Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #231

Title: “Prelude!”

Writer: Roger Stern

Penciller: Sal Buscema

Inker: Mike Esposito

Colors: Bob Sharen

Editor: Jo Duffy

After walking through the high timber country all day, the Hulk happens upon the quiet little town of Gilbert, California. With Hulk there it won’t remain quiet for long. At 2 AM, Hulk walks toward the only light he sees. Suddenly a long haired man is sent flying out of the tavern. The man gets up and calls his attacker a redneck. He says that he can’t get away with this. The man hits the long haired man down again and asks who he is calling a redneck. He stands over the long haired man and says that he tried his best to be tolerant of the long haired bums, but that he isn’t taking it anymore. He says that it is bad enough that they have to live around him, but that now they want to drink in his favorite bar. Hulk looks down at the man’s uniform jacket and mistakenly takes him for a soldier. Hulk asks if the soldier is attacking that man. The man in the jacket goes flying back into the bar through the window. The men inside the bar wonder who could have done that to Moe Taylor. The men all stand with their mouth hanging open as Hulk stands behind the long haired man. The man says that all he wanted was another beer, but that they were tired of serving the hippie. He says that they wanted to fight, and says that he and his buddy will take all of them on. The men in the bar run outside in twenty seconds.

The man stands shaking his fist at his fleeing opponents and says that they will think twice before hassling anyone again. He hugs the Hulk and says that he owes it all to him. He says that he saved his life tonight. Hulk says that long hair is crazy, and that he has had enough of crazy people. The man says that Hulk has him wrong, and that he is no crazier than the next guy. He says that he figures they are both social outcasts and asks Hulk if he has a place to sleep tonight. Fred Sloan tells Hulk that he does now and that he takes care of his friends. Hulk says, “friend?” Fred says that Hulk said it and that they are just like Starsky and Hutch.

The next morning at Gamma Base, Samson and Quartermain await the arrival of two men who could decide the fate of the installation. Samson, as acting commander of Gamma Base, greets Senator Hawk. Hawk tells Samson that he knows who he is, and that he is one of the reasons he is there. He says that from Washington it looks like Samson is running this base like a circus and that he wants some answers. A voice comes from behind Hawk and he says that he is sure Hawk will get his answers if he allows the good doctor a chance. Senator Eugene K. Stivak introduces himself.

Inside the base administration offices, Stivak says that they were disturbed by Ross’ outbursts in the press, but that in light of his nervous breakdown… Samson says that it was a big shock to them as well. He says that it has only added to the problems he is having. He says that if it weren’t for Dr. Sofen and Mr. Quartermain there that he doesn’t know what he would do. Samson says that they know that Gamma Base is a military-civilian joint agency, and that normally they are headed by a military commander, but that with Ross out command has fallen to him and that he is no administrator. Hawk pounds his fist and says that Samson is damn right he isn’t. He says that he appreciates Samson’s problems, but that the fact is that Hulk is out there terrorizing the countryside and that he wants to know what they are going to do about it. Stivak tells Hawk to calm down and that he is sure Samson has a contingency plan and to hear him out. Stivak turns to Dr. Sofen and says, “Please forgive my colleague’s bluster, Dr. Sofen. Back on the Hill, we call him the Werewolf of Washington! Always baying in the moonlight, if you know what I mean.” Sofen thinks to herself that “baying” is her Corporation code-phrase and she wonders how he knows. Hawk says that talk is cheap and asks Samson if he even knows where the Hulk is.

Hulk sits up on the badly bending bed and asks where he is. He remembers that he is at Fred’s house. Hulk walks by Fred’s room and hears Fred mumbling something about someone having rights. Hulk thinks to himself that Fred never stops talking… even in his sleep. Hulk thinks to himself that he still thinks Fred is crazy and wonders about leaving, but then Hulk smells food. Hulk walks to the kitchen and stands in the doorway. A woman is there cooking. She is talking to Fred and tells him that she heard him snoring, and that she decided to let herself in and cook him a little breakfast. She says that it is his favorite, scrambled eggs with beans. She turns, sees the Hulk, and screams.

Fred sits up in bed and goes rushing into the kitchen. The woman tells Fred to run and get help. Fred asks Ilsa what she is doing there. He tells her not to worry about Hulk and that he is a friend. Ilsa asks Fred if he is crazy and says that is the Hulk. Fred says that he knows, but that there is no need to worry. Hulk stuffs more food into his mouth. Fred says that Hulk won’t hurt them, and that he even saved his life last night. He says that Hulk is a free thinker like them. Ilsa says that Fred is out of his mind, and that she isn’t sharing her life with a crazy man. Ilsa runs out of the house. Fred tells her to wait, but then slumps down to the table and says that is so much for his love life. He wonders if Hunter S. Thompson ever has days like this. Hulk tells Fred to have some food and that the beans are good. Fred thanks Hulk, but says that he isn’t hungry. Fred hears sirens and thinks that Ilsa didn’t call the police, but then realizes that she did. Fred tells Hulk that they have to leave and that the law is coming for them. Hulk says that law can’t make him leave and that he will smash them. Fred tells him not to do that and tells Hulk to listen.

A short time later, Hulk and Fred are getting into Fred’s van. Hulk says that he still thinks that they should stay and smash law. Hulk gets into the van and the whole thing starts to tip to one side. Fred asks Hulk how much he weighs. Hulk says that he doesn’t know and Fred thinks to himself that it is a good thing that his van has heavy duty shocks. Fred speeds out of the garage and smashes through the door. He turns right onto the street and causes a speeding cop care to swerve off the road and hit a tree. Fred says to chalk another victory for the Frederick K. Sloan racing team and pit crew.

At Gamma Base, Jim Wilson bursts into the room and announces that the Hulk busted up a bar last night in California. Hawk asks Samson what kind of security they have here and if he lets kids have the run of the base. Quartermain tells Hawk that Jim Wilson is one of the few people that the Hulk considers a friend. Samson says that with Jim they have a chance to reason with Hulk and maybe even cure him. Stivak says that is a commendable goal. He says that he has a suggestion. He says that he, Dr. Sofen, and Jim Wilson fly out of see the Hulk in the field, and that Hawk can remain there and observe efforts there. Stivak asks Karla if that is alright with her. Sofen says, “Why… uh, yes.”

Minutes later, Stivak’s private jet takes off. Stivak asks Jim Wilson if something is wrong. Jim says that he is anxious to join up with the Hulk again, but that there are people in California that he would rather not see again. Stivak tells Jim that he wouldn’t worry, and that the Corporation takes care of its own. He sprays Jim with a gas that puts him to sleep. Karla Sofen says that she doesn’t believe that he is a United States senator with the Corporation. Stivak says that she is quite right. He says that she may recognize him by his middle name Kligger. He says that he is the present head of the Corporation’s mid-Atlantic branch. He says that it is a position he would like to retain. He says that due to some setbacks that he has lost face with the Board of Directors, and that it is important that he redeem himself in their eyes. He says that he knows that she has been working for the west coast branch, and asks how she would like to join up with him. Karla asks what is in it for him. Stivak says, “Power, Dr. Sofen. Power and wealth!”

Fred tells Hulk not to be so glum, and that he has friends in Berkeley that will put them up until the heat blows over. Suddenly Fred sees a roadblock. Hulk says that he will smash them. Fred tells Hulk that this is not the time for smashing. He hands Hulk a blanket and a hat. He tells Hulk to put it on and sit back. As Fred pulls up to the roadblock, he tells Hulk that he has talked his way out of worse roadblocks than this one. Fred asks the cop if anything is wrong. The cop says that the Hulk has been seen in the area. He asks Fred if he has seen the Hulk. The cop notices Hulk’s green hand. He opens the door and pulls his gun. He tells Hulk to get out nice and slow. Hulk tells the cop that he has gotten out, but that the cop won’t like it. The cops open fire on Hulk. The bullets bounce off Hulk’s chest and that annoys the Hulk. Hulk swats the cops down. Hulk takes his fist and smashes it into the hood of the police car. The cops run as Hulk picks up the car and smashes it against the ground. Hulk tells the cops to run like they made him and Fred run. Hulk says that he never should have run, but that if Fred wants to run that he will go with him. Hulk climbs back into the van and tells Fred to drive. Fred, nervously, does so.

CONTINUES IN CAPTAIN AMERICA #230

No Excuses rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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