Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #427

Title: “Six months later…”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Liam Sharpe

Inker: Robin Riggs

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

An old man in a car pulls up to a very young boy. He asks the boy if he can tell him where Palm Street is. He asks the boy why he is so quiet and guesses that it is because he isn’t allowed to talk to strangers. The old man introduces himself as Albert. He says that now they aren’t strangers. He asks if he can tell him where Palm Street is now. The boy still says nothing. Albert says that he is in a bit of a hurry. He says that he has some puppies he is supposed to deliver to Palm Street. The little boy says, “puppies?” Albert asks if he wants to see. He says that he won’t tell anyone and that it will be their secret. Albert grabs the boy and drives away.

As Albert drives away, a police car is frantically driving toward a car accident. Emma, an upstanding and moral woman has just been rammed into by a drunken, philandering husband. Max’s tow truck pulls up. Max says that it’s “nice” to see all the rubberneckers leaping to her aid. Max tells Bob that it looks bad. Bob, a large man with bandages on his face, says that he sees. He says that the cops are coming, but that they will never get there before the car explodes with her in it. Emma’s car sets on fire. Bob leaps out of Max’s truck. He pushes his way through the gawkers and pulls the door clean off Emma’s car. He says that technically you aren’t supposed to move accident victims, but that they will have to use discretion this time. Max tells Bob to stop yapping and move. Bob pulls the woman out and turns his back to the car just as it explodes. Emma looks at Bob’s bandaged face and swears that he was an angle.

A short time later, EB, a policeman, arrives on the scene. Max tells him that there isn’t much left to tow. EB asks where the big guy went to. Max says that he is the shy type and took off.

“Bob”, with bandaged face, leaps through the air feeling free after so long of keeping a low profile and watching his back.

Mrs. “Danner” asks Skip what he is reading. Skip doesn’t answer. She calls him again. Skip apologizes and says that he was distracted. Betty sees that Skip is reading “Seduction of the Innocent”. Skip says that he thought it was about a rock group, but that it is about how comic books rot kids’ minds. Betty tells him not to believe everything he reads. Skip says that it seemed stupid to him. He tells Mrs. Danner that she is the best and prettiest librarian they’ve had in ages. Betty thanks him. Skip asks if Mr. Danner is a nice guy. Betty says that mostly he is. She says that it comes and it goes. Skip’s mother rushes in, in a panic. She says that there he is. Skip says that he told her that he was going to the library. She says that she knows, but asks if Billy is with him. Skip asks why his mother is crying. She says that Billy hasn’t come home yet and that the school is only three blocks away. Skip hugs his crying mother as he starts to cry himself. Betty tells them that he is sure everything is going to be all right.

Albert sits in his boat dumping Billy’s body, inside a bag, into the swamp. The water laps against the boat and reminds Albert of the house from his childhood… where it happened. Tears roll down Albert’s eyes as he thinks about it. The pain strobes from him like a beacon drawing the attention of the Man-Thing.

Max tells Bob that the lift is stuck again and asks if he can get the Chevy down. Bruce says that it is no problem. Max says that was a gutsy thing he did today. Bruce says that he wasn’t really at risk. Max says that he said he wanted to keep a low profile and that guys were coming after him. Max says that he covered for him the best he could and said that he was a daredevil. He says that is how he got the burns that cause him to wear the bandages that cover him all over. Max says that they go back a long way and that he would give his right arm for him, but asks how long he and “Betsy Danner” think they can last before things heat up again. Bruce lifts the car down and says that they just want a normal life. He asks why they should be the only American citizens for whom life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness don’t apply. Max says that he couldn’t begin to tell him. He tells Bruce to go home and that he will lock up. Bruce smiles and says goodnight to Max. Hulk leaps away.

His good mood ends when he sees police cars clustered around his home. He decides a distraction is called for. A distraction will most likely draw away all available manpower. Bruce thinks of the old burnt out lace mill. The town has been trying to get the money to tear down. He leaps away.

Betty stands in her doorway with the police standing before her. She sees Bruce leaping away, but through long practice she doesn’t let on. One officer asks Mrs. Danner if her husband is prone to fits of violence. Betty says that her husband wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Hulk moves slow and leisurely. There is a need for this distraction. No one is being endangered and it is in fact a public service, but it is still a joyous act of destruction… a guilty pleasure. He savors the moment and tries to make it last, but it ends all too quickly. He leaps away into the night feeling the urge to light his pipe.

Albert tries to put on Billy’s shoes. The shoes don’t fit… they never do. Tears roll down Albert’s eyes as he thinks about the punishment he received for trying smoking. He wonders why innocence must always end… why it is always beaten out of you. Man-Thing offers no response, but seemingly tries to provide comfort.

Bruce enters his home. He says that Betty looks comfortable. Betty says that he looks like he is covered in dust. She says that the police left when they heard the lace mill collapsed. She says that was a nice distraction. Bruce says that she made a nice deduction. Bruce asks why they don’t just leave them alone. Betty says that it is because, relatively speaking, they are strangers in town and that they are checking out all the strangers in town. She points to the news and says that it is because of that. Bruce asks what happened and why the sound is off. Betty says that she couldn’t listen to it anymore. She says that a little eight year old boy was murdered. She says that she knows his older brother and that his poor mother is a basket case. Betty says that they think it is connected to three similar deaths in New Orleans last year. She says that the FBI is on it now. Bruce says that the feds are going to be all over them checking them out and that it is time to consider moving again. Betty says no. Bruce reminds her that he warned her against getting too attached. Betty says that she likes Sunville and the people. She reminds him how they wanted to lead a normal life. Bruce says to look at him. He says that it is like Faye Wray wanting a normal life with King Kong. He says that it is only a matter of time before the airplanes show up. Betty says that maybe they can delay the planes. Bruce asks how. Betty tells him to find the killer. She says that it will help them and that there should be justice. She says to find him before he finds some other child.

Skip walks through the swamp with a bag and a flashlight. He keeps telling himself that it is his fault. He says that he should have walked him home. He figures that the guy is still hiding in the swamp and that he will get him for Billy. Skip slips and falls into the swamp. A man’s hand grabs Skip’s arm and pulls him up. He asks him what the devil he is doing out there. Skip says that he is looking for the guy who killed his brother. The “cop” says that he has his sympathies, but that they should leave this to the professionals. Albert, in a police uniform, asks Skip if he knows how big the ‘glades are and if he has any idea what the odds are of him finding the guy.

Chief Largo returns to Betty’s door and says that he is at her service. Betty says that she didn’t request his service and requested to be left alone. Largo says that he would if he could, but that he is following a lead. He says that his boys saw a large skulking individual in the swamp when they found the poor boy’s body. He says that he has heard that her husband is built like a brick outhouse. Betty says that she didn’t know that being buffed was a criminal offense. She asks why they didn’t arrest the skulker. Largo says that he eluded capture. Betty says that is his problem. Largo says that he is making it her problem. He asks where her husband is. Betty says that he is flying toward the Everglades with jumps that span two miles. Largo says to go ahead and not tell him. He says that he can wait all night.

Leaping overhead, Bruce spots a light. He decides to go in for a closer look. He spots what he thinks is a solid place to land, but when he lands in splashes into the swamp. Bruce says that he hates the swamp.

Inside Albert’s cabin, Skip says that the doesn’t understand and asks where the other policemen are. He says that he thought he said he was searching. Albert says that he is off duty, and that for the moment he lives there. Skip looks over as Albert talks to him and sees his brother’s shoe on the floor. Albert says that this place is peaceful and quiet, but that the loneliness can be terrible sometimes. Skip reaches into his bag and Albert asks if he snuck his father’s gun out of the house. He says that was naughty and that he shouldn’t point it if he doesn’t mean it. Skip says that he does mean it and to put up his hands. Albert tells Skip to go ahead and shoot and that he would be doing him a favor. He says that he will finally be silencing the voices in his head. He shouts for Skip to do it. Skip pulls the trigger, but nothing comes out. Albert says that it is a shame what swamp water can do to a weapon. Skip hits Albert with the gun, but as he tries to run out the Man-Thing blocks his way. Albert says that he sees Skip has met their new friend and that they will all be good friends for as long as the three of them are alive. He says that he is afraid that will not be much longer.

Rick and Marlo are in room 875 on their honeymoon. Rick opens the door a crack to put a “do not disturb” sign on it.

No Excuses rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by The Leader

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