Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #403

Title: “In Memory Yet Green”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inker: Cam Smith

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Hulk is trapped in a giant machine. His arms and legs are both incapacitated. Hulk says that they have one chance to surrender before they make him really angry. Red Skull asks if they are witnessing bluster or just self-delusion. He says that either way he is unimpressed. Juggernaut says that there is no reason he should be. He says that “new” Hulk is supposed to smart and tough, but that all he had to do was ditch his costume and take him on in street clothes. He says that he happened upon that strategy a long time ago against Colossus. He says that Hulk fell for it no problem. Hulk says that it figures that the only way he could beat him was through trickery. Juggernaut goes to attack Hulk, but Red Skull tells him to control himself and that he is just trying to provoke him. He says that he is hoping he would be stupid enough to rip him apart from his bonds to get at him. Red Skull says that Juggernaut isn’t that gullible of course. Cain says, “Uh… no. Of course not. I mean… I’m not some idiot.” Red Skull tells Hulk that he has arrived at a most opportune time. Hulk asks if this is the part where Red Skull fills him in on his scheme. Red Skull says that would be pointless since he wouldn’t even remember once he is done with him. Hulk says, “Oh, I get it, you’re going to try and turn me to the dark side of the force”. Red Skull says in a manner of speaking. Hulk says that he promises that whatever Skull has up his sleeve that he hasn’t made enough allowances. He says that he has no idea what he is dealing with. Skull says that Hulk knows nothing of him either, but that only one of them is going to do something about it. Red Skull says to send in Mentallo. Hulk laughs. Red Skull says that Mentallo may be a loser to Hulk, but that to him he is someone with potential. Red Skull says that Hulk wandered into something that did not concern him, but that now that he is there that Mentallo will make sure that he serves them. Hulk says that Mentallo couldn’t make him serve a tennis ball. Red Skull tells Mentallo that they will be closely monitoring him. He says that until now he has only been able to read minds and project images. He says that his technology will advance his powers a quantum leap. Skull asks if he is ready. Mentallo asks if he has a choice. Skull says that he doesn’t. Mentallo says that he is ready then. The machine activates. Hulk’s reaction is one of stun.

Rick takes Samson to a room in his apartment he can stay in. Samson says that he could still stay at a hotel and that he doesn’t want to impose. Rick says that it is a done deal. He tells him to settle in and that he is going back to Marlo. Samson says that Betty has requested that Rick bathe before returning to their house. He says that she feels he has “gone a bit to seed during this business with Marlo”. Rick says that it isn’t a business. He says that it is her life. Samson says, “Rick, you’re ripe, okay? Betty’s ready to have the locks changed. Now do I have to throw you in the shower myself?” Rick concedes and says that Samson is some guest. Samson starts watering the plants. He says that he knows that what has happened to Marlo has upset him, but that falling apart isn’t going to help. From the shower, Rick says that he knows. Samson says that if she does recover that she’ll need the man she loved and not a shell thereof. Rick says that Samson is right. He asks if they are speaking confidentially, like doctor/patient stuff. Samson says that if they wish. Rick asks Samson if he heard about the leader of Trans-Sabal getting killed. Samson says that he read about it. Rick says that he killed him, and that now he feels like Marlo is paying for that now.

Hulk finds himself standing in an empty city. Suddenly the ground starts to shake. Hulk turns and sees Enchantress, Juggernaut, Absorbing Man. Rhino, Bi-Beast, Rock, Ringmaster, Glob, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and the Leader. They say that he is through. They say that he thought he was in charge, but that they are. They say that he had better cooperate, play ball, toe the line, or they will kill him. The group plus the Toad Men and Speedfreek jump Hulk. They ask if they are getting through. Hulk knocks them all off with one giant move. He asks if that is the best they can do… threaten him with death. Hulk says that doesn’t cut it. He says that surrendering, caving in, is for the weak. He says that he would rather die strong then live weak. Speedfreek says, “You… got it.” He sinks one of his swords into Hulk’s chest. Hulk tosses Speedfreek aside. He falls to his knee and wonders why he isn’t healing. The villains tell Hulk that sometimes wounds are too deep to heal. They tell him to surrender and that they are his only hope. Ogress grabs Hulk’s head while Doc Ock’s arm goes into his mouth.

Mentallo’s back arches as power seems to erupt from the machinery. Red Skull asks what is happening. Mentallo says that they miscalculated. He says that the last Banner was in control that overwhelming odds could intimidate him… even break him, but that it isn’t happening this time. He says that he can’t do it. Skull says that they can’t gain control of Banner’s mind unless they overwhelm him. Skull orders Mentallo to probe deeper. He says to find and use the things that he has buried. Mentallo says that he can’t, but Skull tells him to do it. Mentallo says, “Yes, sir.”

In the Avengers’ quinjet, Crystal grunts. She asks Dane to slow it down a touch, and that she isn’t feeling too hot. She says that she thinks it is the place he took her to last night. Sersi says that she really has to be more careful with herself. Crystal sarcastically thanks her for the advice. Sersi says that she is really concerned for her. She says that a woman’s body changes once she has had a child… wears out easier, and that she isn’t getting any younger. She says that some of them aren’t getting any older of course. She says that she means no offense of course. Hercules asks Vision if he has noticed that the relations between Crystal and Sersi have been a bit strained of late. Vision says that he hasn’t observed them long enough as teammates to tell. Hercules tells him to never mind. Hercules asks Dane if this trip is really necessary. Dane says that they just hit some choppy air. He says that the trip is necessary and that the World Wildlife is screaming “bloody murder” over this new player involved in deforesting the rain forest. He says that combined with Gyrich telling them that there is some sort of “villain consortium” in the area, as well as someone disappearing warrants their attention. Sersi says that if that is his decision that they will all abide by it. She puts her hand on Dane’s leg. Crystal raises her eyebrow.

Juggernaut says that this stinks as he walks through the complex. He wonders why Skull thinks they need the Hulk. He says that the NWO can operate just fine without him. He says that Hulk is too much trouble for his own good. He asks what could happen that he couldn’t handle. Juggernaut walks by the Project Piecemeal door. Suddenly a purple arm busts through the door. Juggernaut punches the arm’s owner through the door. Juggernaut asks what is going on with them. The scientist inside says, “Sorry, Mr. … Naut. The project slipped out from under control for a moment.” Cain asks what would have happened if he hadn’t been around. He tells him to keep the thing tranqued up the way it is supposed to be and walks away.

Mentallo strains as Hulk strains.

Hulk’s fist emerges from some rubble. He says that he won’t give up… won’t be beaten… won’t be afraid of the world. Hulk turns stunned as he hears, “Listen to me, you little punk.” Hulk sees his father yelling at a young Bruce Banner. Brian Banner says, “Listen and do just what I tell you. And don’t start whimpering for that prosecutor. She’s not around to protect you. You’re going to say that I never hit you.” Hulk struggles to stand as he watches and says, “…no… I put you behind me. You’re nothing. I beat you.” Brian says to Bruce, “You will tell them your mother’s death was accidental.” Hulk tells Bruce to tell him that he is nothing. Brian says, “Tell them she was running from me for no reason, and fell. Because if you go in there and say that I abused you or your mother, then they’ll send me to jail. But do you know where you’ll go, Bruce, for speaking against your father? To Hell! You’ll burn in pits of tar, forever!” Hulk says not to listen to him this time. He says that he is a frightened little man, and that he can’t hurt him. Brian shouts, “You will obey me, Bruce. Obey me or be punished!” As he speaks, Brian kicks the Hulk on the ground, “Obey me! Do as I say! What are you, deaf? Do it! Do it! Do it!

Sweat and tears roll down Hulk’s body. Skull watches as Mentallo screams, “Do what I tell you to do! That’s an order! An order!”

The judge calls order to the courtroom. The prosecutor asks Bruce on the stand if he is saying that he made it all up. She asks if his father, Brian, never hit him… never abused his mother. Bruce says that he didn’t. She says, “Your mother is dead because of him! Why are you lying?” Bruce says that he isn’t lying. She asks Bruce if he doesn’t have any sense of obligation to his mother. She asks if his father threatened him and if that is why he is lying. Bruce says that he isn’t lying. As Brian Banner sits with his lawyer, he has his foot on the Hulk’s throat.  The prosecutor says that he is going to get away with this. Bruce, with tears rolling down his cheeks, says that he isn’t lying. Brian Banner says, “That’s right, boy, and from now on, you’ll do as you’re told. Won’t you, you little monster.” Hulk says, “Yes, sir.” Young Bruce says, “Yes, sir.”

Hulk says, “Yes, sir.” Red Skull says, “Good. Very, very good.”

The Avengers are walking toward the building they spotted from overhead. Crystal says that the earth is shaking. Black Knight says that he doesn’t feel anything. Vision says that he is picking up a seismic disturbance. Sersi says that it is getting louder. Hercules says that it is almost a steady “thudding”. Vision says that they are running footsteps. Suddenly Juggernaut emerges and plows right through the Avengers. Sersi asks if that isn’t the one that calls himself unstoppable. Juggernaut says, “That’s me, awright, babe.” As Hercules confronts Juggernaut, Vision is slipping his hand through Juggernaut’s helmet. Juggernaut’s face starts to show pain as Vision begins to harden his fingers inside Juggernaut’s skull. Suddenly Vision is hit with a giant green fist. The Hulk stands there. Juggernaut says, “Good timing. Now… there are your enemies! Destroy them!” Hulk says, “Yes, sir.”

No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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