Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #449

Title: “Meet the Thunderbolts”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Mike Deodato Jr.

Inker: Tom Wegrzyn

Colors: Glynis Oliver

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Hulk leaps through the air with Janis on his back. A missile flies into his chest explodes. Janis is thrown from his back. As Janis falls she understands the Hulk’s daily life: mind your own business until someone shoots you. MACH-1 tells Janis not to worry and that he has her. Janis removes her staff. MACH-1 swoops in and catches Janis. He says that their reports said that the Hulk had a woman with him, but that she is safe now. Janis says that is more than she can say for him and blasts him with her staff.

Hulk hits the ground inside a rodeo. The impact of his landing sends the rider flying off his horse. Atlas tells Hulk to put his hands over his head and surrender now by order of the Thunderbolts. Hulk stands up and puts his hands over his head. The Thunderbolts stop unsure of what to do next. Techno tells Songbird to cage Hulk before he makes his move. Songbird creates a pink cage around the Hulk… who still has his hands raised in the air. Atlas says that is some move he pulled there. Techno asks him who asked him. Atlas speaks off to the side with Meteorite. He asks what she thinks and says that she is the one with the history with him. Meteorite tells Hulk that he can put his arms down now, but Hulk doesn’t respond and keeps his arms raised. Meteorite says to get Citizen V and the others in there now.

Janis uses her staff for reverse thrusts that allow her to land. She sees MACH-1 flying away and wonders where he is going. She says that she has a bone to pick with him and runs after him.

In Virginia, Cary St. Lawrence tells Gyrich that he thinks that the Hulk meant it. She says that he drew a line in the sand and dared them to step over it. She says that he wants to put a chilling effect on any attempts to rein him in. Gyrich says that they can’t let him get away with it. Cary says that she is willing to roll the dice and try to nail him. Gyrich asks if she can promise immediate success. Cary says that she can not. She asks if he can guarantee that if the Hulk launches a counter offensive that the President won’t hang her out to dry. Gyrich says that he can’t. Cary says that leaves them in a quandary. The door opens and both Cary and Gyrich pull their guns. It is only Miller and Cary orders him to report as soon as the blood returns to his face. Miller says that there is a Hulk situation in Arizona and that a group of costumed individuals has challenged him. Cary asks what the damage is thus far. Miller says that there is actually none. He says that preliminary reports say that the Hulk has surrendered without a fight. Neither Gyrich nor Cary believe that.

Techno says that this is ridiculous. Atlas asks if they are supposed to kill him in cold blood. He asks if maybe they should take him back to HQ where he can find out all about them. He says that maybe they should hand him over to the cops so he can walk out the jail wall the second they are gone. Techno says that maybe Hulk is trying to kill them with his armpit odor. Meteorite says that they are waiting for Citizen V. Citizen V says that is a good plan since he is there. Citizen V says that the Bolts didn’t know what to expect confronting him, but that this wasn’t it. He says that he has something on his mind and to come out with it. Hulk doesn’t answer. Citizen V asks what he is waiting for. Hulk says that he was waiting for them all to be in one place. Hulk claps his hands. Songbird is forced to drop her cage in order to create a “cushion” from the seismic power. Citizen V tells Techno and MACH-1 to take him. Both fire. Techno’s blast hits the rodeo stands and Hulk leaps into the air, but MACH-1’s missile follows Hulk into the air and makes contact. Hulk hits the ground. Citizen V tells them not to lose track. He says that Hulk must be contained or destroyed if necessary. Meteorite says that would be a waste, but Citizen V tells her not to back talk now.

Hulk gets up off the ground. He says that he doesn’t understand. He says that he feels stronger than ever and wonders why that hurt. Hulk looks and realizes that his chest is oozing blood. Meteorite and MACH-1 say that they have their target sighted. Janis says that she does too and fires her staff at them. Songbird says that she doesn’t know who she is, but that if she is running with the Hulk that she has to be brought down. Songbird creates sound daggers, but Janis dodges them. Hulk charges. Atlas goes toe to toe with the Hulk and even thinks for a second that he can take him down, but Hulk presses Atlas over his head and throws him into Techno.

Meteorite says that there is incoming. MACH-1 asks what she means, but suddenly Atlas and Techno fall into Songbird and MACH-1. Meteorite tells Hulk that he can’t escape them, and that if they don’t give up that this is only the beginning. Citizen V tells them that they protect innocent people. Hulk tells him to shut up. He seems to recognize Meteorite’s voice and asks if he knows her. Meteorite says that she wouldn’t know from where. Hulk tells them to protect the innocent people from this. He leaps into a dam and creates a big crack. Water gushes out.

Water washes over the townspeople. MACH-1 starts to pull the people out of the rush of water. Atlas and Meteorite fish the people out as well. Meteorite tells MACH-1 that Citizen V wants him to head back and help Songbird.

MACH-1 holds Songbird up as she creates a plunger to plug the hole. Citizen V tells Techno that they don’t need any slip ups. He asks if he is ready. Techno swings away and sarcastically thanks Citizen V for his inspiring confidence. Meteorite asks what about the Hulk and that Citizen V promised her. Citizen V tells her that she has to learn to prioritize.

Janis asks Hulk if that was really necessary. Hulk says that it wasn’t and asks what her point is. Suddenly Hulk clutches his chest and falls to the ground.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and picture by The Leader

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