Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #439

Title: “Scapegoat: Ghosts of the Future part 4”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Angel Medina

Inker: Robin Riggs

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Hulk stands and listens to the glacial ice crackle. He thinks about the last time he was there. The Leader had just died. Marlo was a vegetable and Rick hated his guts. The future was bleak. He thinks how now he thinks that the Leader is still dead, Marlo recovered and is happily married to Rick. He says that the future is still bleak. Hulk imagines that an atomic bomb detonates. The fallout flutters over him, and the calcified remains of Betty curse his name. He sees that the mushroom cloud is just a cloud surrounding a mountain peak. The fallout is just snow, and Betty’s face is just his imagination… or so he thinks. Hulk slams his fist against the ground. He tries to remember where the entrance to the Leader’s lair is. He thinks that he has to find it, but then he is hit from behind.

Largo tells Headmistress to back away from Mrs. Banner. Headmistress asks why they should trust her to keep quiet about them. She reminds Largo that she deceived them about the Leader being dead. Largo says that they used her too. Largo tells Banner that he will escort her home. Headmistress mumbles that this isn’t over.

Hulk start to get up off the ground. Ogress leaps into the air. Hulk looks up and sees her coming down on him. Hulk thinks about how with all the shrapnel in his body… hurting him and slowing him down… that this is going to hurt a lot. Ogress lands on Hulk. Hulk kicks Ogress in the back of the head. Hulk thinks to himself that he has been hurting people a lot longer. He says that it isn’t much of a hobby, but that it is his. Hulk ducks as four shots fly over his head. Hotshot comes running up pointing his finger. He tells Banner to get out of there and asks if he hasn’t done enough damage. Hulk has Ogress’ arm twisted. He tells Hotshot that he is there in peace. He says to take him below or Ogress will be in pieces. Hotshot says that he is bluffing, but Hulk says that he has confused him with someone that needs to bluff. Ogress screams in pain. Hulk has Ogress’ back over his knee now. He says that her arm can probably be snapped back into its socket, but that won’t be the case if he snaps her in two. Hulk asks Hotshot what it is going to be.

A man is catching a smoke in a parking garage. He is stunned to see a humanoid sitting there and asks what it is. He says that when you work at the World Trade Center that sooner or later you see everything.

On a tour of the White House, one of the tourists asks if they will be seeing the President. As the guide explains that the President isn’t there today, a man gets a blank look on his face. He sits down in a chair as the rest of the tour goes on without him.

In Freehold, Jailbait is hanging out in Omnibus’ lab talking to the two mice. Omnibus storms in and Jailbait hides beneath the desk. She thinks about how Omnibus freaked on her and Hotshot last time he found them in his lab. She thinks about how she misses the Leader. She says that he was kind of creepy, but that he was nowhere near as creepy as Omnibus. Omnibus sees that all his agents are on-line. He says that the Alliance’s latest strikes on Wall Street and the White House are ready to go. Jailbait listens terrified.

Rick asks Marlo if she has found it yet. Marlo sets a box down and says that these are the last of them. Rick says that he is going to have to have more of the Rick Jones trading cards printed and that the fans are snapping them up. There is a knock at the door and Rick asks Marlo to get that. Marlo asks how she will know if it is a super-villain. Rick says that they don’t knock and that they just break doors down. Elaine Schoenfeld re-introduces herself. Rick asks Elaine to excuse the mail and says that they are catching up on fan mail. Rick says that it is a pain, but asks what he can do. Elaine says that he can have an entire publicity staff as part of the deal. Rick asks what deal she is talking about. Elaine says that she told Rick about a business proposal the last time they met. She says that her clients New World Entertainment are starting their own web network. She says that they are looking for a syndicated late night talk show. Elaine holds up a promo with Rick and Marlo’s picture. Rick says that she is kidding. Elaine says that the proposed title is “Keeping Up With the Joneses”. She says that they could be bigger than Regis and Kathie Lee. Marlo asks Rick what he thinks. Rick says that it sounds like a blast.

The Alliance strikes again at the White House and at the World Trade Center.

Hulk feels the people of Freehold staring at him. He remembers that between he and the AIM agents that they almost destroyed this place, but is still getting annoyed at their gawking. Hulk shouts and asks what they are staring at. Hotshot asks Hulk if he feels better now that he has given a few people heart attacks. Hulk tells him to shut up. Omnibus says that he sees Hulk has returned and asks if he forgot to visit the gift shop last time. Hulk says to save it. Omnibus asks Hulk what he can do for him. Hulk says to take him for x-rays and that they will take it from there.

Gyrich reviews the Alliance situation. He says that evidence points to several nations as backers, but that no one is admitting to anything. Reb Ralston says that he says they should nuke them all. Dum Dum asks why they don’t blow up half the world for good measure. On Air Force One, the President talks to Gyrich on the phone. He says that he need recommendations and that he needs them now. He says that the polls reveal that people want action and that he is prepared to do what is necessary. He tells Gyrich to tell him what to do or find someone who can do the job. Gyrich tells the group that he just got chewed out because they forgot how to gather intelligence. He asks if everything has gone to pot since Fury died. Talbot says that they need a target. He says to give him a target and that he will give him a solution.

Omnibus looks at the x-rays and says that the obvious problem is the metal fragments throughout his body. He says that the most problematic ones are in his head. He asks if it is a bullet. Hulk says that it is a grenade. Omnibus asks what he wants from him. Hulk says to get it out. He says that the Leader had machinery. Omnibus says that if Leader did that he doesn’t know about its whereabouts. He says that he could try to recreate it, but that he makes no promises. He says that he is smart, but that his intelligence isn’t on par with that of the Leader’s. While Hulk’s back is turned, Omnibus transforms into the Leader and back. Omnibus tells Hulk that he may stay with them in Freehold and that there may not be much for him to return to in the world. Omnibus asks if Hulk is aware of the international sabre-rattling. He says that the world could be on the verge of a full scale war. He says that each government thinks that the others are behind a terrorist group called the Alliance. Hulk looks and sees the floods, the White House burning, a fire in front of Big Ben. Omnibus says that when the war starts that they will be safe down there. He says that this war is the reason Leader created Freehold. Omnibus says that no super-villain is required and that it is just normal self-destruction. Hulk mumbles that it is just like the Maestro said. Omnibus asks Hulk what he said. Hulk lifts Omnibus and slams him against the wall. He asks Omnibus if he is responsible. Omnibus says that is insanity. Hulk drops him to the ground. He says that there are too many innocent people. He wonders how he can stop them. Hulk says that “He” can stop them. Omnibus listens to Hulk’s voice going all over the place. He thinks that it must be dementia from the brain damage. Hulk crunches over and says that he can “use Him” to stop them. He says that he can focus their anger elsewhere. Omnibus asks, “Excuse me? Use… who to stop them?” Hulk stands up and says, “Him! He can stop them… and he will.” Omnibus stares in amazement.

Betty sits watching the Alliance coverage. The cameras are focused on Mount Rushmore. The reporter says that the partial destruction of Mount Rushmore, though it cost no loss of life, has fueled the national mounting fury. Suddenly something hits Mount Rushmore and demolishes one of the faces. The reporter thinks that it must have been some sort of missile, but when the smoke clears. The “Hulk” stands there with a full beard and long flowing hair and says, “I… am the Maestro! The head of the Alliance! I, and only I, am responsible for the worldwide destruction! And I challenge any and all of you to stop me!” Thor holds Captain America as he flies over. Black Widow drops from Cap’s grip while Vision flies in.

No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10

Review and picture 2, 3, and 4 by The Leader

Picture 1 and 5 by Captain Nate

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