Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #203Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #203
Title: “Assault on Psyklop”
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Sal Buscema
Inker: Joe Staton
Colors: Glynis Wein
Editor: Len Wein
Psyklop has Hulk restrained against the
wall. Jarella begs him to let them go. She says that they haven’t
done anything to him. Psyklop says that the two of them have done
more harm to him than they could possibly imagine and that they
are going to pay. Psyklop touches Jarella’s face and says
that he might be persuaded to make her death more pleasant as
befits a former queen. Jarella asks him not to touch her. Hulk
says that he had better leave her alone or he will smash. Psyklop
says that Hulk isn’t going to do anything and that his
dimundium steel bonds are unbreakable. He says that Hulk is his
prisoner and that he will soon be his victim. 
Hulk says that
he is no one’s victim or prisoner. He says that he is what
he wants to be and that what he wants to be is free. Hulk smashes
through his restraints. Hulk tells Psyklop to give him back
Jarella or he will crush him like a bug. Psyklop says that Hulk
thinks he is insulting him, but that his race evolved from
insects to become the rulers of ancient Earth. He says that their
scientific knowledge was unparalleled and that they had weapons
at their fingertips. Psyklop blasts Hulk with weapons imbedded in
the wall. Hulk says that they can’t hurt him. Psyklop says
that they should have disrupted his entire nervous system.
Psyklop tries his sidearm, but it doesn’t have any effect.
Hulk says that nothing will stop him until he stops Psyklop.
Psyklop warns him to stay back. Hulk says that Psyklop was going
to kill him and asks what he could threaten him with that would
be worse. Psyklop says, “Life as an unwilling slave of my
hypnotic power!” Psyklop eye blasts Hulk in the face. Hulk
staggers and his eyes roll into the back of his head. Hulk falls.
Jarella again rushes to Hulk’s side and asks what he has
done to him. Psyklop says that he just eliminated the threat to
him. Psyklop says that he should have done that months ago.
Jarella asks if revenge is the reason Psyklop has been
devastating her world. He says that there is more to it than
that.
Psyklop recounts the events of Avengers #88 and Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #140. He says that he was left alone to face the wrath of the Dark Gods. Jarella asks why he returned to K’ai. Psyklop says that it wasn’t his idea. He says that the Dark Gods banished him there as punishment for his failure. Psyklop says that he spent months alone creating the machines that would ensure his comfort and the giant mechanical God of the Mountain to ensure his privacy. He says that he planned his revenge. He says that on his planet-spanning view-scanners that he saw the Hulk return to K’ai to free the people from the evil Lord Visis. He watched as the Hulk grew too large for the planet. He says that with a push of his giant foot that he accidentally knocked K’ai out of its orbit. He says that is actually what has been causing the earthquakes. He says that her simple-minded subjects chose to believe it was the anger of the Mountain God. Psyklop says that it served his purposes so when the quakes started to abate he took steps to insure that they never would. Psyklop shows Jarella an enormous drill that he uses to create the earthquakes. Jarella says that it isn’t possible, but Psyklop says that nothing is impossible with his prowess. He says that the Dreadnaught drill goes straight to the heart of the planet and that her people will worship him as they once did her or they will be destroyed.
Jarella’s sorcerers watch Psyklop’s confession. One of them says that he told the others that the ancient gods weren’t angry with their queen. He says that they “have all been victims of an alien fiend.” The sorcerers rile up Jarella’s subjects and ask if they are going to allow him to treat them like cattle or if they are going to go strike for their Jarella. The people shout that they will strike.
At Gamma Base, Samson tells Glenn that he can get up now. Glenn says that he didn’t even feel anything but a little pin-prick that made his eyes spin for a moment. Samson says that is the miracle of micro-surgery. He says that he took the atom that contains the sub-microscopic Hulk out of his head and put it on a slide. He says that all they have to do now is put it on the micron-cannon and reverse the procedure. Ross enters and asks if everything is all right. Samson says that they are going to restore the Hulk. Ross asks what happens then. Samson says that he will be their responsibility just as he has always been.
Psyklop and Jarella watch as the Hulk does Psyklop’s bidding. Psyklop says that it is too bad he didn’t have the Hulk when he was beginning his master plan. Jarella says that this is more than just revenge then. She asks what he is doing. Psyklop says that it would be too hard to explain it to one of her intelligence. He says that it would be easier to show her. Psyklop presents “the ultimate product” of his genius. Jarella is blinded by the light coming off the object. Psyklop points to the shining urn and tells her to look beyond the light. Jarella says that she can’t and that the jar pulses as if it were alive. Psyklop says that it is alive in a way. He says that it contains all the life-forces of those slain in the earthquakes. He says that it is a prize that will buy his freedom from her world. He says that shortly the “multi-universal energies” will be in conjunction and he will offer the stolen life forces to feed the Dark Gods. Jarella calls him a ghoul. Psyklop says that he is that and more. He says that nothing will stop him from winning the gratitude of the Dark Gods and winning his freedom. He says that her people are just unfortunate pawns. Suddenly Psyklop’s alarm goes off. Psyklop looks on the screen and sees Jarella’s people. He says that it seems they are loyal to her despite the Mountain God’s wrath. Psyklop says that they might have come looking for their queen, but that all they will find is death. Psyklop blasts a post-hypnotic impression into Hulk. He tells Hulk to go find the one he hates and kill him.
The people, lead by Torla, are outside Psyklop’s stronghold. Suddenly Hulk opens the doors and wants to know where One-Eye is. Hulk looks out at Jarella’s people, but all he sees are hundreds of Psyklops. Hulk leaps at them and starts beating them all up. He says that he doesn’t know why there are so many of him, but that it won’t stop him from smashing them.
Torla asks Holi and Moli if they hear what the Hulk is saying. He realizes that the Hulk isn’t fight against their people, but that he thinks he is fighting Psyklop. He says that Psyklop must have altered Hulk’s perceptions. He says that their only hope is to replace his hated image with a more pleasant and comforting illusion. The Triad forms and begins chanting.
Hulk continues his beatings until suddenly the hundreds of Psyklops become hundreds of Jarellas. Hulk stands stunned.
Psyklop says that somehow they broke his hypnotic spell. Psyklop and Jarella rush outside. Psyklop orders Hulk to renew his assault. He says that the one he hates his before him. Hulk turns and says that the one he hates is behind him. Hulk says that he tried to twist his mind and that he is the one he hates. Hulk says that One-Eye is the one he will destroy. Psyklop grabs Jarella’s arm and tells Hulk to stay back if he values her life. Jarella begs Psyklop to let go before it is too late. Hulk says that it is already too late, and that for even daring to hurt her that he will crush One-Eye. Psyklop blasts Hulk with another hypnotic blast, but this time it has no effect on him. Jarella says that when he gets this mad that there is nothing that can stop Hulk. She begs him to surrender. Psyklop says that he doesn’t surrender to anyone. He tells her to get back inside the mountain. Hulk says that hiding won’t help him.
Inside, Psyklop holds Jarella and tries to blast Hulk. He asks why Hulk won’t die. Hulk tells Psyklop to release Jarella and then they will see who dies. Hulk hits the ground. Psyklop and Jarella go flying off in separate directions. Psyklop says that all his calculations cannot have been in vain. He says that the cosmic conjunction will be upon them in moments and that as long as he has his urn that he can still win. Hulk says that he will smash it then. Psyklop says that he can’t do that and that he doesn’t realize what is at stake. Hulk says that he doesn’t know and that he doesn’t care. Jarella tells Hulk that there is no need for further violence. She says that he has won. Psyklop looks at the urn and realizes that Hulk’s shockwave must have damaged it. He says that he has to reseal it, but the urn explodes. When the light fades, Psyklop is gone and only a heap of ashes remains. Jarella says that he was consumed by the spirits that he had slain. Torla says that is a fitting ending. He says that they are free from earthquakes and a day for rejoicing. Jarella says that she wants to make it a day for celebration and that if Hulk will have her that she would be his bride. Hulk says, “Jarella wants to… marry Hulk? Yes, Jarella… yes!!” The people rejoice.
Suddenly Hulk and Jarella start growing and growing. Hulk says that he doesn’t understand. He protects Jarella as they crash through the top of the mountain. He tells her not to be frightened as they pass into the sub-atomic universe. Jarella says that she will never be frightened so long as she is with him.
At Gamma Base, the slide starts to glow with
light. Samson says that it is working. Ross says that he got the
Hulk, but that he didn’t bring him back alone. Hulk stands
on the platform with Jarella. Hulk says that she should have
known it was Ross and Samson. He asks why they don’t leave
him alone. Jarella tells Hulk to calm down. She says that if it
is the will of the gods to being him back to the world of the
pink-skins that maybe it is for the best. 
Jarella says
that she has to return to K’ai to help rebuild her world and
that the gods have given her a sign that she must do so alone.
Hulk says that wherever she goes he will go too. Jarella says
that despite all he has done for them that her people still
distrust him. He says that his presence would be more hindrance
than help. She says that when her task is finished that they will
find one another again. Hulk says that he doesn’t
understand, but that if she doesn’t want him anymore that he
will let her go. Samson says that he is sorry to tell them, but
that Jarella isn’t going anywhere. Jarella asks what he
means. Samson says to look at the transport platform. He says
that the slide was destroyed by the angry Hulk and that there is
no where for them to send her.
No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10
I really love the story. I miss stories that take place in K’ai. I also love Psyklop as a villain. The ending is a bit of a shock, but it’s cool to see Jarella on Earth instead of Hulk always having to be on K’ai. Sal does a really nice job with the art. Hulk fighting a bunch of Psyklop is kind of a cool effect. 4.5 for both writing and art.
Review and pictures done by the Leader.