Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #404

Title: “Disarray, Thataway”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inker: Cam Smith

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Juggernaut tells Bruce to show those Avengers that they stuck their noses in the wrong rain forest. Hulk claps his hands together and the Avengers reel. Crystal says that killed any thought that it might not be the Hulk. She thinks that his thunderclap is as earsplitting as she remembers. Juggernaut tells Bruce that was a good shot. Juggernaut is about to charge when Red Skull contacts him. Juggernaut says that he is kind of busy and asks if it can wait. Red Skull says that it can’t. He tells Juggernaut to offer the Avengers the chance to surrender and leave. He says that they are the trespassers and that this land was purchased legally. He says that any confusion in their minds benefits them. Juggernaut says that it isn’t such a bad idea to rub their noses in it. Juggernaut tells the Avengers that they are trespassing and have five seconds to leave. He says that the land was purchased legitimately. Black Knight says that doesn’t change the fact that Juggernaut is a criminal and that he assumes that his boss is as well. He says there is no deal. Cain says that is fine with him. He tells Bruce to get them. Hulk is confused. He holds his head and says, “get?” As Juggernaut speaks he turns into Brian Banner. The Avengers all appear as version of Bruce Banner. He says, “Them! Get them! What’re you deaf? They’re traitors! Do as I tell you! Don’t just stand there, you idiot! Get them!” Hulk says that he will get the traitors.

Betty walks through the supermarket. She picks up a chicken and asks the man marking prices what the green tag means. The man says that is a new government thing. He says that means that the chicken was specially treated to make it grow bigger. Betty says that is good. She asks what it was treated with. The man says that he hears it was gamma rays. Betty’s eyes open wide. As she walks away, the man says that she could have just put it down and that she didn’t have to curse at it. Betty says that she is just going to go get some frozen dinners and go home so she can help Rick take care of Marlo.

Rick is working with Marlo again on the “eensy weensy spider” when there is a knock on the door. Rick tells Marlo that he will be right back. Rick opens the door and two tall guys are standing there. Rick asks if he can help them. The one guy introduces himself as Keith Chandler and introduces his brother Ray. He says that they are Marlo’s brothers and that they have come to take her home. Rick looks at them in silence.

Black Knight hits Hulk with his sword to no effect. Sersi tells Dane to get to one side. She blasts Hulk with an eye beam and knocks him over. Crystal opens up the ground underneath Juggernaut and has him fall in. She says that the Hulk is obviously not in his right mind, but that she has no sympathy for Juggernaut’s kind. Suddenly a tree flies toward Crystal. Hercules punches it down. Hulk throws another tree. Hercules knocks that one down too and asks if he is a warrior or a landscape artist. He tells Hulk to face him again without benefit of shrubbery. Hulk throws another tree and hits Vision in the back just as his systems are almost fully back on line. Hulk tells Hercules to wait. Hercules says that the time for waiting is gone, and that now is the time for him to bestow the gift of battle on one that has earned it in strength, if not character. He tells the other Avengers not to intercede, and that this fight is his alone. Hercules hits Hulk in the neck. Juggernaut tells Hercules not to worry and that he will keep the others occupied.

As the Project Piecemeal door is being replaced, the scientist inside says that the heart rate is speeding up. He says that it looks like it may be coming around again. He says that he doesn’t know if it would be worse to let it die or let it live. He tells the tech there to monitor it carefully. He says that they don’t want it building up a tolerance to the tranquilizers. He says that if it does act up to pump another tranq into the biofluid. The tech says, “Yes, Doctor Perkins”.

Red Skull’s jet radios in that they will be arriving in twenty two minutes. Red Skull asks if the passengers are comfortable. The pilot says that they are cautious and suspicious, but that the ride is smooth and that they believe in the cause. Skulls says that is good and to keep the ride smooth. He says that they represent the inner sanctum. He says to let them know that all is going according to plan. Skull turns to Mentallo and asks if he still had the Hulk firmly in control. Mentallo says that he does. He says that the most difficult part was the initial battle, but that he has him fairly solidly locked in.

Hulk glares at Hercules and says, “Get the traitors.” Hercules hits Hulk with both fists and says that he dares to side with evil and then accuse them of treachery. Herc leaps at Hulk, but Hulk kicks up and sends Hercules flying into the air. Vision gets up and says that the trees have stopped flying. He starts to do a simple internal systems check, but then suddenly Hercules lands on him. Black Knight takes a swipe at Juggernaut’s helmet and says that he hears he is easier to stop without that helmet. Juggernaut hits Dane into a tree and says that he heard wrong because nothing stops the Juggernaut. Juggernaut puts his hand on Hulk’s shoulder. He tells him that he is doing great. Hulk says, “I’m… I’m doing great…?”

Mentallo says that was odd. He says that his control buckled for a moment. He says that something happened, but that he isn’t sure what. Wind starts to whip around Hulk and Juggernaut. Juggernaut says that the weather witch is showing off. Crystal says that she is an Elemental. She says that if it is of the earth that it is hers to command. She says that they have made the supreme mistake of ticking her off. Sersi hugs a tree and watches with wide eyes. Juggernaut says that she is tossing some wind around and shaking the ground at the Juggernaut and the Hulk and that she is talking about them making mistakes. Crystal shouts for Sersi to let them have it, but Sersi is still watching in amazement. She asks Sersi what she is waiting for. Sersi recovers and says that she didn’t want to upstage her. She hits Hulk in the back with an eye beam. Juggernaut says that all that for a love tap. He says that they bought themselves another five seconds. He tells Bruce to get up and that they can beat them all. Hulk sees Brian Banner holding his hand out for him. He says, “Between the two of us, we can beat the world! Nothing can stop us! Not if we stick together!” Hulk looks up and says, “If… if we stick together… and I… I shouldn’t rat on you, but… but I let mom down. Told them it was an accident…” Juggernaut yells at Hulk to stop his whining. He grabs Hulk and throws him at the Avengers. He shouts to get them.

Betty returns home with a bag of groceries to find Samson on her steps. Samson says that he came to talk with Rick about something, but that it can wait. Betty says that is good because the groceries can’t. She hands the bag to Samson and asks if he is staying for dinner. Samson says that he guesses so. Samson asks Betty if she hears shouting. Suddenly Keith and Ray Chandler come flying down the stairs. Rick storms out and says that Marlo is staying with him. Keith says that he is going to regret that. He says that he doesn’t care who he learned Judo from. He says that he isn’t her family and that they are. He says that this isn’t over. Rick slams the door. Samson smiles and says that Rick is a really nice when you get to know him.

Hulk has Crystal by the throat. He is about to punch her, and Juggernaut shouts for him to do it. He says that he is the champ and the best. Hulk looks over and Brian Banner tells him that no one can top him. Hulk’s face grimaces.

Mentallo says that something is wrong.

Hulk puts Crystal down. He walks toward Juggernaut and says, “For years… for years, all I wanted from you was praise. A few crumbs of encouragement. And all you gave me was anger… and sneering… you browbeat me before mom’s death. You browbeat me after. Even after I tried to cover for you, you heaped abuse. And now… now you’re praising me…? NOW?” Hulk hits Juggernaut so hard that his helmet flies off. He shouts, “WHO ARE YOU?!”

Mentallo shouts that he is breaking the illusion. Red Skull says to increase the psi-power to full.

Hulk hits Juggernaut in the stomach. He says that he isn’t his father. He asks who is he and wants to know what he is doing in his head. The Avengers stand there in amazement. Hulk claws at his head and shouts, “Get out of my head!”

Skull tells Mentallo to beat him down. He says that o flood him with even more hideous images.

Doctor Perkins says that the readings are off the scale and to add tranq solution quickly.

Brian Banner stands among demons and monster. He says, “Bruce! How dare you! Obey me! Obey me this insta…” Hulk shouts that he rejects him. He says that he rejects all of this. He says that he is mucking with his head and that no one does that to him. Hulk shouts, “GET OOOUUUTTT!” 

Vision is the only one standing when Hulk starts to get up. Vision says that Hulk has rendered all his teammates unconscious. Juggernaut lies on the ground unconscious as well. Hulk asks how that happened. Vision says that he surmises it was some type of psychic backlash that implies that machinery was used to mentally enslave him. Vision says to look. Hulk says that his flight is still a little blurry. Vision points out an aircraft, that he guesses was connected with whoever attacked them and enslaved Hulk. The aircraft seemingly crashes.

Sometime later, Hulk, Black Knight, Sersi, Hercules, and Crystal are walking toward the crash. Hulk asks if they are sure the Vision can keep Juggernaut on ice. Dane says that whatever Hulk unleashed that it hit Juggernaut the hardest. He says that he won’t be able to tie his shoes much less cause any trouble. They spot the crashed plane. Dane tells Crystal to get the flames under control. He says that it won’t be enough to save the building. Hulk says that there doesn’t seem to be anything left to save and that the plane took it out. Dane says that he gets the feeling that they will never know what happened there.

Red Skull addresses the “inner sanctum” of the New World Order. He says that he regrets the inconvenience, but that even that has been turned to their advantage. He says that he expects nothing less than all of them surviving the crash. He says that just by setting the plane on fire and stocking it with charred corpses and sacrificing the building that the Hulk and the Avengers will assume that the project has met its fiery end. Skull says that it has only begun. He welcomes them all to the first meeting of the New World Order. He says that in the subterranean back-up headquarters that they will have their own United Nations. He says that there will be no more petty bickering or internecine warfare. He says that they will have pacts and agreements. He says that they will have strength in unity, and that with that strength will come the destruction of their adversaries. Silvermane says that Skull has a lot of words and asks if he has anything else. Skull says that there is far more. Skull says that Gyrich sent an operative to investigate them and that operative became the raw material to create the living symbol of their combined might. Skull tells Dr. Perkins to bring it in. Perkins says that he regrets that in all the confusion with all the awful mental pictures that the project has escaped. Skull shoots Perkins in the forehead. He says that it seems they have a small setback.

No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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