Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #437

Title: “Head Cases: Ghosts of the Future part 2”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Angel Medina

Inker: Robin Riggs

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

The Alliance strikes again as 147 passengers aboard a commercial flight are instantly killed when the jet explodes. The news says that every government has denied association with the Alliance. Cars have been exploding and passenger cruise boats sink into the ocean as the Alliance’s body count rises. The news anchor says that authorities are confounded as citizens worldwide are terrorized. In other news, the anchor says that the Hulk has finally been captured. Major William Matthew Talbot spearheaded the maneuver that had support at the highest levels. The President appears on screen and says that at last their long national nightmare is over. Betty throws her hospital food at the screen and calls the President a “draft-dodging creep”. She says to think that Bruce talked her into voting for him. She says that for the first time she breaks GOP ranks and that this is the thanks she gets. Betty gets up and goes to the door. The doctor in the door asks her if she is trying to check out again. He says that even though she was only shot with tranq-pellets that they want to be sure that there is no permanent nerve damage to her legs. He tries to lead her back to bed, but Betty stomps on his foot. She asks if he is satisfied as she runs off. Bety comes face to face with Largo who fills the entire doorway. He says that he would say that she is ready to check out. Largo mutters to Betty that he and his associates are going to spring her husband and to come with him.

In an Army headquarters outside Washington DC, the savage Banner sits in the cell. He says that he is so tired and that he just needs some time to rest to clear his head. As he is about to fall asleep a loud noise blares keeps him up and enraged. Bruce pounds, ineffectively, on the wall.

Matt Talbot and Senator Ralston study Bruce. Talbot says that they have studying him enough and that he says they should put him down like a rabid dog. Ralston says that those are his sentiments too, but that the Constitution won’t allow it without due process. Talbot asks if he means a trial and says that they can’t keep him under wraps forever. He asks if the President can’t just do what needs to be done. Ralston says that the President is studying the situation. Talbot points to old footage of the Hulk rampaging and tells Ralston to have the President study that. He says that if the Hulk breaks free that destruction will follow. He says that if that happens that it will be on the President’s head and not his. Ralston says that he will relay that information.

Largo apologizes for the blindfold as he takes it off. Largo introduces the Headshop. A picture of the Leader is on the dartboard as Largo introduces Dead Head, Headgear, Headmistress, and Thunder Head. Betty starts laughing. Largo asks what is so funny. Betty asks “The Head Shop?” She asks if Fat Head, Butt Head, and Head Cheese are missing. She asks Largo if his name is Black Head. Largo takes his head off his shoulders and places it in front of Betty’s face. He says that he prefers Largo. Betty asks what they are. Largo says that once they were perfectly human, but that they were dying of exposure to gamma radiation. He says that the Leader brought them to his hidden base and said that he would try to help them. He says that the Leader decapitated them and grafted their heads to android bodies. He says that Leader made them freaks. He says that a half dozen of them escaped. Betty asks where the sixth is. Thunder Head says that his name was Frost and that the last he heard he was working in Vegas. Largo says that Betty’s husband has beaten the Leader. He says that the want his help and will offer theirs in return. He says that they can bust him out, but asks if she can return him to normal. Betty says that it is just a matter of relaxing him. Headmistress asks if she has done that before. Betty says that she has. Headmistress asks how. Betty tells her to take a wild guess. Headmistress tells Largo that she likes this one. 

Talbot asks Dallas what he means when he says he need some time off. He says that he can’t spare him. Dallas’s eyes glow as he says, “Yes. You can.” Talbot asks what he was thinking and says that of course he can. He says to simply keep him apprised of his whereabouts. Talbot walks out and gets into a limo. Talbot finds Gyrich there. He asks if Gyrich was brought in on the Alliance thing as well. Gyrich says that it is very big. Matt asks why he is on it. Gyrich says not to be cute. He says that he brought down the Hulk and made it look easy. He says that Talbot has a talent for zeroing in on an opponent’s weakness and that if the Alliance has a weakness that they will need all the help they can get. Gyrich calls Talbot “Colonel”. Talbot says that he is “Major”. Gyrich says that the day is young. “Dallas” looks in his rearview mirror and sees the Leader. He tells Leader to get out of his head.

Savage Banner smashes against the wall and shouts that he must get out. He asks why his strength is not enough and asks what they have done to him. He says to let him out or he will smash them all.

Outside the cell, two soldiers are talking about the assignment. One says that this is a cushy assignment, but the other is unconvinced. He says that the place is supposed to be tougher than the Vault, but to look at all the trouble the Vault had. He adds that the Hulk is their first customer. The Sarge tells him that he doesn’t know what real danger is yet. Suddenly a blast blows through the feet thick door. Thunder Head says that they are in, but that he will need a few minutes to charge up after a shot like that. He asks Headgear if he is ready. Headgear says that he was born ready. Headgear rolls through the hole. He throws a bunch of ball bearings on the ground that causes the soldiers to fall. Largo, Dead Head, and Headmistress follow him in.

“Hulk” hears fighting outside and says that he should be out there.

A tank rolls out of the wall and tells Headmistress not to move. Headmistress says that she gives the orders there. She lies on the ground and fits between the tank’s tracks. She puts her hook and chain on the axle and when out the other side she pulls the entire axle off the tank. She says that they have been very naughty and must be punished severely. Dead Head shoots sound blasts out of his left hand and lasers from his right. Thunder Head lets off another blast. Headmistress tells him that his cannon is very impressive considering that it isn’t that big. Thunder Head says that she always said that size didn’t matter. Largo tries to move the door, but it doesn’t budge. He asks Headgear if he can do anything with it so they don’t have to wait for Thunder Head or Dead. Headgear says that muscle cases are good when you are in high school, but that this is the real world. He lets off a beam from his finger into a control panel and the door opens. Largo announces at it opens that they are there to help Hulk. Headgear sees Banner and says that he thought the Hulk would be bigger. Banner charges out and smashes into Largo’s chest growling. Largo lifts Banner off the ground and says that he knows that they have no reason to trust them. Banner kicks Headgear’s head off his android body. Largo says that he told Headgear to bolt that on. Headgear says sorry and picks the head up and puts it back on. Largo tells “Hulk” that the longer he stays there the more danger he is in. He says that he can force him to come with them or he can come willingly. Banner glares at Largo.

In the strategy room at Army headquarters, Gyrich says that there may be one mastermind behind the Alliance or that it might have the support of one or more governments. He says that whatever it is that the Alliance is big, organized, and putting nerves on edge. Gyrich says that a lot of people want to retaliate, but that they don’t know where to aim. A phone rings. Everyone picks theirs up. Talbot says that it is his. He listens for a minute and then says, “Aw, geez.”

Headmistress says that they are clear this way. Thunder Head says that they should leave before reinforcements get there. Banner says that Hulk still doesn’t trust them. He says that he doesn’t need to run and that he isn’t afraid of soldiers. One of the soldiers gets up off the ground and pulls the pin on one of his grenades. He throws it and it lands in front of Banner. “Hulk” says that a puny grenade won’t hurt him. He goes for it. Largo shouts for Hulk to stop, but the grenade explodes in Bruce’s face.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review by The Leader

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