Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #322

Title: “Must the Hulk Die?”

Writer: Al Milgrom

Penciller: Al Milgrom

Inker: Dell Barras

Colors: Max Scheele

Editor: Bob Harras

Wasp helps She-Hulk up and says that thank goodness she is all right. Jen says that she didn’t think he would attack her. Jen says that she could never hurt Bruce Banner, but that there is no Bruce Banner left in that monster. She says that the kid gloves are off. The Avengers rush the Hulk and say that the Hulk must be stopped even if he is killed in the process.

In La Paloma Medical Center, Bruce Banner convulses in bed. He shouts that the Hulk must die. Dr. Fisher gives Bruce a sedative. Bruce mumbles to Betty that the Hulk must die. He tries to get Betty to promise that she won’t let the Hulk hurt anyone else as he falls asleep. Betty asks if there isn’t anything that Dr. Fisher can do for Bruce. She says that they were just starting their life together. Fisher says that he wishes that he could, but that the latest tests confirm his suspicions. He says that his bringing Bruce out of his coma only masked the trouble caused by Samson’s separation. He says that the separation didn’t leave them with two separate beings, but two partly complete beings. Fisher says that he is separate from the Hulk, but with reduced mental and physical capacity. Betty says that it is no wonder he seemed so confused and disoriented. She says that he was determined to destroy the Hulk, but that after he formed the Hulkbusters he couldn’t equip them with the weapons they would need to kill the Hulk. She says that he couldn’t even decide if he wanted to go on a honeymoon. Fisher says that he should have seen it sooner, but just assumed it was a side effect of what he had been through. Fisher says that in essence Bruce lost half his persona… his passion… his rage, and that the stronger emotions stayed with the Hulk. Fisher says that he isn’t sure what to do next. Betty asks if there isn’t some hope. Fisher says that the only possible cure may be to re-unite Bruce Banner with the Hulk if it is even possible. Fisher wonders if the Hulk is starting to show side effects yet.

Hulk is punching Avenger after Avenger. Cap deflected Hulk’s blow with his shield and is sent rocketing back. He flips over and lands on his feet near Samson and the Hulkbusters. Samson calls out to Cap. Cap says that he can’t talk now. He says that they have to come up with a plan to stop the Hulk and that brute force isn’t working. He says that he hopes he can stop Hulk without killing him. Samson says that he may not have to kill him. Cap says that if there is a chance not to that Samson has to tell him. Samson points out that he is still alive. Samson says that Hulk showed no mercy and that he couldn’t kill him. Cap asks what the point is. Samson says that usually Hulk’s rage makes him stronger, but that he seems to have a limit and that he may even be getting weaker. Samson says that Cap can stop him without killing him. Cap says that he doesn’t want to kill, but he tells Samson to look at what the Hulk has done to all these people and that if they don’t stop Hulk now that he could bring the whole world to its knees.

Diane Bellamy reports that the army has arrived, but that Captain America has persuaded them to stay out of the fray unless they are needed as a last resort.

Hawkeye asks Cap if he thinks they have the firepower to kill Hulk. Mockingbird asks if they have the right. Cap says that he recalls having to make a similar decision when they fought the Beyonder. He says that decision was taken out of their hands by the Molecule Man, but that he still wonders to that day what course of action they should have taken. Cap says that She-Hulk has assured them that the Hulk is just a mindless shell… all brawn and no brain… no soul.

Namor launches himself at Hulk, but Hulk leaps into Namor and drives him into the ground. Hulk gets up and hits Hercules in the face. She-Hulk comes up behind Hulk and hits him in the neck. Hulk flips She-Hulk over and into Hercules. Iron Man lets off a double dose of repulsor ray. Iron Man thinks that the Hulk is giving ground, but Hulk was just preparing to leap. Hulk slams into Iron Man, damages his circuits, and is sent out of control. Hawkeye asks if Iron Man is all right. Iron Man says that he is fine and gets up after Photon gives him a recharge. Wonder Man plows into Hulk from behind. Hulk slams Wonder Man against the ground. He starts to dig his fingers into Wonder Man’s face and Simon feels his old fear of death rising up.

Betty visits with Rick. She says that she doesn’t know what to do. She says that Dr. Fisher says that the only way to cure Bruce may be to re-unite him with the Hulk. Rick says that Bruce has gotten out of tougher scraps than this one. Rick says that no one gave Bruce a chance at life after he got hit with that gamma bomb, but he lived to tell the tale. Betty says that now Bruce wants the Hulk to die, and that if the Hulk dies he has no chance at all. Rick says that is a tough one, but that maybe they should respect Bruce’s wishes. He says that Bruce has had to live at the Hulk for a long time, and that anyone would have broken long ago. Rick says that it was his fault Bruce became the Hulk, and that he has to live with that guilt. He says that if Bruce dies he will have to live with that too. Rick says that maybe Bruce feels like he would rather die than be the Hulk again. Betty says that she loves Bruce and can’t let him go. Rick reminds her that saving Bruce means saving the Hulk again. Betty says that she can’t live knowing that she let the man she loves dies. She says that she has to save him no matter what. Betty starts to leave, but Rick tells her to hold on. Betty tells him not to try and talk her out of it, but Rick says that he isn’t. He says that he is going with her. Betty asks if he is well enough. Rick says that they were going to let him out in a day or two anyway.

Ross watches Betty and Rick leave as he hides around the corner of the hallway. He says that he thought he heard Betty. He says that he had come by to try and apologize again for shooting Rick, but that he heard that his own daughter intends to save the Hulk. He thinks that it was bad enough when she married Banner, but that now she is trying to save the beast that cost him his commission and ruined his life. Ross walks back into his room and asks the shadowed figure if there is really some way that he can help him. The man says that there is a very good chance. Ross says that he has found his man then provided he can get him out of this psych ward. Clay Quartermain shakes Ross’ hand and says that there is very little he can’t do with the full authorization of SHIELD behind him.

She-Hulk and Hercules punch the Hulk off Wonder Man. Hulk is sent flying through four buildings and hits the ground. Hulk starts getting up slower. Iron Man says that they have to pour it and give it everything they have. Hercules smashes a large chunk of wood into Hulk and Namor hits him from behind. Iron Man and She-Hulk each grab a large chunk of rock and smash the Hulk between them. Wonder Man swoops in and saves Namor. He asks if he is trying to get himself killed. Namor says that humans place far too much value on their mortality. He asks what good is life if it can’t be lived with courage and honor.

Betty and Rick drive toward the Hulk in a large truck. Betty asks if Rick is sure of where he is going. Rick says that he has roamed this part of the country with the Hulk for so long that he knows it like the back of his hand. Rick says that he isn’t sure they’re doing the right thing. He says that if the Avengers destroy the Hulk that they may still find a cure for Bruce. Betty asks if Rick means like the one they found for Mar-Vell’s cancer. Rick admits they didn’t, but says that he survived the same cancer. Betty and Rick suddenly see the town that the Hulk has destroyed and all the army troops surrounding it. Rick knows now that the Hulk must die. They drive up to the line of army troops. Major Clemens tells them to halt, but then he sees Betty. He says that he is sorry to hear about her dad and asks how he is. Betty says that he never got over losing his stars. Betty says that she has to get through there. She says that it is a matter of life and death… Bruce’s. Clemens lets them through. One of Clemen’s men asks if that was wise. Clemens says that he will take the heat. He says that if Betty has the courage to try and save her husband that he isn’t going to be the one to stand in her way.

Hulk knocks down She-Hulk. He then turns to Iron Man and rips his chest plate apart. Namor dives into Hulk from behind and Iron Man thinks to himself that it is a good thing that he no longer relies on his chest armor to keep his heart beating or he would be dead. Hulk swings his fist around and hits Namor in the stomach. He then pounds Namor unconscious against the ground. Hercules pounds Hulk off his fallen companion.

Diane Bellamy reports as she listens to the people of Jericho shouting for Hulk’s blood as payment for their destroyed town. She says that the Avengers finally seem to be gaining and edge on the Hulk, but only by becoming as savage as their foe. She says that they seem to have raised a bestial hatred from the people of Jericho to the soldiers, and to the so called super heroes themselves. She says that the Hulk has brought everyone down to his level and stripped away civilization and replaced it with a bloodlust. She says that the only man who holds back is Captain America.

Rick and Betty pull up to the fight. Betty sees the Hulk and says that he is more savage than ever. Rick asks her if she would really condemn Bruce to being rejoined to the Hulk. Betty says that she just doesn’t know. Rick says that even Bruce told her to let the monster die. The Avengers are beating the Hulk back and back. Betty looks and sees the people of Jericho shouting to kill the Hulk. She sees the soldiers shouting for the Hulk’s death. She looks and sees the Hulkbusters cheering for Hulk’s death. She asks if she is the only one thinking about the man behind the monster. Hulk is driven to one knee. Betty says that Hulk is at their mercy. She says that after hating the Hulk for all these years that she finds herself feeling sorry for him. The Hulk falls. Hercules says not to let up and that they know Hulk’s power. Betty says that if they kill the Hulk that they are killing Bruce. Betty says that she can’t let them and runs toward the fight. Hercules raises both his fists in the air and asks She-Hulk if she is certain he should finish the Hulk. She-Hulk says that there is no Bruce inside the Hulk and that Hercules should put the savage beast out of its misery. Betty runs over and stands over the Hulk. She says that if they kill the Hulk that Bruce Banner dies too. She-Hulk says that they were separated. Betty says that she and Bruce were married, but that now Bruce is lying dying. She says that neither Bruce nor the Hulk can live in their present forms. She-Hulk says explains why the Hulk was losing strength instead of getting stronger. Betty says that if they can’t find someway to re-unite them that both of them will die. She says that no one wants to see the menace of the Hulk ended more than she does, but that she begs them not to kill Hulk for the sake of her husband. Captain America says that it is more than the Hulk now and that an innocent life is at stake. Wasp says that she hears him. Wasp orders the Avengers to carry the Hulk over to the army. She says that they have restraining devices and that their job there is done. Captain America tells Betty that she just did a very courageous thing. Betty says that she is afraid that it was foolish. She says that there is no guarantee that Bruce and the Hulk can be merged again, and even if they do then the monster will be free to terrorize the planet again. She says that she wants Bruce to live, but thinks about the cost. She says that she hopes she has done the right thing.

Bruce Banner sits upright in bed. He shouts, “No! The monster still lives… Heaven have mercy on my soul… the Hulk still lives!”

No Excuses rating: 6 out of 10

Review by The Leader

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