Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #345

Title: “Closing Curtain”

Writer: Peter David

Breakdowns: Todd McFarlane

Finishes: Jim Sanders and Chris Ivy

Colors: Petra Scotese

Editor: Bob Harras

As Father McCall closes the day’s sermon he addresses the notion that Middletown, population 4,917, is a dying town. He says that it is true that they have a lot against them and that population is down since the textile factory closed. He says that many are out of work, having trouble making ends meet, and that worst of all there is a feeling of isolation since there is nothing but desert all around them, but that the people have to remember that they are not alone. He says that there is someone watching them all and that he has a grand plan for Middletown. He says that he can feel that it is a grand plan and that all he asks if for them to have faith. He tells those in the pews that when they see their neighbors to suggest that he would like to see them next week.

Back in his office, Father McCall takes off his robes. He says that the people just sit there and smile. He says that there are fewer of them every day. He thinks that they don’t need a pastor there. He thinks that they need Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. The phone rings and he answers. Father McCall tells the Vicar that it is good to hear from him. He listens as the Vicar tells him about some financial irregularities that have been found and that an accountant may be what they need to straighten things out. Father McCall says that he is looking forward to seeing them at the end of the week.

Vic wakes Diane and tells her that it is time for her to do her thing as a lawyer. Diane says that she is sick of defending crummy people who do crummy things. Vic says that is life in Middletown. Diane says that maybe it is time for them to get out of this dying town.

Jessie is fighting with her parents. She is trying to defend Lou, but her mother says that he is a hoodlum. The father doesn’t even look up from his newspaper. Jessie storms out and says that they don’t trust her and that she feels like she is trapped there. The father asks what that was about. The mother just tells him to eat his eggs. She asks if there is anything in the news. The father says not really and that the paper is kind of thin. He says, “Nothing that impacts on us anyway.”

Outside of town, the truck carrying the newspaper “The Phoenix Sun” lies on its side on fire. The headline reads “Military Base Raided! Gamma Bombs Stolen!” as they burn up.

Leader sits with his feet up on the console. He says, “Ah, Leader old man, you’ve outdone yourself! Banner and company, the entire town… they’ll be running around like mice in a maze, while you’ve had time to plan everything in leisure. And just think… your mother wanted you to be a plumber.” Leader checks off newspaper on his digital checklist.

Rick shouts, “A what?” Clay slams on the brakes of the RV. He gets up and asks what happened. Upside down, Bruce repeats, “A baby.” Clay congratulates them and tells Rick that if he ever shouts like when they aren’t under attack again that he will run him over. Bruce sees that Betty doesn’t seem excited about the baby. He wants to ask why but he is afraid of the answer he might get. Clay tells everyone to be quiet for a minute and that he thought he heard something on the radio. The radio goes on to say that the thieves that have stolen a gamma bomb from the Yuma military base have yet to be identified. Everyone stares in shock.

An encyclopedia salesman drives up past the “Welcome to Middletown” sign that welcomes people. He pulls his vehicle over when he sees some men digging holes around the town’s perimeter. He asks what they are digging on such a hot day for. One of the men says that he doesn’t know. He says that some guy hired them to bury some boxes at five points around town. He says that maybe they are time capsules. The salesman asks the man if he wants to buy an encyclopedia. The man says that he hasn’t finished his almanac yet. The salesman looks down and sees that the radio in his vehicle isn’t working anymore.

Leader laughs to himself as he checks off the “Radio” button on his digital checklist.

Clay flashes his SHIELD ID when the RV gets to the Yuma military base. The soldiers there are unaware of Clay’s renegade status and let him in. Bruce, Clay, Rick, and Betty look at the destruction wrought by the thieves of the gamma bomb. Clay and the others meet with General Classon. Classon says that what happened is that they got their butts kicked. Clay asks if he would show them around. Classon says that if he has to. Classon shows them the door that has been smashed in. Bruce looks inside and sees the “nightmare of his life”. He looks and sees the thousands of stockpiled gamma bombs. Clay asks Classon if he can describe his attackers. The General says that he has tapes. As they watch the tapes, Clay asks if they are who he thinks they are. Rick says that looks like Saunders and Bruce says that the other one is LaRoquette. He asks what happened to them.

“The Hulk” growls. Redeemer stuns the Hulk with a shot and then Rock comes along and tears him apart. The Hulk robot lies on the ground destroyed. Rock says that he is tired of ripping up practice Hulks. He says that he wants to try himself against the real thing. Leader tells Rock to have patience and that the Hulk should be there in hours. He says that all is going as planned. Redeemer says that the gamma bomb is making him nervous. Leader tells Redeemer not to worry and that he won’t be there when it goes off. Rock asks Leader if he is going to disconnect him from his suit after they kill the Hulk. He says that he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life in a floating rock shell. Leader tells him that he won’t and gives him his word on it. Leader checks off “Lie to Rock and Redeemer” on his digital checklist.

Bruce sits in the RV unable to think of anything but the gamma bombs. He thinks of all the potential destruction and wonders what he was thinking when he designed it. He wonders if there was some sort of Hulkish part of him urging him on even before he was unshackled by the bomb. Clay says that their plan is obvious. He says that they should wait until nightfall and then go have the Hulk trash the rest of the bombs. Clay waits for Bruce’s objections of using the Hulk, but instead Bruce just says, “Yes. Yes, you’re right Clay. They must be destroyed.” Suddenly the radio says, “Hello, we’ll return to our easy listening station after a few words from the Leader. Yes the Leader, Doctor Banner. By this time you’ve discovered the Yuma base destruction. So sue me. The bomb, in case you’re wondering is currently situated in a small city called Middletown about an eight hours drive from your present position… less if you exceed 55. It is set to detonate at 10PM. You have that long to get there, find the bomb and dispose of it before the fabric of that little community is permanently destroyed. Have a nice day.” Rick says that Leader is bluffing and that he is just trying to distract them. Clay agrees and asks what kind of fools Leader thinks they are. Bruce says that they are the kind of fools that don’t take a chance when people’s lives are at stake. He tells them to find a map and get there before it is too late.

Jessie tells Lou that her parents won’t even talk to her and that they are telling her that they don’t want her seeing him anymore. Lou says that she doesn’t have to put up with it anymore. He says that she will be 18 next week. He says that they should leave this town. He says that he will come by around 10 tonight and that she can sneak out and they will go. Jessie asks if he means it and starts kissing her.

Principal Fishbean phones Mrs. Harrison as he watches Jessie and Lou. He tells Mrs. Harrison that Jessie is kissing Lou. Mrs. Harrison says that she is supposed to be staying away from him. Suddenly there is a knock on the door. Mrs. Harrison opens and the encyclopedia salesman is there. He starts to step in and introduces himself as Burt Horowitz. He starts to ask her if she would be interested in buying encyclopedias, but Mrs. Harrison just slams the door in his face. Burt lies on the ground with a bloody nose. He says that first it is funny workmen and now this. He says that he is getting out of this business.

The judge asks the counselor how her client pleads to the charges of five counts of rape and assault and battery. Diane says, “Not guil… oh, forget this. He’s guilty.” The defendant says that wasn’t his plea. Diane says, “Oh, shut up, you slug. You’re guilty and you know it. Those defenseless nuns… I wash my hands of you.” The judge tells her to approach the bench and that she is close to contempt. Diane says that she is close to losing her lunch if she even looks at that animal again. Diane says to go ahead and jail her.

Diane stands in jail and thinks to herself that Vic is going to kill her.

Father McCall is praying to God. He says that he thought that he would be able to replace the money before anyone noticed and that it wasn’t supposed to go this far. He asks for guidance.

The RV drives by the workers on the edge of town. Bruce wonders what they are up to. Clay asks how important it could be. Bruce says that he guesses that Clay is right.

Leader checks off the “Generators” item on his digital checklist. The next item reads “Feed Doctored Newscasts”.

The judge from Diane’s case is talking with Mayor Redwood. He tells him that he has never seen anything like it in all his years on the bench. Redwood says not to gripe to him and that he should try being the mayor. Suddenly, Clay, Bruce, Rick, and Betty storm past the mayor’s secretary into his office. Clay says that they are with SHIELD and that he has to evacuate his town because of a “bomb of major proportions”. The mayor asks if this is some kind of joke. He asks if he is supposed to evacuate his town on the say so of some strangers in blue jumpsuits. Clay says against that they are a secret organization called SHIELD. Redwood says that he never heard of them. Clay says that proves that they are secret. The mayor asks where the bomb came from. Clay says that it was stolen from the Yuma army base. The mayor says that there is no raid mentioned in the papers. Clay says to try the early evening news then. The mayor points out that there is some kind of problem with the broadcast. The screen of the TV has a “Please Stand By” sign on it. The mayor says that he isn’t unreasonable and tells his secretary to get him the Yuma army base on the phone. Moments later, the mayor is told that there has been no raid. The mayor asks if the general has ever heard of SHIELD. He is told that SHIELD disbanded a year ago. Banner snatches the phone from the mayor’s hand and says, “Leader! It’s you, isn’t it? Intercepting phone calls, jamming broadcasts, faking the paper. It’s all you!” Leader says, “Why it’s the famous Doctor Banner! You’d best get out of town, Doctor Banner… before you’re belted by gamma rays.” The mayor tells them to get out before he has them arrested.

Outside, the RV rides slowly down the street and warns the people to evacuate.

Jessie asks her mother what that noise is outside. She says that she will go to see, but her mother tells her to sit down. She says, “You’re grounded and no excuses.” Suddenly the television is working again. The news anchor tells the people that an unauthorized vehicle is driving around town trying to start a riot. The people are told to ignore it.

Leader watches his broadcast and says that it is amazing what one can do with computer generated images. He says that his creations don’t even stutter. Leader says, “Of course, a small percentage of easily panicked people may run. One, perhaps two percent, nothing I haven’t allowed for.”

Vic asks Diane if they can’t raise some bail to get her out. Diane says that contempt of court doesn’t work like that. Diane hears the RV outside and asks the guard if they just said evacuate. The guard says that the sheriff better get after “those idiots before they start a panic.”

A police car comes after the RV. Rick says that they expected that, but that they have something the cops weren’t expecting. He asks if it is sundown yet. Bruce screams and turns into the Hulk. The Hulk leaps out the back of the RV. Clay says that it is sundown, but that he wishes Hulk would use the door for once. Hulk lands right on the engine of the cop car and smashes it into the ground. The police look up at Hulk and Hulk says, “Boo”. The cops run from the destroyed car. Rick says, “Bruce! Over the…” Hulk says, “Bruce can’t come out to play right now.” Rick corrects himself and points out the textile factory. He reminds Hulk of how the Leader talked about the “fabric of the community”. Hulk says that is cute and tells everyone to get in the van. Hulk lifts the van and starts leaping away from the textile factory. Rick yells at Hulk, but Hulk tells him to shut p. He says that Leader s playing games, but that he is changing the rules.

Outside of town, Hulk lands with the RV and then snaps the wheels off. Clay asks Hulk if he is nuts as the Hulk walks away, but Betty asks Clay if he doesn’t see. She says that Hulk did this to protect them and keep them away from danger. Hulk leaps away. He thinks to himself so that he did it so he could have the Leader all to himself, but that if it makes Betty happy to think that then she can have a little happiness. Clay says that he is contacting SHIELD. Rick reminds Clay that he is a fugitive. Clay says that the Leader isn’t taking any chances and so neither is he. Clay says that people’s lives are at risk and that they can’t risk it. Rick asks if the police reporting on the Hulk won’t get people to evacuate.

The police try to report on their Hulk sighting, but their superior just thinks that they’ve been drinking.

Hulk stands outside the textile factory. He smashes in the door. At first he sees all the dust and figures that Leader had never been there. He sees some audio equipment with a sign that reads, “Play me, Hulk”. Hulk wonders how many mistakes he will be allowed. Hulk pushes the button and listens to Leader.

Burt Horowitz has just finished tearing up the “T” volumes and starts in on the “U”.

Jessie stands at the window and hopes that Lou will show soon to take her away from this.

Father McCall finds that the phone is dead. He wonders how he is supposed to confess to the Vicar about what he did.

Diane sits in her cell. She thinks how Vic took it all right, but that she could tell he didn’t understands. She thinks maybe that she doesn’t either.

Hulk listens as Leader’s voice tells him that a long distance death wouldn’t do. He says that Hulk has to be beaten up close and personal by people that also have a reason to hate him. Leader says, “No androids or remote control enemies will suffice. Your death must be truly worthy of a hatred as magnificent as ours. And so, without further ado. Adieu.” Rock hits Hulk and tells Redeemer to take him. Redeemer blasts Hulk and tells Rock that he is taken. Hulk gets up. He says, “Rock… and Redeemer, huh? Looks like the old Hulkbusters. With some new tricks. Now me… I only need… what I’ve always needed. My strength… and my really lousy temper.” Redeemer blasts the equipment in Hulk’s hands and says that he isn’t going to bury him. Hulk plows into Rock and says that when he is finished that there won’t be enough to bury. Rock and Redeemer run to regroup. Hulk thinks to himself to let them run. He thinks how he can feel himself getting stronger and angrier. Hulk thinks that Redeemer’s rockets might have slowed him down last time, but that next time it will be different.

Clay emerges from the RV. Rick says that he was in there for ten minutes and asks what Fury said. Clay asks if they want to hear everything or if he should skip the profanity. Rick tells him to skip it. Clay says, “He’ll be here within the hour.” Rick asks if that is all he said. Clay says that Rick told him to skip the profanity.

Hulk and Redeemer spot one another. Redeemer freezes for a second. Hulk leaps at him. Hulk says that it looks like Redeemer could stop an army with his new suit, but that he has stopped a few armies himself. Hulk asks where the bomb is. Redeemer blasts Hulk in the face and says that he won’t talk. Hulk says, “Fine. Don’t talk. Just scream.” Hulk grabs Redeemer’s head and arm. Redeemer screams. Rock floats up behind Hulk as Hulk asks again where the bomb is. Rock sprouts spikes as Hulk tells Redeemer that he can’t hear him. Rock starts to spin around and around. Hulk says that he can hear his partner though. Hulk takes Redeemer and holds him up in Rock’s spinning spikes. Rock calls out to Redeemer. He floats there stunned. Hulk says, “Know what, Rock? I think you killed him. Big mistake, Rock. Almost as big… as hovering there long enough for me to get my hands on you.” Hulk grabs Rock and starts slamming him against the ground. Rock grows giant hands and grabs the Hulk. Rock says that he is strong enough to tear Hulk apart and that his spikes can pierce even Hulk’s hide. Rock calls Hulk an “inhuman creature”. Hulk says that compliments won’t save him now. Hulk grabs Rock’s arm and tears it off his body. LaRoquette screams. Hulk says that he must have a mental link with the rocky hide and that it must have felt like having his own arm torn off. Hulk says that he could let him lie there and not hurt him anymore, but that it would be the human thing to do. Hulk reminds Rock that he is inhuman and starts slamming him back and forth on the ground. Leader says, “That’s quite enough, Hulk.” Leader says that when he saw Hulk dismantling his creations that he has to matter transport there to intercede. Hulk looks and sees Leader leaning against the gamma bomb. Leader says that it is set to go off in two and a half hours. He says that by then he will be long gone and that the Hulk will be long dead. Leader grows to an enormous size. Hulk tells Leader to grow as big as he likes, but that he is still dying today. Hulk leaps at him, but Leader swats him out of the air. Leader says that he wishes that he could control Hulk the way he does others, but that he has done tests and that his powers don’t work on other Gamma People. Hulk gets up and says that Leader can’t toss him around. Leader says that for now it is still a free country and stomps on Hulk with his foot. Hulk tries to push Leader’s foot off of him. He wonders how he got this kind of power and wonders why he would need Rock and Redeemer. Hulk thinks to himself that he is squeezing hard enough to break Leader’s toes. He says that Leader can’t be invulnerable too. Hulk shouts that he doesn’t believe it. Hulk slams his hands together and the sonic ringing destroys the illusion. Leader says that his earplugs should have protected him, but that they were insufficient. Hulk says that Leader was hoping that he would “believe myself to death”. Hulk says that for someone with such a big head that Leader is pretty thick. Hulk says that he is going to take Leader and his bomb and leave them on top of some mountain. Leader tells Hulk that Rock s behind him. Hulk says that Leader will be telling him that his shoe is untied next. Suddenly, Rock’s spike drives right through Hulk’s body. Leader tells Rock to finish him, but Rock doesn’t have the strength. Hulk shouts that he is going to kill Leader. Leader says that he believes Hulk would, but that they have to be going. Leader and Rock disappear. Hulk looks up and sees the gamma bomb… “the weapon that gave birth to me. I’m coming… mom. Coming for a visit…” Hulk crawls toward the bomb bleeding green blood across the ground.

Diane is told that the judge is in a good mood and that she is free to go.

Jessie thinks to herself that it will only be a few more hours and then she will be free.

Father McCall thinks that once the phone is fixed that he can confess and be free of the guilt.

Burt Horowitz starts to drive out of town. He says that he is free of his lousy job.

Hulk gets closer to the bomb and thinks, “I’d crawl a million miles… for one of your smiles…”

SHIELD arrives at the RV. Trump tells Quatermain to consider himself under arrest, but Fury tells Trump to consider himself a horse’s rear. Fury asks where the bomb is. Clay tells Fury not to worry and that they still have over two hours until the bomb goes off.

Burt Horowitz sees the commotion on the outside of the city limits and wonders what is happening.

Hulk thinks to himself that time is on his side and that he is getting stronger every second.

Leader sits and watches. He says, “I’m so disappointed. I wanted Hulk’s bloody corpse next to the bomb when it went. The old washed away by the new. But the Hulk wouldn’t cooperate. He insisted on living. Defeating my carefully laid plan. All right then… no more Mr. Nice Guy. Leader pushes the digital checklist and checks off “Activate Generators”. The next item reads, “Detonate Bomb”.

Suddenly a force field surrounds the town of Middletown. Burt’s car skids out to avoid hitting the force field. He starts pounding on the force field, but everyone on the other side can’t hear what he is saying. Clay tells him to hold on and that they will get him out of there.

Hulk holds the bomb. The timer read 2:28:17. Hulk says that he did it.

Leader says, “Goodbye Hulk”. He checks off the newly revised item, “Detonate Bomb Prematurely”

Hulk looks at the bomb as it starts to squeal. Hulk says, “uh oh”.

Betty shouts for Bruce.

Hulk shouts for Betty.

The gamma bomb explodes.

No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10

Holy cow! How’s that for an ending? The bad guy wins. I know I may be a little demented, but this is one of the better moments in Hulk history… and especially Leader history. I love the beginning of the story where Father McCall tells everyone that someone is watching them and that he has a plan for them. Leader was watching and he certainly had a plan. I love the story so much that I overlooked the fact that Jim Sanders and Chris Ivy are nowhere near as good as Bob Wiacek, or even McFarlane himself, over McFarlane’s pencils. Still the art was good and the plot more than made up for any shortcomings.

Review and pictures by The Leader

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