Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #423

Title: “Myth Conceptions: Conclusion- Hel and Back”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Gary Frank

Inkers: Rubenstein/Fredricks

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Banner and Agamemnon stand together in a dark and misty plain. Hulk asks what happened. He says that he remembers the wolf thing, but asks where everyone went. He asks why it is so hard to see. He says that he feels cold, but that he never feels extremes. Agamemnon tells Banner to shut up. Bruce’s eyes focus and he sees nothing but fire and animated skeletons surrounding him. Agamemnon says that the important thing is not to panic. He says that they can still fight their way out… or rather Banner can, but that he can lead him. Banner asks where he is going to lead him. Agamemnon says, “Back to life”. Suddenly it starts to dawn on Banner that he is dead when Hela appears. She greets Agamemnon as Vali Halfling. She asks who his companion is. Banner says that this is insane and that it can’t be. Agamemnon introduces Banner and says that he is of Earth and should not be there. He says that he shouldn’t be there either. Hela says that she shouldn’t either, but that here they all are. She says that it isn’t fair, but that life isn’t fair and that she doesn’t see why death should aspire otherwise. She says that she, for her part, accepts her fate. She says that she will not leave… and that neither will they.

Volstagg tells Betty to stay back and that her womanly hysterics will do no good. He says that this is the province of gods and that they must deal with Siingard’s slavering nephew. Siingard tells Hoarfen that he is an idiot and that he ate the mortal and Vali. He says that Vali was under his protection. Hoarfen asks if that is so and then says to Hel with Siingard as well then. He swipes his claw at Siingard, but Siingard leaps out of the way. Fandral points his sword at Siingard’s eye and says that this isn’t his day. Thor tells Hoarfen to turn and face him. He says to face the one that was created to face monsters like him. He blasts Hoarfen in the back with a lightning bolt.

Banner says that he refuses to be dead. He says that he has a wife that loves him and that she isn’t going to keep him there. Hela tells him to depart then… if he can. She disappears as everything fades to black. Banner says that he can’t see anything and asks now what. Agamemnon says that he will guide him out if he promises to give him his freedom. He says to swear on the life of his beloved Betty. Bruce stammers for a minute, but Agamemnon tells him to swear or rot in Hel. Bruce swears on Betty’s life. Agamemnon climbs on Hulk’s back and points him in the right direction. Bruce asks why Hela called him Vali. Agamemnon says that it pleased her to do so and tells him to be quiet because he has to concentrate.

At the Mount, Ulysses wakes up in a bed. Ulysses asks what happened. Achilles is there and Atalanta says that they were hoping he would tell them. She says that they arrived in Fenway to find Banner’s hoverjet abandoned and cops all around. She says that it was some job getting him out of there especially considering the hole blown in him that his healing factor was laughing off. Ulysses says that Jason took a shot a Hec and that he had to stop him. Achilles asks where his shield was. Ulysses says that it wouldn’t activate, and that he doesn’t know why. Atalanta says that she will have Pro check it over. She says not to scare them like that. Paris watching from another room says, “Blast.”

After traveling many leagues, Agamemnon seemed confident… as if he had been there before. He tries to keep Hulk’s spirits up by telling about others that journeyed through Death’s realms: Orpheus, Eurydice, Persephone, Balduur. Banner asks if all those stories don’t end in tragedies. Agamemnon tells him not to nitpick. He asks Banner if he would like a flashlight. Banner says that he guesses so, but doesn’t know what there is to look at. Banner turns on the flashlight and sees a group of skeletal warriors facing him. Hela appears riding a dark horse. The horse leaps up on its hind legs in front of a wall of fire. She says that she has allowed them to get this far so they could see the odds against them, but that she swears they will get no further. Bruce starts fighting the dead warriors. He asks if that is what she thinks. He says that he disagrees. He says that she won’t keep him there. He says that she can toss the assembled hosts of Hel against him and that she still won’t have the manpower to do the job.

Thor, Hogun, Cassie, and Hector are attacking Hoarfen. Hoarfen says that they are all fleas. He says that when the end comes that they won’t even be remembered. Two Frost Giants rush at Betty. She tells them to stay back and then warns them. Volstagg leaps off a cliff above the giants. He asks if they didn’t hear her. He says that the warning was as fair as the lady. Volstagg lands on one of the giants and knocks him to the ground. The other Frost Giant calls Betty pathetic and asks who will save her now. Betty pulls out her handgun and shoots the giant in the groin. He falls over. Betty asks if he is okay. The giant says, “Thou ask… now?” Siingard kicks the Frost Giant. He tells him to forget her and that the Hoarfen is out of control. He says that they must concentrate their forces there. Thor leaps at Hoarfen. He says that the legends of Ragnarok make no mention of him. He says that Horfen views that to mean that when the end comes that he will survive, but that to him it means that he will already be road kill. Thor slams his hammer on Hoarfen’s head.

Hulk fought and fought the dead warriors. Hours of fighting turned into days. Hulk shouts out that it isn’t enough… it isn’t nearly enough. Agamemnon tells Hulk that it is just a little further up ahead. Banner tells Agamemnon that there are more warriors to fight. He says that he can feel his control slipping away and that it is getting harder to concentrate. Agamemnon tells him to forget about that and to worry about getting them out of there. Bruce says that if he goes over the edge that he might never make it back. The dead warriors make their final assault. Hela tells Vali that he can’t win. She says that he might be able to defeat her warriors, but that she can make that conquest stretch for eternity because time there bows to her whim. Agamemnon tells Hela to end this and that he knows she can. He says he knows she has been waiting for him for a long time. He walks up to her and puts his hand on her shoulder. He says that he knows that the loneliness has been terrible for her, but that he is begging her to wait just a little longer. Hela hugs Vali. With a tear in her eye she tells him to go before she changes her mind.

As Siingard and Fandral attack Hoarfen together, Siingard tells Fandral not to think that he has forgotten the fingers his blade cost him. He says that if they survive this… Fandral tells Siingard they can fight anywhere… anytime. Thor hits Siingard. Hoarfen steps on two Frost Giants. He says that they can’t stop him, but then he feels something. Hulk starts to open Hoarfen’s mouth by pushing against the bottom and roof of his mouth. He tells Aggy to get clear and that Rin Tin Tin is his. Hulk pushes until he cracks Hoarfen’s jaw open. Bruce says to look at him run, and that a broken jaw bothers even him. Siingard looks at his crushed giants and says that it is Thor’s fault. Thor says that isn’t how he sees it, but that they will discuss it later. He says that he is sending the mortals home and that he has had enough of their ilk. With Hulk and the others gone, Siingard and Thor turn at one another for vengeance.

As they reappear, Agamemnon tells Cassie, Hector, and the others that he hopes they have learned that only disaster arises from seeking vengeance. He says that now that they are home that he will be on his way. Cassie and Hector stand in his way and Cassie says that she doesn’t think so. Agamemnon turns to Banner and says that he gave him his word. Bruce says that he gave his word, but that he didn’t give the others’ words. Agamemnon asks if it is a game of semantics he is playing. He says, “Very well, let the consequences be on your head. On all of yours.” Agamemnon looks at Betty.

Delphi arrives to see her mother. Her mother, Andromeda,  asks what brings her there. Delphi says that she couldn’t stay there and see all the horrible things happen. She asks her not to think less of her. She asks Delphi how she could do that. She says that she knows the burden of her gift and that she had it once. She tells Delphi to stay with her and wait matters out. She says that they will let others build new myths. Andromeda blows out the candle.

No Excuses rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by The Leader

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