Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #425

Title: “Error”

Writer: Peter David

Pencillers: Gary Frank, Liam Sharp

Inkers: Cam Smith, Robin Riggs

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Bruce tells Agamemnon that whatever he has started to stop it now. Agamemnon says that it is beyond his control. He says that even if they set him free right now that it would make no difference. He says that once the Endless Knights have been put into motion that they cannot be stopped. Jason says to give him five minutes with him and then they will see what he can and cannot do. Hulk tells Jason to back off. Agamemnon says that Jason overestimates his abilities and underestimates his own. He says that even if he begged and pleaded that it would not halt them. He says that he anticipated such pressure tactics and that they are a fail safe.

The entire Mount shakes from the rumbling on the approaching Endless Knights.

Banner tells Ulysses and Hector to ready the strike teams. He tells Cassie, Paris, and Prometheus to evacuate all children and non-combatants. Paris asks where they are supposed to evacuate them to. Banner says, “Disneyland! I don’t care! Just get ‘em outta here!” Banner tells Ajax and Atalanta to escort the “Woo Woo Kid” back to his cell and then help Ulysses and Cassie. Jason shouts that Achilles is gone. Banner says that they will attend to him later. He says that they have their assignments. Betty asks how she can help. Bruce says, “No offense , honey, but… what are you nuts? You’re out of here, as far as possible.” Betty shouts, “No!” Bruce says that he enjoys an argument as much as the next husband, but that her timing stinks. He tells Prometheus to escort Mrs. Banner back to Reno. He says that if she resists to be polite, but firm. Betty says that her place is with him. She shouts out to him as Prometheus pulls her away.

Ajax sits on the floor in front of Agamemnon’s cell. He says that he doesn’t understand why everything is shaking. He asks why everyone was mad and why things can’t go back to the way they were. Agamemnon says that he wishes he had answers for him, but that sometimes things just happen. He tells Ajax that he wants him to know that he was always one of his favorites. He rubs his hand on Ajax’s face.

Atalanta sits alone in her room. Achilles appears in her door. He says that he warned her not to start this and to just look at what has happened. Atalanta pulls an arrow at Achilles. Achilles tells her not to make him laugh. She asks if what Jason said was true about him being a traitor to the Pantheon. Achilles says that Aggy IS the Pantheon. He says that he was loyal to him and that Atalanta is the traitor. He says that he forgives her though and to come away with him while they can. He kisses her, but Atalanta shoves him off and says that she thought she knew him. Achilles says that no one knows anyone. He says that they live alone, they die alone, and that everything else is self-delusion. He says goodbye and says that he has to leave in a hurry. Ulysses stands in Atalanta’s doorway with his shield and sword glowing. He tells Achilles that the only way he is leaving is in a body bag.

In the Reno apartment of Doc Samson, Samson speaks into his recorded journal. He says that his private practice is drying up. Suddenly, Banner appears and says that they need to talk. Samson says that he thought they were making progress, but now they are back to holograms. He says that Bruce missed their last two appointments. He asks where on Earth he has been. Bruce says that he was nowhere on Earth, but that isn’t important. He says that he needs Samson to look out for Betty. He says that they have a Class A emergency and that he feels that it is all going to come crashing down on his head. He says that his best wasn’t good enough. He says that he screwed up and that he doesn’t want Betty paying for it. He says that he feels like something is happening inside him… something wrong. Samson says that whatever it is to get to him immediately. Bruce says that he would if he could, but that he can’t. Bruce tells Samson to promise him that he will keep Betty safe from harm. Samson says that of course he will. Bruce says, “Thank you, Leonard. You’ve been a good friend.” Banner disappears.

As Prometheus drives, he tells Betty that he knows she doesn’t believe it, but that it is best this way. Betty tells him not to talk to her.

Hector asks Bruce if he has any last minute words of advice. Bruce tells him not to get killed and asks where Ulysses is.

Ulysses hits Achilles across the face with his sword. Achilles asks who Ulysses is trying to impress. Ulysses says that he isn’t trying to impress anyone. Achilles says that he is succeeding. He says that Ulysses’ predecessor hated him. He says that he accepted him and was his teacher. Achilles grabs Ulysses’ wrist and causes him to drop his sword. Ulysses hits him with his shield and says that it is the principal of the thing. Achilles says that it is a little late in the game for that. Ulysses hits Achilles, but only manages to hurt his hand. Achilles says that maybe he should be saying that he was his teacher to loudly. Atalanta puts her hand on Ulysses as he crouches on the floor. Ulysses says that this isn’t over. Achilles says that yes it is and walks out of the room.

Outside the Mount, a mother holds her son. He asks why people are saying it is over and asks what they mean. He says that Mr. Paris told them they were going to Disneyland and asks why everyone looks so sad. His mother tells him that he will understand when he is older.

Bruce stands before Agamemnon’s cell. Agamemnon tells Bruce that he lied and that there is something that will stop the Endless Knights. He says that his death will stop them and that he figured he didn’t want them engaging in needless havoc if he were gone. Agamemnon asks Bruce if he would kill him in cold blood. Bruce tells Agamemnon to at least tell him what they are up against. He says that he owes him that much. Agamemnon laughs at the notion that he owes Banner anything. He says that is sorry and that it was rude. He asks Bruce if he has ever heard of the Destroyer. Bruce says that he hasn’t. Agamemnon says that he is unstoppable. He says that the Endless Knights aren’t in his league, but that there are a lot more of them. He says that they are his own offshoot of a Pantheon Cyborg project called “War Zone”. He asks Bruce if he remembers them. Bruce asks why he would destroy everyone and everything he has built. Aggy says that it is because he can. He says that the fun is in the building. He says that he will knock it all down and start again. Bruce says that people will die. Agamemnon says that they were going to do that anyway eventually. Bruce calls him a monster and says that he has lived for so long that he is dead inside. Agamemnon tells him to watch his temper ad says that his life and his mind are in emotional turmoil. He says that Bruce wouldn’t want to lose control. Bruce quietly asks again what the Endless Knights are. Agamemnon says, “What they are… is here.” A loud boom hammers.

Prometheus pulls up outside Betty’s apartment. Suddenly Samson pulls Prometheus out of the car. He says that he remembers him from that night at the bar. He says that he tried to run him over. He says to tell him exactly what is going on. Betty tells Samson that he is a doll. She jumps over into the driver’s seat and pulls away. Prometheus says that is just great and that Banner is going to love this.

Bruce thinks to himself that it is getting harder to distinguish the pounding beneath the floor from the pounding in his head. He wonders how many other destructive forces will be unleashed before it is over. He calls for Ulysses and Atalanta to report in. Some Pantheon grunts say that even the big guns look nervous and that is a bad sign. Cassie says that it may not mean the same thing to him, but asks Hector to hold his hand. Hector takes her hand and says that some things mean the same no matter what. The Endless Knights start to break through the floor. Hulk tells the bombardiers that they are up first and that if they stop them that there will be something extra in their pay this week. The Endless Knights come erupting out of the floor. One of the Pantheon bombardiers comments on the smell. The blasts cut through the Endless Knights.

Atalanta tells Ulysses that he looks awful and asks if he is going to make it. Ulysses says that there is no time to wonder and that whatever Aggy has put into motion sounds like it is here. Atalanta asks Ulysses if he is afraid of dying. Ulysses says that he is scared of living. Ulysses says that they have to find Achilles because he isn’t dying with their unfinished business. Atalanta says that it sounds like the shooting has stopped.

Banner tells the bombardiers to back out of harm’s way. He says that he can’t see through the smoke, but that it appears they have stopped. Cassie says that wasn’t so tough. A giant wave of Endless Knights erupts out of the floor. Banner says to “get ‘em!” and thinks to himself that he needs to think of a more stirring battle slogan. As the battle rages on and on, Bruce thinks about the Maestro’s words about how “they” were going to take it all away from him. He wonders when Custer knew he was finished. He wonders when General Pyrrhus realized that his victory was going to cost him far more than he bargained for. He thinks about how he has never lost. He thinks about how he has had setbacks, miscalculations, and temporary defeats, but that ultimately he has always won. As the smell of the Endless Knights washes over him he wonders if he were facing hopeless odds if he would even realize it. He thinks to himself that at least he knows that he won’t lose everything. He says that as long as Betty is safe that it doesn’t matter what happens because he knows he will always have her to go back to.

Betty pulls up to the Mount and asks if it is shaking. One of the people walking out tells her not to even think about going in there. He asks who she thinks she is anyway. Betty says that she is Betty Ross Banner. She says that she is the wife of the Hulk and that daughter of Thunderbolt Ross. She says that he doesn’t back down from a fight.

Achilles rips open the bars of Agamemnon’s prison. He says that he is going to settle up with him. He says that he is going to give him the power and control that he promised or he is going to wrap the bars around his neck. Agamemnon climbs out and says that Achilles drives a hard bargain. Ulysses and Atalanta rush in. Ulysses tells Atalanta to get Agamemnon and that he and Achilles are going to talk things over like mature homicidal maniacs.

One of the Endless Knights calls out to Cassie in a ghoulish voice. He says that he is sorry. Cassie turns and is horrified. Banner tackles the Endless Knight. Cassie is still freezing and Hulk notices that the Endless Knight he just crushed against the wall was her father Perseus. Finally Bruce realizes that Agamemnon said he was the Endless Knights’ patron… or ‘pater’… meaning father. He says that the Endless Knights are his children and that at the moment of death their souls are sucked away and into these creatures. Hulk says that they are fighting Agamemnon’s dead children. Cassie says that she can’t end up that way and asks why she was even born. Hector shouts to fall back, but his warning is cut short as the armaments explode.

The Mount erupts.

As Bruce continues fighting, he realizes that he is starting to lose it. He thinks that he can see it all starting to spiral away. He thinks about a poem he read and reread in college, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold.” He thinks how he was at the center of this world and that the more he tried to hold onto it the more he wound up with a fistful of nothing.

Ulysses charges Achilles. He says that he was nothing before he met Achilles. He asks how he can do this to him. He asks if Achilles’ doesn’t have any principles. Achilles says that Ulysses has been hanging around Banner too long. He slams Ulysses against the floor and tells him that his problem is that he loves playing it safe. He says that challenges scare him and that he is always afraid of not being good enough. He says that it isn’t coincidence that his romantic attentions are on Delphi… a woman sworn to remaining pure in body. He says that is just another test he won’t have to face. Ulysses hits Achilles off with his glowing sword and shouts for him to shut up.

Atalanta says that she can’t find Agamemnon. Bruce tells her to handle it and that he is a little busy. She sees Agamemnon heading toward the transport center. She runs after him and says that he can’t escape her. Agamemnon says that he has spent a thousand lifetimes eluding death. He asks her what makes her think she will be more a challenge than the grim reaper. Agamemnon launches off in a red rocket ship. Atalanta grabs on. He tells her that was a silly thing for her to do. He says that there is nowhere for her to go but down. Atalanta says that there is nowhere for Agamemnon but a pine box unless he lands. She says that she will roast in hell before she lets him leave. Agamemnon tells her to prepare for an eternal suntan. He adds that he is an old hand at this sort of getaway. He says, “Sorry you couldn’t hang on, Atalanta, 23-skidoo and all that.” As she falls, Atalanta fires an energy arrow at the plane and tells him to “skidoo this”. The plane explodes.

Bruce sees the Endless Knights pause. He thinks for two seconds that he might pull this out. The hope is dashed as the Mount continues to explode and bury people.

Betty runs through the falling debris calling out to Bruce.

Ulysses is buried under fallen rubble. Achilles stands above Ulysses and points a gun at his exposed face. Ulysses tells Achilles not to, but Achilles says that he is sorry, but that Ulysses is too stupid to live. Achilles fires, but Ulysses says that he isn’t so stupid that he forgot to get his shield fixed. He blocks the shot.

Banner claws his way out of the rubble past the unmoving Knights. He thinks to himself that Aggy must be dead and that must be why the Endless Knights have stopped. He hears a blast, a ricochet, and a scream… a female scream. Bruce looks over as Betty lies motionless on the ground. Bruce thinks to himself, “I want to cry… and laugh… and scream… and kill… and kill… and keep on killing, until green is washed away in red.” Achilles stands with the blaster. He says that it was an accident and that he didn’t mean to. Banner shouts, “Accident? Accident?! ACCIDENT?!?!” Bruce thinks more of the poem, “And what rough beast, it’s hour come round at last, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?” Bruce thinks to himself that he can feel him… it… howling to the surface. He thinks that it won’t be stopped, but that he has to stop it. He thinks that he can’t let it out.” A completely savage, one hundred and twenty eight pound Bruce Banner growls as he stands before Achilles. Achilles says that he doesn’t believe it. He says that there is a god. Banner/Savage Hulk shouts that he will kill him, but Achilles says that he doesn’t think so. Achilles hits Savage Banner and says that it isn’t even his birthday.

Inside the Savage Banner’s head, the merged Hulk tells him to calm down and asks if he doesn’t see what is happening. He says to calm down or he will kill them both.

Achilles says that finally what goes around, comes around. He says that for months he has had to cower around his gamma-irradiated body being his one weakness. Achilles asks Banner who is cowering and crawling now. Ulysses stands with his sword and tells Achilles to back off. He says that it is over. Achilles knocks his sword out of his hand. Ulysses says, “Hey!” Achilles says that he best final words he could come up with were “Hey!” He says that it is hard for him to believe that he once felt something other than pity for him. Ulysses steps on the end of his sword and causes the point to turn up. He says, “I don’t want your blasted pity! I want your friendship back!” Ulysses hits Achilles in the back and drives him onto the sword as he did to Banner in the simulation training. Achilles staggers and asks if that is all. He says that it is a funny way to show it. He pulls the sword out of his body. He says that Ulysses went and killed him. He says that Banner’s presence still made him vulnerable. He says that Ulysses used the move he taught him. He says that he guesses he should be proud, but that its kind of hard under the circumstances. As he starts to burn, Achilles says, “Boy… that Atalanta… she’s the kiss of death, huh. Loving her… gets you killed. Don’t… don’t tell her I said that… o… okay… sport?” Ulysses says, “Whatever you… you… suh… say…”

Banner crouches over Betty. He hears a voice that sounds like his… but isn’t… demanding Samson… begging for help, then threatening. “…then blackness calls me… and, howling, I spiral into it. And then there’s nothing.”

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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