Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #299Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #299
Title: “Strange Days Have Found Us!”
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciller: Sal Buscema
Inker: Gerry Talaoc
Colors: Bob Sharen
Editor: Carl Potts
Hulk destroys another car as he walks into the Lincoln Tunnel. The police have formed a blockade. One of them wishes that SHIELD would get there. Another says that they are on their way and that it is their job to delay him until they arrive.
Police try to clear the traffic still backed up on the New York side.
The police open fire on the Hulk. Hulk charges them and plows through them like wet tissue. One of the police radios ahead that the Hulk has broken through. Gabe arrives and says that he is sorry that he wasn’t there sooner, but that they just had a run in with the Hulk. One of the police asks that if SHIELD couldn’t stop the Hulk if there is any hope for New York. Gabe says that up until now that they have been pulling their punches. He says that it was out of respect for the man that he once was, but that it doesn’t seem that there is any trace of that man left. Kate says that Gabe doesn’t know that. Gabe says that he has to assume it. He says that he doesn’t want to hurt Banner either, but that there are eight million lives on the other side of the tunnel that he has to protect. He orders all units to go forward. They come upon the Hulk smashing anything in his way. One of the agents calls him a monster. Kate says to stop calling him that. Gabe asks Kate what she would call him and asks if she sees any evidence of humanity or rationality in the Hulk. Kate tries, but she begins to realize that the man she loves is dead. Hulk crushes a car. He then turns and sees SHIELD. SHIELD agents don their gas masks and fill the tunnel with gas. Hulk holds his breath. He grabs a car and throws it. The car hits the wall and creates a spark that ignites the gasoline on the tunnel’s floor. The flames start spreading to the other cars and Gabe tells everyone to run and that it will be an inferno in there. Hulk screams in the fire, but instead of raging he sits down against the tunnel wall and succumbs to the gas.
Nightmare welcomes Hulk back and says that it was nice of SHILED to put him to sleep for him. Nightmare tells Hulk that of course he doesn’t know what he is doing, but that he is like a sleepwalker stalking through the waking world. Nightmare says that he is under his subliminal control and that he is happy to say that he is causing quite a few nightmares himself. Nightmare says that Strange’s dreams haven’t been disturbed yet. He tells Hulk to go after his most accursed foe, Dr. Strange.
Hulk wakes. He stalks through the fire.
The police officer watches as Gabe and Kate are donning fireproof suits. He asks if he is really going back into that inferno. Gabe says that he can’t stop the Hulk if he can’t find him. He says that he isn’t even sure if he can stop him, but that he is going to try. Kate thinks to herself how she tried to convince Bruce that he was no longer a monster, but that he knew better than she did. She recalls how in his dreams he saw himself becoming more savage. She says that it was a foreshadowing of the disaster to come. She says that she knows that Bruce would rather be dead that live with the curse of the Hulk again. Kate uses that rationale as she walks into the fire with Gabe. The Hulk comes at them through the fire. Gabe asks Kate if she still wants to reason with him. She tells him to do what they came to do. Gabe says that for what it is worth that he is sorry. Gabe fires the anti-gamma gun into Hulk’s chest. Hulk screams. At the setting Gabe fired at the Hulk should have transformed back into Bruce Banner, but he does not. Kate says that Gabe didn’t kill him. Gabe says that he is an idiot for trying to save him one last time, and that now he is going to pay. Hulk backhands Gabe and breaks his rib cage and collarbone. Gabe collapses to the floor. Kate takes off her fire helmet. She holds out her hands for Bruce and tells him to look into her eyes. She says that there is still love in her eyes and to try and look in them with his eyes instead of the Hulk’s. Hulk grabs Kate’s head in the palm of his hand and throws her to the ground. Kate’s love dies.
Hulk leaps through the Lincoln Tunnel on the New York side. Hulk lands in the park and sees the adamantium statue of himself. His eyes fill with fury and Hulk says that he will smash it. Hulk climbs onto the statue and starts punching it.
Nearby people are hearing what they think sounds like thunder. The people see the Hulk snarling and pounding. They realize that the Hulk is savage again and start running to get the police. A pair of mounted policemen come upon the Hulk on their own. One says that he never really bought the story that Hulk’s skin was bulletproof. He fires two shots. One bounces off Hulk’s face and the other off his shoulder. Hulk punches the policeman’s horse and sends the cop flying into a nearby fountain. Hulk screams as the other cop’s horse turns and runs. Hulk stands there and wonders what he is doing there. Nightmare is in Hulk’s head and reminds him that he is going to see Strange. He tells Hulk that he needs Strange’s help, but that he won’t give it to him. Hulk leaps and lands in front of Strange’s home. Nightmare tells Hulk that he has found Strange’s home. He reminds him that he came there often as a Defender. Hulk says that he remembers and that Strange and Defenders were his friends. Nightmare tells Hulk that Strange won’t help him. Hulk repeats it and says that maybe Strange is helping Hulk’s enemies. Hulk shouts that he is going to smash magician. Hulk leaps at the door, but bounces off the protective spell around the house. Hulk says that he is hitting as hard as he can, but that something is stopping him.
Strange senses the Hulk and dons his cape. Strange says that he had heard that Bruce had reverted to the savage Hulk. He says that he was about to go and find him when he heard the hammering. He says that he has to see how he can go help his old friend.
Hulk shouts for magician to come out. He tells him to come out or he will tear his house down around his ears. Strange’s doors open. He tells Hulk that is neither possible nor needed. He says that he is here and asks Hulk what help he needs. Hulk leaps at Strange and says that he will smash him. Strange says that is what he says, but that isn’t what he wants. Strange points his finger into Hulk’s forehead and stops his progress. Strange says that from the moment Hulk arrived that he sensed that there was another twisting his mind to suit his needs. Strange tells Hulk that they will expose his manipulator and get to the root of Hulk’s madness. Strange uses the Eye of Agamotto and sends a beam of light into the Hulk’s head. Strange sees into Nightmare’s realm and sees Nightmare. Nightmare says that the Hulk has failed him and has allowed Strange’s all-seeing light to enter his realm. He says that he is dispelling the shadows of sleep in which he works. Nightmare says that there is nowhere for him to hide. Strange tells Nightmare that he knows him and that he knows what he did. Strange says that he had rejoiced when he learned that Bruce Banner had triumphed over his savage side and that just to hurt him he has tormented Bruce and caused him to lose his humanity. Strange says that he can’t undo what Nightmare has done since the gamma gene afflicting Bruce is a type of science that his magic can’t affect. He says that maybe he can revive the faint spark that remains of Bruce Banner. Strange finds a tiny Bruce curled up in the fetal position. The light shines upon Bruce Banner. He sits up and asks who wants to hurt him now. Bruce hears Strange calling to him and asks Strange if that is him. Strange says that he has found him. Bruce tells Strange to leave him alone and that he doesn’t want to be found. He says that if he leaves the place he is in that he will be forced to share his existence with the Hulk. He says that he can’t bear it anymore. Strange says that he understands, but that Bruce will never find the peace he seeks as long as he shares his psychic sanctuary with Nightmare. Suddenly Bruce sees Nightmare. Bruce says that now he understands. He says that it was Nightmare that woke the savage Hulk. He says that he was the one that freed him to terrorize him and the world again. Bruce says that he doesn’t want to wake and share his existence with the Hulk, but that as long as he sleeps Nightmare will try to use him. Bruce says that Nightmare can’t do it if there is no him to use. He says that all he has to do to be rid of Nightmare is cease to be himself. Bruce tells Nightmare that he can enjoy the company of the savage Hulk that he has awakened forever. Bruce turns into Hulk and Hulk leaps at Nightmare. Nightmare tells Hulk to keep back, but the Hulk’s landing sends Nightmare flying from the impact. Hulk starts smashing Nightmare’s dimension into pieces. People all around the world are waking smiling saved from despair.
Strange sees it all and understands. He says
that he had hoped to free Bruce from Nightmare’s thrall, but
that he chose not to be free. He says that he doesn’t really
blame him for not wanting to share his existence with the Hulk,
but that Bruce chose another path. Strange says that can’t
really condone it, but that Bruce chose to die with dignity by
being subsumed by the Hulk one final time. Strange says that Hulk
is free from Nightmare, but that the personality of Bruce Banner
is no more. Hulk tries to hit Strange, but his magic protects
him. 
Strange says
that there is no mind left to guide the Hulk. He says that there
is no humanity to calm his animal rage. Strange says that the
Hulk is a monster now and “woe betide any who brave his
rage!” Hulk turns from Strange and growls. Strange tries to
stop Hulk, but in his weakened state, Hulk walks right through
Strange’s bands of Eldritch energy. Hulk growls and leaps
away as Strange collapses to the ground.
No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10
I’m always one for a little senseless smashing, but the Nightmare angle seems to drag on a little in this issue. Hulk has to be sure to fall asleep in each issue so we can keep getting reminded that it was Nightmare that did this to the Hulk. And really would it have been so terrible to eliminate yet another Hulk/Kate confrontation and let the Nightmare gambit actually do something? Nightmare plots this all out for months and months of issues and it all ends in one page. Strange is never in any danger at all and isn’t fooled even for a second by Nightmare’s manipulation of the Hulk. Sal and Gerry do have some nice visuals in this issue, but the overall presentation isn’t as impressive.
Review and pictures by The Leader