Incredible Hulk vol. 3 #30

Title: “Spiral Staircase part 1”

Writer: Sean McKeever

Plotters: Paul Jenkins and Sean McKeever

Penciller: Joe Bennett

Inker: Tom Palmer

Colors: Avalon Studio’s Arsia Rozegar

Editor: Tom Brevoort

In a graveyard a man starts to dig a grave with a machine.

Bruce Banner thinks about all the death that seems to follow him. He says that sometimes he thinks that the Hulk isn’t his curse, but rather all the death around him is. Bruce says that even with all the death surrounding him he never thought that he would die.

Doc Samson teleconferences with Reed Richards about trying to find a cure for Bruce Banner’s ALS. Samson says that there is something about Bruce’s physiology is speeding up his deterioration. Samson suggests that his transformations into the Hulk, or perhaps Banner’s severe depression might be accelerating it. Samson says that Bruce sometimes chokes on his own saliva, and while his body is destroyed his mind is sharp and he is forced to watch himself deteriorate. Reed Richards says that he can make many amazing machines, but that if he could cure ALS that he would have already done it. Richards sends his thoughts to Bruce. Samson says to Angela that he has contacted every big brain, and even consulted Dr. Strange, but that they all say that they can’t do anything. Angela starts to cry, but Samson says that they need to be strong for Bruce.

Angela and Samson stand by Bruce’s side. Angela kisses Bruce’s forehead and says that he should get some sleep. Bruce thinks that it might be nice to sleep instead of going insane from not being able to even scratch your nose, but that he dare not sleep because it might be the last time he closes his eyes.

Bruce finds himself working on the secrets of gamma radiation. He drives forward without a break, not because of a deadline, but because of the thrill of his work. Betty stands behind him as he works. Betty comes up and kisses Bruce’s cheek. Bruce suddenly realizes that this is all in the past. Bruce is sucked into a void. Bruce finds himself at the bottom of a spiral staircase. Bruce starts to climb the staircase when he hears his name being called. Bruce looks over and sees a mineshaft in the desert. The voice says, “Here I am, Bruce. I’m ready for you now…”

Bruce wakes up in his hospital bed. Angela greets him. She has a protein shake for Bruce, but Bruce tells her to go away. Angela tries to tell him that he needs some nourishment, but Bruce repeats that she go away. Angela leaves. Bruce reaches out towards his picture of Betty. Bruce is the one that starts reaching, but the Professor is the one who reaches it. Professor walks out to Samson and Angela and says that he doesn’t think Bruce is coming back.

At the Crossroads, the Devil welcomes Bruce to the rest of his life, and says that he is looking forward to spending some quality time with him. Fixit asks Bruce if he can’t do something about Devil Hulk. Banner says that until he figures out how to get rid of him permanently that he can’t do anything. Savage Hulk and Fixit hold Devil Hulk’s arms. Bruce asks Devil Hulk why he is messing with his dreams now. Devil Hulk ignores the question and starts pontificating on all the evil he will do when he finally gets out of there. Bruce keeps telling Devil to shut up as Devil says that first he will kill Samson, and then he will spend a little time getting reacquainted with Angela. Devil says that after that he thinks he will find a time machine and asks Bruce where it was that Betty went to high school. Savage Hulk shouts that Banner said to shut up. Savage Hulk snaps Devil’s arm behind his back.

The Professor says that he has come across a subliminal message that the Hulks and Banner have been hearing. Professor says that it is more than a voice that it is an atmosphere. Samson and Angela point out that it is most likely a trap. Professor says that it isn’t like that, and that every instinct in his body tells him that the message there is important.

Professor leaps out to the mineshaft from Bruce’s dream. Professor notices a strange smell, and then notices some small bug like creature carrying a piece of machinery. Professor picks up the thing and wonders if it is made of cactus. Professor puts it down and follows it on its course. Professor comes face to face with the Leader who is hooked into some strange machine. Leader says, “Welcome doctor, I knew you’d come.”

No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10

All in all a pretty cool issue. I know that Jenkins’ “run” is over and so Bruce’s ALS has to finally come to a head, but it’s still nice that there is finally something happening on that front. Bruce disappears and the Hulks take over. It’s great that the Leader is finally back after over an eight year absence. The problem with the book is that it is essentially a ten minute read, and while there is movement there isn’t much clarity.

The biggest problem I have with the book is the handling of the big brains of the Marvel U. First of all, I don’t believe for a second that Reed Richards and the big brains of the Marvel universe all simply dismiss the possibility that they might find a cure, or something, for Bruce Banner. Obviously Bruce’s ALS is some sort of special affliction as every circumstance in Banner’s life is extraordinary. Even if it wasn’t I don’t believe that Reed wouldn’t even bother to check it out himself.

Bennett’s work is good, and while it isn’t anything spectacular I’m thrilled that he is doing this issue as opposed to letting Kyle Hotz do it. I know that it isn’t Bennett’s fault, but I really rather prefer Garney’s Devil as opposed to Romita’s revised more snake like version. One other thing… another of Bruce’s enemies seems to be going the way of the nudist. Where are these people’s clothes?