Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #17Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #17
Title: “Dogs of War part 4”
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Penciller: Ron Garney
Inker: Sal Buscema
Colors: Jason Wright
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Private Benny Tibbetts sits at a local bar. A woman named Charlene asks Benny if he thinks she is pretty. Benny starts to stumble an answer, but Charlene answers the unasked question of whether she thinks he is pretty by saying that she thinks he is. Benny starts making excuses saying that he had better get back to the base. He says that he is on special duty, and that if he stays out past curfew that he has to explain it to the chief. Charlene puts her hand on Benny’s shoulder and says that she thinks that he needs to relax a little. She says that she would be willing to help him relax, and then asks Benny if he wants to go someplace. Benny starts to grow huge bumps on his face. He shouts, “I said NO!” Benny changes into a giant green monster and says that he is sorry and didn’t mean it. Benny says not to look at him as he leaps through the bar window. Flux runs back to base.
The Professor sits in the swamp waiting for Ryker to come for him now that he has turned his cloaking device. Professor thinks to himself that he has been trying to avoid the issue, but now the cracks are starting to show. Professor thinks how he was supposed to be a merger, but that if he were really a mixture of Banner, Savage Hulk, and Gray Hulk that he wouldn’t have found himself at the Crossroads with the other incarnations. Professor wonders if Betty knew that he wasn’t really Bruce. Professor wonders if he always knew. He thinks to himself that he was supposed to be a merger, but that he isn’t. He is just another cheap imitation.
Back on base
Benny is working out his frustrations on a heavy bag. He says
that she was just a girl and asks what is wrong with him. As he
gets angrier he starts to change into Flux. Flux shouts that he
isn’t a man… that he is freak. Flux blasts the heavy
bag right off the chain holding it. Ryker enters the room and
tells Private Tibbetts to stand down. Benny apologizes and says
that he was just letting off some steam. Ryker says that he
understands the frustration Benny has been having waiting for his
orders to come down. Ryker says that his patience will be
rewarded and that they have found the man responsible for his
condition… Bruce Banner. Ryker says that they have tracked
him to a swamp in Florida. Ryker says that this may be their only
chance to take Banner down before he can do anymore damage. Ryker
says that Benny’s hard work is about to pay off and that he
is to bring down the Hulk. Tibbetts says, “Sir, yes
sir”. Ryker tells Benny that he spoke with the president,
and that he gave Benny his best wishes. Ryker reminds Benny that
the Hulk took down that commercial flight and that he wasn’t
alone. Ryker says that Banner has been in league with the Iraqis.
Ryker says that this is where Benny makes his mother proud. Ryker
adds that he gives Benny his full support considering what Banner
did to him.
Samson gets off with the phone with She-Hulk and tells Angela that Bruce’s conviction in the destruction of the commercial flight has been upheld. Angela says that she is sorry. Samson says that it gets worse. He says that She-Hulk is convinced that somebody got to the judge and that she should have easily won the case. Angela clarifies that she was saying sorry to Samson for calling him a liar about what he did to Bruce. She says that it is easy for her to judge him, but that she doesn’t have any patients that turn into rampaging monsters. Samson says that he appreciates that and says that he wishes things would have been different with Bruce.
Professor had just about given up that anyone was coming when he hears Benny Tibbetts parachuting in. Hulk asks Benny if he is in cub scouts or the micro marines. Benny turns into Flux and decks Hulk. Flux tells him to save it for Saddam. Hulk says that the first one is free and invites Flux to give up now. Flux charges. Hulk grabs up a huge piece of rock and tries to hit Flux with it. Flux punches the rock into pieces as Hulk swings. Flux shouts that he isn’t getting away with it, and that he is bringing him in for what he has done. Hulk asks what they are talking about. Flux says to look at his face and that Banner did this to him. Hulk tries to explain that someone is lying to Flux, but Flux keeps swinging. Hulk hits Flux with a crocodile. Hulk grabs Flux and holds him underwater for a minute. Hulk says that if Ryker has been talking to him that he is lying to him. Hulk says that it what Ryker does. Flux keeps hitting Hulk and calling him a traitor, but Hulk just stands there taking the punches and standing there. When Flux tires out Hulk pushes him into the water.
Benny surfaces. He says that he knew it wasn’t true, and that the Iraqis never could have reached them by helicopter where they were. He realizes that his own side did this to him. He says that he watched all his friends suffer and die. Hulk pulls Benny to shore. Hulk says that the army lies all the time, and that is where good little soldiers come from. Hulk asks Benny what his name is. Hulk tells Benny to think about it. He says that Ryker knew he wouldn’t stand a chance against him, and that Flux was just a test for him. Benny says that he doesn’t get it. Professor says that he isn’t supposed to get it. Professor turns into Banner. Banner says that he knows all about suffering and gamma rays. Bruce says that he is dying of ALS, but that he isn’t giving up. Bruce says that he can help Benny. Benny says that the power gets out of control the madder he gets. Benny says that he gets more scared the angrier he gets. Banner puts his hand on Benny’s shoulder and says that he understands.
No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10
The writing in the issue is actually kinda subpar, but I brought it up to average because I always enjoy the creation of a new Gamma People. The plot here doesn’t seem to move anywhere, and aspects of the book seem to make even less sense to me when Ryker’s big goal is finally realized later. Garney and Sal do a great job on the ordinary art, but the fight between Hulk and Flux is very anti-climactic.
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