Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #334

Title: “Grave Circumstances”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Todd McFarlane

Inker: Jim Sanders III

Colors: Petra Scotese

Editor: Bob Harras

At Miller Heights Cemetery, a green rotting hand digs its way out of its grave. A green head appears and the man waiting for him says, “Half-Life… you’re late.” Half-Life finishes crawling out of the grave and says, “Yes, well… I’ve had a lot of practice.”

Daytime, Bruce Banner is stranded on the top of a very tall, impossible to climb down, butte. A helicopter patrolling the area spots him. The pilot, McMurphy, radios in to base that there is a half naked man on top of one of the buttes. McMurphy says that he is going in for a closer look. Dispatch yells at him and says that he could blow him off. Banner is blown off the butte, but he manages to catch the ledge. McMurphy drops a rope ladder. Bruce catches it and pleads for the strength to climb up it. Once up in the cockpit, McMurphy asks Bruce how he got up there. Bruce says that he wouldn’t believe it.

Bruce makes a collect phone call to Gamma Base. Doc Samson accepts the charges. Samson says that everyone has been worried sick. He asks Banner where he is and is stunned to hear that he is 500 miles away. Samson asks how he got there. Bruce lies and says that he doesn’t know. He says that he went out into the field to try and reason with the Hulk in person. He says that he met up with the Leader. Leader tried to get him to join him, but he refused. He says that the next thing he knows he is on a piece of rock a mile high. Bruce thinks that he hates lying, but that the longer he avoids telling Samson that he is the Hulk again the better. He thinks that he will just get back to Gamma Base and find a cure quickly. Samson says that he will send a plane out for him. Bruce looks at the pin up calendar on the wall of the room he is calling from. He realizes that she looks like Betty and that he must be seeing her face everywhere because of how much he loves her.

Ramon sleeps and Betty thinks about how the two of them just talked until 4 am. She thinks about how angry she was when Ramon called her at Gamma Base. She thinks about how she just wanted her life with Bruce to work out. She wanted this part of her life in the past. Betty thinks about how now that she found out that Bruce voluntarily unleashed the Hulk again… just as he had years ago that she never knew about… that when Ramon called she came. Betty looks at Ramon and thinks about how funny it is that all the arrogance vanishes from his face when he is sleeping. Betty wonders if there is anything back at Gamma Base for her. She says that ever since she and Bruce wed that he has had no time for her. She thinks how she had to beg him to go on a honeymoon. She recalls reading about doctor’s wives feeling neglected. She muses that she never thought of herself as a doctor’s wife, but that she guesses she is. She says that her husband isn’t called out at strange hours to deliver babies… just monsters. She says that for all his posturing that Ramon has been there for her. He held her up when she was down, and when she was sick he worked like a dog to support them. She looks at what Bruce has down: lied to her, ignored her, and married her as if she were a loose end to be tied up. She thinks that she can’t just walk out on Bruce. She thinks that she still loves him, and she made vows to him.

Samson walks the halls of Gamma Base. He says that he has no reason to think so, but that he feels like Bruce was being less than candid with him. Samson says that it seems more likely that Bruce was so far away because he is turning in to the Hulk again. Samson wonders if Bruce wouldn’t confide in him since they are both scientists exposed to gamma radiation. Samson decides that before he starts worrying about another Hulk that they should make sure that the other is gone for good. Samson walks into the room where Martel and Hideko are examining Rick Jones. Samson says that they have had Rick long enough to dissect him chromosome by chromosome. He asks what the verdict is. Hideko tells Samson to have patience. Martel says that he wants to check Rick’s cell structure for radiation levels one more time. Rick hears Samson and asks how much longer he has to be there. Martel says that he has triple checked and that Rick appears to be clean. Martel asks Rick how this happened. Rick says that he is a little hazy on that. He says that there was a guy in a cave that siphoned off the radiation onto himself. HE says that when he changed that he kind of looked like the Leader… only a lot meaner. Samson thinks to himself that checks with what Bruce told him and that maybe he was being straight with him. Samson asks Hideko if she concurs. Hideko says that she would stake the shattered remains of her reputation on it. They let Rick out. Samson tells Rick to cheer up and that he is Hulk free. As Rick dresses he thinks about Bruce. He decides not to tell Samson for fear of what he or the SHIELD people would do. He tells Samson not to mind him and that he is fine.

Hours later, Bruce is arriving back at Gamma Base. The guard at the gate tells Bruce that there was some guy that showed up claiming to be Betty’s husband. Bruce says that is absurd unless the man’s name was Glenn Talbot. The guard says that he was Raoul or Rafael or something. Bruce chalks it up to nutsos latching onto people in the public eye.

At the city morgue, Al the coroner is dreading calling Lenny’s wife Marge and telling her that he sent him to Gamma Base  with Sam Sterns to pick up a body, and the ambulance just came back with no body, no Sam Sterns, but with Lenny inside with a caved in skull. He worries about how Marge will survive. Utley walks into the room with another gurney. He tells Al that he has another John Doe, and that he has to see this one. Al says that he will get to it and to put him off to the side. Utley starts to object, but Al shove him out the door. He says that one would think that working there would make death hurt less, but it doesn’t. A green rotted hand sticks out from under the sheet on the gurney.

At Gamma Base, Hideko is cooking Larmen for Clay, Martel, and Rick. She tells Rick to eat up and that when her mother made it for her that she ate every drop. Martel leans over to Clay and says that she must have eaten the bowl for an encore. While Hideko is yelling at Martel, Rick is scraping his bowl into the trash and hoping Hideko doesn’t turn around.

Bruce walks with Samson. He says that he feels bad about blurting out that Rick was the Hulk. Samson tells him that his loyalty to Rick was admirable, but that subconsciously that he must have known that Rick would benefit from the revelation. Bruce thinks that his subconscious is sometimes influenced by the Hulk and that maybe he made him do it. He thinks that the Hulk certainly wouldn’t want another Hulk running around. He thinks that it is scary to think that from moment to moment that he doesn’t know if his motivations are his own. Bruce asks if Samson’s test are conclusive. Samson says that they will never have to worry about the Hulk again. Bruce thinks to himself that he should live so long. Bruce and Samson walk in where Clay, Rick, Hideko, and Martel are. They say hello and Martel says that they were just discussing what they will bust now that there is no more Hulk. He says that three associates of his have been pursuing poltergeists, but that he sees little future in that. Bruce asks if anyone has seen Betty. Hideko says that she gave Betty a message yesterday from a man named Ramon to meet her at Christie’s Bar for drinks. She says that she hasn’t seen her since. Bruce says that this is nonsense. He says that he is heading to town to straighten this out. Samson and Clay say that maybe they should go with him. Bruce thanks them for their concern, but that he is Betty’s husband and that it is time for him to act like it.

Outside, Bruce finds Rick waiting in the jeep. Bruce asks him what he thinks he is doing. Rick tells Bruce to cool it and that they other guys bet him he wouldn’t have the nerve to come out here. Bruce says that is how it started for them. He says the point is taken, but that he is driving.

Samson visits with Saunders and LaRoquette inside the Gamma Base infirmary. Samson says that the other Hulkbusters were expressing their concern. LaRoquette says that they aren’t Hulkbusters. He says that they never won a single fight and that even their training sessions were disasters. He says that they are nothing more than hi-tech jokes. He says that he and Saunders are tired of being punch lines and that when they heal that they are out of there.

At the only hotel in town, Bruce gets Ramon’s room number. Banner goes with Rick and knocks on the door. He says that he feels like a fool bothering an innocent man. Rick says that he doesn’t want to rain on Bruce’s parade, but that he heard Betty’s voice inside. Bruce says that is absurd and starts banging on the door and calling Betty. Ramon opens the door a crack and says that Betty doesn’t want to see him. Bruce shoves his way in and says that he is going to see her. Betty turns her back on Bruce and folds her arms. Bruce says that he is disappointed with her and asks how she could be here with this person. Betty yells at Bruce and asks how he can be so calm. She says that he just found his wife with another man. Bruce asks if anything happened between them. Betty says no, and Bruce says, “Well, there you are.” Betty says that she ran out on him and asks if doesn’t hate her. Bruce says that he could never hate her. He says that it isn’t in him and that he can only love her. Ramon says that is sweet and tells him to get out. Bruce objects so Ramon punches him and then kicks him in the stomach. He asks where Bruce was when Betty needed him. He says that he comes barging in here and asks who he thinks he is. Bruce says that he doesn’t want to know. Betty runs to Bruce and says that she is so sorry. Ramon says that he doesn’t deserve her. He says that he doesn’t get mad or fight or anything. Rick asks if Ramon thinks that Bruce isn’t a man because he doesn’t think with his fists. Ramon swings at Rick and says that is right. Rick ducks the punch and hits Ramon and says, “That’s wrong.” Ramon runs at Rick, but Rick leaps into the air and kicks Ramon into the dresser. Rick says that will teach him to mess with Captain America’s old partner.

They walk down the hall and Bruce says that he doesn’t understand. He asks Betty if she thinks so little of herself that she spends time with a man like that. He asks if he has driven her to that. Betty says that Bruce has time for everything except her. She says that if she complains that he is always so logical. She says that Ramon offers highs and lows, tempers and moods. She says that there is no passion in their marriage. She says that it is always what NEEDS to be done instead of what COULD be done. She says that he doesn’t have to be Rhett Butler, but asks if it would hurt him to be spontaneous once in a while.

Moments later down in the lobby, Bruce is getting a room. Rick sees that the clock is at 4 and says that they should be getting back to Gamma Base. Bruce says that sundown is at six. He tells Rick to come get them at five and that Gamma Base is only twenty minutes away. Bruce scoops Betty up. She tells him to put her down and that he is going to throw out his back. As Bruce starts walking up the stairs he says, “Frankly, my… dear, I don’t… don’t give… oh, boy.” Betty asks “Rhett” if she can walk now.

At the morgue, Al hangs up with Marge for the fourth time that day. He says that she is going to be a mess without Lenny. Al decides to take a look at the stiff. He says that he can’t believe it will be anything that he hasn’t seen before. He pulls back the sheet and the green rotting hand reaches up and grabs his neck. Half-Life says, “Good evening.”

At Len’s bar, Len is asking Rick if he is sure that he is over 18. Rick avoids the question when he sees that it is getting dark outside. He says that it isn’t even five yet. Len says that they turned the clocks back yesterday and that it gets dark earlier now. He asks if Rick doesn’t watch TV or anything. Rick runs from the bar toward the hotel.

Bruce says that they should be getting back. Betty tells Bruce to just snuggle with her for a few minutes more. Bruce asks if Rhett Butler would snuggle. Betty says that she has it on the best authority. Bruce says that he can’t refuse then. Bruce holds Betty and Betty thanks him for loving her. She thanks him for this time together. She says that she needed him so much. Betty says that Bruce is trembling. She tells Bruce that he is holding her too tight as Bruce’s hands start turning gray. Betty shouts Bruce’s name as Rick comes running up the stairs. Rick knocks the door down, but when he gets inside he sees the large hole in the wall and the place a wreck. Rick shouts that it isn’t fair. He yells for someone to get a doctor.

As Hulk leaps he tells Banner that his timing stinks. He says that Betty could have been killed and says that he hopes she is all right. Suddenly he wonders why he cares. He asks Banner what he is putting in his head. Hulk says that he is feeling weak now, and that this better not be Banner. Hulk sees a jeep driving toward him and identifies that as the reason he is feeling weak. He says that the closer it gets the weaker he feels. Hulk slams his hands together and flips the jeep over. Half-Life crawls out of the jeep and Hulk asks what the blazes he is. Half-Life says, “Call me… Ishmael! Or Half-Life whichever you prefer. A gamma-spawned creature like yourself. I live at night… but ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.” Hulk charges at Half-Life. Half-Life says that Hulk is getting angrier. He says that is good and that the madder Hulk gets the stronger he will get. Hulk tells him to shut up. He hits Half-Life and knocks his jaw off. Half-Life picks up his jaw and puts it back on. He says that he shouldn’t have done that. He hits Hulk and says that he is a “mean green mother from outer space, and you got me fightin’ mad!” Hulk says that He is crazy. Half-Life leaps onto Hulk and says that he doesn’t understand anything. He says that he was an English professor. He says that he had friends, students, family, and tenure. He says that now he is a thing with mud for blood and slime for skin. He says that the gamma rays absorb whatever is around him including the graves. He says that there is nothing human left in him. He says that of course he is crazy, and that that only crazy thing would be if he were still sane. Hulk tries to pry Half-Life off. He says that he is making him weaker, and that without his strength he is nothing. He says that he would be no better than Banner. Hulk says that no animated dirtbag is doing that to the Hulk. Half-Life says that he needs all Hulk’s power. Hulk says that he said to get off. Hulk pushes Half-Life’s body away, but his arms and legs are still on him absorbing him. Hulk asks how that is possible. Half-Life says that he is a man of parts. Hulk pulls Half-Life’s appendages off and throws them a mile away. He says that Half-Life likes stupid jokes, but that the joke is on him.

Hulk backs far enough away so that Half-Life can’t draw off him and asks Half-Life what he is. Half-Life says that he already told him that he was a humble English professor caught in the explosion of a gamma bomb. He says that unlike Bruce Banner that the bomb killed him, but only during the daytime. He says that at night he awakens and that gamma radiation in his system allows him to absorb the Earth around him and he rises.  Half-Life’s appendages are creeping back toward him. Half-Life says that he has been found in dozens of cities… buried and reburied. He says that he keeps coming back and siphons off the life energy from anyone he wishes. He says that is why he sought him out. He figured Hulk might have enough energy for him to let him live during the day. Half-Life says that wanting to live is asking a lot. Hulk says that Half-Life is breaking his heart. He says, “You, the outcasts… how many creatures were hanging around New Mexico years ago anyway?” Half-Life says, “New Mexico? No… this was Colorado. Last year.” Hulk is stunned, “Last… year?” Hulk’s strength returns and he leaps away. Half-Life shouts for Hulk to come back and that he wouldn’t even be like this if Banner hadn’t made that bomb. He shouts that this is all his fault and that he will get him.

The next morning, Bruce Banner finds himself on top of a mountain. Bruce says that the Hulk is getting smarter about this and that the peaks are too close together for a plane to come through there. He thinks about how he is remembering more of what the Hulk experienced. He says that it is like looking at the world through a dirty ashtray. Bruce wonders if Half-Life was really created by another gamma bomb. He wonders if a weapon he developed destroyed a man. Bruce says that he never considered the consequences, but that he had better start. He says that if the army has been stockpiling gamma bombs that they have to be destroyed. Bruce thinks that first he has to get back to Betty. Bruce realizes that he can’t recall Betty before he changed. Bruce asks Hulk what he is blocking him from. Bruce decides that Betty must be fine, and that she will understand him having to investigate the gamma bomb business. He says that he has responsibilities. He says that Half-Life was right and that it was his fault. He prays that Half-Life finds the peace he deserves.

Vultures swoop in on Half-Life and his near returned appendages.

No Excuses rating: 8.5 out of 10

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.

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