Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #416

Title: “The Troyjan War, part IV- The Big Bang”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inker: Cam Smith

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Vittio tells the Hulk, Silver Surfer, and Starjammers to remember that Arm’chedon, or Armageddon, is a very busy individual and that he has decided to bring them to him himself to make certain that they don’t cause any trouble. He asks if they understand. Hulk says that they do. Corsair thinks to himself that this is ridiculous, but Vittio says that he heard that. As they walk toward Armageddon. Vittio tells them not to dare embarrass him. As they walk, one of the Troyjan soldiers says that the Surfer doesn’t look like much to him. He says that word is that he couldn’t even save his lover’s life. Surfer snaps his finger. A bit of power ricochets off the wall and hits the soldier in the back of the head. Hulk walks behind Surfer and asks if he wants to tell him what that was about. Surfer says that he doesn’t and Hulk says that he can’t take him anywhere. Vittio addresses Armageddon and says that he has brought some violators of the law before him to await his judgment. Bruce thinks to himself that he doesn’t like this. He says that Armageddon is huge and that he radiates more confidence than Doctor Doom. Armageddon welcomes them. He says that they have arrived on a very fortunate day because he is commuting all sentences for wrong-doers. He says that they will be returned to their points of origins with no consequences for their actions. He says that he bids all beings within the Troyjan domain to share in his, and his son’s, happiness on this great day. Bruce looks and sees Atalanta standing in the bride’s outfit next to Trauma. She says hello to Bruce and says that if he takes so much as one snapshot that she will hunt him down.

Ulysses, Hector, and Cassie are in a jail cell. Ulysses is inspecting the door. Hector tells him to knock it off and that he isn’t impressing anyone. He says that there are no weak spots in the door. Cassie agrees with Hector and says that she expended her energy trying to blast it open. Ulysses says that he thinks that he almost has it when suddenly the door swings open hard into Ulysses’ face. Achilles stands in the door and says that nap time is over. He hands them back their weapons. Cassie asks Achilles how he got there. Achilles says that “getting here” is what he does.

Hulk listens to Armageddon’s story from Atalanta about Agamemnon’s deal with the Troyjans. Bruce asks if she is going to become the martyr. Atalanta says that Armageddon showed her documents and visual recordings of the agreement. She says that Troyjans are very thorough about such dealings. She says that she thinks he is telling the truth. She says that she can’t take the chance and have the rest of her family pay for it. Hulk tells Trauma to let her go and end this farce. He says that if he loves her in any sense of the word that he won’t see this idiocy through. Trauma says that the means through which she becomes his is irrelevant. He says that only his triumph matters. Hulk says that Trauma doesn’t understand. He says that Atalanta and her kin are under his protection and that he could care less about deals Agamemnon made. He says that Agamemnon isn’t there and that he is. He tells Trauma that this is his last chance to let her go. He says that if he doesn’t that he swears to God that he will kill him. Trauma asks Hulk if it would make him feel better if he let him kiss the bride. Hulk charges, but Armageddon blasts Hulk and drops him to the ground reeling. Trauma tells his father that he can handle the Hulk. Armageddon says that he has no doubt, but that he will attend to him. Corsair tells Surfer to take the point. Surfer says, “Troyjan fool! You dare attack the ally of one who possesses the power cosmic?” Armageddon says, “Possesses’ I think not. Such power is infinite, Surfer… beyond the ken of even a being such as yourself.” He says that Surfer channels and controls it, but that it does not possess it anymore than a spigot possesses the water that flows through it. Armageddon hits Surfer with an eye blast. He says that they will see what happens when he opens the channel wide enough so that even Surfer cannot control it. Surfer reels as power flows through the air. The Starjammers fall back.

Atalanta hits Trauma and says that she told him she would marry him. She says to make him stop. Hulk weakly tells Atalanta not to kid herself. He says that she heard the contempt in his father’s voice and that Trauma can’t “make” him do anything not that he wouldn’t even have the guts to try. Trauma says that Hulk lies and that the contempt in his voice was for Hulk and not him. Trauma says that he has proven himself. Hulk says that he has proven nothing. He says that he was backed by soldiers and his daddy. He says that they all know he has proven nothing. Trauma tells Armageddon to let Hulk go. He says that he will ram those words down his throat. Armageddon says that it is a pathetic ploy. He starts to advise his son, but Trauma says that he is not seeking his advice. He says that he is seeking his woman and the head of the Hulk or he will die trying. Armageddon says that he had hoped for more from him than to fall for such an obvious ruse. He tells him to go ahead and have at him. Trauma hits Hulk and says that his father is most likely correct and that he probably thinks that he has “tricked” him. He says that he found himself helpless against his father and sought what he perceived to be an easier target. Trauma says that Hulk is dead wrong.

Ulysses strike down a Troyjan with his sword. Cassie asks if she is wrong that he enjoyed that a bit too much. Ulysses tells her to clam up. He says that they can try down that way and that they haven’t been down there before. Ulysses turns to Achilles and asks why Prometheus isn’t there. Achilles says that he is up in the Argos keeping tabs on them. He says that they have to hurry and that the Argos’ cloaking device is a major drain on the energy. He says that in another hour they will start tapping into their fuel reserves. Hector thanks Achilles for waiting to share that. Cassie says that this is ridiculous and asks how they are ever going to find them. Hulk and Trauma smash right through the wall.

Surfer continues to reel. Armageddon wonders how much uncontrolled release of his power it would take to blast him into free floating atoms. Cassie runs over and places her hand in front of Armageddon’s eye beam. Armageddon says that it is a little Pantheon person come to pit her power against his. Hector tells Cassie to stay back. Cassie says that she didn’t know Hector cared. She tells Armageddon that it isn’t her power. She says that it is his power back at him. Armageddon is hit with Cassie’s blast. Corsair tells Surfer to fall back and let them try, but Surfer says no. He gets up and says, “Armageddon… your ability to manipulate power is formidable. That I will admit. But I AM POWER.” Surfer cracks his knuckles.

Trauma slams Hulk against the wall and zaps his head. He asks why he is involved in this and that he isn’t Pantheon. Hulk says that he doesn’t have to be. He says that he is the incredible Hulk and that is more than enough. Hulk tosses Trauma against the wall. One of the blades that make up Trauma’s shoulder guards sticks into the wall. Trauma says that maybe on Hulk’s pathetic world that it is enough, but that this is his world and his woman. He says that he will not be denied.

Armageddon tells Surfer to beg to be spared. Surfer says, “Spared your arrogance, perhaps, Armageddon, but naught else!”

Trauma slams Hulk against the wall and says that he chooses this to be the site. He says that when Troyjans pass this spot they will say that this is where Trauma proved his valor. He says that this is the spot where he gained a bride and slew the incredible Hulk. Hulk tells Trauma to drop dead. He slams Trauma against the wall. Trauma’s face goes blank. He steps off the giant blade that was his shoulder guard that is now stuck in the wall. His blood is all over the blade. Trauma calls out for his father. Troyjan soldiers rush to Trauma, but Trauma tells them to get back and that he will die on his feet. Trauma reaches out to Atalanta. He says, “Atalanta… I… I only… loved you… is that a crime… to die… for?” Atalanta takes Trauma’s hand and with a tear in her eye says that he shouldn’t have to die for that. Trauma says that is the nicest thing she ever said to him. He says that he is not evil… just proud. He says that he releases all of them. He tells them to go home in peace. Trauma tells his father that he can’t hear him buzzing in his head and that it is so warm. He tells his father to let them all go and that he brought this on himself. He says that it is all so clear now. He says that he hopes he hasn’t made too much a muddle of things. Trauma dies. Armageddon holds his son close. He quietly tells them to get out and that it was his last wish. He shouts for them to get out. As the others walk out, Hulk tells Armageddon that he grieves for his loss. Armageddon doesn’t even turn to look at Hulk. He tells him to save his grief for himself and that he will need it.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10 

Review and pictures by The Leader

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