Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #232

Title: “The Battle Below”

Plot: Roger Stern

Scripter: David Michelinie

Penciller: Sal Buscema

Inker: Mike Esposito

Colors: Ben Sean

Editor: Mary Jo Duffy

CONTINUED FROM CAPTAIN AMERICA #230

Animus says that she is guessing that Kligger is gratified and that now he wants his foes to “Die-e-e-e!” Kligger says that was rather shrilly put, but nevertheless precise. Kligger asks Jackson, before he has Animus carry out her directive, if he would consider trading the Wilson boy for Captain America. Jim asks if they think he is a blue chip stock. Cap wakes up and thinks to himself that he hopes Jim keeps them talking. Cap tries to get up, but Moonstone spots that he is alive. She says that he is still groggy and that he is no match for one of her blasts. Moonstone hits Cap’s shield, but the force from the blast knocks Cap into the water. Bubbles rise out of the water, but Captain America does not. Kligger praises Moonstone for ridding him of that “patriotic thorn in his side”. Jim, still with his arms tied, lies on the ground and kicks Kligger. He says that “thorn” was a living legend. Kligger tells Jim to hold his tongue and backhands him. Jim’s dog growls at Kligger, but Kligger tells it to shut up. Hulk wakes up and asks Fat Man if he likes picking on helpless boys. Hulk says that he is going to pick on Fat Man. He says that Metal Lady won’t get in his way. He grabs Moonstone by the arm and flings her into the wall. Animus hits Hulk from behind with a brain blast. Hulk says that he doesn’t know what “Annie-Muss” is, but that he knows what he is going to do. Hulk charges into Animus and says that he will smash.

Falcon’s head bobs semi-consciously as the water starts to rise around him. Captain America emerges from the water near Falcon. He says that his plan to have Moonstone knock him into the water worked. He uses his shield to smash the chains holding Falcon into pieces. Falcon reflexively holds his breath as Cap takes him below water. Cap finds a duct and goes inside it to get some air.

Animus and Hulk hit one another. Moonstone asks Kligger if she should join in. Kligger says that Animus seems to be doing adequately on her own. Hulk throws rocks at Animus, but she knocks them away from her club. She uses her mental powers and sends it rocketing into Hulk. Hulk tells Animus that he is going to get angry. Animus says that it would “seem propitious to assume a different tack!” She uses her powers and the floor starts to move. Hulk says that the floor isn’t alive. He says that he doesn’t understand, but by then the floor has covered Hulk completely. Kligger tells Animus that is excellent.

Kligger turns back to Jackson and asks if they can deal over the Wilson boy. Jackson asks why he should. He reminds Kligger that he is on his turf, and that he could kill them all with the push of a button. He tells Kligger that he does admire his style and suggests that they might be able to work something out. Captain America’s shield bounces off the window Jackson is residing behind and says that the only thing he is going to be working on is next year’s license plates. Falcon flies behind Cap. Marvel Man blasts Moonstone. He asks if they are going to give up or try to take them all on. Suddenly the ground starts to shake. The Hulk smashes out of the floor encasing him. He says that he doesn’t like the hard darkness and that he will make the hard darkness go away.

Moonstone quits. She says that even with Animus’ help that she isn’t going against four of them. She blasts the exit and flies out. The opened doors cause more water to flood in.

Animus charges Hulk, but Hulk tells her to shut up. He snatches the club out of Animus’ hand. Animus starts to tell Hulk not to damage her club, but Hulk says that he told her to shut up and hits Animus with the club. Hulk says that the shiny club hurt him and that now he will hurt shiny club. Hulk smashes the club into pieces. Power surges pours out of Animus’ body. She says that it wasn’t just a club… it was the power source. She calls out to Kligger and not her mother as the power leaves her. The Vamp’s form returns, but her mind is still gone.

Cap tells Kligger to admit that he is through. Kligger says that it can’t happen this way. He says that he is an important man… a United States Senator. He says that he can’t go to jail like some common criminal. He says that he may be defeated, but that he isn’t beaten. He says that there is still one final victory for him to choose. He says, “Mr. Jackson, if you please…?” Jackson says, “Certainly, Kligger. It’s my duty. For as always… the Corporation takes care of its own!” Guns open sure and strike Kligger down. Cap protects Jim with his shield. Hulk says “bah” to the bullets. Marvel Man blasts the guns. Hulk says that he smashed the guns, but not the one who shot them. Hulk says that he will do that. Hulk leaps onto the window concealing Jackson. Cap tells Marvel Man that they have to get out the Seagate. Marvel Man says, “But, the Hulk…!” Cap says that he said to go. Hulk pounds on the glass designed to take a bazooka shell and starts to crack it. Hulk tells Jackson to come out. He says that he hurt Jim, and that Jim is his friend. Hulk is about to pound the glass again, but the “glass cage” that holds Jackson starts to pull away down a tunnel. Hulk leaps down the tunnel after the escape pod.

After the Seagate is sealed off the explanations are made. Marvel Man asks if they are going to go after the Hulk now. Falcon says that they aren’t and that he is long gone anyway. He says that they have to make sure that their newly freed hostage is okay. Jim says that he is more than okay and that he is cruising on Cloud 9. He says to imagine that the Falcon is his uncle.

Captain America stands solemnly over Kligger’s dead body and reflects on how one of his country’s high ranking officials betrayed a sacred trust for a personal quest for power. He looks over at the Vamp’s comatose body and knows that the aftermath of deception isn’t pretty. Cap knows that he will see it again and knows that with any love that he must accept the good with the bad… though no one said it would be easy. Cap tells everyone, “Come on, let’s go home…”

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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