Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #406

Title: “American Pie”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inker: Cam Smith

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Rick is working the “eensy weensy spider” with Marlo again. He says that he knows she is ready to try it by herself. Marlo’s hand sit in her lap. Rick puts his head in his hands. He puts the coffee table so hard that it cracks. Betty shouts for Rick to calm down. Rick shouts to look at what he has done to her. Betty grabs him. She holds his face and promises that it will all work out. She admits that she doesn’t know how, but that you have to have faith. Rick and Betty are both shocked when they end up in a kiss. After they finish kissing, Rick tries to say something. Betty tells him to get some rest and that they will talk later. Rick instantly falls asleep. Betty tells Marlo to get some rest to and puts her head on Rick’ shoulder.

Elaine Schoenfeld stands with Keith and Ray Chandler. She tells the Captain of the police force that they have a court order that grants Marlo’s brothers custody of Marlo. She says that Rick Jones is holding Marlo illegally. She asks if he is going to do something about it. The Captain tells Elaine that Rick is a premiere Reno celebrity. He say that tourists come by hoping to see a hero or a fight. She says that they snap pictures and make t-shirts. He says that there has been some property damage, but that on the whole he has been good for business. Elaine asks what he is saying. The Captain says that they are going to handle this delicately. He says that he isn’t using Gestapo tactics to help her clients walk out with Jones’s girlfriend. He says that he has called in someone who has a history with Jones to come and try to talk some sense into him. Captain America stands in the doorway. Ray says, “Captain America! Cool!”

At the Mount, Achilles tells Atalanta to get the Hulk out of there and to look at what he did to him. Hulk say that Ajax did it to him. Achilles says that he wouldn’t have been able to if Bruce hadn’t shown up. Bruce tells Achilles that he brought this on himself and to accept responsibility. Achilles tells him to drop dead. Hulk and Atalanta walk out. Hulk asks her where she and Achilles go from here relationship wise. Atalanta says that she doesn’t know and that first she has to deal with Ajax. Ajax walks down the hall. Atalanta calls to him, but Ajax doesn’t even look at her and walks by. Atalanta tells Bruce that she has a splitting headache and asks if they can continue this later. A Pantheon member runs up to Bruce with a call. Betty says that she hates calling him at work. Bruce asks what is up. Betty says that Rick needs him. She says that he is falling apart and asks if he can break away and come home. Bruce says that he thinks he has done all the damage he can there for now.

Samson drives along talking into his recorder. He says that Rick’s revelation regarding his murder of the ruler of Trans-Sabal has put him in a difficult position. He says that he discusses it with him under the concept of doctor/patient privilege, but that he extended it to him without realizing the seriousness of what they would be discussing. Samson says that Rick isn’t technically his patient and wonders if he is ethically bound to keep quiet considering they are talking about an international incident. Samson stops his car as he sees a little kid with his head stuck between two bars of a metal fence. He walks over and bends the bar. He walks back to his car and says that it is clear that the guilt is eating him away. He says that his only hope for salvation would be Marlo’s recovery since he views her condition as some sort of “Karma Police”. He says that is a shaky situation on which to stake one’s sanity. Samson drives away. The little boy asks his mother if that was Elvis. The mother says that she thinks it was one of those Superman imitators.

Betty stands there in lingerie. She lets it drop to the floor. Rick stands there looking. As he looks, Betty becomes Marlo. She says, “Rick… don’t give up. Please… don’t…” A loud thumping wakes Rick from his dream. Betty answers the door. Captain America says hello to her and Rick. He tells the officers to give them a few minutes alone. Rick asks Cap what he is doing there, but then he realizes that he is with the others. Rick tries to close the door on Cap, but Cap just braces his arm against the door. Rick tells Betty not to just stand there. Betty offers Cap a drink. Cap declines. He puts his hand on Rick’s shoulder. He says that Rick knows the people that he has lost, and that he understands his grief, but that he has to accept his loss. Rick says that Marlo isn’t dead. Cap says that as he knows her that she is. He tells Rick that the Chandlers have told him about the medical facility that they want to take her to and that it isn’t a snake pit. He says that they are her family, and that they want what is best for her. Rick says that she is his responsibility. He holds her face and says that she is getting better and that he can feel it. Rick tells Marlo to say hello to Cap and that he would love to meet her. Cap opens the door to let the officers in. He says that he tried. Rick says no, but Cap says that it isn’t up to him. Rick shouts to keep away from her. A loud boom sounds. The cop asks if that was a bomb. Cap says that it wasn’t a bomb, and that he was afraid of this. Hulk stands filling the entire doorway. He says, “Hello, Captain. I’m feeling sluggish today. Don’t make me slug you.” Bruce tells Rick to tell him what is happening in ten words or less. Rick says, “They want to take Marlo, and I don’t want them to.” Bruce says that was eleven words, but good enough. Bruce says, “Cap, a pleasure as always. Good-bye.” Cap says that this is a legal proceeding and that he hopes he isn’t planning on breaking any laws. Hulk says that he doesn’t break laws… he breaks bones.

Outside, two Japanese tourists get their cameras ready for the fight.

Cap reminds Rick that he has fought to protect him from the Hulk in the past. He asks if he is going to throw in with someone of floating morals. Bruce says, “Or someone, like me, who puts friends over unfair laws?” Cap tells Rick to pick. Rick says, “Bruce… show the gentleman out.” Cap sighs and rockets his shield off Hulk’s face. Cap realizes that he doesn’t have to beat Hulk. He says that he just has to lure him away so the police can do their job. Cap gets behind Hulk, and hoping that pressure points are all the same, kicks Hulk in the back of the knee and tosses him out the door. He tells Hulk to surrender and they can forget all about this. Hulk says that Cap is a crazy old man. He says that he better hope that the wings on his head help him fly because he is going to tear them off from the neck up. Cap leaps off Hulk’s face with his shield and starts to run. Hulk goes after him. Betty says, “Uh… Bruce? You’re, uh… you’re leaving us with a kind of situation here…” The police start to come in, but the door slams shut.

Hulk swings at Captain America, but he leaps over the punch. Hulk says that sooner or later that Cap is going to get tired, but that he never does. Cap hits Bruce in the face with his shield and says that it will be much later. Hulk says that he had an itch there and thanks Cap for getting it. Hulk hits the shield and sends Cap rocketing backward into a telephone poll. The Japanese tourists take pictures and say something in Japanese. Hulk grabs the metal pole and wraps it around Cap. He says that he isn’t thrilled with fighting someone that qualifies for senior citizen discounts at the local multiplex. Hulk say that he brought this on himself. Hulk pulls his fist back, but Samson grabs hold of it. He says that Hulk isn’t a hologram this time.

Rick tells Betty to take Marlo out the back door. Betty says that they don’t have a back door. Betty says that this is insane. She says that they aren’t Skrulls of Hydra agents. She says that they are police and that he is going to get arrested… maybe killed. Rick shouts to Marlo that she has to back him up. He says that she has to say something and let him know she is okay. Marlo stares ahead. The police smash in the door. Rick drives a palm up into one of the cop’s faces. Rick grabs the cop’s fallen night stick and uses it to block the other cop’s nightstick. Rick hits him in the stomach and asks who is next.

Samson tells Bruce that this isn’t the way and that he knows it. Hulk says that what he knows is that Samson is being a butt-head, but that he is a bigger one. Hulk headbutts Samson in the face. Hulk says to excuse him, but that Rick needs his help. Cap leaps onto Hulk’s back and tries to put pressure on the right nerve to take Hulk down, but Hulk just looks back at Cap and says that he didn’t know he cared. Samson hits Hulk. He says that they all care, but that some of them care about something besides themselves. Hulk punches Samson and tells him to save the sanctimoniousness. He says that it isn’t about them. He says that it is about friendship and loyalty. He says that if he has to choose between what is right and what is legal that he will take “right” every time. Captain America says that it isn’t Banner’s choice to make. Hulk says, “Captain, you of all people should know… there’s always a choice! Because this is a America!” Hulk hits the ground and knocks Cap into the air.

Rick hits Ray. He says that Ray wasn’t there for her. He didn’t go to the wall for her, and that he isn’t taking her now. A cop hits Rick in the back with a nightstick. Rick is on the ground. They start to put the handcuffs on him. Rick shouts, “Marlo! They’re gonna take you away! Don’t let ‘em do it! Blast it, Marlo! Fight! I’m through screwin’ around! Fight your way back! NOW! NOW!” Betty shouts, “LOOK!!” Betty yells for Bruce to get in there.

Marlo starts doing the hand motions for “eensy weensy spider”. Rick says the rhyme as she does it. He says that they are almost home. A tear rolls down Marlo’s cheek. Rick kneels in front of Marlo to bring the sun out… her sunshine smile. He tells her to come all the way back to him. He says that he is begging her and that she knows she loves it when he begs. He tells her to speak to him, and that she can do it. Marlo says, “I’m… I’m hungry…” Rick puts his head in her lap and asks if pizza is okay. Marlo says, “Uh huh”. Rick says, “Good. I love pizza.” Everyone stands around smiling.

No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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