Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #336

Title: “X-Tremes!”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Todd McFarlane

Inker: Jim Sanders III

Colors: Petra Scotese

Editor: Bob Harras

At Gamma Base, Clay Quartermain is having a video conference with members of the SHIELD council. They are telling him that they aren’t pleased at all. They ask if he thought he could cover up this debacle indefinitely. They tell Clay that all he had to do was keep tabs on Bruce Banner and get rid of the Hulk. Clay says that in his defense that the Rick Jones Hulk is gone. The Council says that the Rick Jones Hulk didn’t even exist until this whole mess began. They tell Clay that they are reassessing the situation, but that it is becoming clear that Bruce Banner is becoming expendable. They say that they trust Clay gets their meaning. Clay thinks to himself that they can’t be serious.

Hulk stands in an alley between two buildings. Frustrated that he is about to change back into Bruce Banner the Hulk hits one of the buildings and shouts that it isn’t fair. He says that he should be the Hulk all the time and that he is the strong one. Hulk changes into Bruce Banner. A piece of rubble falls off the building Hulk just hit since it is falling over. Bruce is knocked unconscious. A man from the other building has been watching the whole thing. He says that this is his big chance and that he won’t screw it up. The man leaps out his window into the alley. The drags Bruce back to his window and lifts him in. The man gets back into his building just as the other building collapses from Hulk’s punch.

The man sees that Bruce is breathing and says that the hit must have just creased him. He thinks that is good since he won’t be worth a cent dead. The man has decided that Bruce must be a mutant, and that he plans on turning Bruce over to the mutant-hunters that he sees on television all the time. He is betting that they pay out a finder’s fee like five or ten thousand. He says that he needs the money. He thinks about calling the cops first, but figures they would just take the credit. The man calls information to get the New York phone number for X-Factor headquarters.

At X-Factor headquarters, Iceman is preparing to test his power level. Jean asks if he is sure and that it is a little soon. Cyclops says that he is sure Bobby is the best one to judge that. Iceman tries to throw a simple iceball, but it comes out the size of a Buick. Jean uses her telekinesis to steer the out of control iceball at Cyclops. Cyclops blasts it with his eye beams and melts it. Both Jean and Cyclops tells Iceman that he just needs some time to get his power back under control. Skids sticks her head in the door. She says that the training light is still on, but that this is kind of important. Jean says that it is safe and that they are only having a little falling moisture. Skids says that she didn’t hear anything about indoor rain. She uses her force field to remain dry. Cyclops asks what was so important. Skids says that she checked out that call from Dick Terrance in Sparta, Illinois and that a building really did collapse there. She says that there was no mention of a gray monster though. Jean says that doesn’t mean anything though. Cyclops says that he and Jean will check it out. Iceman says that he is coming too. Jean says that he doesn’t have to prove anything to them. Bobby says that he is doing it for himself. He says that he has to get his powers under control. Jean says that if he is sure. Bobby thinks to himself that of course he isn’t sure, but says that of course he is sure.

Bruce tells Dick that he did an extraordinary thing pulling him out of the alley like that and that most people would have left him there. He says that he has been around, and that very few show that sort if kindness. Bruce thinks that he might not be so kind if he knew he was the Hulk. Dick thinks to himself that he wishes Bruce would stop complimenting him and that it makes him feel like a creep. He thinks about how mutants are all supposed to be inhuman monsters, but that Bruce is about as threatening as Woody Allen. Dick tells Bruce there are clothes for him on the chair and offers him some coffee. Bruce asks if he has decaf. Dick says that is all he drinks. Dick comes out with two mugs. One has a Cubs logo on it. Bruce says that a friend of his, Rick, is a Cubs fan too. Dick asks if Bruce has a lot of friends. Bruce says that he has friends, a wife, but that things keep coming up keeping them apart. Dick asks if he has any kids. A knock on the door causes Dick to leap up hoping it is X-Factor. It isn’t X-Factor, but Dick’s girlfriend Melanie. Dick introduces Bruce as a cousin of his. Mel says that they have to talk privately. Bruce says that he can leave, but Dick tells him to stay and that they will take a walk. He tells Bruce to get some rest. Bruce says that if he is sure, but before Dick leaves he asks him what town this is. Dick says that it is Sparta, Illinois. Bruce thinks to himself that it explains that Spartan living conditions.

Outside, Melanie asks why Dick’s cousin doesn’t know what town he’s in. Dick says that he is confused. Mel says that he isn’t the only one and tells Dick that her pregnancy test came back positive. She asks what they do now. Dick says that they get married. He says that it is his kid too and his responsibility. Mel says that he is sweet, but points out that their jobs at Sears don’t pay enough to support a family. Dick says that he has a few irons in the fire and that money won’t be a problem. They hug and Dick thinks that he is committed to turning in Bruce now. He says that it is for his family. He wonders what turning in someone for money makes him, and figures it makes him exactly what he feels like.

Back in the apartment, Bruce calls in to Gamma Base. Bruce tells Clay that it is good to hear his voice too. Clay says that they were getting worried. He says that Bruce went into town two weeks ago and that they haven’t seen him since. He asks where Bruce is and says that they will come get him. Clay tells Bruce that Rick is around and says that he will get him for him. Bruce thinks to himself that something is wrong. He thinks that Clay sounded strained. Rick is sitting in a chair with Clay and four other SHIELD agents around him. He tells Bruce that they want him back no questions asked. He says, “Sure, I’m sure, Bob.” He says that it isn’t like he has five SHIELD agents scowling at him. Bruce realizes that Rick calling him “Bob” and not “Bruce” or “Doc” means that there is something wrong. Bruce realizes that he shouldn’t go back, but wonders how he cannot. Clay asks again where Bruce is. Bruce says that he is guessing it is Seattle, Washington.

At St. Louis airport, two baggage handlers see the X-Factor jet. One says that they bet X-Factor is going to kick some mutant tail. As they get into their van, Bobby asks Scott if he heard that and that it burns him up. Scott says that it was part of the cover and that they knew that going in. Bobby says that it is starting to bother him and that they come off like Nazis, as if mutants were a disease and that they are the cure. He says that he thinks the harm is outweighing the good. Jean says that she is inclined to agree. Scott says that he hears them, and that he has been thinking that himself. He asks how they change. Jean says that they should come across as a helpful organization, not a bunch of tough guys. Bobby says that they should make it clear that mutants are not threats… just misguided. He says that they should be guiding them. He says that people must think that any mutants they find are immediately executed. Scott says that they can give the softer approach a try, and asks how bad it could be.

Dick returns home with some groceries, but is stunned to find that Bruce is gone.

Bruce is outside taking a walk to clear his head. Bruce wonders how he can not go back to Gamma Base to help Rick and Betty. Bruce thinks that he has a vague recollection of being with her and turning into the Hulk. He hopes that she is all right, and that he couldn’t live with himself if he hurt his wife. He thinks that then again it isn’t himself he is worried about living with… it’s living with the Hulk. Bruce thinks about the fact that it has been two weeks since he was at Gamma Base and that the moon is full. He knows that means that his personality is at its strongest and that the Hulk is weak, or at least weak for him. He thinks that must be why he could make the Hulk leave him somewhere where he wouldn’t be out of commission all day. He thinks about how it is getting late. He thinks about heading back to Dick, thanking him for his trouble, and then heading out into a field where he… or rather the Hulk… can’t destroy anything. He says that he needs to decide about Gamma Base soon though.

Dick is putting the groceries in the fridge when he gets another knock on the door. He runs over thinking it is Bruce, but instead it is X-Factor. Bobby says that they were hoping to have a chat with the fellow that Dick believes is a mutant. Dick says that first he wants to talk about price. Jean says that she doesn’t understand. Dick wants to know what his finder’s fee is. Jean says that they are talking about people there, and that you can’t barter with someone’s life. Bobby rolls his eyes and wonders why they can’t be ditch diggers. Jean says that if the person is a mutant that he is probably scared. She says that they want to help him, not buy him. She tells him to have compassion. Dick says that he has compassion, but that there is something he doesn’t have.

Jean is yelling at Dick and Bobby walks outside. He says that he can’t believe they came all this way for nothing, but that part of him is relieved. He thinks to himself that he is a little chilled at the thought of using his powers. He thinks that if only he knew someone nearby that it wouldn’t be a total waste. Just then, Bobby spots Bruce Banner down the alley. Bobby calls out to him. Bruce only sees the uniform and figures that even though it is different that it must be SHIELD. He figures they must have traced the call. Bruce runs thinking that he can’t go back until he is sure about what he is doing. Jean, Scott, and Dick come out. Scott asks him what it is. Bobby says that he was sure it was Bruce Banner. Dick says that Bruce has to be the same guy. Jean says that Dick said he was gray, but that the Hulk is green. Bobby says that they have to catch up with Banner to straighten this out. Jean uses her power to levitate Dick in place as the X-Factor vehicle speeds off.

Bruce sees the van coming after him and figures that it must be SHIELD. He runs toward the train tracks and leaps over them just before the train rolls by. Bruce feels a pounding in his head.

Waiting on the other side of the tracks, Jean says that this is ridiculous. She says that if he is that desperate to be left alone that they should just leave him alone. She says that they have been hounded enough in their life so they shouldn’t do it to someone else. She says that she read that Bruce was separated from the Hulk and that by himself that he isn’t a threat to anyone. Scott says that he still thinks that something is wrong. Jean says that their mutant tracking equipment won’t work on him anyway and that they’ll never spot him with the sun going down. Suddenly Bobby sees something pulling the train off the tracks. Jean says that it can’t be. She starts to say, “Its, it’s…” The Hulk presses the train car over his head and finishes, “Big trouble, ya morons! The biggest! So you’re from SHIELD, huh?” Scott tells everyone to get out of the van. Hulk slams the train car into the van. Jean pulls them all out with telekinetic help. Hulk tells them that was their one warning and that they are lucky because he doesn’t usually give warnings, but he is in a good mood. Hulk leaps away. Scott says that he doesn’t know if that was the Hulk or not, but that they have to stop him. Cyclops uses an eye blast and hits Hulk in mid-leap. Hulk’s trajectory is thrown off and he crashes into a printing company.

Bobby says that this is just great. He says that they try going laid back, but that they still have to fall back to the X-Terminators bit. Cyclops says that they have no choice and that they have to get him out of the building before he hurts someone. Hulk sees Jean lowering them into the building. He says that Banner was wrong. He says that they aren’t SHIELD, they are the X-Men. Cyclops says that they are the X-Terminators now, but that they all seem to have changed. Hulk says, “Oh, yeah. X-Men. X-Terminators. Well, it really doesn’t matter. ‘Cause now you’ll be… X-tinct.” Hulk grabs a big chunk of wall, but before he can throw it Cyclops nails him with another optic blast. Cyclops tells Jean and Iceman that they have to contain him. Hulk laughs at that. Hulk starts throwing machinery around causing them to fall back. Iceman puts up an icewall, but it comes out twice as thick as usual. Cyclops tells Iceman not to knock it. Suddenly the ground is shaking. A roller from the printing press smashes through the icewall. Scott says to scatter. Jean thinks that she can’t stop it, but that she can slow it down. Jean’s nose starts to bleed from the strain. Cyclops hits Hulk with another blast while he is in mid-leap. Iceman says that he doesn’t want to split up and that he isn’t ready for that. Hulk lands right in front of Iceman and tells him to make his move. Hulk swats Iceman down when he doesn’t move and says that he should have figured that he’d freeze up. Hulk sees Jean and says that she is the dangerous one. He says that she has power that he can’t see and decides to test it. Hulk advances on Jean. He asks if all she can do is wave her hand and scrunch her face. He says that he doesn’t wish away. Jean calls for Scott’s help. Cyclops can’t reach Hulk without hitting Jean so he banks a shot and hits Hulk from behind. Hulk is knocked into the paper roll stacks. The rolls fall for thirty seconds, pounding and pounding, but after they are done Hulk climbs out. Cyclops says to run. Hulk says that they should run as far and as fast as they can because he has had it. Cyclops blasts Hulk again and tells him that none of this is necessary. He says that they are his friends. Hulk walks into the stream of Cyclops’ steady beam and says that they still don’t get it. He says, “You got no idea what you’re facing. No idea what you’re messing with. You still think I’m that cuddly monster who loved bakes beans and puppy dogs.” Hulk continues walking toward Cyclops. He is almost on him when he says, “He’s dead, Cyclops! I’m here now! And your eye beams are getting’ weak! And I almost got my hands on ya!” Suddenly, Iceman blasts Hulk with an enormous ice barrage so he can’t hurt Scott. Everything in the building is covered with ice. Bobby says to evacuate the building and that when he breaks out of there, but Cyclops says that he doesn’t think he is breaking out. He says that Hulk was straining there at the end. He says that the Hulk is different. He says that he might be more savage, but that he isn’t as strong. Iceman’s knees give out and he powers down. Hulk thinks to himself that he has to break out, but that the ice is colder than before somehow. He can’t think.  

The people come to thank the X-Terminators, but Bobby hides his face so as not to blow his identity. Bobby asks Scott what they are going to do with him. Scott says that he guesses that they have to call Gamma Base. Bobby says that he was running from SHIELD for some reason, and that they can’t. Scott says that they have no choice. He says that their facilities can’t hold him and that the authorities have probably already been informed.

Scott calls Gamma Base. He tells Quartermain that they have serious reservations. He says that it is clear that Gamma Base is the only place that can hold the Hulk, but that for some reason he was clearly running from it. Clay says that he is a personal friend of Bruce’s, and that he has no reason to fear them. He says that Cyclops has seen that the Hulk is more of a threat than ever, and that he has to be placed in custody. He says that they will be there is two hours. Cyclops knows that Jean and Bobby aren’t thrilled with him, and that he doesn’t blame them. He thinks that Quartermain sounded like he was hiding something. He guesses that a government official couldn’t be bothered with tell a “mutie” like him the truth. He hopes that they are doing the right thing.

The Council tells Clay to take as many men as it takes, and that this is his chance to finally end the menace of the Hulk. Clay is asked if they are of one mind about this. Clay says that he knows where his responsibility lies.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review by The Leader

Picture by Captain Nate

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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