster says that he is glad he added that “almost” because he is going to carry out his orders. Armbruster says that the President of the United States is coming to the base to congratulate Major Glenn Talbot. Armbruster says that despite the clearance Talbot has been given that he is convinced that there is something wrong with it. Armbruster says that he wants what it is found before the president gets there.
Hulk hides behind a tree off the road as Crackajack tries to cross a road block. The cop says that he can’t let him through. He says that there is some kind of trouble up at the state prison and that the whole area has been cordoned off. Crackajack says that he has to get through. He says that his son is up in the prison and that he has walked twelve hundred miles to see him. The cop starts to tell Crackajack that he is sorry, but his eyes open wide when he sees the Hulk coming. Crackajack tells Hulk to stay back like he told him. Hulk says, “Puny humans! Let Crackajack thru… or Hulk will smash!” The cop tells Hulk to stay back or he will shoot. Hulk swats the police car away and says that he is tired of puny humans with guns. Crackajack says that Hulk knocked them out. He says that they’re going to be in trouble if anyone catches them. Hulk says that it was only puny humans. Hulk says that he will help Crackajack find his son.
Several miles later, Hulk asks why Crackajack has stopped and that his son isn’t there. Crackajack points to the prison and says that his son is in there. He says that he was too embarrassed to tell Hulk, and that he supposes Hulk will leave him now. Hulk asks why he would leave when he is his friend. Hulk says that if Crackajack’s son is inside the walls that Hulk will take him there. Hulk lifts Crackajack up and leaps into the prison.
Inside the prison yard, Hammer and Anvil are
wrecking their vengeance. Hulk lands in the chaos and wonders how
they will find Crackajack’s son. Hammer sees Crackajack and
says, “No… not you!” Crackajack tells Leroy that
it is good to see him. He says that he is sorry that he
didn’t come around sooner. Hammer says that he knows
Crackajack’s excuse about being on the road. Hammer says
that Crackajack was always on the road, and that every time he
ever needed him that he was working in “some cheap
nickel-an-dime bar!” Crackajack says that he is sorry. He
says that he wanted to be there. Hammer tells him to forget it.
He says that he doesn’t need him anymore. He says that he
has a new gig now, and that once he tears the prison down that he
is going to go get some real money. Crackajack says that Leroy
can’t do this. He reaches out to touch his son, but he
accidentally touches Hammer’s new chain. A crackle of energy
is released. Crackajack falls face first into the door. Hammer
says, “Papa? Papa, I didn’t mean to…” Hulk
freaks. He says that Crackajack isn’t moving like he is
dead. Hulk says, “Crackajack’s son did this terrible
thing? Crackajack’s son?” Hammer tells Hulk not to talk
to him like that and that he will tear him apart. Anvil tells
Hammer not to get him into this. He says to look at the
monster’s face. Hulk shouts, “You… killed…
Hulk’s friend!” Hulk hits Hammer in the face and Anvil
in the stomach. One of the guards says that the Hulk is
flattening them. Hammer says that he has heard of the Hulk, and
that he is supposed to be the strongest dude there is. Anvil says
that he was, and that they are the strongest around now. Hammer
says that they should prove it. Hammer grabs Hulk and tells Anvil
to hit him. He says that he doesn’t think he can hold Hulk
long. Anvil smashes into Hulk’s stomach, He says that the
Hulk is as good as dead. Hulk says that they are strong, but that
he is stronger. Hammer leaps up and wraps the chain around
Hulk’s stomach. Hammer and Anvil flip Hulk off and into a
building. Hammer says that they will carve that on his tombstone.
Hulk says that first puny humans kill his friend, and that now
they try to kill him. Hulk says that he has had enough of puny
humans. He tells them to go away or he will smash them. Hulk hits
the ground and sends Hammer and Anvil soaring into the air.
Hammer asks how they are supposed to beat a guy that can trash
them without touching them. Anvil tells Hammer to keep his cool.
He says that no one is stronger than them as long as they wear
the chain. Hulk says that if the chain is what makes them strong
that he will break it. Hulk grabs the chain, but the chain burns
Hulk. Hulk lets go and Hammer and Anvil wrap it around
Hulk’s throat. The chain gets tighter and tighter around
Hulk’s neck as they pull. 
Hulk thinks
about Crackajack dead in the dirt as he struggles to breathe.
Hulk gets madder and stronger. He keeps getting stronger until he
snaps the chain between Hammer and Anvil. Hammer and Anvil scream
in pain. The guards move in. Hulk grabs Crackajack. He says that
he is sorry he hurt his son and sorry that his son hurt him. Hulk
says that he shouldn’t have brought him there so he will
take him away. Hulk leaps away.
Hulk lands. From some instinct, Hulk buries
Crackajack the best he can. He thinks about Hammer’s words
about carving his tombstone. Hulk decides that Crackajack needs a
tombstone. Hulk hits a rock and pulls a slab out of the rubble.
He grunts his satisfaction. Hulk then undertakes his hardest
task. Hulk’s tongue sticks out of his mouth slightly as he
digs his fingers into the granite. Hulk remembers the words of
the father and the son, “A man ain’t got nothin’
if he ain’t got his name!” 
Hulk walks from
the tombstone that reads “Kraker Jak Jakson”
No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10
Crackerjack Jackson, Hammer, and Anvil… these are classic characters… classic. Crackerjack Jackson appears only once, in this issue, and yet he was such a powerful character that he remained within the Hulk’s minds for years to come despite the fact that Hulk often forgot what Betty looked like after an extended period time. I was always very disappointed that Hammer and Anvil never became more of a fixture in the Hulk’s rogue’s gallery and in the Marvel universe. To me these guys could have been as big as Absorbing Man or the Wrecker. They had the same thug mentality and toughness, but they also had an interesting dichotomy. 5 out of 5 for the writing. Herb Trimpe does a great job with the storytelling in this issue. His design for Hammer and Anvil is great, but I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed that there wasn’t a bigger, clearer picture of them in the book.
Review and pictures done by the Leader.