Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #410

Title: “Jailhouse Rock”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inker: Cam Smith

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Bruce watches a prison cell. A woman lies alone on her bed in the dark. Ulysses asks what that is. Hulk says that it is being piped in from the observation deck of the internal monitor system of Ft. Cheer. Bruce says that they are looking at Susan Jacobson, a convicted spy in permanent solitary confinement. He says that Susan is an old flame, his first serious romance , back in college. Bruce says that he handled it ineptly. He says that he drove her away and that he drove away anyone who cared for him back then. He says that he wonders if he has changed all that much. Ulysses says that he doesn’t know Ft. Cheer. Bruce says that it is a maximum security prison rated “inhumane” last year by Amnesty International. As Bruce talks a rat climbs on Susan’s head. She brushes it off. Bruce says that Susan has been there for two years, three months, and six days. He says that if the people that put her in there have their way that she will be there forever. Bruce says that he won’t have it. Bruce asks Ulysses if they are ready for Perseus’ memorial service. Ulysses says that they are. Bruce says that is good. He says that after that they are going to spring Susan. Ulysses says that sounds good. He asks if Ft. Cheer is on South America, the Middle East, or something. Bruce says that it is in Nebraska.

As they walk down the hall, Ulysses asks if that is the Nebraska in the United States. Hulk says that unless its been relocated recently. Ulysses says, “A prison break on US soil. Wow, wish I could be there.” Bruce says that he will and Ulysses says, “crud”. Bruce says that Perseus mentioned a daughter named Cassie. He asks if she is there. Ulysses says that Cassiopeia is a loon. He says that she took off for parts unknown years ago and that he says ‘good riddance’. Bruce says that he wants her found. Ulysses says that it will be great to have her back. They walk into the Hall of Heroes. Delphi says that they are the last to arrive. She thanks them for coming and says that they will begin.

In Reno, Marlo sits at the table looking at the diamond ring. She says that it is gorgeous. Betty asks if she has tried it on. Marlo says that would be like accepting it. Betty asks if she doesn’t want to accept it. Marlo says that she doesn’t know. Betty asks if Marlo loves Rick. Marlo says she does. Betty asks if Rick loves her. Marlo says he does. Betty says, “So…?” Marlo says that loving him is one thing, but that Rick has been to outer space and places that she doesn’t even understand. Betty narrowly cracks the freezer and looks in. Marlo asks if Betty is okay. Betty says that she is just trying to avoid surprises. Betty takes out a carton of ice cream. Marlo says that she means no offense, but that first she hooked up with Bruce in his “Mr. Fixit” days and that now she has a marriage proposal from a guy that hangs out with super folk. She asks what about a normal life with a normal man. Betty says that “normal man” is an oxymoron like “jumbo shrimp”. She says that there is also no such thing as a normal life… there are just degrees of abnormality. Marlo says that she does love him and asks what she should do. Betty tells her to buy more ice cream. Marlo says that she meant about Rick. Betty says that she is no expert on relationships. She tells her to do what everyone does and compromise.

At the Mount, Delphi says that may Perseus’ battle continue in the after life and may the next bearer of his weapon bring glory and triumph to it. She says, “So say we all.” The others all repeat, “So say we all.” Bruce wonders if he should participate. He decides that they would have asked if they wanted him to and that this is a family thing. Each of them adds blood to Perseus’ urn and then they all raise their hands in the air and say, “So say we all!”

The guards torment Susan. Through the slot in the door they ask her if she is still holding out hope for amnesty or a presidential pardon. They tell her that no one wants to get involved with a traitor like her. They tell her that she is going to stay there until she rots, The slot closes. Susan begs them to leave the slot open. She says that it is fresh air and light. A voice tells her to be strong. Susan tells the guard to leave her alone. The Hulk’s floating head tells Warden Tarkington to be warned. Hulk says that he is coming for her and that she will be free. Susan says that she is finally cracking up. Hulk says that she is finally being liberated. The Hulk tells the warden that there is nothing he can do to prevent this. He says that no one can stop him and to spare himself the humiliation and destruction. He tells him that he has five minutes to set Susan Jacobson free.

At the White House, the President is calling, but the Secretary is on the phone with Warden Tarkington. He asks the warden if he is drinking and asks what he means floating heads. The warden says that it’s true and that he demanded the release of Susan Jacobson. The Secretary says that Susan Jacobson is not being released. He says that the woman was a CIA agent who gave confidential information to the Israelis. He says that she violated the trust of her government and country and was convicted of treason. He says that he put her in Ft. Cheer and that she is staying there. He asks if that is too difficult. The Secretary gets no answer.

Hector tells Bruce that lines of communication going in or coming out have been severed. Hulk says to open the bomb bay doors. Hulk leaps out of the Pantheon ship with Ulysses hanging around his neck. Ulysses shouts that he resigns. Hulk says that it is too late.

The guards rush to the breach in Corridor C, Section 2. Ulysses wears a gas mask and blocks their fire with his shield. Hulk just stands there and fires off a gas canister. Ulysses says that Susan’s cell is supposed to be up and to the right. Hulk smashes through the guards.

The warden asks what is going on down there. The dispatcher says that there are mixed reports. She says that there is gas and things getting smashed. The warden asks if there are eighty or ninety attackers. The dispatcher says that as near as she can tell it’s two. The warden says that this is the most secure prison in the country. He says that Alcatraz was a kindergarten compared to them and that only the Vault is more secure. He says, “Two?” The dispatcher says that is one of them and points to the Hulk on one of the screens. The warden says to institute  Delta Alert. The dispatcher says that is for withstanding a nuclear strike. The warden says that he doesn’t care. He says that maybe the heavy duty blast doors will contain him.

Hulk and Ulysses run toward the blast doors.

Bruce thinks about Susan Jacobson when he first met her. She said, “So you’re Bruce Banner… the genius that everyone in the school is buzzing about. Word is that you’re heading for great things, Bruce. Oh me? I’m Susan Jacobson.”

Hulk and Ulysses get closer as the doors close.

Bruce thinks about Susan again, “C’mon, Brucie. We’ve been going out for months and you barely touch me. What is it? Is it me? I mean, I thought we liked each other. I thought, y’know, you had a thing for me. You afraid of me?”

The doors are inches from being closed as Hulk and Ulysses approach.

Bruce thinks about Susan, “I’m… I’m sorry I ran from you… I mean, I feel like I led you on, and then I… it’s just that… suddenly when you grabbed me, it was like… like you were someone else. Like there was something terrifying hiding just below the surface. You… you scare me, Bruce. I’m sorry, but… you do.”

Hulk smashes through the doors and knocks them off their hinges. Ulysses tells Hulk that it is the second door on the right. He says that they are clear of the gas and that Hulk can take a breath. Hulk says that in another minute it will be Susan who is breathing free. Ulysses says that is very poetic and to get on with it. Bruce tells Susan to back away from the door. He smashes the door in and tells her to save the questions. Hulk realizes that the cell is empty. Ulysses says that they must have moved her. He says that is what you get for warning them that they were coming. Bruce says that he was trying to give them a chance to avoid needless destruction…. that and scare them. Ulysses says that all he did was let them be one step ahead. He says less drama and more strategy next time. Hector radios Ulysses and says that they have a problem. Ulysses asks how big,

Hector stares at three SHIELD ships that dwarf his ship. He says, “Ohhhh, pretty big.”

Nick Fury cuts into the Pantheon’s line. Hulk says that he knows that voice. Nick says that he is presuming he is talking to the Pantheon, and that since the radiation detector is off the scale that he is also presuming that the Hulk is with them. Fury asks Doc how he is doing. Hulk asks how the blazes SHIELD got there. Suddenly a sonic blast brings Hulk and Ulysses to their knees. Fury says that in case they can still hear him that they are using a sonic blast right on their location. He says that they know about the quick healing Pantheon and that they know about the Hulk. He says that they are giving no holds barred treatment because they have no choice. He says that unchecked this will turn their brains to tapioca, but that he hopes it doesn’t come to that but that it is a risk they are willing to take.

Marlo stands in Rick’s door and says, “Yes.” She says that she loves him and wants to marry him. Rick lifts Marlo up. He asks if she is sure. Marlo says that she is sure. Rick says that is fantastic and that he can’t wait for Bruce to hear.

Hulk lies on the ground with his hands over his ears.

No Excuses rating: 10 out of 10

I love Susan Jacobson in this story. I love the back history and the raw scab that enables Bruce Banner to get mad enough to beat down doors built to withstand a nuclear blast. I also love the tie in to Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #377, “I got what you want right here, babe” and Susan Jacobson runs out of the room. Oh and Marlo and Rick get engaged. Gary Frank kicks more ass in this issue. I want to see him doing a battle knock out drag out issue, but the stuff in between is so good I just can’t complain.

Title: “Ulysses part 4: Out of the Fire”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Paul Pelletier

Inker: Cam Smith

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Watts, August, 1965, all the way across the country, racial relations flair from an off duty white policeman shooting an unarmed black youth in New York. It’s not a good place to be if you’re white. The African-Americans are rioting in the streets. Walter says that this is insane and that Agamemnon said they would be able to get in and out before the rioting started. Ulysses says that Agamemnon isn’t perfect. Walter says that this is a great time to hear it. Ulysses says that he isn’t any happier about it than he is, but that he isn’t whining. He says that he wasn’t even supposed to be here. He says that Walter was supposed to be with his usual partner Achilles. He says that he doesn’t know why he made the last minute switch, and that he a lot of what Aggy does is ticking him off. He says that it isn’t important now. He says that they have a job to do. Walter says that they are supposed to find Nathan Taylor, one of Agamemnon’s offspring, but that he could be anywhere.

A car with the license plate TAYLOR 1 is over on its side. Nathan crawls out of the top. His parents tell him to go ahead and that they will be right out after him. Suddenly the car explodes and sends Nathan flying through the air. Nathan screams for his mother and father. Walter holds him back. He says that no one can help them now. Nathan says that hey are still alive and hurting. He says that he can feel them. He says that they just died. He says that he could have saved them, but that he stopped him. He says that he hates him. Walter says that if he had let him go that he would have been dead. Ulysses tells Walter to shut him up. Walter punches him out and says that he guesses he will hate him even more now. Ulysses says that he has some bad news for him, and that is seems like there is more than enough hate to go around. The mass of rioters is coming right at them.

No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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