Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #355

Title: “Now You See It…”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Jeff Purves

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

A guy playing Freddy Krueger scares Bruce off his feet. He asks Bruce if he has the guts, and says that maybe they should inspect his guts first hand. Marlo tells Bruce that it looks like he is dead now, but not to break his glasses cause she can’t afford another pair. A guy playing Wolverine tells “Freddy” that he has nice claws, but that his are bigger. Marlo asks Bruce if he is okay. Bruce mimics Marlo, “Let’s go to the video convention, Bruce. It’ll be fun, Bruce.” Marlo says that he doesn’t have to be such a grouch about it. She says that she figured he would be in a good mood considering what his half brother Joe did the other day. She says that he took on twelve Maggia hoods and cost the Maggia a fortune in bets. She starts going on about Joe, but Bruce grabs her arm and says that this isn’t the place, but that he has to make something clear to her. Bruce and Marlo walk past two film critics talking about the Batman movie. Marlo tells Bruce to spill it. Bruce says that Joe will bring her nothing but grief. He says that whatever he touches, he corrupts. He says that Joe isn’t right for her. Marlo asks if Bruce is right for her. Bruce says that isn’t what he is saying. Marlo asks Bruce if he isn’t just a little jealous of Joe. She says that he has a job, respect, and muscles. She says that the first time she saw him that he was barefoot and his clothes didn’t fit. She asks what makes him such a great judge of character. Bruce says that for a basically intelligent woman that Marlo can be most obtuse. Bruce walks off as the two critics are coming to fisticuffs.

Bruce walks away and says that he should just tell Marlo who… what she is involved with. Bruce says that it would be best, but that if he tells her that she may tell someone else and then it will become public knowledge that he and the Hulk are still alive. Bruce says that then he would have to go back on the run, and that there is no reason to assume that the authorities will be less interested in killing him than before. Bruce wonders if that isn’t what he deserves. Bruce thinks to himself that he didn’t kill those people in Middletown. He says that the Leader did it, but that he created the bomb. He wonders if Smith and Wesson agonize over every person killed by a gun. Bruce wonders if he is passing the buck. Bruce thinks that there is something else to consider. He says that Marlo tells him that Fixit is working for Berengetti. He says that for the first time that Hulk isn’t a rampaging monster. He thinks that if he ruins it that the Hulk might go berserk and that he will have unleashed a deadly menace all over again. Bruce sees that it is starting to become night, and that he had better head home. Bruce thinks about how easily any place becomes home when you don’t have one.

The golden man watches Bruce walk across the street to the Coliseum.

Bruce is glad that no one is watching a rather skinny man using Mr. Fixit’s penthouse elevator. He says that he wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.

Hulk lies in bed. He tells someone to get that light off him. Suddenly, Fixit realizes that it is daylight and that he’s still the Hulk. He walk out and sees a table full of food and three beautiful women. The women says that it is compliments of Mr. Berengetti. Hulk eats all the food and says that he is stuffed for at least five minutes.

Hulk leaves the exhausted women. He tells them to go ahead and stay here. He says that he is going to thank Mr. Berengetti for the hospitality.

Hulk walks into Mike’s office. Mike says that he is glad that Hulk is there. He says that he has decided to retire and leave his entire empire to him. Mike says that it couldn’t be in better hands. Hulk says, “But… but…” Mike says that there are no buts, unless it is Hulk’s butt in his chair. Mike says aloha and leaves. Hulk grabs a cigar and says that he isn’t going to knock it. He says that this is the best day of his life. Thing lights Hulk’s cigar for him. Hulk asks Grimm if he is working for him now. Thing says that he was just hired this minute. He says that the others are waiting outside. Hulk says to keep them waiting. He says that they treated him like garbage for years and to let them get antsy. Hulk puts his feet up on the desk and cracks the desk. Hulk tells Thing to get that fixed. Thing says, “Yessir”. Hulk tells Grimm to have the limo brought around. Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Whirlwind, and Thor are waiting outside the office. Thor calls Hulk a show off. Hulk gets in the limo and says to take him to Marlo’s. Hulk realizes that his driver is Rick Jones. Hulk asks what he is doing there. Rick tells Hulk that he is doing about forty, but that he will go faster if he wants. Rick says that Hulk is the best. He says that Thor, Cap, none of them have his guts and class. Rick says that they are all jealous of him. Hulk says that Rick got that right. Rick points out to Hulk that the Leader is crossing the street while walking a dog. Rick asks what they should do. Hulk says to read his mind. Rick says that it is read. Rick runs over the Leader with the car. He says that he can’t believe that he just did that. Hulk asks why. Rick says that the fender is crunched and that there is green blood all over the chrome. Hulk says that he will buy him a new one.

Hulk walks into Marlo’s apartment holding candy and flowers. He sees Marlo sitting at a table with Betty. Betty says that she is so glad that Hulk came by. She says that they were chatting and that they have so much in common. Hulk says, “You… you do?” They tell Hulk that they have decided that they have no trouble with the idea of sharing him. Marlo says that there is so much to go around. Hulk says that it works for him. Suddenly Bruce arrives and says that this stops now. He says that Hulk can’t have her and that this is wrong. He says that he knows that right and wrong mean nothing to Hulk, but that this goes no further. Hulk shoves Banner into the wall. He says that Banner had to show up just when he finally had everything he wanted. Hulk throws Bruce and says that he won’t let him ruin this for him. Bruce says that now Hulk knows how he felt all those years. Bruce tells Hulk to listen to him. He says, “Betty, Marlo, Rick, the Avengers, me… me! It’s impossible. You’re being tricked. That’s what you need me for. You’re like a trusting child…” Hulk says that he is not a child and tells Bruce not to call him that. Hulk says that it can’t be a trick… not when everything was so right. Hulk slams the ground and shouts, “It’s not fair! It’s not fair! It’s not fair!”

Suddenly Hulk is back in his penthouse. Hulk says that he doesn’t get it. He sees the golden man in his doorway and asks who he is. The golden man says, “I am Glorian. It was quite some time ago, Hulk, and you were different… but outer truths cannot deceive me.” Hulk asks if Glorian did this to him. Glorian says that he gives dreams. He brings purity and light to all. Glorian says that it is curious that Hulk shook off his dream. He says that his dual nature is more powerful than he thought. He tells Hulk to give himself over to him and that he will cleanse his soul. Hulk says, “You want cleansing? Fine. I’m gonna cleanse every bone in your body!” Hulk charges Glorian, but hits the Hulk when Glorian runs. He asks Glorian if he has any idea what he has done and who he is screwing with. Glorian says that Hulk is a lost soul that needs to see the light. Hulk says that what he needs is to use Glorian’s head like a soccer ball. Glorian leaps out the window. Hulk says that if he is killed by the fall that he is going to be ticked. Hulk sees Glorian riding a rainbow away. Hulk says, “Hey! Rainbow Brite! Leave a trail why don’t you?” Glorian says that he doesn’t understand. He says that he thought that this city of lights undercoated with misery would be the perfect place to bring his crusade. He says that he was certain that his tachyon manipulation ability would bring nothing but happiness. He says that is what he told his master.

Glorian stood before Shaper of Worlds. He told him that he has learned so much and asked to be returned to Earth. He said that he was bored of practicing. He said he wanted to use his reality shaping powers to benefit people. He said that he was bored with practicing. Shaper said that if that is what he believed that he would have his opportunity, but told him to be wary and that he was certain the he would be greatly tested.

Hulk claps his hands and knocks Glorian off his rainbow. Hulk claps his hands again and sends Glorian smashing into the doors against the wall. Glorian says that Hulk isn’t taking this well at all. Glorian runs into the video convention. Hulk tells him to come back. He says that he might as well face him now because even if he gets away from him this time that he had better be ready to spend the rest of his life watching his back because sooner or later he will be there to break it. Glorian rides a rainbow through the convention. People assume that it is some kind of Lucasfilm presentation. Glorian runs by the two critics. One is on crutches and the other has his arm in a cast. Hulk calls out to Glorian. He says that sooner or later Glorian will get tired, but that he never does. A Pee Wee Herman look alike asks Hulk if the bride of Frankenstein does his tailoring. Hulk says, “Out of my way, you idiot.” Pee Wee says, “I know you are, but what am I?” Hulk says that he is history and punches him. Hulk leaps after Glorian and tells him to give it up. He says that sooner or later he is going to get his hands on him. Glorian falls off his rainbow. Hulk hits the ground. Glorian wraps Hulk in a rainbow. He says that he just wanted to give him everything he ever wanted… no more anger… no more hatred.” Hulk says, “No! Anger… hatred… gives me strength! Without that I’m nothing!” Hulk breaks free of the rainbow. He says, “And I won’t let you do that to me! You make me sick! All you do-gooders, all you runts who think you’re so much better. So smug! So secure in your superiority!” Glorian says that Hulk doesn’t understand. Hulk says that he doesn’t have to. He says that he wants to kill someone and that Glorian is it. Hulk knocks Glorian into the Nightmare on Elm Street display. The guy playing Freddy tries to stab Hulk with his claws, but they break against him and Hulk shove him out of the way. Glorian says, “No! Keep back! Please! I just wanted to help you!” Hulk shouts, “Too bad!” He punches Glorian in the face. He says, “I don’t need you! Don’t need anyone! I’m the…” Marlo shouts, “Joe!” Marlo looks at Glorian and says that Joe killed him. Hulk says, “So what?” Marlo says that he killed him and asks how he could do that. She asks about those things he said about only having hate and anger. She asks if that is what he truly believes. Marlo hits him in the chest and tells him to say something. She asks what kind of monster is he. Hulk starts to walk away. Marlo says, “I defended you, Joe! I thought I loved you! I can’t believe it! He was right! Bruce was right about you all along. You corrupt everything you touch! But not me, Joe. You won’t corrupt me! Not me! Not me!” As he walks out the door Hulk says, “Too late.”

No Excuses rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review and picture by The Leader

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