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Incredible
Hulk vol. 2 #418
Title: “We Are Gathered Here”
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Gray Frank
Inker: Cam Smith
Colors: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Rick asks Marlo how she could have not told him. He asks how she thinks he felt when the nudie film at his bachelor was starring his fiancée. Bruce tells Rick to calm down and that he is an expert on the dangers of losing your temper. Betty says that after a night of partying and talking to the cops after the robbery that it is a little early for hysterics. She offers them some coffee and to discuss this rationally. Betty tells Bruce that his decaf is in the clue mug and tells Marlo that her extra-caffeine blend is in the red mug. Marlo has a pillow over her face. She tells Betty to give it to her intravenously, and asks the guys to keep it down. Marlo says that she never told him about it because it was no big deal. She says that she was dating an artsy guy and that he wanted her in his film. She says that a year later they broke up. Rick says that she could at least apologize. Marlo says that she is sorry he is upset. Bruce asks if that is all she has to say. Marlo says, “Yeah. Mr. ‘Without Sin’ that’s all!” She says that the film wasn’t smut. Rick says that everyone is going to be looking at her when she walks down the aisle. Betty asks if that wasn’t the point anyway. Rick tells her to shut up, but Bruce tells Rick not to talk to Betty like that. Marlo tells them all to shut up and says that she is going to bed.
Marlo walks along the beach. She says that Rick doesn’t understand and that when she was a kid she was gawky and clumsy. She says that when Kenny wanted her in his stupid movie that it made her feel pretty for the first time. She asks how she was supposed to look into the future and see how it was going to affect her fiancé. She says that she didn’t mean to hurt or embarrass Rick and that it is unfair. She says that she would give anything to make it better. A dark man in an overcoat and hat asks, “Anything? Even your soul?” Marlo says that she gets it. She says that she is dreaming and that he is in her subconscious. The man says that he is in everyone’s subconscious. He asks if she would give him her soul to set things right. Marlo says, “Sure, why not?” She shakes the man’s hand.
Marlo wakes up and says that was a weird dream. Rick peeks his head inside the door and apologizes. He says that he has been an idiot. He says that he had no right to be judgmental. He says to let them stare and that they will just be jealous. Marlo says that this is a quick turn around. Rick says that he suddenly came to his senses. Marlo hugs him and says, “Just like that? Hunh.”
Ray asks if they are supposed to be ushering super-powered people to their seats. He says that this is nuts. Keith tells Ray that if a group of people make you nervous that you are supposed to picture them with no clothes on. Silver Surfer hands them his invitation. Ray asks what else they are supposed to do.
Bruce
stands behind Rick with his hand on his shoulder. He tells Captain America that
he thinks the groom is looking pretty sharp. Cap is tying Rick’s tie and tells
him to unclench his throat. Rick says that he can’t even unclench his hair. Cap
says that Rick wasn’t even this nervous facing Baron Zemo. Rick says that he
isn’t marrying Baron Zemo. Bruce says that is good and that there would be a lot
of talk.
Marlo stands in her wedding dress. Betty is spraying her hair. Mona is fixing her hem line. Her mother is straightening the bow on her chest. Suzy Berengetti holds up the mirror. Marlo asks her mother what grandma told her on her wedding day. Else says that the only thing she said was, “If you’d only been careful, you wouldn’t be in this fix now.” Her mother tells her not to slouch. Suzy tells her not to trip. Mona tells Marlo not to do anything she wouldn’t do. Marlo reminds Mona that she said that she would never get married. Mona says, “Yeah, well…” Suddenly the dark man’s face from Marlo’s dream appears over her shoulder in the mirror. Marlo shouts for everyone to look, but when they look they don’t see anything.
Ulysses tells Rick that this is his last chance. He says that if he runs that he will cover him. Rick says that he appreciates the thought. Rick asks Ulysses, Delphi, and Paris to excuse him and that he sees someone he needs to talk to. Rick walks over to Rahne. Paris tells Ulysses to look at Hector making a new friend. Paris asks if that isn’t Northstar that he is talking with “so gaily”. Delphi tells Paris to stop stirring up trouble and for Ulysses to ignore him. Paris says that they do make a smashing couple. Ulysses starts walking over, but Hulk stands in his way and says that they need to chat. Ulysses shouts for Bruce to get out of his way, but Bruce picks him up and walks away with him.
Rahne tells Rick that these are somewhat better circumstances than the last time they saw one another. She tells Rick to never forget how lucky he is. Rick thanks her. A long haired man places his hand on Rick’s shoulder. He says that he and Brandi are very happy for him. Rick realizes that the man is Rom. Rick hugs Rom and Brandi and asks him how they got there and how they knew. Rom says that it was from his invitation. He says that he chalked up the invitation getting there to the Jones’ resourcefulness.
Quicksilver plays the piano as Marlo walks down the aisle with Captain America, Elsa, and Betty. The minister, who bears a passing resemblance to Peter David, asks who gives the woman. Captain America says that in the absence of her late father that he has been given that honor. As the minister begins the ceremony, Drax the Destroyer comes hurtling out of the sky. Rick rolls his eyes and says that he knew there was going to be a fight. Drax lands. Hulk starts to tell Drax to turn around, but Drax hugs Hulk and says that Hulk really likes him. He says that he was sent an invitation and that he never gets invited anywhere. Rick asks how he got an invitation. Marlo says that it wasn’t from her. Drax asks if he is not wanted there. Marlo tells Rick that Drax sounds angry and that she doesn’t want any trouble. Rick says that his best man will handle this. Hulk thanks Rick for that. Bruce tells Drax to sit quietly next to Warlock. The minister begins again when a large ship appears overhead. Rick says that it won’t just be a fight, but a big fight. From the ship descends, Absorbing Man, Mister Hyde, Living Laser, and the Wizard. Hyde asks Hulk if he is back to basic green. Hyde reaches into his jacket. Hulk tells everyone to brace themselves, but all the villains pull out invitations. Wizard apologizes and says that they didn’t have time to shop for a gift. Hulk walks toward them and asks what is going on. Wizard asks Hulk if he would really attack invited guests. He says that they are pleased as punch for Rick and his fiancée. He asks the other is that isn’t so. Creel says, “Oh, yeah. Absolutely.” Hyde says, “Couldn’t be happier.” Living Laser says that he loves the dress. Samson tells Hulk that they aren’t starting a fight. Hulk says that they are laughing at them. Samson says that they want him to sink to their level. He asks if it is worth wrecking Vegas and the ceremony for. Bruce says that it is Rick’s wedding and that it is his call. Rick looks over at Rahne. He shouts for more chairs. Marlo thanks Rick and says that was very mature. Rick says that you have to grow up sometime. Rick and Marlo look up as spaceships begin landing.
Rick announces through the megaphone that Skrulls are on the left and Kree are on the right. He says that everyone there in the spirit of the day is welcome to remain.
One of the Kree start to taunt “Talos the Tamed”. Talos gets up to attack, but Surfer stares them both down and tells them to sit. The Kree and Talos sit down meekly.
The Minister begins again, but then Namor notices flames coming from the pool. Surfer recognizes the brimstone stench. He tells Hulk that he recognizes this guest as Mephisto. Mephisto appears and tells them that the Impossible Man distributed the bogus invitations if they are interested. He says that he was still overlooked and made his own arrangements. Marlo sees Mephisto and says that he was the man in her dream and in her mirror. Rick asks what she means. Mephisto tells Rick that Marlo promised him his soul in exchange for this, her happiest day. He says that she has had her day, and that now the day is done. Marlo says that it was a dream. Mephisto says that dreams are binding. Rick starts to tell Mephisto that it will be over his dead body, but then thinks better of it and tells him to get lost. Mephisto says that Rick has no say in the matter. Surfer prepares to fight, but Hulk tells Surfer that this is his call. Mephisto says that Hulk is his true interest this day. He says that since another aspect of evil called “Cloot” desired him. Mephisto says that he needs soldiers for the coming storm and that Hulk’s stained soul will serve him better than the nauseating purity of other heroes. Mephisto says to surrender himself and he will release the woman. A wall of flame surrounds Rick, Marlo, and Hulk. He says that time is frozen outside the ring and to make his decision. Rick tells Bruce not to do it and that there has to be another way. Hulk looks up at a light and says that maybe there is. Hulk tells Mephisto to think about the deal he is offering. He says that Mephisto’s realm might be fine for average sinners, but that in a century or so that he will be running the place. Hulk charges. Mephisto says that Hulk can’t hurt him, but then Hulk hits Mephisto and sends him flying out of the circle.
Mephisto hits the ground and says that it isn’t possible. Hulk walks through the wall of fire and says that of course it is. He says that they so easily accept that a lord of the lower domain being there, and asks why they doubt the presence of a lord from the upper domain. Hulk says that they are gathered there in the sight of God. He throws Mephisto and says that maybe those aren’t just words and that maybe “He” doesn’t like what he sees. Surfer tells Mephisto that he has no power there and to be gone. Hulk asks why they should let him go, and that this might be their chance to get rid of him for good. Mephisto runs for the pool of flame. He says that he releases her from her promise and to go ahead with the pitiful wedding. Hulk asks if Mephisto isn’t planning on dancing at the wedding. Mephisto says that he will dance at Hulk’s funeral. As Mephisto descends into the fire he thinks about how well that went. He thinks that by letting himself get manhandled that he has given Hulk and even greater sense of self-aggrandizement. He says that by letting him “master” evil that it infects him all the more in the long run. He thinks that Hulk thinks he has won, but that he doesn’t even realize that the game hasn’t started yet.
The Minister tells Rick that he can kiss the bride. Rick
does so. The reception is announced in the Garden Room. Else hugs Rick and
welcomes him to the family. She warns him that they can get a little crazy. Rick
says that he is used to it. Bruce asks Betty for the first dance. Betty says
that only if she can stand on his feet to reach. Sue tells Marlo to treasure
their time together and that every minute is precious. As Sue leaves with Namor
she says that sounded so maudlin. Marlo notices a pale white skinned woman with
black hair dressed in black pants and a black tank top. Marlo asks the woman if
they have met. The woman says that they did briefly, but that she decided to cut
her some slack.
The
woman hands Marlo and present and tells her that she guarantees that they will
have a long and happy life. She tells Marlo that she had better leave “before
that Thanos creep shows up”. Rick asks Marlo what she is doing by herself. Marlo
starts to say that she isn’t by herself, but then realizes the woman is gone.
She says that there was this punk rocker woman there a second ago. Rick opens
the box and sees a brush inside. He says that is weird. Rick tells Marlo that
they are waiting for them. Marlo says to let them wait and kisses Rick.
Aww a happy ending. Admittedly we don't get too many of these in the Hulk. Tragedy and drama are the course of the day, but once in a while it's nice to brush off the horror and celebrate. Rick and Marlo get married. There are so many little in jokes in this issue. Peter David must be a popular minister in the Marvel Universe. Rick and Marlo and Absorbing Man and Titania. He doesn't seem much like a holy man, but I guess if gamma rays can turn a scrawny scientist into a giant monster of muscle then they can turn a regular man into a holy man fairly easily. Northstar and Hector laughing together was kind of funny. Dream's sister, Death, showing up was also really cool. I like seeing her this way instead of that lame cloak and skull version. I also enjoyed the presence of Mephisto and what MIGHT have been in the Hell on Earth war that Peter started with Cloot and referenced in his last issue (issue #467). Gary Frank does another magnificent job. So many distinctive characters all done well.
Review and pictures by The Leader
Fold out cover by Captain Nate