Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #332Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #332
Title: “Dance With the Devil!”
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Todd McFarlane
Inker: Fred Fredericks
Colors: Petra Scotese
Editor: Bob Harras
Hulk is smacking the machinery around. He is yelling at Banner inside his head. He says that he can feel him in there and that he had better tell him how to fix the machinery that he wrecked. Hulk says that he can’t hide inside his skull forever and that he will beat him yet. Hulk says that he always wins… always. Sterns tells Hulk that this isn’t getting them anywhere. He says that trashing already ruined machinery is pointless. He tells him to calm down and that maybe Banner had notes somewhere in the lab. Hulk asks why should he calm down. He grabs Sterns by the shirt and lifts him into the air. He asks what he has to look forward to besides Sterns’ whining and turning into Banner at sunrise. Hulk says that Sterns said he could help him, but that he is starting to wonder if putting up with him is worth getting what he wants. Hulk tells Sterns to give him one reason he shouldn’t tear him apart and go off on his own. Hulk says that he never needed anyone before. Sterns says that he has never completely succeeded in subjugating Banner and that he can help. Hulk tosses him aside and says that is a laugh. He says that maybe when he was the Leader and had some brains that he could have helped, but that right now it doesn’t look like he can even help himself, much less anyone else. Hulk asks what happened to all the genius that he used to brag about. Sterns says that it wore off. He says that he should have expected it because of the way Hulk was always changing back and forth into Banner, but that for some reason he never expected to revert to his pre-gamma form.
Sterns says that at first he attributed his lapses in concentration to his constant research. He says that he was always working on new ways to defeat him, but by the time he realized what was happening that he had already lost much of the genius that he would take to fix the problem. He says that texts that were once child’s play had become hopelessly complex. He says that his machinery had become incomprehensible to him. He says that he couldn’t even operate his food synthesizers and had to go out to forage for food. He says that one day he came back to find that he had forgotten the codes to get into his own headquarters. Sterns says that he was now completely and disgustingly normal. He says that he had to take to the streets and get money where he could, honestly or dishonestly. He says that he couldn’t go through life like that and started heading west to the one man that could help him… Dr. Bruce Banner. He asks Hulk if he knows what it took for him to come crawling to his greatest enemy for help. Sterns says, “You have to help me. You will, or else I’ll…” Hulk says, “You’ll… what?” Sterns weakly responds, “Or I’ll force you to.” Hulk starts laughing.
The guard at the entrance to Gamma Base tells “Chico” that this is a top secret installation and he expects to let him walk right in. He says that if he were as stupid as he seems to think he is that he would be a politician. Ramon says that his name is Ramon and not Chico. He tells the guard to go buzz in there and tell Betty Ross that her husband is there and that he wants her home. The guard says that he doesn’t look like Dr. Banner and tells Chico to buzz off. Ramon pushes the guard and says that they aren’t keeping his Betty in there a minute longer. The soldier pushes back and tells Chico to be nice. Ramon pulls a knife and says that he wonders how tough he would be without his gun. The soldier kicks Ramon across the face and then throws him to the ground. He says, “This tough. Have a nice day.”
LaRoquette sits in his hovering wheelchair cleaning his gun. Martel tells LaRoquette that in French he is acting meshugga. LaRoquette says that is Yiddish not French. Hideko says that in any language that it is crazy for him to hunt down a helpless young man and kill him in cold blood. She says that she expected more from the leader of the Hulkbusters. LaRoquette says that he expected this attitude from her. He says that finding and killing green monsters is fine, but that attacking him when he is vulnerable so that they don’t have to get limbs broken or knocked unconscious that it is not okay. LaRoquette says that they are just a bunch of wusses that aren’t worthy of being Hulkbusters. Hideko says that they aren’t worthy of being insulted either. LaRoquette says that if there had never been any Hulk that Carolyn would still be alive, and that when he is finished that there won’t be any Hulk anywhere. Martel tries to grab LaRoquette’s gun and tells him to be reasonable. LaRoquette puts his gun to Martel’s head and says that he can be reasonably sure that if he tries that again that he will blow his brains out. LaRoquette hovers away and Martel says that LaRoquette was bluffing.
Samson tells Martel and Hideko that LaRoquette wasn’t bluffing. Samson says that LaRoquette still blames him for Carolyn’s death. He says that he blames him, the Hulk, and everyone but himself for her death. Samson says that he is becoming more intense everyday. Hideko says that she doesn’t understand it. She says that LaRoquette used to be the most reluctant Hulkbuster and that now he is ready to kill an innocent boy. She asks what has come over him. Samson says that it is the same thing that comes over everyone that crosses paths with the Hulk. He says that it is if the Hulk’s evil and rage were contagious. He says that the Hulk is the personification of everything we deny that we have inside their selves. He says that fighting the Hulk means confronting their own dark sides and that it overwhelms some people. He says that it overwhelmed General Ross until it turned him into something as monstrous as the Hulk. Samson starts to get up. Hideko reminds Samson that he needs his rest and that he is still depleted. Samson says that it just means that now he can only lift a piper cub instead of a lear jet. He says that he can’t lie there and that he has to get LaRoquette to listen to reason. He says that no matter what their personal differences that LaRoquette has to listen before he does something they will all regret. Samson says that at least he knows that Clay and the other SHIELD agents would never let him off Gamma Base.
Outside, Clay reminds LaRoquette that he never saw him as LaRoquette prepares to drive off in a giant assault vehicle. He says that the reason he didn’t see him is because he is going to wrap up this Hulk business and get him out of a tight spot. LaRoquette tells Clay not to worry and that he is a man that achieves his goals, no matter what it takes, like Clay does. He says that the two of them are a dying breed and that they know what they want and where they are going.
Rick Jones asks where the heck he is going. He says that the desert isn’t really crawling with landmarks. Rick asks how life ever got this confusing. He says that first Bruce is cured of being the Hulk, but he really wasn’t. The Hulk was tossed into a nutrient bath to try and remove him from Bruce again, but that he fell in too. He says that now Bruce is a gray Hulk and that he now turns into a new green Hulk just to make things more complicated. Rick says that what scares him the most is that he remembers fighting the Hulkbusters and that he was like a wild animal. Rick says that his own personality seemed to be moderating the Hulk at first, but that it seems that he is becoming more brutish now. Rick says that at least Bruce has the gray Hulk under control and that he doesn’t need to feel like a prisoner.
Bruce bangs and bangs on the thick concrete door that is keeping him prisoner. He demands to be let out. Bruce stops to consider the facts. He says that he recognizes the door and that he and Rick used to use it to keep the Hulk trapped inside. He says that if the Hulk couldn’t punch his way out that he has no chance. He says that he has no idea how he got there and that all he recalls is a mousy, mustached man. Bruce says that his only hope is Rick Jones showing up. He says that his luck has to change sometime.
Rick walks along as a SHIELD vehicle drives up behind him. Rick says that his luck is starting to change. He waves the thing down and identifies himself as Rick Jones. He asks if they missed him. Suddenly the weaponed turret spins towards Rick. Rick says that he didn’t mean “miss” as in with a gun. The cannon goes off and Rick dives out of harm’s way. Another shot goes over his head. Rick starts running and asks what he ever did. LaRoquette says that this is all Jones’ fault. He says that he was the brainless teenager that caused Bruce Banner to drive out onto the testing range that turned him into the Hulk. He says that lives are ruined and people are dead because of him. LaRoquette says that it is a hard world that doesn’t forgive mistakes. He says that he knows that first hand, and that Jones is going to learn it too. LaRoquette says, “Carolyn, please understand, he brought it on himself. I’m doing this for you.” Rick notices that the shooting has stopped and that maybe the sick joke is finished. LaRoquette is closing in fast trying to run over Rick. Suddenly the thing stops dead. LaRoquette turns to see Samson holding him back. Samson tells Rick to run and that they will sort things out later. LaRoquette blasts Samson in the face. Samson leaps up onto the assault vehicle and says, “LaRoquette… it’s lucky for you… that I’m a psychiatrist.” Samson rips off the turret revealing LaRoquette inside. Samson says that he knows about stress and obsession and how it can drive you to attack a helpless boy. He says that because he understands that he will only knock out half of his teeth. Samson pulls LaRoquette out of the vehicle.
Just as the sun is going down, inside his
prison, Bruce Banner dreams. Suddenly the Hulk’s hand is on
his shoulder. 
Banner says
that he has to be dreaming. Hulk says that Banner is so gutless
that he doesn’t even want to be awake for the change. Hulk
pulls Banner off the wall and says that he will tell him what is
happening while he sleeps. Banner starts to phase into the
Hulk’s body. Hulk says that Banner is swelling and turning
gray. He says that he has all the strength he will ever need at
his fingertips. He says that his legs are powerful enough to leap
for miles. Hulk tells Banner to look at all the power he is
giving him. Bruce shouts that this isn’t happening. Hulk
asks if Banner is listening. He says that this is just how
Banner’s mind sees the change. Hulk says that he needs to
borrow something from Banner’s mind to fix the gamma
machines. Banner says no and that his mind is what keeps him
apart from Hulk. Hulk says to shut up and think about gamma
machines. He says that he can’t help it now. He says that it
is like saying not to think about pink elephants. Hulk devours
Banner’s head. He says, “Of course. It’s so
simple.” Sterns frees Hulk from the cell and Hulk says that
this is a switch. He says that Banner used to keep him in the
cell, but that now he is using it on him. Hulk says that he wants
out now. Sterns says to hold on a second. Hulk says to hurry up.
He says that from what he has from Banner that they have to get
cracking.
At Gamma Base, Samson tells LaRoquette that if he tries to justify what he did that he really will knock out some teeth. LaRoquette says that he wants to hear what they should do then instead of what they shouldn’t do. Her asks how they solve this. A soldier comes up and tells Betty that there is a phone call for her. Betty picks up the phone and asks if it is Bruce. Ramon says that he just wants to talk. Betty asks how dare he. She says that she doesn’t know how he found her or where he is, but that part of her life is over. She says that she never wants to hear his voice call her babe again. Betty hangs up and says that it was a wrong number. Ramon says that he is the best thing that ever happened to her and that he is going to make her see that soon.
At 4 AM, Rick Jones Hulk stands alone. Suddenly, the gray Hulk lands before him and calls him out. Hulk hits the Rick Hulk and tells him that he never liked him. Hulk says that Rick was Banner’s friend and never his. Rick Hulk says that he remembers him. He says that he is the Hulk that was. Rick Hulk says that now he is fighting the Hulk that is. Rick Hulk punches gray Hulk and sends him flying. Rick Hulk lifts the gray Hulk over his head and says that soon there will only be one Hulk. Gray Hulk smashes his fists onto Rick’s shoulders and says that he has that right. Hulk says that he would love to tear into him, but that his plan is to lead him to the cave. He says that he better stick to the plan, but as he starts leaving Hulk adds that he can’t believe that he used to talk like that. Rick leaps into Hulk’s face growling. Hulk smacks him back and says, “Raaarrr’ yourself, ya jade jerk!” Hulk and Rick Hulk battle across the miles. Hulk is nearly to the cave. Rick Hulk tells him to stop running so he can smash him. Hulk stops. Rick says that he stops running so he stops living. Rick leaps at Hulk. Hulk grabs Rick’s foot and smashes him into the ground. Hulk says that is big talk from a little man. He tells him to give it a rest. He says to give himself a rest.
Hulk heads into the cave. Sterns is strapped
up to the wall inside the machinery. Hulk says that he just put
Rick down and that he needs a second to check the gun. Sterns
tells him to hurry and that he has been stuck there for hours.
Hulk tells Leader to shut up. He says that he still isn’t
crazy about this and that he shouldn’t push his luck. Rick
Hulk wakes up and charges into the cave. Sterns shouts that he is
there and that he has to hurry. Hulk says that he told him to
shut up. Rick leaps into Hulk’s face and says that he thinks
that he is better than him. Rick Hulk says that Hulk is the
strongest one there is. Hulk punches Rick in the face and says
that he isn’t the Hulk. He charges Jones and says that he is
nothing but a shadow. He says that Jones shadowed him, then
Captain America, and then he shadowed Captain Marvel. He says
that by himself he is nothing. Hulk hits Rick Hulk and sends him
flying. He says, “Being the Hulk isn’t just
smashin’ things. It’s not just in your body. It’s
in your mind.” Hulk spins the gun towards Rick. He blasts
Rick with the gun and his power starts to transfer to Sterns.
Hulk says, “You got the muscle, but that’s all. And
soon ya won’t even have that!” Sterns shouts that he
can feel it working. The green is fading off Rick’s face. 
Sterns shouts,
“My head! It’s throbbing! It… it’s not
happening like before! It’s… Hulk! Stop the transfer!
St…” The machine blows up and sends Hulk flying back.
Rick is restored to his normal self. He says that this place is
going and that they have to get out of there. Hulk asks what he
means when he says “we”. He says that he is on his own.
The cave explodes.
No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10
Hulk versus the Hulk! The elimination of the lame Rick Jones Hulk! The rebirth of the Hulk’s greatest enemy. What does this issue not have? I love the Leader’s description of what happened to him, but most of all I love the transformation from Banner into the Hulk while inside the mindscape of Bruce’s mind. All staple aspects of Peter David’s work on Hulk. People always talk about how complex David’s Hulk is, but I can’t imagine it being easier to understand. You can see McFarlane improving as he goes. Even from the first page of the book to the last he seems to get better and better.
Review and pictures by The Leader
If you don't feel like hunting down the individual issues go out and buy Hulk Visonaries: Peter David Volume 1. It collects Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #331-339 and fits in nicely before Hulk Ground Zero which collects Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #340-346. To order the Visionaries book click here or on the picture to go to the amazon.com page.