Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #436

Title: “Uncovered: Ghosts of the Future part 1”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Angel Medina

Inker: Robin Riggs

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Betty, out of coffee and hot water, steps out for her newspaper in her robe and finds herself at gunpoint. Ten soldiers aim at her. Their superior officer tells Betty not to move and says not to even think about warning her husband. Betty opens her robe and flashes the ten soldiers. With the soldiers stunned, Betty runs back into the house and grabs the phone. Bruce picks up and Betty starts shouting into the phone that it is the army and that they have been caught. She tells him to promise her that he will run and that they won’t hurt her. The door and windows smash in. The soldiers pin Betty to the floor as Bruce shouts her name. Betty bites one of the soldiers. One of the soldiers is about to hit Betty with the butt of his rifle, but he is told to put the gun down and go put antiseptic on his bite. Betty sees their superior officer and it takes her a moment to realize that he isn’t Glenn Talbot. Matt Talbot introduces himself to Betty again and explains that he was Glenn’s nephew. He says that he is sure that she doesn’t remember him and that she dumped him for his greatest enemy. He calls her a pig and slaps her across the face. Betty says that it is nice to see Matt too.

Bruce is about to leap home, but Max is hanging off him. Bruce says to get off of him, but Max tells him to use his head… the same head he used when Max was his teacher at Desert State University. He tells Bruce that they want Bruce to charge in after her. He says that it is what they prepared for. Bruce says that their preparations won’t be enough. Max asks what if they are. He tells her that Betty isn’t in danger and that she isn’t the one they want. He says that so long as they don’t have him that he has the advantage. He tells Bruce that he has a brain now and to use it.

Betty says that she loves these little family get togethers. Matt says that it will be complete when her husband gets there. He asks if she thought they could hide forever and asks her how stupid she thinks they are. Betty says that if he expects Bruce to come waltzing in that she would say he is pretty stupid. Matt says that he will be there. Chief Largo enters the home and asks Talbot who he is and why he shouldn’t be throwing him in jail for harassing his citizenry.

At Army headquarters, Reb Ralston walks in and speaks to Lieutenant Dallas. He asks him where Major Talbot is. The lieutenant gets up to shake hands. He says that Talbot is unavailable at present and says that he is sure he can help him. Ralston says that he is sure that he can’t. The lieutenant grabs Ralston’s arm and says that they will have to agree to disagree. He tells Ralston that he is in charge of him now. Dallas tells Ralston that he will do exactly as he says and asks if that is clear. Ralston, eyes glazed over, says that it is crystal clear.

Bruce and Max watch the news coverage of Bruce’s house. Bruce says that siccing the cops on them did some good. Max says that is all Bruce should do. He says that they must know that he works there, but that they aren’t storming the garage. He says that they are playing mind games with him, but that they won’t fall for it. He says that if they fall for it that he is no better than the brainless beast they think he is. He says that he swears to him that Betty is in no danger.

Talbot tells Largo that this is a government operations. He tells him not to challenge them and that he doesn’t have the resources. Largo says that this is government tax dollars at work. He says that he is a taxpayer and therefore Talbot’s boss. Largo says that he is close to firing Talbot’s skinny white butt. Largo tips his hat to Mrs. Banner. He says that this situation will not continue indefinitely and that he has some resources of his own. As Largo walks out, one of the soldiers asks what you call that. Betty says that he is a class act. Matt asks what in the world his uncle ever saw in her. Betty says that he saw someone on the rebound from the man she truly loved. Matt says that as if a creature like her, married to the Hulk, coud grasp the concept. Matt says that he loved his uncle and that in his whole life he only made one mistake. Betty asks what that was. Matt gets in her face and says, “You.”

Bruce sits in front of the television, watching the sixth hour of coverage. The news says that it seems like the army is waiting for something. They say that the temperature is hitting 100 and no one wants to talk about the reason for this exercise.

Talbot asks Betty if she doesn’t have air conditioning. Betty says that it is broken. She says that the repairman was due today, but that some idiot army trucks blocked the street. Matt says that his uncle died fighting the Hulk in a volcano and that maybe this is appropriate. Betty asks Matt if he hasn’t figured out that Bruce isn’t coming. She says that he knows it is a trap. She tells him to make a decision. She says to arrest her or leave. She says that this waiting game is piddling and inept. Talbot says that this is a military operation. Betty says that she is a General’s daughter and says that she was read Caesar’s commentaries on conquering Gaul when most kids were getting Winnie the Pooh. She says that this isn’t a military operation but a circus. She says that they didn’t need troop transports and that they should have all come jumping out of little clown cars. Talbot grabs Betty’s wrist and drags her outside. He asks if she wants a decision and that she got it. Talbot tosses Betty to the ground and says that he has decided that her limp is barely noticeable anymore and that he is going to rectify that. Talbot draws his pistol. As Betty gets up, Talbot shoots her in the leg. Talbot gives a direct order for the troops to stay back. Betty reels in pain on the ground. Talbot walks up to the camera and says, “Look what I did to your wife, Hulk! And you let it happen! Are you watching, coward? Did you see?”

Max stands alone in his garage. He says that he saw and that he went through the roof. Max looks up and the hole in this garage’s roo. He wishes Bob good luck and that Heaven help him.

Hulk leaps home.

A soldier tells Talbot that they have a lock on incoming and that it has to be him. Talbot tells them to get to battle readiness. Talbot looks into the air with binoculars and asks Betty if Caesar would have approved. Betty says that she can’t move her leg. Talbot says that it is too bad he didn’t shoot her in the mouth. Talbot tells the Hulkbusters to fire on his mark. As Hulk comes into vision, Talbot gives the order. Hulk is hit with blasts and knocked to the ground. Bruce sits up and says, “Ouch”. Eight Hulkbuster armors descend from the sky. Their commander tells them to maintain distance and strike from beyond his range. They begin hitting Hulk with full plasma-blasts and anti-gamma bombardments. Hulk looks over at Talbot with a gun aimed at Betty. His vision goes green.

Ralston tells Lieutenant Dallas that he is glad they had this talk. He says that he is sure they can work together and shakes Dallas’ hand. Dallas wishes Ralston a good day. As Ralston leaves he is unable to remember why he came there in the first place. He says that he must be getting senile. Back at Lieutenant Dallas’ desk, Omnibus sits with his feet up and laughs.

Hulk says that he isn’t laughing. He says that the “new” Hulkbuster seems like more robots with puny humans inside. He asks if this wasn’t supposed to be a joke. Hulk gets an electrical jolt as he hits one of the armors. Alpha tells Foxtrot that he told him to stay back and to go into full defensive mode. Foxtrot is off line and Alpha tells Tango to assist, but Tango is hit as Hulk throws Foxtrot into him. Hulk is hit with sonics and falls to the ground clutching his ears. Betty shouts for Bruce to run. Talbot says that his uncle had the right idea about how to destroy the Hulk… just at the wrong time. The Hulkbusters have Hulk, but find that they can’t hold him. Hulk says, “I’ll… kill you! Smash you…” Betty shouts for Bruce to run. Talbot says that Bruce doesn’t need warnings… he needs incentives. Talbot shoots Betty in the other leg and says that now she won’t have a limp. Hulk freaks out and lifts the armors into the air. He shouts that they call him an animal… a menace, and a monster. He says that at least he isn’t human and asks what their excuse is. He slams the armors together. Hulk is hit with sonics again. He says that it is just more sounds and robots. He says that won’t stop him and that nothing will. He says that he is the incredible Hulk. He says that he is the strongest one there is. The Hulk leaps at Talbot, but it is the savage Banner that lands in front of him. Talbot says, “Bingo”. Bruce rushes at Talbot, but Talbot knocks Bruce down with the butt of his gun. Bruce stammers as soldiers drag him away. Talbot tells Betty to enjoy the rest of her day. Betty shouts that she is crippled. Talbot says that they were only stun pellets and that the paralysis will wear off. Talbot salutes Betty and says that one must respect a General’s daughter. Betty spits in Talbot’s face.

Omnibus walks and says that everything is going perfectly. He says that with the people presently in his control and with “The Alliance” prepared to launch its terrorist strikes… it’s just a matter of time before my plan…” Omnibus is cut short as he walks by a mirror. He looks into the mirror and sees the Leader looking back at him. Leader asks, “Omnibus… shouldn’t that be… my plan?”

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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