Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #462

Title: “Reconciliations”

Writer: Peter David

Penciller: Adam Kubert

Inker: Mark Farmer

Colors: Matthew Paine/Digital Chameleon

Editor: Bobbie Chase

At Area 102, the soldiers all gather around as the helicopter arrives. From the bottom of the helicopter, a cross is being lowered. Bruce is restrained arms open on the lowering cross. Bruce says, “The symbolism here is just sickening.”

Gyrich and a group of officers are questioning Ross. One asks why he didn’t just shoot Banner in his human form. He says that he is a menace. Ross says that he had just saved his life and was simply standing there after having done so. He asks if they wanted him to kill an unarmed man whom he owed his life to. He asks who the monster is supposed to be. Gyrich asks why Ross didn’t sedate him on the way here just to be safe. Ross says, “He asked me not to.” Ross says that he has had a good deal of time to think about his life lately. He says that he is starting to realize just how much aggravation they could have saved themselves if they had just done as the Hulk asked them to and not attack him. Cary adds that they have to do that creatively or even that won’t do the job. She says that they have been trying to outmuscle him, but they can’t. She says that they have to outthink him. General Crawford says that they are both nuts. Ross says that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. He says that he has used plenty of vinegar on Banner and that maybe it is time to start sweetening it. Gyrich asks if this has anything to do with the fact that he is married to his daughter. Ross takes a drag off his cigar and blows the smoke in Gyrich’s face. He says that it doesn’t have anything to do with it… it has everything to do with it.

In Freehold, the Troyjans have arrived and taken over the city. One of the soldiers tells Armageddon that Banner has returned and is being held at a military facility. He says that he is different than last time they encountered him. Armageddon asks if he is no longer powerful and green. He is told that he is, but only part of the time. Armageddon says that he wants him there. He says that they have gone to too much effort and that the prize is too important to him. He says that he wants a worthy opponent because none less will do.

The soldiers guarding Banner’s cell tell Betty that there are no visitors. Betty tells them that she is a General’s daughter. She says that she isn’t impressed by their uniforms, their weapons, or their military politeness. She tells the soldier that his gun is dirty and that his boot’s unlaced. She tells him to snap to and get out of her way. Ross tells the soldier to do as she says on his authority. Betty enters the cell. Bruce looks at Betty and says, “Hi, Honey. I’m home.” Betty bites her lip and runs into Bruce’s arms. Bruce tells Betty that he is getting bigger. The soldiers aim their guns, but Ross tells them he wants their rifles slung. He says that if he wanted Banner dead he could have killed him yesterday. Crawford says that he told Ross that Banner was a menace and that Ross has gone soft. Ross says that the only soft thing here is Crawford’s head. He says that they owe Banner more than he can believe. He says that if they shoot that they will hit Betty. Bruce tells Betty to get away. Betty says that so long as she is between them that they won’t shoot. Bruce says that she doesn’t know that, but then Bruce starts to change. He says, “Betty… all of you… hurry! Get away! Get… away!!!” Betty walks up to Hulk and says that she has unfinished business with him. She tells him to go ahead and lie to her again about how he doesn’t remember her. Cary tells everyone not to fire. She says that the bullets will only ricochet and that someone else will get hurt. Betty asks Hulk if he has anything to say to her. Hulk says that he is leaving. Cary tells him to go ahead. She says that they can’t stop him and that they don’t want to stop him. She says that he is waiting for them to hunt and chase him, but that they aren’t going to play that game. She says that if he wants to be alone to go ahead. Hulk smashes through the wall and leaps to the ground below. Crawford says that they are back to square one. Cary says that not if this works they aren’t. Cary radios out to use Plan Laissez-faire.

Three soldiers are gathered around a drum fire. One says that Hulk is coming and tells the others not to panic. One soldier says that they are going to die. Hulk stands right behind them. One soldier asks the others what they hear about the army/navy game. Another asks if they have any money on it. The one soldier says that he has his entire life savings on it. He holds up two fingers just apart and says that he figures that he has this much longer to spend it. Hulk shouts to the “not listening” soldiers that they can’t keep him there. He grabs a tank and holds it over his head. Cary tells Hulk to go ahead and break it if he wants. She says that they are tired of having to explain him handing them their heads time and again. She says that it is like Vietnam. She says that they sink deeper for less purpose. Ross says that Cary is right. He says that he is going to make sure that he is left alone. He says that he doesn’t know how, but that he is. He says that no one will chase or hound him. He says that he will arrange transport to someplace that’s truly remote. He says that there is plenty unoccupied territory on this planet. Cary says that he will be by himself. No one to talk to, no one to challenge him, or care about him. She tells him to leave already. Hulk says that no one tells him what to do and that he will stay if he wants to stay.

The President asks Samson if he really thinks he is going to pardon the Hulk while his transformations are random and more unpredictable. He says that Samson has to be kidding him with the Hulk’s track record. Samson says that track record includes returning the Avenger and Fantastic Four and others to their world. Samson says that many of his recent actions can be explained by the fact that he literally wasn’t in his right mind… or body. Samson says that this is a personally exciting time. The President says that he has enough excitement on his plate. He says that the Hulk was pardoned before and the results were disastrous. He says that he won’t make the same mistake. Samson says that even Ross believes. The President says that the General’s daughter is married to Banner which may be coloring his opinions. He says that he can’t allow devotion to one’s child to affect decisions regarding what’s best for the country.

Reed, Tony Stark, and Bruce are all talking on the phone. Reed says that it is odd. He says that the three of them have a history now, but that they really don’t. He tells Bruce that they will help however they can. Bruce says that is excellent and that right now he needs help with Rick. He says that Rick has been paralyzed from the waist down. Bruce says that they won’t let him near the kind of equipment he would need and that besides it is more their territory. Tony says that he needs an exo-skeleton that is cybernetically linked so he can walk. Bruce says that Rick deserves the best and that’s why he wants Stark. Tony tells Bruce that they are on it and to let Rick know. Bruce says that they have actually agreed to let him go see Rick. He says that he is being transferred to a hospital in San Francisco and that he is on his way right now.

General Crawford asks Cary if Ross gave authorization for an excursion to San Francisco. He asks if Ross is out of his mind. He says that they have to confine Banner. Cary tells Crawford that the Hulk is like a child. She says that he wants love and affection, but that he doesn’t know how to get it in a positive way. She says that instead he puts himself in a position to create havoc and get attention in a negative way. She says that as his enemies they are all too happy to oblige. She says that they have to break the cycle. She says that it has to start somewhere and that it might as well be now. She says that they have to show him that a relationship of trust is possible. She says that the Hulk doesn’t really want to be left alone. She says that he wants what anyone else wants… to be accepted and loved for what he is. She says that he wanted to see his oldest and dearest friend.

Betty holds Bruce’s hand on the flight. Bruce taps his fingers with the other hand.

Marlo welcomes Bruce and Betty to San Francisco. She says that she wishes it was under better circumstances. Marlo whispers to Betty that she said that was her father over there. She asks if he wasn’t dead. Bruce reminds Marlo that she was too. Ross asks what all the whispering is. Betty, Marlo, and Bruce all say it was nothing. They walk into the room and Marlo asks Betty if she is okay. Betty says that she is just a little worn out. She says that from Cairo to New York for the launch of her book, and then to the army base to see Bruce, and now to there that she is just beat. Rick looks up at Bruce and says that he never thought he would see his ugly mug again. Bruce says, “Same here, buddy… same here.” Bruce awkwardly asks Rick if he knows what happened to him. Rick says that it is a total blank. Bruce’s face has a look of relief. Rick says that it is coming back in drips and drabs and that soon enough he will remember the whole thing. Bruce’s face turns down. Suddenly there is a giant rumbling. Bruce shouts that it is an earthquake. Rick says that it is too steady and rhythmic. He says that it is probably giant robots. A giant robotic hand grabs Bruce though the window. Rick says that he is so sick of being right all the time.

Bruce shouts in the window to “Liz” not to worry and that he has the situation under control. Betty says, “Liz?” Bruce tells Hulk to change. He says that this is the kind of situation that he loves. Hulk tells Bruce that no one tells him what to do. The robot pulls its fist back and Bruce says, “uh oh”.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

Review and picture 2 by The Leader

Picture 1 by Captain Nate

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