Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #216Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #216
Title: “Countdown to Catastrophe!”
Writer: Len Wein
Illustrators: Sal Buscema and Ernie Chan
Colors: Glynis Wein
Editor: Len Wein
Bi-Beast says that Hulk dared to defy him, and that for that he must pay. Hulk yells in pain as the lasers begin to boil his blood.
Ross. Gaffer, and Quartermain watch on as the Bi-Beast goes on killing Hulk. Ross says that this is all his fault. Gaffer says that there may still be a way to save Hulk the same way they saved Ross, but that there will be much risk involved. Ross says to forget the risk, and that he owes Hulk that much. Gaffer activates the switch.
Bi-Beast
compliments Hulk’s stamina and says that any other creature
would have died long ago, but that even he won’t last much
longer. Suddenly a trap door opens under Hulk. Hulk drops out of
the room. Bi-Beast shouts that they will not be thwarted now. The
lower skull tells his brother to relax and that the day will
still be theirs.
Hulk slides into the room with Clay, Gaffer, and Ross. Clay goes to touch Hulk, but Gaffer tells him not to and that his skin is still boiling hot from the lasers. Clay asks what they are supposed to do with him now. Gaffer says that he doesn’t know. Hulk wakes up and swats them away. Hulk says that what they will do is leave him alone. Hulk grabs Ross by the throat. He says that he doesn’t know where Bi-Beast went, but that he has found the one he hates most of all again. Hulk holds Ross over his head and says that he has been waiting a long time to crush Ross like a bug. Gaffer asks Hulk why he wants to crush someone that just wanted his help. Confused the Hulk says, “Ross wants Hulk’s… help? Ross?” Hulk drops Ross and asks him what they want. Gaffer says that Hulk has to stop Bi-Beast from launching nuclear missiles against the Earth. He says that if Bi-Beast succeeds that everyone Hulk knows is going to die. Hulk stops and thinks about Betty and Jim Wilson. Hulk says that he will help. Just then, Bi-Beast’s image comes over the monitors. Bi-Beast says that the scales of justice are about to be balanced. Bi-Beast says tat the nuclear missile omni-launch sequence has been computer activated, and that their planet is doomed. Ross says that order can’t be cancelled either.
At Gamma Base, Samson watches over his sleeping amnesia patient. He says that he was hoping that he would talk in his sleep, but that he is having no such luck. Samson closes the door. He says that he has been trying to restore his memory, but that it is as if something inside the man is fighting him. Samson says that it is like it is trying to prevent him from learning the truth. Suddenly the man sits upright in his bed. His eyes are wide and glassy as he seems to be hypnotized as he crawls through his window. He moves like an apparition, avoiding the guards, as an inner voice guides him to a locked and bolted door. The man swiftly picks the lock and lets himself into the room… shutting the door behind him.
Gaffer says again that there is no way to reverse the omni-launch once the sequence has started. He says that their only hope is to reach the ship’s computer core to try and create a short circuit. Bi-Beast comes back on the screen and says that there are six minutes and counting, and that if anyone worships a god or deity to make their final peace. Hulk says that he will leave Bi-Beast in pieces. Gaffer says that they are too late. He says that the auto-defenses are operational. The spiral door starts to close in. Hulk says that if they don’t want the door to close that he will stop it. Hulk stands in the closing circle and holds it open. Hulk says that the door is strong, but that he is stronger. Gaffer tells everyone to follow him, and that they have less than four minutes. Hulk leaps out of the door, pleased with himself, and says that he told them he was stronger. The door spirals closed and catches Hulk’s hand. Hulk says that he doesn’t have anymore time to waste and smashes the door. The launch is now three minutes away. Gaffer says that it will take several seconds to disengage the electro-lock, but then they are home free. He says that the helicarrier’s main computer core complex is in there.
Seconds later, they enter the room. Ross is astonished at the size. He asks how big it is. Gaffer says that it is around ten to fifteen stories high, but that the important thing is to disconnect the computer’s primary motivational circuitry before it can launch the missiles. There is ninety seconds before launch. Gaffer says that they need Hulk’s help now. Gaffer points Hulk at the module on top of the console. Hulk climbs the console and reaches the module. There is thirty seconds left, and Hulk asks what he should do now. Gaffer says that there is no time to disconnect it. He tells Hulk he will have to destroy it. Hulk says that smashing machines he understands. Hulk rips at the module. The module tries to electrify Hulk, but refuses to give up. He pulls the module loose and falls back to the ground holding it.
With the module destroyed, the helicarrier rotor blades stop spinning. The helicarrier dips for a second, but the secondary power systems kick in until repairs can be made.
Gaffer says that the power and lights are
back on, but that they are only temporary fixes. He says that he
will have to make several bypasses to reactivate the
helicarrier’s primary power without reactivating the
omni-launch sequence. Just then an agent appears on the screen.
He says that they broke into the master control room during the
blackout, but that the Bi-Beast is already gone. Clay says that
he wants him found now. Bi-Beast says that Clay’s search is
already over. Bi-Beast appears in a special battlesuit. Bi-Beast
says that they have ruined their carefully laid plans, but that
they will still have their revenge. Gaffer says that with
Bi-Beast wearing that battlesuit that he has become a one man
army. Bi-Beast says that even without the garb, that he is more
than a match for them. Bi-Beast throws a piece of machinery at
Gaffer. Clay tackles Gaffer to get him down. Hulk charges
Bi-Beast. 
He says that
Bi-Beast hurt him bad, but that now it is the Hulk’s turn to
hurt him back. Hulk and Bi-Beast plow through the wall. They land
on the elevator. Gaffer says that the can’t afford them
getting in his way. Clay activates the elevator that takes Hulk
and Bi-Beast up to the aircraft’s deck.
Hulk and Bi-Beast keep fighting, not noticing where they are, until they spill out onto the floor. Bi-Beast’s top skull tells his brother that the sky is once again theirs. Hulk asks where he is now. Bi-Beast says that he is on his funeral ground and pounds Hulk into the floor. Bi-Beast is amazed that Hulk is getting up, but he still runs over to one of the jets. His knowledge enables him to activate the jet and causes the afterburn to bathe all over Hulk.
Clay says that he can still hear them battling. Gaffer says that Clay can’t let it distract him. He says that they still have to restore the primary power quick.
Hulk says that Bi-Beast tried to burn him,
but that he failed. Hulk tears up the ground. Hulk says that he
is stronger than fire. He pushes the floor up to block the fire
shooting at him. Hulk leaps with the floor in his hand and lands
on Bi-Beast. Hulk says, “Hulk is stronger than Bi-Beast!
Hulk is the strongest one there is!” Bi-Beast’s fist
smashes out of the floor and says, “Man-brute, you’re
not even close!” 
He says that
tearing up a runway doesn’t make Hulk stronger than him.
Bi-Beast says that the one standing at the end of the fight is
stronger, and that someone is going to be him. Bi-Beast shoots
Hulk with a blast from his left hand. Hulk slams into the
gigantic turbo-props that are keeping the helicarrier aloft, and
disables the motor. The helicarrier starts plummeting.
Ross says that they are falling. Gaffer says that he has completed the bypass circuits, and that he is almost ready to activate. Ross tells him to do it then. Clay says that Hulk is still on the deck, and that if they activate the rotors now that he may be thrown off. Ross says that it is the Hulk’s life over the lives of perhaps thousands of others. Ross says that he doesn’t like it, but that they have no choice. Gaffer pulls the switch and asks God to forgive him.
Hulk leaps onto Bi-Beast. The helicarrier suddenly stops plunging, and Hulk and Bi-Beast both go over the side. Hulk and Bi-Beast fall through the clouds and are lost.
The helicarrier flies along as the tech-teams go through the ship restoring order. Clay congratulates Gaffer on pulling through. Ross does not celebrate. He stands alone and a tear rolls down his face.
No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10
Actually I’m a little disappointed with the outcome of the issue. I was so looking forward to a knock out drag out fight between Hulk and Bi-Beast. Hulk has never really had a true victory over the Bi-Beast. The issue seems more tied up with Bi-Beast’s plan to nuke the world. I’m not really against it, but it seems to me like the fight should have hinged around the clock instead of around Hulk breaking a machine. Sal and Ernie do another magnificent job. I can’t imagine them doing a better job so 5 out of 5 for the artwork.
Review by The Leader
Pictures by Captain Nate