Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #414

Title: “The Troyjan War, part 2: Blast Off”

Writer: Peter “Launchpad” David

Penciller: Gary “Space Age” Frank

Inker: Cam “Trekkin’” Smith

Colors: Glynis “Warp Speed” Oliver

Editor: Bobbie “Zapper” Chase

Bruce tells Achilles that he is glad that he is feeling better after the pounding Ajax gave him. Achilles reminds Banner that the pounding was because Banner’s presence made him vulnerable. Bruce says that is granted, but that he will be along on this trip, and that he will be just as vulnerable. Achilles says that Trauma and his pukes have kidnapped Atalanta. He says that he is coming with if he has to hold onto the outside of the ship. Ulysses says that speaking of that this is the ship. He says that it was the best they could throw together on such short notice. Bruce says that he supposes that it will have to do. The ship is hundreds of feet wide and long.

Betty asks where Bruce is going. Rick says that he is going to space… the final frontier. He says that one of his people was kidnapped and that he is going out after her. He says that isn’t too tough to grasp. Marlo says that yelling at Betty isn’t called for. Rick says that Marlo doesn’t get it. He says that he should be going with him. Where Bruce goes, he goes. He says that Bruce told him that the didn’t want the responsibility because he is engaged to her. Betty says that actually sounds pretty positive. Marlo asks if Rick wishes they weren’t engaged so that he could run around and play super hero games. Rick says that they aren’t games. He says that it is something important and asks why she can’t see that. Marlo says that there is no way that he is going to blame her for holding him back. Marlo asks Rick if he wants to call this off. Rick says that it doesn’t matter. He says that nothing he says matters, and that she has made that pretty obvious. Rick walks off. Marlo says that she hates him. Betty says that Marlo loves him. Marlo says that is why she hates him. Betty opens up the freezer and screams. She says that she knew it. She says that she let her guard down for a second and that there are spooks coming out of the fridge again. Strange says that the “fridge” was simply against the wall he entered. He says that in regards to her wedding invitation that he cannot attend and that he thought this was the quickest means of response. Strange offers Betty his condolences on her miscarriage. He says that at least her husband found her as per his guidance. Betty finally recognizes Dr. Strange. She says that his new look is very “Clint Eastwood”. Marlo tells Strange not to worry about the wedding. She says that the best man is in space and that her fiancé would rather be with him than her. Strange says, “In space?”

Paris radios “Green Giant” and says that he is cleared for lift off. Hulk says that he reads him, but tell him to cut out the cutesy nickname. Paris asks if it is back to “Bobby” then. Bruce says that he is afraid so. Cassie stands with Hector and asks if he is getting all a tingle. Hector tells her to get out of his hair. He asks why she volunteered for this, and that she always called them “warmongers”. Cassie says that Atalanta treated her differently and that she was a class act. She says that she couldn’t stand the thought of letting him slip away. Cassie slaps him on the back and Hector grunts and says, “Great. Another slipped disk.” Bruce says that the final checks are in order. He asks Prometheus if he is sure that his tracking power can follow them through space. Prometheus says that it won’t be a problem. Bruce gives the countdown and the ship takes off out of the Mount.

Hector says that the Starlin shunt overdrive is engaged. Ulysses asks if this is a bad time to mention is problems with heights. Bruce says that it is. Ulysses asks what about his claustrophobia. Bruce tells him to be quiet. Bruce asks Achilles what chance they have of overtaking them. Achilles says that knowing Atalanta she is keeping them occupied.

In space, Trauma’s ship still drifts in space after Atalanta’s arrows severed the drive couplings. The engineers are trying to reroute. Atalanta fires plasma arrows and hits Troyjan soldiers. Trauma says that he can’t believe that they couldn’t put one woman into holding without incident. A soldier says that they thought they had removed her weapon, but that it was just a decoy. He asks what he can do. Trauma blasts the soldier with his helmet gun. He says that for starters he can die. He orders the engineering catwalks to be circled up to cut off her escape. Troyjan soldiers close in on Atalanta. She pulls a hose loose and knocks a soldier over with the pressure of the liquid pouring out. Another soldier tells her that it will take more than that and that she is surrounded. He tells her to give up. Atalanta throws the hose up and pins it to the wall with a plasma arrow. She swings away on the hose and thinks to herself that Mark Hamill can eat his heart out. Trauma thinks to himself that she is magnificent.

A Troyjan tells Trauma’s father that there appears to be some sort of problem with his son’s ship. He says that they have been drifting for sometime. He says that Trauma is reporting engine troubles, but that he is refusing any technical help. He says that if the Pantheon is pursuing them that they may catch up. The soldier says that another ship has just dropped from shunt space and that they are attacking. Trauma’s father tells him to do nothing except watch. The Troyjan commander starts to object, but he is told, “Let us see the sort of mettle my son possesses.”

Ulysses, Hector, and Cassie are trying to blast through Trauma’s ship. Ulysses says that he thinks that it is started to buckle. Hector says that at least one of them thinks so. Cassie says that maybe they will go deaf from the racket they are making. Hulk pounds on the ship and says that Ulysses is right. He says that it is weakening and that with a few more shots and they are through. Ulysses says that the only shot he is worried about comes in a glass. Trauma stands on his ship. He asks Hulk if he isn’t a little far a field. He says that they will see how good he is without a mountain to drop on him. Trauma lets off a blast from his helmet gun. Hulk ducks under it and Ulysses blocks it with his shield. Hulk slams Trauma’s head back. Trauma’s hand glows and Hulk says that he is trying to quick fry his brain with his palm zappers again. He asks Trauma if he thinks that he is stupid. He asks if he thought that he wouldn’t come prepared for his tinker toys. He says that this time it is strength against strength, and that he has crossed the wrong physicist.

Cassie tells Hector and Ulysses to get back. She says that she is fully charged from the starlight and that this will just take a second. Hector asks if she is sure. Cassie says that as sure as she is that she will get him in the sack. Hector says that they are dead then. Cassie blasts a hole in the ship and Troyjan soldiers are sucked out of the ship into space. Cassie says that they should have had their seatbelts on. Hulk hits Trauma and yells for them to go. Hector, Ulysses, and Cassie leap in. They are surrounded by Troyjan soldiers. Ulysses says that they were just leaving. Cassie says, “The heck we were! We’re just getting warmed up!” She blasts the Troyjans. Trauma blocks one of Hulk’s punches and his blade forearm fractures Hulk’s suit. Hulk says that this isn’t anything that his armor’s sealing function can’t handle. Trauma says that he is thrilled for Hulk. Trauma orders the fore and aft cannons to fire. Hulk is hit by the firing cannons.

Atalanta leaps down an emergency chute out of engineering. The Troyjans say that they can get out of there.

Prometheus asks why Achilles isn’t helping Banner. He says that if he isn’t going to help that he will. Achilles punches Prometheus and says that no one is going to help him. Suddenly Silver Surfer nabs Hulk out of the cannon’s continuous blast. Surfer tells Hulk that Strange told him about his sojourn and that he thought he could be of some assistance. Bruce says that he doesn’t need his help. Surfer says that he isn’t serious. Hulk says that actually he isn’t and that the more the merrier. Trauma says, “The Silver Surfer. All right. Now I’m worried.” Surfer turns around. Trauma orders the engines up and running. Trauma is told that they can’t warp with him outside. Trauma tells them to warp on his mark. He leaps into the hole and tells them to warp now. Surfer and Hulk swoop right over as the ship warps away. Hulk and Surfer swirl around and around as the Troyjan ship disappears.

Achilles watches as he realizes that the Troyjans are gone with Atalanta.

No Excuses rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review and picture 2 by The Leader

Picture 1 by Captain Nate

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