Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #464

Title: “Battleground Earth”

Writer: Peter David

Pencillers: Adam Kubert and Joe Kubert

Inkers: Mark Farmer and Joe Kubert

Colors: Digital Chameleon

Editor: Bobbie Chase

Ross and Banner are being led, at gunpoint, by a squad of Troyjans. Ross asks Banner if the Hulk killed Trauma, the son of Armageddon, and that Armageddon is the leader of a race called the Troyjans. Bruce says that it was a mutual endeavor to kill one another and that he likes to think it was self defense. Ross says that war has casualties, and that if Armageddon is some sort of alien warlord that he should know that and not hold him to blame. Ross and Bruce look up. Bruce says that he has bad news for Ross and that he thinks Armageddon still holds a grudge. Ross and Banner look at a gigantic statue of Armageddon and Trauma standing together over the decapitated body of the Hulk. Armageddon holds Hulk’s head in right arm. The people of Freehold look at Banner and Ross with fear in their eyes. Rock sees Banner and Ross and says that it has been a dog’s age. Ross sees LaRoquette of the Hulkbusters. He asks what the devil they have done to him. Rock says that he hasn’t been called anything but Rock for some time now, but that he guesses Ross has a lot to catch up on. He says, “There’s a whole lot you don’t remember. Redeemer…”

Memories flood over Ross. He remember his life as little more than an animated corpse… his essence buried so deep that it seemed as if nothing could retrieve it. He remembers the explosion that killed the Leader… and apparently Ross. He remembers alien like beings prodding and probing him. Their alien technology which maintains their lives brought him all the way back to the land of the living.

Banner helps Ross again. He says that he doesn’t understand why the Troyjans are here in Freehold. He asks what their interest is in it or in him. He asks why they brought Ross. Armageddon appears before them. He says that their spies and technology enabled them to trace back his activities. He says that it lead them to mountain that was once the headquarters for an advanced organization, but that it was utterly destroyed. He says that they traced him back to this place and found that it was of use to them. He says that their troops took over and Ross was sent back out into the world with his memory wiped. Armageddon says that they maintained a tap into Ross’ thoughts and current experiences. He say that they know immediately whatever Ross knows. He says that as far as Banner goes that he will be called upon to sacrifice himself so that his son may live.

Surfer flies above ground. He blasts a hole in the ground to gain entrance to Freehold. A white cat that was milling about falls down into the hole.

Marlo tries to feed Rick, but Rick doesn’t want any of it. He asks what he point is. He says that he will still be a “freakin’ cripple” and that he will need an exo-skeleton to walk. He says that he won’t be a real man. Marlo slams the spoon down and says that is it. Rick asks what. Marlo says that he knows that she loves him and that he is upset, but that he is the luckiest guy on the face of the planet and that he can only say “woe is me”. Rick asks what she means by lucky and to look at him. Marlo says that he is still alive, but that it doesn’t matter to him unless he is out there playing hero. She says that all he can do is pity himself. Betty says that maybe this isn’t the time for tough love. Marlo asks if he thinks he isn’t a real man because he can’t walk. She says that Teddy Roosevelt was in a wheelchair and that he was President. She says that he is going to be thankful for whatever Reed Richards and Tony Stark are going to come up with for him and use it. She says that he is going to appreciate it and her presuming he still wants to keep having her. Marlo storms out. Rick asks if it wasn’t FDR that was in the wheelchair. Betty says that it was, but that Marlo was on a roll.

Armageddon takes Bruce to the machines holding Trauma. He says that the person who constructed the equipment, this Leader, was apparently a rather amazing individual. He says that though Troyjan breakthroughs in cellular regeneration and extended life are beyond anything in terran science that the Leader actually took matters a step further. He says that Leader designed a machine that was actually able to fully reanimate body and soul. Armageddon says that Banner is bright and asks if he can perceive it. Banner says that it seems the problem is the power source. He says that it needs another living being for its fuel. Armageddon says that is it exactly. He says that the Leader used an individual named Soul Man, who had such a powerful life force that repeated uses were theoretically possible, but that Soul Man was killed in a resulting explosion. Armageddon says that a gamma-irradiated being of immense power and durability is required to fuel the device. He asks if Banner sees any ways to revise the power source. Banner says that he may with a few months of study. Armageddon says that his scientists theorize that the Hulk’s body can do the job. He says that they will serve as a means to restore his son to life. He says that it will likely kill the Hulk, but that he and Trauma can live with that. Banner says that he can’t be serious. Armageddon says that he is. Bruce starts to say that Hulk will never cooperate with that, but then he starts to transform. Armageddon says that he will get his confrontation sooner than he anticipated.

Hotshot and Jailbait sit with Ross. Hotshot says that he and Jailbait are supposed to be part of the first line of defense in Freehold, but that they didn’t stand a chance when the aliens arrived about a month ago. He says that a full scale assault would have destroyed all of Freehold and that they still wouldn’t have won. Ross says that there is no shame in admitting when you are overmatched. Jailbait asks Ross if he remembers anything of his time with them. Ross says that it is coming back in bits and pieces, but that isn’t the important thing. He says that they have to find a way to liberate the town. Jailbait says that it is hopeless and that there is nothing they can do. Ross says that you never know when help may come from unexpected quarters. Ross asks why those Troyjan soldiers are running. Silver Surfer blasts them. Jailbait shouts, “Wow!! Check it out!!! It’s God!!!”

Armageddon tells the Hulk that he has awaited this for a long time. A Troyjan runs in and tells Armageddon that the Surfer is within the compound and is approaching. Armageddon asks how close he is. Surfer smashes into the room and Hulk says that he is close enough. Armageddon tells his soldiers to return to their posts and that he will handle things from here. Surfer tells Hulk to depart and that he and Armageddon have unfinished business from their last encounter. Hulk says, “no”. Surfer says that this doesn’t have to be Hulk’s fight. Hulk says that there won’t be a fight. He says that he will do what Armageddon wants. Surfer asks what he wants. Hulk says that he wants to kill him to bring his son back. Armageddon says that Hulk’s alter ego has weakened him and that he has no true stomach for battle. He asks Hulk if maybe it is a guilty conscience. Hulk says, “Sure. Whatever.”

Surfer asks Armageddon if he will then leave Earth immediately after the Hulk gives his cooperation. Armageddon says that Surfer has his word as a warlord of the Troyjan. Surfer tells Hulk that he doesn’t have to do this. Hulk says that he does what he wants. The Troyjan scientists begin the procedure. Armageddon asks Surfer if he sees it working. The scientists say that the readings are off the scale. Armageddon says that he knew it would be. He tells him son to come back to him and his destiny. Hulk smiles. Armageddon asks why he is laughing. He says that he should be dying. The scientists say that he is overloading the machinery by forcing energy into it faster than they can handle it. Armageddon tells them to get his son’s body out of there quickly. The machinery explodes and collapses. Surfer and Armageddon are protected by one of Surfer’s bubbles. Armageddon says to let him go and that he has to get him. Surfer says that there is nothing left. He says that he was incinerated. Armageddon says that at least the Hulk is gone. Hulk emerges from the wreckage and says that it tickled. The soldiers want to attack Hulk, but Armageddon tells them to be quiet. He says that Hulk knew all along what he was going to do. He says that Hulk outmaneuvered him, and that he had that much confidence in himself. Hulk says, “yes”. Armageddon says to assemble the troops and that they are leaving within the hour. He tells Hulk that he deserved to win, but that he also deserves to die. Armageddon says that he will kill him and asks when he does who will care enough about Hulk to try and bring him back.

No Excuses rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review and picture 1 by The Leader

Picture 2 by Captain Nate

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