Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #25Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #25
Title: “Always on My Mind”
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Penciller: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Tom Palmer
Colors: Avalon Studio’s Arsia Rozegar
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Bruce Banner lies alone in the mountain in the rain. He sits mumbling that he saw Betty die. Bruce says that Abomination killed her. Bruce hears the voices of the gray Hulk and the Professor in his head. Professor is saying that Betty is dead and gone, but Fixit says that she is lying on her back in a glass case and that doesn’t seem gone to him. Bruce says that he can’t go on like this.
Inside his mind at the Crossroads, Bruce is talking to Professor and Fixit. He says that he can’t take it that she is on display in a glass case like a museum exhibit. He says that he could accept it better when he thought she was in the ground. Professor asks him what there is to accept. He says that people don’t lie around in glass cases waiting for their princes to show up. Fixit says that at least Bruce has hope now. Bruce says that he doesn’t want this kind of hope. Bruce says that he is going to be reminded of her death every single day for as long as he lives. Fixit tells the Professor not to look at him. He says that he can’t do anything with the “stubborn little runt” when he is like this. Professor puts his hand on Bruce’s shoulder. He says that what Bruce saw in that case was just flesh- that it wasn’t really Betty. He says that there is no hope of revival and that Blonsky has come and gone. Bruce says that he never forgave Abomination. Bruce says that Professor did that because he represents the forgiving side of his nature. Professor puts both his hands on Bruce’s shoulders and says that Bruce is going to have to accept this even if it means mourning for Betty all over again. He says that they are too unstable right now and that if they don’t get beyond what has happened that they might fracture again. Bruce shouts no and pushes Professor off him. Bruce transforms into the Savage Hulk.
Hulk stands in the mountains screaming “Betty!”
Emil stands in his classroom wearing his robes. He says that he considers himself a storyteller, but that he can no longer be a teacher. He says that after class today he will be moving on. One of the students says that he has been such a good teacher and asks why he has to leave now. Emil says that he can’t say how grateful he is of their unquestioning acceptance and that they are all wonderful students that he has become fond of. Emil says that is why he must leave. He says that he would stay if he could, but that he must go and that it is better that they do not know where he is going. He says that before he goes he would like to give them a piece of poetry. He says that perhaps they will understand his quandary when they read it. He hands Amelia the letter and says that he will miss her most of all. He asks what she and her friends will gossip about now that he is gone. Amelia asks if he is trouble. Emil says, “Let’s just say that trouble follows me.”
Ross’ plant calls him to inform him that Abomination is leaving the class. Ross tells him to follow Abomination, but to remain at a safe distance. Ross says that their “back up” is moving across the country at an alarming rate.
Emil lies on the lake’s bed as his class reads his poem
To my class with gratitude- Emil Blonsky
Though my lover lives in sun’s caress,
I flee her here into this dreamless lake,
To suffer its cold embrace,
As though water itself might forgive.
She lives above and I below,
Where water’s call is to nights of solitude,
To breathe her air would be to bring her here,
Into the cold stir of a languid sea.
And so I cringe and crawl
Under the water’s heavy blankets,
Into a sleep without dreams,
Mercifully blinded to her image,
Awakening, alone, in the sorrow-filled arms of the ocean.
Later the Abomination emerges from the water. He looks up into the sky to see the Hulk leaping towards him. Hulk plows right into Abomination. They plow through the ground, and then Abomination punches Hulk off of him. Abomination says that Dr. Banner has returned with his heart filled with rage. Emil asks what took so long. Hulk says that big monster hurt Betty and that now big monster will die. Emil says not if he has anything to say about it. Abomination says that he sees Bruce is back to being a moron and says that it will just make him easier to destroy. Hulk headbutts Abomination, but Abomination says that Hulk is forgetting that his head is harder than Hulk’s. Abomination headbutts Hulk and then tosses him into the lake.
From the sky a soldier reports to Ross (who is also in the air). Ross asks if every precaution has been taken. The soldier says that the town is almost completely evacuated. He follows up that the fight is heading towards the dam. Ross says, “Good. Let them kill each other. We’ll be there to pick up the pieces when they’re finished.”
Hulk leaps out of the water at Abomination, but he is greeted with a punch to the face that sends him flying. Blood pours from Hulk’s face. Hulk says that he is extra mad now. Hulk leaps into Abomination and both of them fall into the water.
Samson is sitting recording a thought to confront Bruce on his frequent forays into the forest and his self-imposed isolation. Angela comes in, but Samson tells her to hold on as he is riding a train of thought. She tells him to give it a rest and to look. Angela turns on the television to a report of the Hulk rampaging in a town. The reporter says that there is no word yet as to the cause of the outburst. Samson says, “Oh Bruce what have you done?”
Abomination is
wrapped around the Hulk on his back. Hulk reaches the ground and
pushes off into the dam. Hulk keeps pushing off until they crash
through the dam. The nearby town is flooded. The soldiers say
“thank god” that they got everyone out in time. Ross
says that it would be better to thank military precision.
Abomination crawls out of the water back onto the dam. Hulk leaps
into Abomination’s back from out of the water. Abomination
back swings into Hulk’s face drawing more blood. Hulk says
that he is the strongest one there is. Emil says,
“That’s the problem with you, Banner: all the power in
the world… and never the craft to use it properly. All that
muscle… yet you couldn’t even protect the woman you
love…” Hulk shouts, “NO!” and then punches
Abomination in the face with a punch that destroys Emil’s
face. Abomination asks Hulk if he tastes the bile in his stomach
and that now he knows how it felt when Nadia was taken from him.
Abomination says that he hopes Hulk chokes on it. Hulk kicks
Abomination in the stomach. Abomination says that he killed her
and that there isn’t anything he can ever do to bring her
back. Hulk screams 
and then pounds
onto Abomination’s back as he kneels. The mountains rumble.
Hulk screams that Abomination is lying and that Betty is not
dead. He says that big monster just hurt her and that is why he
hates him. Hulk continually pounds on Abomination’s face.
Hulk says that he won’t hear anymore lies when “monster
is dead”. Abomination says, “do it then half wit, and
put us both out of our misery.” Hulk holds his fist above
his head, but instead of striking he turns back into Bruce. Bruce
asks what is he doing.
The two army helicopters land. The soldiers tell Bruce to put his hands in the air, but Ross tells them to let him go. He says that he isn’t what they came for. Bruce says, “You used me old man.” Ross says that Bruce allowed himself to be used as the Abomination is airlifted out in restraints. Bruce says that Ross didn’t show him Betty because he cares, but because he knew that it would send him out after Abomination. Ross tells him not to judge him, and that he doesn’t have to answer anyone as long as they got “the bastard that murdered my daughter.” Bruce says that Ross got what he wanted. He says that it is times like this that he lives in his skin. Ross asks why he would be thankful, and Bruce says that at least he doesn’t have to sleep with Ross’ conscience.
Inside a facility, the Abomination is hooked into a machine like the one Ryker used to trap the Hulk. Bruce speaks to Abomination through a speaker from the observation window. He sees that he is recovering nicely. Bruce says that he supposes that this is their last goodbye. Abomination says to go ahead and gloat, but that they both know that he has hurt Banner more than any man every could. He says that the pain in Bruce’s eyes will sustain him until doomsday. Bruce says that Abomination shouldn’t dish it out if he can’t take it. Bruce directs Emil to look at the screen above the window. Bruce says that he knows all about Emil and that he was an affront to humanity even when he was just a Russian spy. Bruce says that is probably why their intelligence agencies has him under a blanket of surveillance for years before he came to America. Bruce shows Emil a tape of his last night before leaving for America. Bruce says that Nadia hoped that he wouldn’t be gone long so he would be able to see her performing later the following month. He says that Emil asked her that if he were gone for a long time if she would forget about him. Bruce asks if Emil remembers what she said. Abomination says “no” more as a protest than an answer to Bruce’s question. The tape says, “Oh Emil... no matter what happens… I will always love you.” Emil and Nadia kiss on the tape. Abomination begs Bruce to turn it off. Bruce says that Ross saw to it that it doesn’t turn off. He says now he knows how it feels. Emil begs for mercy as the tape runs again. Bruce says that Emil did it to himself and that he is going to have to live with the consequences. Bruce says that he is going to have to taste that pound of flesh that he took from him for the rest of his life. Bruce says that he hopes he chokes on it.
Bruce walks out of the building to Abomination’s screams.
As he walks his clothes start to tear and the savage Hulk walks away.
No Excuses rating: 9.95 out of 10
Again the writing is spectacular. The tension between Bruce and Emil is intense. Bruce feels like Bruce, Abomination feels like Abomination. Ross is perhaps shown to be a little smarter than I recall, but every dog has his day and the guy is a general. The speech for savage Hulk is a little odd. Abomination is “Big Ears” not big monster, and I’m not sure why Betty had to be Bettee.
Romita shines in this issue. This is one of the first battles in a VERY long time that gave me the feeling like the Hulk I used to read as a kid. Smash mouth comics. Again hide Emil’s shame and I’m not real thrilled with Romita’s Professor and Fixit, but these are mostly nitpicky things and I just thoroughly enjoyed this issue.
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