Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #352

Title: “Fervor”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Jeff Purves

Inker: Terry Austin

Colors: Petra Scotese

Editor: Bobbie Chase

The woman who answers the phone at the Coliseum tells Marlo that Mr. Fixit isn’t taking any calls right now. She asks if she can take a message. She says that she is sure that it is important, but that she has instructions and that when they come from Mr. Fixit that she follows them. She asks what message she should leave. The woman says that she isn’t writing that and to keep it clean. The woman assures Marlo that Mr. Fixit is very busy. She writes down for Joe to call Marlo.

Fixit snores away o his bed remembering the events after the gamma bomb exploded.

The Inquisitor addresses the people and says that the anti-Hulk is among them. He says that they will know him by his evil color… gray. And by this evil deeds because he wants to turn them against their Inquisitor. The people ask to be saved. Inquisitor says that they have to save themselves. He says that they must destroy the anti-Hulk. He tells the rallying people to bring the anti-Hulk to him. He says to ignore his words, and that only he loves them. One of the people watching thinks to himself that, that was a load of Warthos chips. A man taps him on the shoulder with a cane. The first man says, “I wasn’t thinking seditious thoughts, Bohb tells Jen to come with him.

Jen asks Bohb not to come up behind him next time. He says that the Inquisitors men seem to be able to read their thoughts lately. Bohb says to forget that. He tells Jen that one of their men smuggled a “Holy Sister of Jarella” out of the Inquisitor’s dungeon. He says that she was badly tortured so much so that the Inquisitor thought she was dead. Jen asks why they would torture a sister. Bohb says that she has met the “anti-Hulk”. Jen asks if it is really true. Bohb says that it is true except one thing. He says that it is the real Hulk. He says that is why Inky is so nervous. He says that their deity is back and that he isn’t pleased. Bohb says that she claims to have met him in the great forest. She says that she ran off, but that she saw him being taken off by Wizard Monks. Jen says that it is probably the ones in the broken down monastery.

Gorsham says that Hulk looks marvelous. Hulk says that he looks like an idiot. He asks Gorsham if he got this outfit from Ben Hur. Gorsham says that he will cut a majestic figure to the people. Gorsham starts to show Hulk how the people will bow, but Hulk pulls him up and says that he doesn’t want to be worshipped, he says that he wants to be rid of Banner. He says that was the deal remember. Gorsham doesn’t reply so Hulk says ‘remember’ again louder. Gorsham says that he has kept his word and asks Hulk if he feels Banner anywhere within him. Hulk admits that he doesn’t and that he usually feels him buzzing around all over. He says that it better stay this way. Gorsham swears that it will. Hulk walks off. Booly says that he is so different and asks Gorsham if he is sure that is really the Hulk. Gorsham says that it is, but that when his usefulness is over that he is gone.

The pilgrimage begins. Runners are sent ahead to spread the word to anyone that will listen that the time has come to bend knee and whisper prayers of thanks. Hulk rides on a cart pulled by large lizard like creatures Gorsham walks beside him and says that their goal is the city of the Grand Inquisitor many miles south, but that they are making stops in smaller cities along the way to gather forces. Hulk asks what they need with forces and that he can pulp their Inquisitor without any help. Gorsham says that they have to unite the people first… make them of one mind. Hulk says that the best way to make people of one mind is to smash their heads together.

The Grand Inquisitor’s men are riding about the towns asking the people if any of them have seen a gray monster around with the temerity to call himself the Hulk. The people say that they have not. One of Inquisitor’s men takes note of the man’s daughter and says that she is very beautiful. He gets off his lizard creature and says that he thinks she may have the calling. He asks her how she would like to be a Holy Sister. The girl says that she wouldn’t really. The man says that she is perfect and that he will handle her interview personally. The girl asks her father to do something, but the father timidly says to do as she is told. He says that they have no choice and that it is an honor. Someone comes running up and announces that, “He’s coming!” The procession before the Hulk is met by the Inquisitor’s men. One tells the “anti-Hulk” to surrender, and tells him that he doesn’t have the power to match the Inquisitor. Hulk asks Gorsham who these morons are. Gorsham says that Hulk would refer to them as ‘cannon fodder’. Hulk says that he thought so. He leaps up and stomps the ground knocking Inquisitor’s men off their feet. A voice tells the people that he might look different, but that there is no denying the power of the Hulk. The people are told that now is the time to join up and overthrow the Inquisitor. Hulk says, “Your ‘Lord’ is back, see? And yeah, maybe I’m gray now. But so what? What matters to you is… I’m not real happy.” Hulk slams a man against the ground. The archers start firing at Hulk, but Hulk chucks a large rock at them. The man that wanted to personally conduct the interview for the unwilling woman announces that his leg is broken. He orders the citizens to help him, but instead they start pummeling him. The man shouts that is for trying to take his daughter from him. The men says that they will all die for this. The people keep pummeling him. Hulk rides on and says that was fun. He asks what the net gain was. Gorsham says that they destroyed a platoon of holy soldiers and picked up a hundred or so followers. Hulk wonders what the Inquisitor will say to that.

Inquisitor says, “He… Did… What?!”

A large regiment is sent out to kill the anti-Hulk by nightfall or it will be their immortal souls.

Jen and Bohb meet with the others and the rescued sister as the regiment goes by. One of them wonders why such a large regiment would in such an uproar. He asks the sister if she has any ideas. The sister says that the Lord is coming and that the Inquisitor is scared. She says that he sees his power slipping away and fears his end. She says that she was a fool to think that he could ever access the divine word, but that now the Hulk is coming. One says that he believes that the dark times may be at an end. Suddenly the inquisitor’s men kick in the door.

Some of Inquisitor’s men rush up to the pilgrimage, but only find Hulk’s cape on the throne. They ask if this is some kind of joke. Hulk bursts out of the ground behind them and asks if they are looking for him.

Moments later the pilgrimage continues. Hulk tells Gorsham to always remember that if you want to impress them to tunnel under them and rip out of the ground. Gorsham says that he will remember.

Bohb, the others, and the sister are being tortured. Inquisitor says that it is odd to find the sister still alive and that perhaps she has been preserved to perform some great final, holy task. Bohb says that her task is too see Inquisitor’s demise. To see his power ripped from him while the Warthos pick at his remains. Inquisitor says that is a very vivid prediction. He tells Bohb that it is a pity that he won’t be there to see it if it happens. A long blade pops out of Inquisitor’s staff and stabs it through Bohb. Inquisitor says that he is sick of them and to kill them all while he prays for their salvation. There is a loud bang. Inquisitor asks what that was and says that it sounded like thunder. One of Inquisitor’s men says, “He’s here! The Hulk is here!” Inquisitor stabs the man through the chest and says, “The anti-Hulk, you imbecile! Am I the only one who understands what’s happening?”

Hulk claps his hands and sends the Inquisitor’s men flying. The people see Hulk’s strength and know that no one else wields such power. Gorsham points to the castle and says that is the Inquisitor’s home. Inquisitor is on the balcony. Hulk says that the place looks nice and that he could get to like it here. Hulk leaps up, but he is blasted by the Inquisitor’s staff and sent back to the ground. Inquisitor shouts, “Deceiver! I have the power of the Hulk on my side! And you shall burn for your blasphemies!” Gorsham asks the Hulk to let him help him against the Inquisitor’s magics. Hulk says to stuff his help and that it takes more than a light show to stop the Hulk. Hulk leaps past the balcony and way beyond. The people are actually worried that he has left, but then the Hulk comes down. He hits the balcony and destroys the whole thing. Hulk says that they don’t make them like they used to. Hulk and Inquisitor land in the torture chambers. Hulk asks the Inquisitor if he used his magic to stop his fall. He says that he will need more than parlor trick against him. Inquisitor says that he will kill him. Hulk charges into Inquisitor and says, “Save your threats. Cause you sure won’t be able to save yourself.” Hulk grabs the Inquisitor’s staff and crushes it. He says, “So you’re the all-powerful guy who had the word of the Hulk in his pocket, huh? But when it comes down to the crunch, you weren’t much of anything. There’s guys back on Earth just like you. Jarella’s world was supposed to be a better place than that. A special place. You wrecked that for me, ya crud, and you’ll pay for it.” Hulk is about to kill Inquisitor, but one of the trapped people asks him to leave him for them. Hulk says that if they want him that they can have him. Inquisitor says, “Fools! Before I’m through with you, you’ll wish you’d killed me!” Hulk says, “Before we’re through. You’ll wish it, too.”

In the public square, it takes ten hours on the rack, but the Inquisitor is finally ready to make his confession. Inquisitor says, “He… He is… the Hulk. H-how could I have been… so blind… b-bless me Hulk..” Hulk blesses him and the Inquisitor dies. The people all rejoice and hail the Hulk.

Hulk stands in the castle with Gorsham, Wooly, and Booly. Gorsham says that the final sorcerous lock is in place. Gorsham says that Bruce Banner will never return, even after he’s gone back to his world. He tells Hulk not to worry and that they have located a mass similar to Hulk’s in Washington DC that they will transport here in exchange for him. Gorsham says that Hulk departure won’t affect his sun. Hulk says that he isn’t leaving. He says that Gorsham said that Banner wouldn’t return, but that he doesn’t know. He says that he could get used to his worship stuff and that they might need him to keep a lid on things. Gorsham says that they needed Hulk to get rid of the Inquisitor and establish them as the “true bearers” of the Hulk’s word. He says that they don’t need him at all past that. Hulk says that all Gorsham wanted was to be head honcho. Gorsham says, “Of course, you grey idiot! I’ll rule our people now… and I don’t need you cluttering things up.” Hulk is about to tell Gorsham what he is going to do, but Gorsham says that he will do nothing and teleports Hulk back to Earth. He tells Hulk not to worry and that he will make it a better world that he would be proud of. He says that the adamantium statue that they brought back in his place will serve to remind the people that the Hulk is ever watchful. Gorsham wishes Hulk a safe and smooth journey and a peaceful life.

The Hulk was banged up a little and wound up in Yucca Flats instead of Washington DC, but it lead to his first encounter with Berengetti and his life as Mr. Fixit.

Back in Las Vegas, in the Coliseum, Bruce Banner sleeps in Mr. Fixit’s bed.

No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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