Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #396

Title: “Frost Bite”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Dale Keown

Inker: Mark Farmer

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Doctor Octopus holds a casino worker in each of his tentacles. He says that he finds their lack of hospitality deplorable. He says that the people in Las Vegas are as rude as the people in New York… which is what he was trying to distance himself from. He says that all he wanted was to take a vacation from some of the outrageous fortunes that fate has hurled at him. He says that he just wanted to do a little gambling while his wounds healed up. He says that his Sinister Six has fallen apart, and then he had to escape incarceration. He says that he is entitled to a vacation, and that they want him to leave just because he is a known criminal. He asks if there is no tolerance in America. Octopus says that since this is the Coliseum, and that since they failed to show Christian charity that he is feeding them to the lions. One of his arms smashes open a machine after he tosses one of the men away. He says that he was willing to play the slot machine in the accepted manner, but since they have been so inconsiderate and his arm conveniently smashed open one of the machines that he isn’t one to ignore good luck. One of the men shows Mr. Fixit the problem. Fixit thanks him for bringing him in on this one. Fixit, in a suit and hat with a scarf tied around his face, tells Ock that he is going to give him one chance to leave quietly. He says that he doesn’t expect him to be intelligent enough to take it. Dr. Octopus asks if he thinks he can dictate to him. He says that he is just a two-bit Vegas hood. He says that his arms have beaten Spider-Man, and laid waste to the Hulk. He starts to say that the Hulk was lucky last time. Fixit says, “That does it.” He slams his hands together. The arms grab Hulk’s arms and legs as Ock clutches his ears. Hulk says that he is mildly impressed that he can still do that while half-unconscious. Doc Ock finally recognizes Hulk’s voice. He says that it can’t be. Hulk pulls Doc closer and closer by pulling the arms. He says, “Oh, yes it is. And sorry, this time you won’t catch me off guard. This time it’s strength vs. strength. The last time we met, Doctor, I feel I was robbed. Petty larceny, as it were. This is round two. There won’t be a round three.” Doc Ock tells Hulk to stay back or his arms will batter him unconscious again. Hulks says that last time it wasn’t up close and personal. He says. “You’ve given me a lot of grief, Doctor. So I’m giving you… the finger.” Hulk knocks Doctor Octopus out with one finger.

Punisher walks up. Doctor Octopus is completely tied up in his own arms. Punisher starts to reach into his pocket for his gun, but Hulk tells him that no one gets to put a bullet into the head of a helpless man on his watch. Punisher says that is sporting of him considering how he beat him badly last time. Hulk says that he was holding back last time. Punisher asks, “Holding back?” Hulk says that he was just waiting for a moment to cut loose. Punisher says that it sounds like he is trying to save his image. Hulk says that Punisher’s opinion is noted. He asks Ulysses and Hector if the preparations are in place. Ulysses says that they are. Punisher asks where the blond guy went.

At the Excalibur, Striker says that Paris has two minutes to tells him what he wants. He asks if he has an offer from Fixit. Paris says to forget Fixit. He says that he has seen both operations, and that he thinks Striker is the future of Las Vegas. Striker says that if he wants to join him to prove it. Paris tells Striker that Fixit has a large shipment of drugs coming in tonight. He says that it will be at the warehouse on 5^th, off the Strip, at 10pm. He says that Fixit himself will be there, and that all Striker has to do is alert the cops and Fixit will be out of his hair. Paris says that he has to be there as well, or Fixit will get suspicious. He says that Striker will have to use his new influence to get him out. Frost grabs Paris’s neck and holds him up in the air. Striker says that if he has been straight with him that he has a new boss, but that if he is yanking him that Frost will turn him into bacon bits. Striker tells Frost to put him down. He tells him to head back to Fixit and that he wouldn’t want him to get suspicious. Paris says that next time he will be sure to wear a scarf. He pulls the ice chips off his neck. As Paris walks out, Striker tells Frost that this is too easy. He says that if Fixit can deliver a personal touch to a drug buy that he can too.

Rick is on stage singing the Monster Mash. He changes one of the lines and says that if you come to his door to tell them Banner sent you. Marlo looks at Betty. Betty says that is what she gets for requesting the song. Rick says that he did her song and asks if he can finish his set in peace. Jackie Shorr says that she knows that Rick has a lot of anger that she has brought to the surface. She says that it isn’t what she intended, and that it isn’t fair to him. She says that she came to say goodbye. Rick asks if that is how she deals with everything. Trouble comes up and she leaves. Jackie says that she thought that was what he wanted. Rick asks her how she knows what he wants and that she doesn’t know anything about him. She says that she knows Rick is hers, grew in her belly, and that her being there is hurting him. She says that she knows that Rick would rather she hadn’t shown up. Rick tells her not to lay this on him. He says that if she goes that it is because she is too chicken to deal with him, but not to lay it on him. Jackie asks Rick what he wants. Rick says that he doesn’t really know, but that he would like her to hang around until he does. Rick and Jackie hug. Jackie bites her lip. A trickle of blood runs down her lip.

That night at the warehouse, Mr. Fixit meets with Mr. Tower. They open up the crate to reveal it full of coffee. Fixit says that he hopes it is decaf and that his nerves are delicate. Frank Tower says that when he promises that he delivers. Mr. Tower digs his hand into the coffee and pulls out a bag of white powder. He says that he can keep the coffee with his compliments, and that here is some cream for him to put in his coffee. Ulysses dips his finger in and tastes it. He says that it is the real thing. Mr. Tower asks where the money is. Fixit tells him to count it if he wants. Mr. Tower says that if you can’t trust Mr. Fixit who can you trust. Striker, Frost, and his goons show up. Striker says that if you ask him that you can’t trust anyone. Fixit asks what he is doing there. Striker says that he has a deal for him. He says to give the drugs and money to him and that he won’t show the pictures of this transaction to the police. Fixit starts to yell at Striker, but Striker tells Fixit to watch his temper or he will “do him” the way he had his pal Mikey done. Ulysses wants to “take him”, but Fixit says to give him the money. Fixit tells Striker not to push his luck with him. He says that he knows that Striker doesn’t have the stones to kill Berengetti. Striker motions to Frost and says that the gun he is holding is the very one used to kill Berengetti. He says that Frost did the honors and asks how it went down. Frost says that he cried for his momma. Hulk says, “That… is enough.” He asks if he wants the stuff so much to take it. Hulk throws the powder in Striker’s face. Striker asks what this stuff is. Hulk says that it is Cremora and that you put it in your coffee. Detective Louisa Sanchez and a squad of police pop out and shout that Striker and Frost are under arrest for the murder of Michael Berengetti. Frost opens fire. The police fire back. Ulysses says that it is too bad Striker doesn’t have a shield to hide behind. Striker takes one in the leg. Hulk tells Sanchez to get her people behind him. He says to let Striker’s men run out of ammo and they can arrest them. He says that Frost is his. Frost says that he isn’t anyone’s, least of all his. Punisher comes up behind Frost and tells him to turn around slowly. Frost turns. Punisher says that was too fast and shoots him three times in the chest. Frost clutches his chest and throws a car at Punisher. Punisher wonders if he is the only one not super strong and bulletproof.

A police helicopter flies overhead. They tell Frost to put his hands in the air and that he can’t get away. Frost leaps up to the helicopter. He looks in the door at the pilot and says, “Oh yes I can.” He throws the two pilots out. Hulk catches them and puts them down. He says that now he is going to get him. Hulk leaps up and smashes through the tail rotor. He says that Frost is going down. Frost says that was a big mistake. Frost crashes the helicopter in the Excalibur.

Detective Sanchez asks Ulysses who they are again. Ulysses says that they are the pros from Dover. Striker demands to know where his ambulance is. Paris asks Striker if it hurts. Striker says that of course it hurts. He asks if thinks he is lying there for kicks. Paris kicks his leg and says that one can only hope.

Hulk and Frost struggle. Hulk says that crashing into Striker’s Camelot casino is a fitting end to his schemes. Frost says that the only thing fitting there is Fixit being fitted for a coffin. Hulk says that he is doing it again. He says that his whole body is slowing down. Ice starts to form over Hulk. He looks and sees that Frost’s white shirt isn’t a shirt at all, but that the white is ice. He looks at the bullet holes in his chest and thinks that there is no blood. Hulk is completely encased in ice. Frost says that talk is cheap. Hulk breaks out of the ice and says that it isn’t as cheap as Frost seems to think life is. He grabs Frost and presses him over his head. He tosses Frost into some wood. He says that the man he killed… his life wasn’t cheap at all. He says that it is going to cost him big time. Frost tosses the sword in the stone at Hulk. Hulk tells him to throw what he wants, but that chivalry isn’t nearly as dead as he is going to be. Hulk throws the round table at Frost. Frost smashes through it. Hulk says that Frost is nothing, but a boil in humanity, and that boils get lanced. He stabs a large wooden staff through Frost’s midsection. Hulk says that won’t kill someone that doesn’t bleed. He asks Frost what he is. Hulk grabs Frost’s head and it comes off his body. Frost’s head says that he is a head of his time. Frost’s ice body explodes. Hulk heads back.

Hulk goes back and tells Lt. Sanchez that all that was left of Frost was a pile of frost. Hulk says that the explosion was sizeable. He says that the head may or may not have gone with it. He says that they busted Mike’s killer and at the very least have Frost a serious setback. He says that it will have to be enough. Punisher says that it is never enough. Sanchez says that he looks familiar and asks if they have met. Punisher says, “Can’t say we have.” Sanchez thinks and suddenly realizes that he is the Punisher. She turns and tells Punisher that he is under arrest, but Punisher is gone. Hulk says that he doesn’t see any Punisher. Hulk asks Ulysses if he does. Ulysses says, “Whatever you say, boss.”

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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