Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #335

Title: “The Evil that Men Do!”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: John Ridgway

Inker: John Ridgway

Colors: Petra Scotese

Editor: Bob Harras

Adria is telling her story to a man she assumes is a hospital psychiatrist. She says that you read all about how no place is safe anymore, and that crazy people are stalking the streets. She says that it is all true. She says that there are people who try to build shelters for a safe place to live if the end of the world comes, but that there is no safe place. She says that when you hear something in the night and that you have a feeling that you’re not alone your parents will tell you that it is your imagination. She says that is a stinking lie.

Adria had woken in bed and thought she heard something. She looked under her bed. A hand came out from under the bed and tried to grab her. A man with a cloak and hat came out and taunted her calling her “Addy-addy”.

Adria thinks about when she is in the movie theater and she screams her head off. She thinks about the man in her bedroom and that she could only whimper. Just looking at the man made her feel that worms were under her skin.

The man claws at Adria and blinds her drawing blood from her eyes. Adria falls out the window and started to run.

She says that her parents didn’t hear anything and that they sleep like the dead. She says that she didn’t have to see to know that the man was behind her. She says that just being near him filled her mind with images of rotting animal bodies. She knew that if she tripped that the man would be on top of her.

Adria ran and found a large man in front of her.

She says that when she found the man that she immediately felt safe.

Adria begs the man to help her. She says that there is some sort of monster behind her. The Hulk says, “A monster? No kidding”. The “monster” tells the Hulk to get away from her. He says that he saw her first and that he can’t have her. He says not to cross him and that he would live to regret it… if he lived. Hulk says, “Try me, tough guy.” The man is quiet for a minute and then asks Hulk why he is protecting her. He says that she is nothing to him. He says that she is soft and weak, not like them. He says that he can sense that they are kindred spirits. He says to give her to him and to watch what he does with her. He says that it will be fascinating like watching the wings being plucked from a fly. He says that maybe he will even let Hulk help. Hulk says that it might be interesting to see just how cruel someone can be.

Adria says that she swears her heart stopped.

Hulk tells them man that not this time. He says maybe next time. Just then the police arrived. The man in the hat and cloak disappears. Gus and Riley can’t figure out what is going on, but Riley says that he is making sure that the big one stays around to explain it. He draws his gun and points it at Hulk. Riley recognizes Adria Wagner. He takes her in his arms and asks if the big guy is a friend of hers. Adria says that he saved her from a crazy man and not to hurt him. Riley says that they won’t, but keeps the gun trained on Hulk. Hulk says that they got that right, and that he will show them why while he gets a drink. Hulk punches the top off a fire hydrant and sticks his face into the flow to get a drink. Hulk tells them not to make him angry and that they wouldn’t like him when he is angry. Hulk leaps away. 

Adria says that things got a little hazy after that and that they brought her to the hospital. She says that now she is one of the “other” people… one of the people you read about that bad things happen to, but that you know couldn’t happen to you but to “other” people.

At the gas station, Mr. James asks Gil for ten dollars worth of gas. Mr. James asks Gil if he heard about how Adria Wagner was attacked by that stalker maniac. Gil says that he hadn’t heard. Mr. James says that in a way she is lucky and that the stalker has already killed three girls. He says that at least she is alive. Mr. James says that this is such a nice small town, and that this kind of thing isn’t supposed to happen here. Gil says that there are monsters everywhere. Mr. James gives Gil the ten. Gil thanks him and tells him to watch his back. He says that the stalker maybe nearby… maybe in his car… maybe in him. Mr. James drives away and thinks how Gil always creeped him out.

Adria says that she bets everyone is feeling sorry for her. She says that she was a popular kid, but that now she will just be this pitiful person. She asks the doctor if he doesn’t feel sorry for her. He puts his hand on hers and says that he feels for her. He says that at least she is alive, and that if she were dead that she would have nothing. Adria says that instead she gets to be blind. She says, “Be straight with me. Will I see again, Doctor… uh…” The doctor replies, “Banner… Doctor Banner. I told you, Adria… I’m a psychiatrist. I don’t know about your sight. I would like to know anything more you can recall about this “Stalker” creature. Adria says that she told him everything, but that “Addy-addy” thing. She says that the only one that calls her that weird gas jockey Gil Jeffers. She says that it couldn’t have been him though since the police told her that he was in jail that night for disorderly conduct. Adria says that she can still feel his fingernail cutting into her and hear his awful laugh. Adria asks how he could do that to her. She asks how anyone could be so evil. Bruce says that it is hard to understand, but that everyone has a dark side. He says that some people just have it more under control. Bruce tells her to get some rest and takes his leave. Moments after Bruce leaves Doctor Gunter, the staff psychiatrist, enters. Adria says that she just spilled her guts to Doctor Banner and that she can’t go through it again. Dr. Gunter thinks to herself that they don’t have a Dr. Banner on staff there.

Bruce finds Gil Jeffers and follows him about his day.

Gil looks at a filthy engine and thinks about how it is as filthy as some people’s minds. He thinks that it is too bad you can’t change people as easy as changing oil. He thinks that it is hard to get Addy-addy’s face out of his mind. As Gil walks from work he remembers how, when he was a kid, he was taught to watch his step or the monsters would get him. At the liquor store, the clerk tells Gil that he has been hitting the liquor a little hard lately. Gil says that he is hitting it before it hits him. Gil thinks to himself that booze helps him see the monsters better. At the video store, the clerk begs Gil to rent something besides a slasher movie. He tells him to rent a Disney movie and that he will give him half off. Gil asks if Disney makes slasher movies. Gil walks home. He knows that they think he is weird, but that it is a good thing because he knows who his enemies are.

Bruce stands outside Gil’s home spying on him.

Gil remarks that he heard about a government study that said if you watch a lot of violent films that it makes you want to go out and do violent things. He say that he went and rented a bunch of love stories to see if it made him more loving. He says that it didn’t work. He just kept picturing himself strangling the women and stabbing the men. Gil drinks and drinks and watches his slasher movies. Gil sees the police go by. He says that he hates them and they hate him. He wonders if they think it is easy working the 6am to 2pm shift. He says that he should be able to relax however he wants. Gil sees that it is getting dark and that he should think about making dinner. He remembers thinking how his mother told him not drink on an empty stomach. He thinks that she told him lots of things before she dumped him just like his father did. He says that they all ran away from him for no reason. He thinks that maybe he will give them a reason. Bruce changes into the Hulk just as Gil passes out drunk. Stalker emerges from Gil and says, “Ha ha ha ha Free at last!” just as it happens on Gil’s copy of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Stalker sees Hulk and says that he can’t say that he is surprised. He says that he knew he would be drawn to him. He says that they are much alike. Hulk says that he should crush him for that. Stalker says that he wouldn’t. He says that he has seen the way he controls his host body. He says that he comes and goes as he pleases instead of waiting for night to come. Stalker asks Hulk if he wouldn’t like that kind of control over his weaker side. Hulk asks Stalker what makes him think he has one. Stalker says that it is in eyes. Hulk leaps with Stalker on his back.

Hulk asks if Stalker is going to vanish again. Stalker says it happened when Gil woke up. He says that the police car startled him and that it won’t happen again. Stalker points out a bar and says that there are four regulars that Hulk should meet. He says that they wear their dark side like badges of honor. Through the window they watch the men. Stalker says that the four men assaulted a girl months ago and then backed one another up telling the judge that they were nowhere near the scene, but that they boasted about it to Gil and so he knows. Stalker says that Hulk didn’t want to watch him kill an innocent girl, a flaw in his character, but asks what about killing men that deserve it. He says that if Hulk can that he will come one step closer to dominating the relationship he has with his weaker side just as he dominates Gil. Hulk says, “Let’s see if you can take ‘em.”

Stalker crashes through the window and slams one of the men to the ground. The other three get up to attack, but Stalker slams another one down. He draws blood on one of the men’s face with his nails. He says that they are just pale imitations of him, and that he is what they would be if they had the guts. Stalker holds the last man up and asks Hulk if he would like some hands on experience. He tells Hulk that the man is scum and that no one will miss him. He says that he would be doing everyone a favor. He says to kill something for himself. Hulk says, “Okay. You talked me into it.” Stalker says that he never doubted that he could. Hulk grabs Stalker by his cape. Stalker says. “Wh… wait! Not me, you fool!” Hulk says, “Yeah, you. ‘Cause I don’t care about that guy. I didn’t even care about the girl much. But I don’t… like… you!” Stalker’s cape rips and he starts running. Stalker shouts for Gil to wake up. Hulk asks if Stalker isn’t warmed up enough. He says that he could find another kid or drunk for him to practice on before he takes on him. The police drive by and Stalker shouts for help. Riley pulls over, but Stalker throws them out of the car and starts driving for home. He shouts for Gil to wake up. Hulk is following, but Gil outruns him. He looks behind to see if he lost Hulk, but when he looks back Hulk is standing in front of him. The car smashes into Hulk. Stalker runs out of the car and keeps shouting for Gil to wake up. Stalker makes it home and starts trying to shake Gil awake, but Gil is too drunk. Hulk grabs Stalker and says, “Remember how I said, ‘maybe next time’? Well this is next time. Look at you. You’re shakin.’” Stalker says that he can’t do this and that they are two of a kind. Hulk says, “No, we’re not. ‘Cause you’re terrified, now me… I just terrify!” Hulk plunges his fist through Stalker’s chest. Stalker screams.

The next day at the hospital, a nurse is telling Mr. and Mrs. Wagner that with modern laser technology that they will be able to restore Adria’s sight at least partially. The nurse asks if they heard about Gil Jeffers. She says that they brought him in last night after the neighbors heard screams. She says that it is some kind of a coma, and that he just lies there. She says that he was always a little strange, but even so.

Bruce looks down at the catatonic Gil. He says that the Stalker is gone, but him being dead is Gil’s problem. He says that his evil consumed Gil so much so that there was no joy, no soul, just overwhelming hatred. He says that without the hatred that he is just a shell. Bruce quotes, “The evil that men do lives after them. The good is oft’ interred with their bones.” Bruce asks who he is to give his eulogy and that more appropriate might be, “There but for the grace of God, go I…”

No Excuses rating: 7.5 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.

RETURN TO HULK ISSUES

RETURN TO NO EXCUSES

RETURN TO LEADER'S LAIR