Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #385

Title: “Dark Dominion”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Dale Keown

Inker: Mark Farmer

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

There is chaos all over the streets of New York. Half the population of the Earth has died, and the remaining half isn’t taking it especially well. People are being beaten and murdered. Violence, looting, and chaos are everywhere. A slight man, balding on top, and wearing glasses walks though it all reveling in it. He walks up to a dead man on the ground. He dips his fingers in the pool of the man’s blood. He tastes it and says that it needs salt… like you find in a woman’s tears.

In the park, Cindy is jogging in the park with the two men she jogs with and considers her protectors. Suddenly a tidal wave of crazed people washes over them. They begged for them to stop in the usual way. The people laughed as one of the men said to just take the woman. The crowd butchered them all. The slight man, now looking a little more stout, says, “Gods, is this fun city or what?”

In the theater district, Hulk materializes. He says that this is terrific. He says that he is back where he started, and that while the fate of the universe is being decided that he is hip-deep in the garbage of Manhattan. He wonders if Betty is okay. He says that he had better give her a call in Reno. He thinks that he would probably crack up if anything happened to her. He says that even though they are having their troubles that she is still his wife and that means something. A crazed man rams a limo into Hulk. The limo crumples up against Hulk’s leg. Hulk sees that the driver is bleeding. He says that he doesn’t really care. He says that the blood on his tires indicate that he wasn’t his first victim… just his last. Hulk looks in and sees a phone. He asks the dead/unconscious driver if he minds. With no answer the Hulk says that he didn’t think so. Hulk calls Betty and Marlo. The line is busy. Hulk says that is typical woman… chattering away.

Marlo remains passed out on the couch.

A woman jogs along in the park alone. A wave of crazed people start to come up behind her. Suddenly Atalanta turns and faces the crowd. She says that they aren’t going to get her… or anyone else. She starts firing her energy plasma arrows. The arrow cuts into the crowd and severs the power of Gestalt. Atalanta says that her brethren are in all the major cities fighting against the inhumanity such as theirs. Atalanta says that her mother was murdered in New York by vermin like them. She says that lethal force is going to be used at their discretion. She says that she and her partner are going to be very indiscreet. The fleeing people run straight toward Ajax. Ajax says that Atalanta says that they die… so they do. Ajax starts to tear into them. Gestalt withdraws from his lovers and goes to find new lovers. A young man begs Ajax to kill the others. He says that he was just along for the ride.

Gestalt finds a new crowd outside a church. A priest comes out and begs for some humanity to be shown. The priest says that God is watching. He says, “His judgment will be…” “Moot! God has abandoned you!” Gestalt interrupts. He says that there are new gods in the land, and that they will show him what they think of the old god.

Hulk leaps along. He says that he has heard about what can happen to a city during times of stress… the looting and crazed behavior, but that he has never seen anything like this. Hulk sees and smells fire. He leaps toward it.

The priest it tied to the cross. He says, “No!” Gestalt counters, “Yes!” The priest says “don’t” and Gestalt says “do”. The priest says “stop” and Gestalt says, “go”. Gestalt tells the priest that he is going to have to do better than that. He says that he has all night, and that he is going to have “hot cross buns”. Gestalt sees the priest praying and asks if he thinks God is going to send an avenging angel to save him. Hulk hits Gestalt as he leaps through and grabs the cross out of the fire. He frees the priest. The priest says that for a moment is faith was shaken. Hulk says that at least he wasn’t shaken and baked. Gestalt grows larger and larger and he says, “Hello, green knight. I am all-powerful. I am Gestalt. I am the city.” Hulk says, “I am Bruce Banner. I am the Hulk. And I am going to take you apart… for doing this to these people.” Hulk hits Gestalt and dislocates his jaw. Gestalt doesn’t even feel it. He kicks the Hulk and then presses him over his head. He says that he isn’t doing anything to the people. He says that he is doing it for them. He says that it is a subtle difference that he doesn’t expect the Hulk to understand. He hits face first into some garbage. Gestalt asks Hulk if he thinks that he is the problem. He says that he is the solution. Gestalt picks up an enormous spiked club. As he hits Hulk with it he says, “I’m throughout the city! I’m throughout all the cities… in all places where greed is a door. And violence is the key. In all places where humans are compressed in heartless, thoughtless ciphers, trading their lives for mere existence. You, Hulk, have no idea what you’re dealing with.” Hulk grabs the spiked club as it comes down and asks if that is a fact. Hulk says that he has seen humanity on both sides, and that Gestalt isn’t in the equation. He tells Gestalt that if anyone doesn’t know what he is dealing with that it is him. Gestalt says that he thinks he does. He says that he is in their darkest thoughts and deepest wants. He says that he gives to them, and they give to him. He says that this is the night of death’s dominion… the city’s last gasp. He says that tonight all will be predator or prey. Gestalt asks Hulk which he will be. As Hulk and Gestalt struggle for the spiked club a mass of people start to wave over him. Hulk asks the people if they have lost their minds. Gestalt says that they aren’t lost, but given to him. Hulk tells him to let them go, but Gestalt says that he can’t and that the people wouldn’t have it any other way. He says that they know this is their last night and that the sun will never rise again. He says that they are free to satisfy every darksome wish. He says that morality is the day to day rule book, and that it is time to toss the rule book away. Hulk tells Gestalt to rule this. He takes the club and hits him. As Hulk pounds and pounds, Gestalt describes the pleasure as transcendent. He says that this is everything he could ever hope for. He says, “I think I’m in love. Finally, I’ve found one to be with me for…” Suddenly the sun comes up. Gestalt says that he was so sure that it was the final night. He says that it can’t be over… and that it felt so good. Gestalt is gone.

Suddenly, Rick Jones reappears. Hulk shouts to Rick. Rick says that he was dead. Hulk says that he knows and asks him what he saw. Rick says that he saw Elvis, and that he looked great. Rick says that there were all these rockers that died in plane crashes. He says that they were all standing around a big airport luggage carousel, but their luggage was never showing up. Hulk tells Rick to tell him later. He says that everything looks back to normal. He says that there is one guy that was here, but that now he is gone. Bruce looks at the spiked club, which is now just a stick with a few points on the end. Rick asks what is with the stick. Hulk says that it is just a stick and asks what else it could be.

One of the dead rioters in the park lies there. His mother runs over and cries for her baby boy. She says that he was a good boy and asks who did this to him. She says that it is like someone tore his inside out with a blowtorch. She keeps saying that he was a good boy and asks who did this to him. Atalanta and Ajax stand in the distance. Atalanta hangs her head.

Hulk says to look at the people. He says that they are all hanging their heads too ashamed to look at one another. He says that it is disgusting. Rick asks Bruce if they won. Hulk starts talking about Thanos, but then realizes that Rick was talking about all the wreckage. He says that he isn’t sure. He says that if what he faced was some kind of mutant that siphoned off dark feelings and violence then they won, but if what he faced was drawn from the hearts and minds of humans… waiting to be unleashed again… then at best he thinks they can call this a draw.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and picture by The Leader

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