Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #458Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #458
Title: “Crash and Burn”
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Adam Kubert
Inker: Mark Farmer
Colors: Digital Chameleon
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Hulk is curled up in the baggage compartment of a 747 headed for New York. He occasionally twitches and whispers unintelligibly. Hulk’s eyes pop wide when he sees and hears a ghost of Rick Jones. Rick looks all busted up and tells “Bruce” that he didn’t want the kids to think that he was chicken so he hid down there in the storage with him. He says that he thought they were friends and Hulk clobbered him. He asks if he even feels bad about it. Hulk throws some luggage at the “ghost” and tells him to leave him alone. A hand reaches out and touches Hulk’s shoulder. The woman says that he is wasting his time there and that he needs to go where he can accomplish his goal.
In the cockpit, the pilots are talking about the fact that they are losing the number two engine. One says that it was working fine and then it just went off. The co-pilot asks if they think they will have to ditch into the ocean. The navigator says that he hopes not. He says that they are a few hours from New York and hopes that nothing else goes wrong.
In the seats, the second feature “The Lost World” is beginning. The stewardess asks Doctor Zabo if he decided to watch the feature after all. Dr. Zabo says that he decided that he was in the mood for a rampaging giant. Suddenly the Hulk smashes through the screen. He is filled with rage and confusion and though he wouldn’t admit it he is also filled with fear. The people in first class run back into coach. The flight attendant stands there frozen in place. She asks Hulk if there is anything she can get him. Hulk mutters, “War… peace… death… can’t… take it… anymore…” The same hand from before reaches into the back of Hulk’s head. She says that he needs help and that she will make it easier for him.
Hulk finds himself in a strange all red location. He sees that he is chained and standing before a wall with blast holes in it. He asks where he is. Apocalypse stands before Hulk and tells him that he is “facing your just desserts”. He asks Hulk if he wants a cigarette and adds that it is filtered. Hulk asks what happened. Apocalypse says that Hulk rejected War and that peace isn’t in his nature. He says that he has to exist in some form or cease to exist. Apocalypse says that some very special friends have come to help. Apocalypse motions and Hulk sees Speedfreek, Abomination, Leader, Bi-Beast, and Rhino. Each of them is holding a gun like the one Forge designed. Bi-Beast is holding two. Hulk says to go ahead and kill him and that after Rick nothing matters.
In Cairo, Marlo, Betty, and Henry Gyrich are trying to see Rick. Marlo is trying to talk to the nurse, but she doesn’t understand English. Gyrich steps forward he shows her his identification and says to bring them the doctor that is talking care of Rick Jones immediately. Marlo says that this is insane. Gyrich says that Rick’s presence in Egypt sent of alarms all the way to the state department. He says that her husband’s health is of importance to the U.S. government. Betty says that translates into Rick might be of use to Gyrich in the future. The doctor asks which one is Mrs. Jones. The doctor asks her to come with him, and asks Betty and Gyrich to wait outside. He says that it is only immediate family at this point. Marlo says that she can do this on her own. Betty says to holler if she needs him. After a moment of silence, Betty tells Gyrich that she is sorry about his father and how he died. Gyrich says that he is too.
The stewardess busts into the cockpit and
shouts that the Hulk is on board and that everyone is panicking.
Zabo looks down at his wrist and says that took longer than he
would have thought. He says that if he had been down there much
longer that he would have had to have gone down and got him. Zabo
presses his watch and injects himself with a serum. Zabo starts
convulsing. One of the passengers says that he is having a heart
attack. 
Zabo, now Mr.
Hyde, says that for him to be having a heart attack that he would
have to have a heart. He stands up and says that has never been a
big concern for Mr. Hyde. Hyde tells Hulk that they have
unfinished business and that the New World Order sent three after
him not two. He turns and sees that Hulk is lying on the ground.
Hyde sees Mercy standing over him and asks who she is. Mercy says
that she has Hulk all ready for him. She says that he wants to
die and that Hyde wants to kill him. She says that she has
brought them together for this reason and that Hulk deserves
mercy.
Marlo looks down at Rick. She asks the doctor if he can hear them. The doctor says that it is unlikely, but that he wants to speak with her privately anyway. He tells her that there was extensive damage to the spinal cord. He says that it is too early to tell, but that it is possible that Rick may never walk again. Janis looks in from a duct. She says that in her time Gramps was in a wheelchair, but that he never talked about how it happened to him.
Hyde yells at Mercy. He says that she has made him an emotional cripple and asks what fun there is in defeating him like that. Mercy says that this isn’t about Hyde’s personal triumphs. She says that it is about what is best for the Hulk. Hyde says that she is a fool. He says that the Hulk is a beast of fury and war. He says that she has unmanned him. He says that one such as the Hulk doesn’t accept death. He says that death will only claim him “with his teeth buried deep in Death’s neck!” Hyde says that they are the same and that if she diminishes Hulk that she is diminishing him as well.
In the red dream world, Hyde charges Hulk over the prone bodies of his original attackers. He tells Hulk to rise and fight him. He says that he is not getting off that easily. He says that Hulk can’t cheat him of the chance to triumph over him. He says that his power has been increased recently and that he will succeed where his New World Order associates have failed. He says that his will be the greatest power. Hyde hits Hulk and says that if he doesn’t give him a proper fight that after he kills Hulk that he will go find Jones and Bruce’s wife. He says that Hulk’s death signs their death warrants. Hulk looks up at Hyde and says, “You… won’t!” Hulk hits Hyde and screams, “Hyde!”
Mercy says that this is annoying. She says that Hulk wanted to die, and that it was his unhappiness that brought her there and that now he changes his mind. Mercy blasts Hulk in the back. She says that she doesn’t like having her time wasted. Hulk sees Mercy and says that he should have known.
The pilot calls in and informs JFK tower that they have also just lost their number four jet. He says that they are in a state of emergency.
The lights go out and the passengers continue to panic.
Suddenly Hulk finds himself back in the red-tinted world. Hyde leaps at Hulk and tells Mercy to get away from him before he guts her. He says that the Hulk is his. Hyde hits Hulk. He says that Hulk is the ultimate version of him and that he cannot allow his existence to continue. He says that Hulk renders him redundant and that he can’t have that. Hulk tells him to have this instead and punches him in the face. Hyde punches back.
The airplane loses its number three engine as well. Systems all over the plane go down. The co-pilot says that the pilot has gone unconscious. He says that it is if something is shorting out their power. He asks if JFK can even hear them.
Hyde has Hulk pinned on the ground on his stomach and is pulling his head back. Hulk says that it can’t end like this. He says that no matter what happened to Rick that it can’t be Hyde. Mercy says that she understands now. She says that Hulk’s warlike pride prevents him from succumbing to an opponent that he doesn’t feel is worthy. She says that he should have understood and that quality of death is as important as quality of life. Mercy says that she will help him then. She inserts her hand into his head.
Hulk wakes up in the real world and says that his head is clear again. Hulk hits Hyde and knocks him right through the plane. Hyde catches the wing as he falls out. He says that death has drawn its cloak around him, but that he shouldn’t worry. He says that he has allies that will attend to Hulk in the afterlife. He says that this is a gift of death for his best friend. Hyde tears the wing off with the final functioning jet on it. Hyde falls. Hulk says, “Oh… great! Just… freaking… great!” Hulk climbs around to the bottom of the plane. Brian’s ghost appears and asks Hulk if he is trying to make up for old sins. He asks if he thinks that if he saves those people that will save himself as his end approaches. Hulk leaps off the bottom of the plane right before it hits the ground to cushion the fall. He says, “Father… for once in your death… shut up!” The plane lands on Hulk.
No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10
Now this is what I’m talking about! I love these issues with Hulk’s fighting spirit winning out. Hyde is a great villain for Hulk. He still needs more power, but as a dark reflection he rivals that of the Abomination… he doesn’t overcome Abomination, but he comes close. Hyde is evil personified and should be seen in more Hulk books. Kubert does a great job with this issue. I only wish the picture of Hulk busting through the screen wasn’t on two pages so that I could present it here clearly.
Review and pictures by The Leader