[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Hook, Line & Sinker!
Standing astride the pathway at the interdimensional intersection known as the Crossroads, Dr Bruce Banner is wearing only purple briefs and he hugs himself as the darkness and strange objects surround him, while a bizarre tree has branches literally pointing in every direction along the Crossroads. Dr Banner was once upon a time a famous physicist - inventor of the Gamma Bomb. The radiation released by the detonation of that device transformed Banner into the brute behemoth men called the Incredible Hulk, and, after years of anguish, Banner chose to die in order to be free of that curse. But “death”, it seemed, was somewhat less than permanent. Now, rather than go on sharing his existence with a monster, Banner intends to try to end his life once again - if he can.
Unknown to Banner, his plight was observed only moments ago by he who is from Beyond. The Beyonder quickly vanished, but not before altering the trajectory of a strange energy probe he sensed coming from Earth. The probe initially missed its target - but, with the Beyonder’s help, it is not on its way back to the Crossroads, where it will dramatically affect the lives of Bruce Banner and the Hulk.
‘Courage! I must have courage!’ Bruce tells himself, before wondering why, as he died once before. He recalls how, on that day, when all his hopes of finally being able to control the monster within him were shattered - the day when Nightmare released the savage Hulk from his subconscious. Bruce remembers begging Dr Strange to set him free, and Strange did - leaving him to surrender himself completely over to the Hulk to seek revenge on Nightmare - and so Bruce Banner chose to die, or so Bruce thought.
Bruce crouches down and peers over the side of the path, deciding that it appears life and death are not quite the concrete concepts, the immutable states of being he always supposed them to be. ‘In other words, even though I believed that I was finally blessedly dead, that I was at last free of the curse of becoming the Hulk - I was wrong!’ Bruce tells himself that some insane instinct of self-preservation kept him dormant, but alive so deep inside the Hulk’s brute brain that his reason was incapable of moderating the monster’s rage. ‘Well, not quite! Apparently, even then some aspect of my persona emerged to guide the Hulk, keeping him alive in order to keep me alive’. Bruce decides that the Hulk needed help -he was hunted and hounded by soldiers and super-heroes - no being as savage as he could be allowed to remain on Earth.
Bruce imagines that it was Dr Strange, who, in the end, made the choice between executing the Hulk and exiling him to some other dimension. ‘Or to the many other dimensions accessible from this…this Crossroads!’ Bruce decides. He tells himself that the Hulk was exiled - banished off Earth so that he could never wreak havoc again. ‘Only nobody counted on Bruce Banner still being alive, on my coming back!’ Bruce tells himself as he stands up. ‘But, then…how could they have? I said to Dr Strange that I’d rather be dead than be the Hulk! Yet Strange couldn’t - wouldn’t kill me’ Bruce thinks to himself.
Bruce wonders if he was wrong to ever have asked others to do a job he would have been better off doing himself. Without giving himself time to reconsider, Bruce hurls himself headlong off the pathway on which he stands - and plummets directionlessly through the abstract ether that constitutes the realty at the Crossroads. For what does he hope? To dash himself against some unyielding surface? There is no such surface here as the ether changes around him. To drown himself, perhaps beneath some inestimably deep ocean? Of that fate, too, he is cheated.
For it is with good reason that this place is called the Crossroads. It is a place where many pathways intersect, where many roads cross, and yet a traveler taking any route stretching on forever before him will nonetheless soon find himself back precisely at the same point from which he set forth. ‘I can’t even kill myself! I can’t even die!’ Banner shouts. ‘I’m cursed, I’m doomed, and I can’t ever be free!’ With the realization of his helplessness, Bruce Banner’s rage begins to build - and the howling horror that assumes his place evinces no desire to die at all!
‘GRRAARRR!’ booms the Hulk as he waves his arms about, continuing to fall through the ether that surrounds the Crossroads. ‘Hulk is…falling? No! Hulk sees there is no up here! No down!’ he remarks, adding that he does not understand. Hulk declares that he does not want to understand, he just wants to get out. A handhold in a substantial energy field ends the Hulk’s floating freefall, as he holds onto the side of what looks like a whirlpool. But holding firm, that just leaves the Hulk with his next problem - ‘Where is out?’ he asks. Not knowing, not able to know, the Hulk snarls and sweeps comprehension aside. After all, the Hulk’s credo has ever been, when in doubt…act! Hulk announces that he will climb and find his way out of this place. ‘Hulk will do what Hulk always does! Hulk will live! Hulk will always survive!’ he booms as he begins to climb.
And, somewhere trapped once again inside the green gargantuan’s subconscious mind, the essence of the man that is Bruce Banner senses the Hulk’s thoughts, knows the Hulk is right…and weeps.
A change has come over this Hulk. No longer is he the screaming, mindless monster whom Dr Strange banished to the Crossroads. No, with the rebirth of Bruce Banner, the status quo that Nightmare had disrupted when he freed the Hulk’s savagery from Banner’s rational restraints has been partially re-established. Hulk walks across a sand-like platform, before trudging through a watery platform. He is as he was when the long nightmare began - when a powerful burst of gamma rays gave monstrous form to the rage that had always seethed beneath Bruce Banner’s outwardly implacable surface - thus, we have once again a still savage, but also somewhat sentient Hulk.
A Hulk whose power increases in proportion to his anger…but also a Hulk who, in those moments when he rests from his raging…will allow the mind and body of Bruce Banner to emerge and take control once more. So it was at the beginning, so shall it ever be, a curse without end. Reaching the pathway that twists and turns through the ether of the Crossroads, Hulk climbs onto it and gazes around, realizing that he knows this place. ‘Hulk’s friend - Magician - sent Hulk here. But Hulk doesn’t remember why!’ the Hulk declares, before realizing that he knows it is not a good place, and recalls that he has known both hurt and hunger here. Looking at the tree that points in every direction, the Hulk booms that he wants to go home. His howl echoes the length and infinite breadth of the Crossroads…as the Beyonder’s intervention is, at last, about to affect the green behemoth!
As the energy strikes the Hulk, he lurches backwards and shouts in pain - the Hulk gets the impression that he has been injected with a thousand live electrically-charged needles. Desperately, he tries to pull the offending energy-line from his back, but the spot where it struck him and adhered lies just beyond his reach. The Hulk has been “hooked” - just as the behemoth Klaatu was hooked by the laser-harpoon of Xeron, the Star-Slayer. Just as the energy-eater sought to release the Star-Slayer’s hook by fleeing through the dimensional portals opening onto the Crossroads - so too does the Hulk instinctively attempt to escape his torment by running through portals to other worlds.
‘Hulk must escape! Hulk must be free!’ the behemoth booms as he lands on the first world - where he finds himself in a robotic realm. Several robots gather around, and one of them declares ‘Observation! An organic life form has appeared - origin unknown’. Its automaton inhabitants instantly decipher the Hulk’s speech, and analyze his situation. One of the robots states that the organic acts irrationally, while another analyses fear and anger that predominate. A third robot makes a preliminary conclusion - that the cause of fear is the energy line, and adds that removal of the energy line may alleviate fear.
Another robot queries as to whether the energy line can be removed, while one of the earlier robots states that for recordation purposes, it is putting the query to a test. But as the robot tugs at the energy line, it announces ‘Negative response to query: energy line cannot be severed’. The robot offers its conclusion - that the organic is beyond their help. The Hulk howls - and vanishes through another portal in the Crossroads. ‘Observation: Curioser and curioser!’ the robot states.
Dr Strange did not banish the Hulk from Earth to punish the green goliath. No, the mystic master hoped that, somewhere amidst the cornucopia of world’s accessible from the Crossroads, the Hulk would find one world where his savagery would neither cause harm to others, nor cause harm to be done to the Hulk. Wanting to give the Hulk the power to choose a home where he could find whatever it is a monster experiences as happiness…Strange implanted a failsafe spell deep in the brute beast’s brain - a spell that would carry the Hulk back to the Crossroads from any world where he found himself disconnected, thus allowing him to choose again - and again - and again.
He passes from a realm with strange frog-like creatures, to one with jellyfish-like beings floating across a barren landscape, before landing in another world, where yellow-skinned creatures run from him in fear. ‘No matter where Hulk goes - no matter how many strange doors Hulk passes though - Hulk cannot get free from line!’ Hulk booms as he throws a cart into the air, while the line wraps around him.
Another world, with prehistoric-like creatures, Hulk flails about in a lake, struggling to reach for the line, he shouts that on world after world, the story is always the same. ‘Either Hulk can’t reach energy-line - is kept too busy to try - or can’t break line when Hulk finally gets his hands on it!’ the Hulk shouts as he struggles to fight off a tentacled creature on one world, and manages to grab hold of the line on another world, as strange flying fish-like creatures hover around him.
Another ancient world, ‘Energy-line is making Hulk mad, and when Hulk gets mad - Hulk smashes!’ the behemoth booms as he indeed smashes over an ancient pillar. Unoffending worlds bear the brunt of the Hulk’s rage, and he thus attracts the attention of those who try to aid him, if only to so that he will leave those world’s intact, including a large blue-skinned, horned being, who attempts to cut the line.
But to no avail, and the Hulk moves on to another world. For no matter who tries, or what manner of science or sorcerery is bought to bear…the energy-line will not be severed and the Hulk’s anger goes unappeased. More robotic creatures surround him on one world, before the Hulk grabs the line, and shouts ‘Who has done this to Hulk? Hulk wants to know! Hulk wants to KNOW! WHO!’ he booms ever so loudly that it resonates across the Crossroads, as he stands by the pointing tree.
At that moment, something light and ethereal, and strangely, frighteningly human in appearance, comes flashing along the length of the energy line…to cause an almost unbearable instant of agony to both the monster - and the man trapped within him ‘What is happening to me?’ Bruce wonders as the energy form collides with the Hulk. There is a ZAP, and an instant later, Bruce’s spirit hovers in the ether of the Crossroads, staring down at the Hulk, the line still attached. ‘Good Lord! I - I’m floating apart from the Hulk! But if I’m free of my green-skinned alter-ego, then does that mean that the apparition I saw before it happened is trapped within the Hulk?’ Bruce exclaims].
‘Trapped, Dr Banner?’ the Hulk asks, examining his form. ‘I don’t know if that’s quite the right word to describe the current state…of a very grateful Walter Langkowski!’ Bruce’s spirit form looks shocked: ‘Walter Lang…? I once roomed with you back at the university, years before I became the Hulk and you became the super-hero known as -’ he begins, recalling their time together, ‘Sasquatch!’ Walter, still inside the Hulk’s form, replies, before revealing that is where all his troubles began. Walter explains to Bruce that he was trying to duplicate his research with Gamma rays in order to turn himself into a second Hulk. He thought he had succeeded, but it was a all a trick, as there were ancient forces in the world - legendary Great Beasts, long imprisoned, who seized on Walter’s experiments to make him a vessel for their accursed power.
Walter continues, explaining that Sasquatch was born, and for a while, he was perhaps the mightiest member of Alpha Flight - but the Great Beasts took control, and his teammates were forced to kill him. ‘To kill my body, that is’ he explains, revealing that they managed to find a repository for his soul inside the robotic Box armor. ‘I guess I could’ve stayed there, but instead of a man I felt like a ‘57 Buick!’ Walter remarks. Walter reveals that there is a woman on Earth - Aurora - and that he longed to hold her again with arms capable of feeling, and to kiss her with lips able to taste her love. ‘For both our sakes, I wanted to be human again…or as close to human as I could get’ Walter declares.
Walter informs Bruce that to help him, Alpha Flight went fishing - ‘You heard me right!’ he adds, before telling Bruce that since his Sasquatch form really belonged to a being from another dimension, they theorized that they might be able to find a suitable replacement body from a similar source. ‘And your search led you to…the Crossroads!’ Bruce exclaims. Walt explains that Roger Bochs, Alpha Flight’s resident genius, cast his net wide, but yet, their search for a mindless body into which he might merge his soul led them here. Bruce replies that he understands, and tells Walter that until just a little while ago, the Hulk was mindless, but now he is doomed to share his existence with the howling green horror all over again.
‘Doomed? I’m the one that’s doomed!’ Walter snaps, declaring that taking over this body was his only hope of living again. He explains that they never got a clear image of the body they detected at the Crossroads - they never knew it was the Hulk whom they cast their energy-line towards. ‘And now that I know - I wish I had never tried!’ Walter declares. Bruce asks Walter why, and tells him that there is no reason to despair, that he can keep the Hulk’s body. ‘Displace my mind inside the behemoth! Maybe in that way I can at last be free!’ Bruce exclaims. ‘Maybe in that way I can finally…die’.
Walter, still in the Hulk’s form, looks puzzled, and asks ‘You mean…you’d give me this body? You’d die - let your astral form dissipate - that I might become the Hulk? That I might live…I’d be a monster - but would I ever be a man again?’ Walter drops to the pathway, and slumped over, ‘Does it matter? There would be no Walter Langkowski to revert to in moments of calm - that body was destroyed. But at least I’d have the power needed for me to stay in Alpha Flight - and the physicality to keep Aurora happy!’ Walter decides, before realizing what he is saying: ‘Good Lord, listen to me! I must be insane! I was there when the world declared the Hulk to be a hero!’
Walter tells Bruce that he is a hero, to self-sacrificingly offer his life for Walter’s happiness. Walter informs Bruce that he has tried to emulate him his whole life, that he is going to do it one more time. ‘Now I’ve got to be the hero I always pretended to be - and face my fate without asking you to give up your future!’ Walter exclaims. Walter reminds Bruce that he has gotten control over the Hulk before, and he knows he can do it again. ‘Thank you, Bruce Banner, for showing me - how a hero dies!’ Walter declares as his soul leaves the Hulk’s form. ‘Langkowski!’ Bruce shouts out. ‘For the love of Heaven, man, didn’t you understand me? It wasn’t an altruistic offer I was making! I don’t want to live if it means sharing my life with the horror men call Hulk!’ Bruce explains.
Bruce watches as Walter’s soul continues to slide from the Hulk, and Bruce remarks that the Hulk’s personality is actually his rage personified. ‘Should you become the Hulk, you’d have full control over his monstrous power! Use if for good and…’ Bruce’s voice trails off, as the soul of Walter Langkowski ,not native to this body, has already removed itself from Banner’s alter-ego. Now, no longer extending a conscious will to hold his astral form together, and deaf to Banner’s cries, Walter allows himself to dissipate. And with his departure from the body of the Hulk, a vacuum is created - one the native soul-force to this body cannot resist. Bruce Banner once again finds himself locked in a desperate struggle to prevent his being merged with the monster again.
‘No! I don’t want to be the Hulk! I want to be free!’ Bruce exclaims, and screams as his soul is sucked back inside the Hulk’s body. The reunion of man and monster has been consummated - and in that cataclysmic commingling, Bruce Banner’s life once again becomes a curse. The shock to both man and monster is great - for a moment the body of the Hulk stands motionless, paralyzed by the warring minds within it. And in that moment, when the Hulk is least able to exert any of his prodigious power to resist - there comes a mighty tug on the energy line - and the Hulk is hauled from the Crossroads by whatever is pulling him. Now, the interdimensional intersection’s only inhabitant is the dissipating astral form of Walter Langkowski, who watches as the Hulk is pulled away.
The Hulk cries out as he is tugged through the Crossroads. ‘Again energy-line pulls at Hulk! Pulls Hulk away! Pulls Hulk - where?’ the behemoth wonders. An instant later, he finds himself back on Earth - and in the laboratory belonging to Roger Bochs, who, as Box, holds an interdimensional fishing rod, its energy line attached to the Hulk. Most of Alpha Flight is present - Northstar, Aurora, Shaman and Puck, as well as team leader Heather McNeil Hudson and Alpha Flight’s associate, Madison Jeffries. ‘Sapriste!’ gasps Northstar. ‘Good Heavens!’ Heather exclaims as they see the Hulk before them. Aurora asks Box if he is sure that this is her Walter, to which Box replies that Walter sent his life-force out along the energy-line that he cast across the dimensions.
‘If that’s not Langkowski, then who can it be?’ Madison asks. ‘A beast as great as Sasquatch himself’ Shaman replies, adding that it is a creature whose body would have been a perfect host for their teammate’s mind. But Puck points out that from the way the monster is growling, he thinks that perhaps Alpha Flight has made a mistake. ‘We may have cast out our line with Walter Langkowski as bait - but I feat that all we have caught is the Incredible Hulk!’ and with that, the Hulk sneers and growls at Alpha Flight….


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
X-Tremes!
Shrouded though they are on the video screen, three individuals of authority address Alan Quartermain in the bowels of the Gamma Base. The leader of the trio informs Quartermain that the SHIELD council isn’t pleased. Not pleased at all. Did he think he could indefinitely cover up the debacle that this entire project has deteriorated into? He had two simple assignments – keep tabs on Bruce Banner, and get rid of the Hulk. That was all.
Raising his hands in defense, Quartermain asks if he can remind them that the Rick Jones Hulk is gone. He may, one replies, if he may remind him that the Rick Jones Hulk didn’t even exist before the entire mess began. His creation, he continues, came from his plunge into a nutrient bath which Quertermain assured them would terminate the Bruce Banner Hulk, budid not. Another failure on his part.
Before Quartermain can respond, however, the man continues, explaining that they of the council will be reassessing the situation. It is becoming clear, however, that Bruce Banner is, at this point, becoming expendable. He trusts that Quartermain understands their meaning. As the SHIELD council signs off, Quartermain can only think to himself that they can’t be serious. Expendable?
Elsewhere, a gray monster rampages, swinging blindly at the world around him - he is the Hulk. At the moment, he stands in an alley between two buildings and, in his fury over his imminent change back to Bruce Banner with the sunrise, he strikes one of them. As a result, in seventeen second, the building will collapse. I should be the Hulk all the time , he shouts. I’m the strong one. The seconds continue to pass and, during them, the Hulk’s gray skin turns pink and his prodigious size diminished. Seven seconds later, only Bruce Banner remains.
Taking in his surroundings, Banner exclaims that he’s not abandoned on a mountaintop or in a desert! His luck’s finally changing! Three seconds later, a piece of brick from the damage wall lands upon his head, knocking him out. Fortunately, his situation is witnessed by one of the inhabitants of the building across the alley. Moving quickly, the man races to Banner’s side, thinking that this is his chance. His big chance! And he’s not screwing it up.
With seconds to spare, the man drags Banner out of the alley and into his home in the adjoining building through the open window. Half a moment later, the seventeen seconds since the Hulk’s blow on the building’s wall is up – and the whole building collapses. Well, one of the building’s inhabitants thinks, there goes he neighborhood.
After placing Banner on his bed, the man continues to grin. Seeing that Banner is still breathing, he surmises that the rubble must have just creased his skull. He won’t be worth a cent dead, he bets. Not he, the man corrects himself. It. It has to be a mutant. Nothing else could just change from being a gray monster to a 90-pound weakling. And he just knows those mutant hunters in New York, X-Factor, will want it. He’s seen all their commercials. And they must pay some sort of finder’s fee. Five, ten thou. He bets they’re loaded. And, man, does he need the bucks. The man takes a moment to consider whether he should call the cops first. However, he thinks against it. They’ll just grab the credit for catching him… it. Picking up the phone, he asks the operator for the number for X-Factor.
Deep inside X-Factor’s HQ, Iceman stands in the training room, facing Cyclops and Marvel Girl. He tells his teammates that he’s ready. Marvel Girl is unsure, thinking it’s a little soon. However, Cyclops replies that Bobby’s the best judge of his own readiness. Confirming it, Iceman states that Scott’s got it. If he can’t get his ice power under control, he’ll be as reliable as Ivan Boesky. With this, he tells Jean to get ready.
Trying to send a nice, simple iceball, Iceman instead generates a giant sphere of ice the size of a Buick. Marvel Girl, however, tells him not to worry. It’s his first try… and it’s nothing her telekinesis can’t handle. With a quick thought, Marvel Girl sends the iceball toward Cyclops, who raises his visor and allows his force beam to do the rest, obliterating into particulates. Echoing Jean’s statement, Cyclops tells Bobby that Jean is right. All he needs is time to get his powers under control.
From the door to the training room, Skids peeks her head around the corner. She tells them that she knows that the ready-light’s still blinking out there, but this is kinda important. Is it safe? She’s told that it is, though they have some falling moisture. Otherwise it’s okay. Entering, Skids smiles as the snowy-rain slides off of her forcefield. She jokes that she hadn’t heard any predictions about rain indoors. But her forcefield is better than an umbrella.
Turning to her earlier urgent subject, Cyclops asks what was so important. Skids replies that she checked out that call, like Cyke asked. The one from Dick Terrance out in Sparta, Illinois. Wire services reported that a building really did collapse out there, just like Terance said. No reason was given and there was no mention of a gray monster… at least in official reports. That doesn’t mean anything, though, Marvel Gil counters.
His decision made, Cyclops announces that he and Jean will check it out. Iceman protests, stating that he’s coming too. When Jean replies that he doesn’t have to prove anything to them, Bobby rejoins that it’s not for the. He’s doing it for himself. He’s got to get hold of his ice power. It’s his responsibility, and no one else’s. And he’s not gong to do it hiding out there at their HQ when X-Factor is needed. Relenting, Jean says that he can, if he’s sure. Though his thoughts are the exact opposite, Bobby informs her that of course he’s sure.
Meanwhile, Bruce Banner thanks his host, Dick Terrance, telling him that it was extraordinarily kind of him, pulling him in from the alley like that. Most people would have just left him there. He’s been around, and very few have showed him the sort of kindness he has. Fixing some coffee at the stove, Dick thinks that he wishes he’d stop saying things like that. It makes him feel like a first class creep. Mutants are supposed to be inhuman monsters. This guy’s about as threatening as Woody Allen.
Ignoring Banner’s compliments, Dick tells his guest that there’s some clothes on the chair for him and offers coffee. When Banner asks for de-caf, that being all he drinks, Dick replies that it’s the same for him. He hates stuff that makes him nervous. Same here, Banner replies. Old habit.
Taking two steaming cups of coffee to Bruce, Dick asks what his last name is. Pausing a moment, Bruce responds that it’s Ross. Bruce Ross. Quickly changing the subject, Bruce notices that one of the mugs has a Cubs logo on it and asks Dick if he is a fan. A friend of his, Rick, is a big Cubs fan too. A little taken aback, Dick asks Bruce if he has a lot of friends. Repeating the words as he holds his mug, Bruce closes his eyes. Friends. A wife. But… things keep coming up. Keeping them apart. Geez, Dick says... a wife. Any, uh, kids? No, Bruce replies. No children.
A knock at the door causes Dick to leap to his feet and bolt to the door. It’s X-Factor, he thinks. He knows it! And he feeling like a Judas. He knows what he turned into but, for pity’s sake, he’s got a wife. Who is he to… Opening the door, Dick finds not X-Factor, but a woman, whom he recognizes. Saying her name in surprise, Melanie, he then quickly changes it to “honey.” Immediately, he tries to introduce Bruce as a cousin of his, but Melanie cuts him off, immediately telling his that it’s nice, but they have to talk. Privately.
Sensing a sensitive subject, Bruce offers to leave but Dick emphatically tells him no. He should stay put. They’ll walk around town for a little, and then he’ll be back. Bruce should get some rest. Leaning back on the couch, Bruce replies that he will, if Dick is sure. By the way, he then asks, what town is this, anyway. Receiving the name of Sparta, Illinois, Bruce thinks that it accounts for the Spartan living conditions of the apartment.
Once outside, Melanie asks Dick about his cousin not knowing what town he’s in. Offering only a weak reply, Dick says that he’s… very confused. He’s not the only one, Melanie rejoins. Pausing a moment, she tells him that there’s not good way to say this, but, uh… The test came back positive, Dick finishes. Replying that he’s right, she asks what they do know. They get married is what, Dick answers. It’s his kid, too. It’s his responsibility... right?
Pausing in their stroll, Melanie turns to Dick and tells him that he’s so sweet, but… how are they going to live? Their jobs at Sears don’t pay near enough to support a family. Smiling slightly, Dick replies tells her that he’s got a few irons in the fire. Believe him, money won’t be a problem at all. With this, he asks the future “Mrs. Terrance” to give him a hug. As they embrace, however, Dick is unsure. Now, he’s really committed to turning Bruce in. It’s more than just him now. He’s got a responsibility to Mel and the baby. But he feels like a grade-A creep. He’s turning in somebody for money. What does that make him? Probably exactly what it feel like.
Back at Dick’s apartment, Bruce speaks to Clay on the telephone, telling him that it’s good to hear his voice too. On the other end, Quartermain tells Bruce that they were getting a bit concerned about him. After all, he went into town close to two weeks ago, and they haven’t heard from him since. But, hey, no big deal. Where is he? They’ll come get him. Hearing Bruce asks about Rick, Clay replies that, yeah, he’s around. He’ll get him if he wants. Anything for him, he tells Bruce.
Back in Sparta, Bruce is concerned. Something’s wrong. Nothing he can put his finer on, but Clay sounds… strained. Almost as if… Hearing Rick’s voice on the other end of the line now, Bruce tells him hello. On the other end, Rick give Bruce a jovial hey, hey! If it isn’t Robert Bruce Banner. “How are you doing, Bob?” Asked by Bruce how things are, he replies that everything’s fine there in beautiful New Mexico. They want him back, he tells Bruce. No questions asked. Asked if he’s sure, Rick again tells “Bob” that he is. It’s not like he’s got five scowling SHIELD agents surrounding him or nothin’.
Hovering around Rick, who is reclining in a chair, five SHIELD agents scowl at his statement.
Taking a moment to digest this, Bruce thinks of how Rick’s never calls him Bob. Always “Bruce” or “Doc.” He’s trying to warn him, tell him something’s wrong. He’s trying to tell him not to come back. But how can he not come back?
Returning to the line, Clay tells Bruce that he must have missed his earlier question. Just where is he? Replying that he’s not quite sure, Bruce says that if best guess is… Seattle, Washington.
At the St. Louis airport, an airport worker marvels at the enormous plane, asking what’s in it – a bowling alley? A fellow worker calls him a doofus that it’s X-Factor, the mutant hunters. They’re going to kick some mutant tail, he bets.
Nearby, unloading their equipment from the plane, Bobby asks Scott if he heard that. It really burns him up. It’s all part of the cover, Scott replies. They knew that going in. Finished loading their van, the trio drives off. Yeah, Bobby continues, as they drive, now that they’re in, it’s really starting to get to him. The whole X-Factor gig. They come on like Nazis. Like mutants are the disease and they’re the cure, to quote the sly. He thinks the harm they’re doing far outweighs the good.
Speaking up, Jean tells Scott that she’s has to kind of agree with Bobby. Sure, they’ve helped kids like Skids and Boom-Boom… But at what cost, Scott finishes. He hears what she’s saying. He hates to admit it, but he’s been thinking about it himself. But how can they change now? Easy, Jean replies. By coming across as a helpful organization, rather than a bunch of tough guys. Yeah, Bobby agrees. Make it clear that mutants are not threats. Just… misguided.
Right, exactly, Jean replies. And they’re going to guide them. As it is, people must think any mutants they find are immediately executed. It’ll work, she tells Scott. They should try a softer, more easygoing approach. Ditch the whole stormtrooper attitude. All right, people, Scott says, as they pass the sign welcoming them to Sparta, Illinois, they’ll give it a try. How bad could it be?
Walking in his front door, Dick carries two bags of groceries from the local “Shop Easy.” At first, he yells a playful, Honey, I’m home, until he finds the apartment empty. Frightened by the implication, he drops the groceries in shock.
Meanwhile, Bruce strolls through the neighborhood, thinking that this was just what he needed to clear his head. Nice, brisk walk… just like an ordinary person. Of course, an ordinary person doesn’t have such problems as whether or not to return to Gamma Base. If Rick’s in trouble, how can he not help him. And Betty… He’s most concerned about her. He has a vague recollection of being with her and then turning into the Hulk. He prays she’s all right. She has to be. He couldn’t live with himself if he hurt his wife. Then again, it’s not himself he’s worried about living with. It’s the Hulk.
Suddenly, Bruce is brought from his thoughts by a basketball hitting his foot. He bends down and picks it up, returning it to the two boys who had accidentally tossed it his way. Here you go, boys, he says with a smile.
Returning to his thoughts, Bruce thinks that it’s been almost two weeks since he was last at Gamma. The moon is full; that means that his personality is at its most dominant, and that the Hulk is weak. At least, weak for him. That’s why he was actually able to force him to leave him somewhere he wouldn’t be out of commission all day. He was furious. He’s glad.
Speaking of day, he remarks to himself, there’s not much left. He’d better get back to Dick; thank him for his trouble, and then find an open field somewhere to change, so there won’t be anyone or anything around for him… it to destroy. But, he also thinks, he’d better decide about Gamma Base. Soon.
At his apartment, Dick is putting his groceries in his freezer when a knock at the door causes his heart to race. He’s back! he exclaims. Running to the door, he opens it with a grin, telling Bruce that he have him a real scare. Unfortunately, it’s not Bruce… but it’s X-Factor. His arms crossed and looking stern, Scott Summers asks if they did… and then offers apologies.
Chiming in, Bobby introduces the group and tells Dick that they were hoping they could chat with him and the fellow he believes is a mutant. Stammering a minute, Dick agrees. But first, they should talk price. Jean doesn’t understand, so Dick explains – his price… his finder’s fee. His cut. As Bobby rolls his eyes at this, wondering why they can’t be ditch diggers or something, Jean is vocally incredulous. They’re talking about people, here. He can’t barter for someone’s life. If there’s a mutant there, he’s probably scared, frightened. They want to help him, not “buy” him. He should have some compassion, Jean tells Mr. Terrance.
In a weak defense, Dick Terrance replies that he’s got compassion. But, uh, there’s something he doesn’t have… And what would that be, Jean asks.
A few minutes later, Jean is once more irate. Pointing her finger in Dick’s chest, Jean tells him she doesn’t believe this. He just let him wander off! They man needs their help. Think. Where could he be? Defensive against Jean’s tone, Dick replies that he doesn’t know. Anywhere. He’s sorry he started this.
Outside, having found the need for fresh air from the situation, Bobby silently rants. All this distance for nothing. Still, he hates to admit it, but part of him is relieved. Despite what he said to Jean earlier, the thought of using his ice power give him… well… the chills.
Suddenly, Bobby notices a man walking down the street. Immediately recognizing him, he calls out to him. Hey! Doctor Banner! Banner, however, is less than pleased. Thought he doesn’t recognize the X-Factor uniform, he nonetheless assumes that it has to be SHIELD. They traced the call somehow! Turning around, Bruce runs down the street, adamant that he can’t let them take him back. Not until he gets this all straightened out in his mind.
Meanwhile, Bobby calls out for Bruce to wait and come back. Hearing the commotion, Scott runs around the corner, asking Bobby what it is. When Bobby answers that it was Bruce Banner, Dick announces that that’s him. It has to be the same guy!
Jean is confused, however. Dick had said that he was gray. The Hulk is green. Look, Bobby interrupts. They’ve gotta get this sorted out. And the only way to do it is to catch up with Banner. Quickly, the trio jumps into their van to speed off, though Jean makes sure to use her TK powers to keep Dick Terrance off of their backs.
Still running, Bruce looks over his shoulder, immediately noticing the passenger van following him. It has to be them, he thinks. Still, he’s lucky. If they came out in full force, they’d have had him. As it is, he’s hardly in the clear. Noticing a train approaching his position, Bruce has a plan, dangerous though it is. Bolting toward the tracks, Bruce manages to clear them before the train races by. Though ecstatic at making it, he can’t help but feel the deafening pounding in his head. However, he quickly realizes that it’s not the train. Good Lord, he lost track of time. It’s…
The X-Factor van has come to a halt on the other side of the tracks, having to wait until the train passes by. While they wait, Jean chides Scott that this is ridiculous. If the man is that desperate to avoid them, they should let him be… After all, they’ve been hounded enough in their life not to do it to someone else. She also read that he was separated from the Hulk, so Banner isn’t a threat to anyone.
Still unsure, Scott replies that he still thinks there’s something seriously wrong, but if she’s certain… Never been more so, Jean rejoins. Besides, they probably couldn’t even find him. Their mutant tracking equipment won’t pick him up, and visually they’ll never spot him. The sun just set.
Suddenly, Bobby notices something, pointing out to Jean and Scott that the something has just pulled the train off the tracks. Jean suddenly understands. It’s can’t be, she mutters. It’s… Trouble, Scott thinks. Before them, a train car is being held by a massive, gray creature that walks like a man. Preparing to toss the massive car effortlessly, the incredible Hulk tells Scott that he is trouble. Big trouble. The biggest.
So, the Hulk continues, they’re from SHIELD, huh? Well, they can shield themselves from this! With that, the Hulk tosses the train car at the van, which the trio have already begun to exit from. The team’s bolt is aided by Jean’s telekinesis, which carries them a safe distance away, even as the van is flattened. Grateful, Bobby takes a moment to thank Jean for the telekinetic hustle, then adding that the rental car people will be ticked.
Rather than press his advantage, the Hulk decides to depart. One warning, SHIELD, he tells them first. They’re lucky. Usually, he doesn’t give any warnings. But he’s in a good mood. With this, he leaps away, into the night. Trying to take this in, Jean asks they others is that was really the Hulk. Scott replies that he’s not sure but, whatever he is, they have to stop him. No further words needed, Scott removes his visor, emitting an optic blast, which throws the Hulk off of his trajectory arc, knocking him to the ground and into a printing factory.
As the trio begins to shed their X-Factor jumpsuits for their X-Terminator costumes beneath, Iceman laments their situation. They tried going in as a laid-back X-Factor and wind up in their costumes. No choice, Cyclops replies. They have to get him out of that building before he hurts someone. A few moments later, the three telekinetically hover above the hole through which the Hulk entered. Grinning mischievously, the Hulk states that he was wrong. They’re not SHIELD. They’re the X-Men. They’re not the X-Men anymore, Cyclops replies. They’re X-Terminators. They all change, don’t they, Hulk? X-Men… X-Terminators… it doesn’t matter, the Hulk states. ‘Cause now they’ll be… X-Tinct!
With this, the Hulk grabs a piece of machinery and prepares to throw it at the mutants. However, a quick optic blast from Cyclops knocks the Hulk off of his feet and into another piece of machinery. Quickly, Cyclops moves into action, ordering Marvel Girl and Iceman to keep the Hulk off balance. They have to contain him. Hearing this, the Hulk emerges from the wreckage he fell into. Contain… me. Hah!
Grabbing the wreckage around him, the Hulk proceeds to toss them all like missiles, causing the trio to fall back. Trying to regain control, Cyclops orders Iceman to buy them some time, which he tries to do, creating an icewall. To his astonishment, the icewall is twice as thick as usual. When’ll he get it under control, he wonders. Cyclops tells him not to knock it, but Iceman is unsure. He is even more unsure when he feels the ground trembling. Wh…
Suddenly, a roller from the printing press crashes through crashes through the icewall. Immediately, Marvel Girl tries to slow it down with her telekinesis, but knows that she can’t stop it. Seeing Jean struggle at the feat, Cyclops asks her if she’s okay, while buying time with an optic blast to the Hulk’s chest, knocking him off of his feet again. Just a nosebleed, she reports. It happens when she pushes herself. No problem.
Regrouping, the trio move to find the Hulk, who has disappeared in the darkened printing factory. Not seeing him, Iceman warns Cyke not to order them to split up and look for him – he’s not ready for that. Suddenly, the Hulk leaps in from of Iceman, asking if he’s ready for this. He offers the mutant a free shot, but then backhands him off of his feet when he doesn’t react. Should’ve figured he’d freeze, the Hulk quips.
Turning to Marvel Girl, the Hulk tells her that she’s different. She’s the dangerous one. She’s got power he can’t see. He doesn’t know how strong she is, so they should find out. Approaching her menacingly, even ask she uses all her telekinetic might to stop him, he scoffs at her reaction. That’s all she can do, he mocks, wave her hands and scrunch her face? I don’t “wish” away, useless.
Realizing that she cannot stop him, Marvel Girl calls out to Cyclops. Cool and calm, Cyclops realizes that he can’t fire right at the Hulk without hitting Jean. Instead, he turns his head, firing an optic blast elsewhere. With geometric precision, the blast ricochets off of three walls, finally landing in the Hulk’s side and knocking him into a stack of rolls of paper, which collapse on him.
The entire collapse takes thirty seconds, during which time the frantic employees of the print plant scatter. The continuing impact shakes the building like an earthquake and, when the dust settles, they all know that nothing could have survived. Nothing except…
The Hulk! Cyclops exclaims, seeing him emerge from the pile of rolls. While unleashing another blast, Cyclops asks him to listen. None of this is necessary. He should calm down – they’re his friends. Undeterred, the Hulk replies, even as he inches forward against the onslaught of Cyclops’ blasts, that he still doesn’t get it, does he? He has no idea what he’s facing. No idea what he’s messing with. He still thinks he’s that cuddly monster who loved baked beans and puppy dogs. Still trodding forward, the Hulk tells Cyclops he’s dead. He’s here now! And his eye beams are getting’ weak! And he almost has his hands on him.
Nearby, Iceman struggles. What does he do? He hesitated before, didn’t use his power because he doesn’t trust it. Doesn’t trust himself. He might freeze the whole town. But he can’t let him hurt Scott. He can’t! Angered into action, Iceman lets loose his powers, stopping the Hulk in his tracks with a glacier of ice. Thrown off his feet and into the air, the Hulk finds himself floating in a column of ice.
Though impressed with his actions, Iceman yells out for everyone to clear out. When the Hulk breaks out of there… Cyclops interrupts his partner, telling him that he doesn’t think so. The Hulk was really straining there at he end. He really has changed. He’s not as strong as he was. But, what he lacks in strength – he makes up in savagery. They were lucky.
Meanwhile, in the column of ice, the Hulk seethes. Got to break out, get angry, he thinks. But.. so cold. Colder than ice should be. How? Can’t… can’t think. Can’t…
Outside, Marvel Girl remarks that her whole body’s getting numb. This cold he made is incredible. Suddenly, she notices that Iceman has defrosted and asks why. Barely able stand on his own feet, he replies that he’s scared that, if he doesn’t, he’ll be stuck iced over for good.
Now without his ice “mask,” Bobby finds he has to cover his face, as two people come to the group. The first introduces himself as the, Bob Craig, and his associate, Phyllis. He thanks the team for saving their lives. Bobby thanks the man, though with his back to him, turning his attention to Cyclops. When he asks their leader what they do next, Cyclops replies that they contact Banner’s last known base of operations – Gamma in New Mexico. To this, Bobby disagrees. He was running from SHIELD for some reason. They can’t…
Despite Bobby’s protests, the team still contacts SHIELD. Speaking with Clay Quartermain, Cyclops voices his reservations. Although it is clear that Gamma is the only place capable of holding the Hulk, it’s equally clear than Banner was running from it. In response, Clay tells Cyke that he is a personal friend of Bruce’s. He has no reason to fear them. But, as they have witnessed, the Hulk is more of a menace than ever.. and he has to be place in custody. They’ll be there in two hours.
The connection broken, Cyclops considers his choice. He knows that Jean and Bobby aren’t thrilled with him – and right now he can’t say that he blames them. But they can’t handle the Hulk on their own. Still… he doesn’t like the sound of Quartermain’s voice. He sounded as if he was hiding something… like the truth. Why should a government agent bother telling a “mutie” like him the truth? Cyclops hopes he’s doing the right thing.
Back at Gamma Base, Clay Quartermain briefs the SHIELD Council. Excellent, leader replies. He then orders Quartermain to send as many people as it takes. This is his chance to finally end the menace of the Hulk. He trusts they are of one mind on this matter? Speaking up to the giant screen and the shadowed figures appearing thereon, Clay Quartermain replies absolutely. He knows where his responsibilities lie.


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Crossroads
Leaning against the wall of the hospital room, Ramon leans against the open window and remarks at the nice breeze today. Through the cigarette hanging form his lip, he asks Betty to come on. Let’s not have this take forever, huh? Besides, it’s not like they’re checking her out of the hospital. They’re sneaking out. The longer they stay there… Still packing her bag, Betty Banner tells Ramon that, if he’s nervous, she can wear a disguise. Regarding Betty’s appearance – sporting her left arm in a sling, a bandaged head and check – Ramon tells her nah. She looks fine.
Finished packing, Betty pauses as a thought occurs to her. She asks Ramon to hold on; she wants to leave Bruce a note. A note?! Ramon laments, as he looks out the door and scoping the hall. Looking out for hospital staff, he tells Betty that she doesn’t owe Banner anything. After what he did to her, he doesn’t deserve a note… he deserves a knife in the ribs.
Finished with the note, Betty folds it and places in on a table. Her task finished, she turns to leave with Ramon, reminding him that Bruce is her husband. Besides, he didn’t mean to hurt her. He… Interrupting Betty, Ramon tells her that he knows. She keeps telling him… he wasn’t himself. But, he asks her… if Bruce Banner wasn’t himself… then who was he?
As the two leave the room, the note, addressed to “My Dearest Bruce,” catches a gust of wind from the open window. Lifted slightly, the note drops down to the floor and finally comes to rest beneath the rolling table, hidden from sight.
In the printing plant, the Hulk remains immobile, trapped in a column of ice and suspended in mid-leap. Standing before him, Cyclops of X-Factor is deep in concentration. Making his force beam as narrow as possible, he punctures a thin hole through the ice, ending it at the Hulk’s nose and creates an air hole. Successful, he thinks that, though Bobby’s super-cold ice may have completely numbed the Hulk, he still needs to breathe.
His task completed, Cyclops takes a minutes to think about what led him and his team to this moment. In heir guise as X-Factor, they were called to Sparta, IL by local Terrance, thinking that he’d found a mutant. Instead, they found Bruce Banner, who ran as soon as he saw them in their X-Factor disguises. Then, as they sun set, Banner turned into the Hulk, who is gray… but also weaker. Iceman managed to stop him, though. For now. That’s why he called…
Shield, Marvel Girl asks. When did those hot-shot spy types say they’d be there? He’s not sure, Cyclops replies. They are coming from New Mexico, after all. He’s certain they’ll get there as quickly as they can.
Elsewhere, inside one of several aircraft speeding from New Mexico to Illinois, Clay Quartermain explains to Laroquette to keep his chair on; they’re moving as fast as they can. Sitting in his floating wheelchair, Laroquette asks Clay if he can blame him. He and Saunders are anxious. They want to get to Sparta before SHIELD wusses out on them. Again.
There’s little danger of that, Quartermain replies. His instructions were quite specific. Kill the Hulk. Period. Asked about his human half, Bruce Banner, Quartermain replies that he’s expendable. Expendable. Excellent, Laroquette replies. Saunders was hospitalized for two weeks and he’s still in this chair. Thanks to Banner and his gamma ray creatures. He has no sympathy at all.
Digesting this, Clay lowers his head in thought. He wonders, as the rest think this is so great, why he feels so dirty inside. He knows what the SHIELD council expects. He knows where his duties lie. But part of him keeps screaming, “This is wrong! How can you do this to Bruce?” And Betty… what would Betty say if she knew what his orders were?
Miles away, Betty’s note lies undisturbed beneath the rolling table in a lonely hospital room.
In the printing plant, Cyclops and the rest of X-Terminators are still waiting for SHIELD to show up. However, they are not alone, as the employees of the plant have returned, taking a look at the frozen Hulk.
Nearby, out of their way, Jean is annoyed. Telling Scott that this is ridiculous, she reminds him that they’ve been waiting there for two hours now. SHIELD should be there. They should just go. And if the Hulk breaks free after they leave, he asks her. They can’t chance it. Maybe so, she retorts. But she feels like they’re waiting around for the lion to show up so they can stick their heads in his mouth.
Regarding a snack machine along the wall, Jean changes the subject, saying that she’s getting some food and asks Bobby if he wants anything. Bobby declines, so Jean telekinetically moves only one set of coins to the machine. The coins find their way into the slot. Another second later, one of the levers on the machine is pulled out, again by Jean, and the package of Hostess Twinkies which emerges floats back to Jean, all to the astonishment of the assembled crowd.
Continuing her conversation, even as she does all of this, Jean reminds Cyclops that they’re all taking a real risk. They’re not there as X-Factor, the mutant hunters. They’re there as the X-Terminators. As far as the government’s concerned, they’re as popular a topic as Contra funding. As SHIELD’s a government agency. She knows that they’re trying to bolster popular acceptance for mutants, but isn’t this asking for trouble? Perhaps, Cyclops replies, but their “Gestapo tactics” as X-Factor helped foster that anti-mutant attitude. It’s their… Responsibility, Jean interrupts, as she munches on a Twinkie. She knows.
Nearby, Iceman strolls to a soda machine, and get a Coke. Seeing that it’s warm, he wonders if he can rectify it. Unfortunately, his attempt at using his power to lower its temperature causes it to freeze instantly. The increased volume of the soda as a result of the quick freeze causes the top and bottom to burst, instantly forming a frozen fountain of Coca-Cola. Regarding this sight with dissatisfaction, Iceman laments that he’ll never get his ice power under control at this rate. Noticing a cadre of SHIELD operates arriving, Cyclops tells Iceman to toss the soda. Company’s here.
Introducing himself, Cyclops offers his hand - Cyclops. X-Terminators. Quartermain responds in kind - Clay Quartermain. SHIELD. Jesting at this exchange, Jean introduces herself as well - Marvel Girl. Pisces.
Nearby, Agent Saunders examines frozen Hulk. Calling out to Rocky, he informs him that they’ve got an air hole cut for “it.” Then lifting his prodigious rifle at the Hulks mid-section, he announces that he’ll give it a hole, in the gut! Before Saunders can act, however, Quartermain pushes Saunders to the side. He tells him that the let him take the laser cannon from ordinance over his better judgment. If he waves it around again, he’ll eat it. Saunders objects, asking Quartermain what his problem is. Aren’t they going to kill it?
Before Quartermain can reply, Cyclops calls out to him, asking what the talk is about killing the Hulk. They can’t be a party to that. Mocking them, Saunders asks the “X-terminators’” name – can’t they live up to it? Telling the group to ignore Saunders, Clay explains that they are civilian advisors, which means the can ignore their advice. He then informs them that they’re like to debrief them. And Colonel Fury would probably like to thank them as well. Taking his cue from their leader, Cyclops, Iceman is reminded of the old saying, “In for a penny, in for a pound.”
Hearing this, Clay asks Cyclops if they would help chisel the Hulk out of there; they want to airlift him to Gamma Base. They’d also like them to accompany them…
Some time later, at the St. Louis airport, the sphere of ice containing the still immobile Hulk rides on an immense mobile platform, which is being pulled into one of the SHIELD aircraft. After loaded, the craft lifts into the night sky. Inside, Saunders asks Quartermain about what will happen if the ice should thaw and the Hulk breaks out, but Clay calms their nerves, explaining that Iceman is still in the cargo hold, making sure that doesn’t happen.
Meanwhile, in the cargo hold, Iceman sits before the ice sphere, talking to the unconscious Hulk. He opines that he has a bad feeling about this. He knows that Scott’s doing what he thinks is right, but this whole setup seems fishy. He’s gotta talk to Nick Fury when they get there. He’s the head of SHIELD and a straight shooter. But how does he know Fury will be there, he then asks himself. And how does he know they really won’t kill him? Bruce Banner’s buried somewhere inside him. They can’t let them pull anything over on them. They have to go into this with their eyes wide open.
As his own eyes are downcast, lost in thought, Iceman does not notice the Hulk’s eyes, as they open with narrowed concentration.
Miles away, Betty’s note remains undisturbed.
Later, at the Gamma Base in New Mexico, Rick Jones is melancholic. As he looks out a window, someone calls his name, telling him that he looks depressed. But he’s also fortunate, the man continues. He has a genuine psychiatrist on hand to shrink his brain. Recognizing the “shrink,” Rick greets Doc Samson with an unenthusiastic “hi.”
Asking if that is it, Samson wonders why Rick didn’t use his usual “What’s up, Doc.” Still staring out the window, Rick replies that he’s just worried about all the typical stuff someone his age is worried about. Like what’s going to happen to his best friend, now that everyone knows he’s the Hulk again. Continuing, Rick laments that he guesses it had to come out. With Bruce’s long absence and the Hulk’s recent reappearances, you didn’t have to be Einstein to tumble to it.
Asked by Rick what’s going to happen to him, Samson replies that, if he could see the future, he wouldn’t be a psychiatrist. He’d be a stockbroker. Or a bookie. He knows that Rick blames himself for much of what’s happened, but he can’t eat himself up over the past. Just be concerned about the present. And let the future take care of itself. Suddenly, Rick spies something on the grounds outside – the wheeled platform carrying a sphere of ice, with a tarp chained over it. Pointing it out to Samson, Rick announces that they’ve got him!
On the grounds, Saunders asks Quartermain if he hears anything. Asked by Quartermain what it is, Saunders replies cracking. A moment later, the small amount of cracking on the ice sphere turns into a cacophony and the top of it explodes as the Hulk emerges. All right, he exclaims, who gets smashed first!?
A moment later, the SHIELD agents move into action, bringing their ordinance to bear on the Hulk, which does little good. Lifting the mobile platform easily, the Hulk trashes it and lifts it above his head. If they all want a piece of him, they shouldn’t worry. There’s plenty to go around. Rushing to the scene, Cyclops calls out to Iceman, telling him he thought he was reinforcing the ice on the trip. Hearing his teammate reply that he forgot, Cyclops yells it back incredulously.
After throwing the truck, the Hulk realizes his condition is grave. Though his tossed machinery scattered them, he still feels groggy from the ice. He needs to get some distance. Taking one of his leaps, the Hulk impact into Doc Samson, who has arrived on the scene. Samson asks the Hulk if he remembers him, Leonard Samson, the Hulk replies that he does. He’s the one who says he’s almost as strong as the Hulk. Now using his massive hands to pummel Samson into the concrete, the Hulk asks if he knows what “almost” means - Nothin’!
Watching this but not yet in the fray, Jean tells Scott that this is wrong. They can’t match him, pound for pound. They need something subtle. Asked what kind of subtlety they can use against the Hulk, Marvel Girl demonstrates, using her telekinesis to keep the Hulk’s eyelids closed. Blinded, the Hulk calls out with rage, telling whoever is holding his eyelids shut to knock it off. He lashes out with pounding fists, but Marvel Girl uses her telekinesis to lift herself clear of his arms.
Taking advantage of this, Cyclops coordinates a second assault with Doc Samson. On his signal, Samson lets fly right cross against the Hulk’s chin, after which Cyclops lets loose an optic blast against the Hulk’s skull. As the group gathers around the KO’ed Hulk, Cyclops admonishes Iceman’s actions.
Addressing Clay Quartermain via the giant screen, one of the SHIELD council congratulates Quartermain on his good work… even if he did need the help of those mutants. He hopes they’re now prepared to dispose of him once and for all. When Quartermain begins to raise the subject of Banner, the councilman interrupts, reminding Clay that at this point Banner’s no longer needed. It’s taken a number of years, but the gamma bomb is finally perfected. Banner existed as their back-up in the event they needed his expertise on the bomb. He’s outlived his usefulness. The Hulk never gad any usefulness to begin with.
Speaking up, another member of the council tells Quartermain that they hope they can count on him to do what needs to be done. Friendships, such as his with Banner, cannot get in the way of duty. Lowering his head, Quartermain agrees. He knows what he has to do. He has to…
Get me outta here! the Hulk yells. Trying to use his strength to break free of his bonds, the Hulk yells in pain. Standing right below him, Iceman informs the Hulk that the might as well stop struggling. The SHIELD people said that those are kinetic bonds. The more pull against them, the more pressure he applies, strengthens them. He’s fighting himself. Yeah, the Hulk asks. Well, at least that’s an enemy he can respect. Not like them, bending over backwards to get in good with SHIELD.
Remarking to two scientists standing nearby, Martel and Hideko, the Hulk remarks that, despite their brains and those of Samson, he’s the only one who knows what’s going on. Marvel Girl tries to reply that SHIELD only wants to help him, but the Hulk just laughs. SHIELD’s totally corrupt, he tells them. They’re gonna wait until he changes back to Banner and then kill him.
In reply, Samson tells Hulk that that’s paranoia. SHIELD, Gamma Base… the government… they all want to help gamma-exposure cases like his. To this, he Hulk tells Samson to wake up and smell the coffee. If they’re so concerned about gamma exposure… why are they still testing gamma bombs, like the one that created a guy he met named Half-Life?
Taken a little aback at this, Samson replies that he doesn’t know about this. Even if SHIELD is corrupt, even if the government is making gamma bombs… which he doubts… why does he assume they’d stoop to killing Bruce Banner? Smiling widely, the Hulk replies that that’s easy. Because he’s totally corrupt. And that’s what he’d do.
Meanwhile, a shadowy figure makes his way through the bowels of Gamma Base, carrying a rectangular case. Finding his location, he places the case on floor and presses a button.
Elsewhere in the base, Laroquette sands before the desk of Agent Trump, Quartermain’s second in command, preparing to introduce himself. Before he can do so, however, Agent Trump states that he already knows him. Laroquette, Sammuel J. Hulkbuster leader… he’s been expecting him. Continuing, Trump tells Laroquette that he knows he wants to know when they’re killing the Hulk.
Good question, he continues, answering his own question. Quartermain’s supposed to be arranging it. Now he’s vanished. Poof. No Quartermain and now they’ve got a bunch of mutants running around. He should’ve expected that but he didn’t. He wishes he could make all the mutants disappear. Poof.
Continuing, Agent Trump says that, as expected, he’s been ordered to keep and eye on Quartermain… and assume command if there’s sufficient provocation.
Trump’s thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. Answering it, Trump becomes incredulous. The mutants are demanding to talk to someone in authority? And they’ve got Samson backing them up? Giving his orders, Agent Trump orders that they all report to C-Deck, station 3. They are to be told that he’ll make everything clear to them there. Hanging up the phone, Agent Trump returns to Laroquette and tells him that this certainly seems like provocation to him. But then, it’s nothing less than he expected.
Elsewhere, the shadowy figure presses another button on another metal case.
Entering C-Deck, section 3, Samson, Rick Jones and the X-Terminators find a squadron of SHIELD soldiers waiting for them, all armed. The leader of the soldiers immediately instructs Samson and the rest of the “Hulkbusters” to stand over in one corner. Then turning to the X-Terminators, he informs them that they shouldn’t really be asking questions regarding their plans for the Hulk. It makes them doubt their loyalty. He’s afraid that they might have to take care of that… permanently.
Suddenly, the officer notices Samson walking to two metallic support struts and asks him what he’s doing. Immediately realizing Samson’s intentions, he yells out, “No,” which is followed by an, “Oh, yes” from Samson. Positioning himself between the two columns, Samson informs the SHIELD leader that he may have been as blind as his namesake, but he can still smite with the best of them. With this, Samson uses his strength to push the columns aside, eliminating their support of they weight above. As the structure collapses, he tells everyone to run, as the place is about to tumble down.
As Marvel Girl and Cyclops use their powers to deflect the falling debris, they instruct the Hulkbusters and Rick to get out of there. Rather than doing so, Laroquette uses his hover-chair to attack Samson, letting loose laser blasts. Samson seems unconcerned until a piece of larger debris falls on him, burying him. Laroquette chuckles at this, telling “Sigmund Freud” to dig his way out of that.
Nearby, the regrouped SHIELD agents finally find he X-Terminators down a hallway and follow. Trying to escape, along with the two scientists and Rick Jones, Cyclops asks Iceman for a little help, which he gladly provides. A iceblast later causes the SHIIELD agents to stop in their tracks.
Meanwhile, the shadowy figure presses another button on yet another metal case.
As the SHIELD agents regroup once again, Cyclops asks Iceman if he has enough of a handle on his power to free the Hulk. Replying that he hopes so, Iceman moves to the manacled Hulk. As Cyclops and Marvel Girl try to hold off the SHIELD agents, he uses his powers to instantly freeze the manacles and instructs the Hulk to try again. Without the manacles able to use his strength against him, the Hulk breaks free easily.
Rather than grateful, the Hulk chastises Iceman as making a stupid move. Did he think he forgot he got him into this? It’s time for some crushed ice. Before the Hulk an strike, however, he sees the arriving SHIELD agents, who promptly change their attack against the him. Recognizing Saunders’ voice, the Hulk tells him that he was the guy who wanted to put a hole in his gut back in Sparta.
Seeing that the Hulk only has a handful of ice, Saunders mocks back, asking if he’s threatening him with icicles. Throwing one with frightening accuracy, which impales Saunders in the check, the Hulk rejoins that he doesn’t threaten. Jumping to Saunders side, Hideko pulls the ice shard out of Saunders’ shoulder. Telling him that it’s out, she suggests to him that he do the same. In agreement, Saunders leaves the scene.
Rather than pursuing, the Hulk uses his strength to open a hole in the building. When he calls back to them that this is the way out, Cyclops replies that there are no arguments here.
Before he can leave, however, the Hulk hears Rick call out to him. Surrounded by SHIELD agents, Rick calls out to “Bruce,” asking for help. In reply, the Hulk apologizes, stating that there’s no “Bruce” there. To this, Rick changes his request to “Hulk” and asks if he’s happy now. Grinning maliciously as he closes in on the SHIELD agents, the Hulk replies simply. Ecstatic. After the Hulk’s work is completed, Rick stands over the pile of unconscious SHIELD agents, telling them that there’s more where that came from.
Seconds later, the Hulk and X-Terminators break through the wall into the outside, followed by Rick, Martel & Hideko. Exclaiming that they’ve broken through, the Hulk announces that now he can ditch the rest of the losers and… The Hulk’s glee turns to horror as he sees the sun rising over the facility. Yelling out now now, the Hulk cries that Banner’s going to screw it up. Get them killed. Seconds later, the transformation is complete… and the Hulk has been replaced by Bruce Banner.
Returned to the world, Banner find that he and those escaping with him are cut off by dozens of SHIELD soldiers, each with their weapons trained on them. The lead agent, Trump, smiles wryly, telling the group good morning and that it is a nice day for an execution. He then announces that they have orders to kill the Hulk… the “muties” will be unfortunate victims who got in the way. Regrettable.
Before the agents can fire, however, an explosion rocks the base, followed by an equally booming voice. Calling out to Trump, the voice tells him that this is Clay Quartermain… and that he won’t be a party to this. He’s just blown up an unoccupied section of Gamma Base… and he has three minutes to get everyone clear before he blows up the rest of the base. As the rest of the agents scatter, Clay pulls up besides Banner and the X-Terminators with a large battlevan. Opening the side hatch, Clay takes a moment from mocking Trump to tell the group to get in. Cyclops quickly takes the passenger seat in the front and thanks his rescuer for the assist. His name’s Clay, right? Clay replies that it’s not anymore. “Now it’s mud.”
As he continues to flip switches in the van, causing more spectacular explosions, Clay Quartermain snarls triumphantly. Noticing this, Cyclops calls him on it, remarking that he looks like he’s enjoying his action. Just glad to see those bombs he planted are working, Clay replies. Good old American know-how.
Suddenly, Banner erupts into the cockpit of the van, in complete disbelief. Barely coherent in his exasperation, he asks Clay what is happening. All the work they were doing there! The equipment! He mustn’t… Interrupting Bruce with a smile, Rick tells him not to sweat it. Clay’s just putting a scare into them. A bluff.
Replying with a stark “no,” Clay rejoins that, if Gamma is still standing, with its armaments and vehicles, they’ll be caught inside 24 hours. Telling Bruce he’s sorry, Clay detonates the last of the bombs, destroying Gamma Base. Good thing Trump listened to him, he tells the group. Clay Quartermain doesn’t bluff!
Some time later, at the Avis car rental, Cyclops once again thanks Clay for the Gamma Base uniforms. And, now that they’ve got their rental car, they’ll be on their way. Before he and the other two members of X-Factor can depart, Hideko asks Cyclops if he has room for a passenger. Taken a little aback, Bruce asks her if she’s not coming with them. Replying that she doesn’t think so, she tells Bruce that the death… the destruction… she’s had her fill for this lifetime.
Agreeing, Martel adds that he has to admit he’s developed a certain fondness for Hideko… not to mention keeping his own skin intact. It’s time to say au revoir. Bruce replies that he should he be hurt, he supposes… but he certainly understands. Giving the two his good-byes, he wishes Martel and Hideko Godspeed. Martel returns the sentiment, adding a warning for Bruce to watch his back.
As the group drive away, Iceman asks Cyclops where to now? New York? St. Louis, he replies. They have to retrieve their plane from the St. Louis airport. The only problem is, how do they fill the time driving from New Mexico to St. Louis? Replying that that’s easy, Iceman asks if everyone is ready… and breaking into song. A million bottles of beer on the wall… a million bottles of beer…
Meanwhile, Bruce resigns himself to his, Rick and Clay’s next task. SHIELD’s going to be after them. They have to find the gamma bombs and stop production of them… they should have a full day. Suddenly, a thought occurs to him: Betty! They have to get her. He assumes she wasn’t on Gamma Base. Where is she? Wracking his brain on how to respond, Clay tries to choose his response carefully as he pulls the van out onto the road. Uh… yeah… About Betty…
Miles away, Betty’s note lies undisturbed beneath the rolling table in a hospital room, which has just becomes less lonely. Entering the room, pushing her cleaning cart, a custodian is in a foul mood. Hmphing to herself, she declares this a wasted job. As she mops the floor, she bemoans a wasted life. Then, noticing the note beneath the rolling table, she picks it up and tosses it into her trash. Hmphing once again, she declares it wasted paper.
And, at Gamma Base, a pile of rubble stirs. After a few moments, the debris parts and a lone hand emerges, followed by another. Grunting, Dr. Leonard Samson extricates himself from the rubble and pushes the last of the debris that had buried him off of his back. At first, Samson is ecstatic at the fresh air… until he sees the remains of the base. Stuttering in disbelief, he sees that all of it is gone. What a waste, he mutters.


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Vicious Circle
As Betty Ross holds a snow globe in her hands, she says to herself that she’s spent her entire life vacillating between doing what she should do and what she wants to do, between duty and desire. And yet, no matter which way she’s gone, she can’t help but feel the same as the swirling dome in her hand, going round and round and ultimately going nowhere. She can’t help but wonder if he feels the same and despite her resolution not to, she wonders where he is.
In a large vehicle, Rick Jones, Clay Quartermain and the gray Hulk travel through the snow. As they do, Rick mentions to Clay that he doesn’t know where they are, but he’s starting to think they’re going in circles. Smacking his head with his hands, Clay says no bloody kidding Rick-O, they took a wrong exit somewhere. They’re near Dallas/Fort Worth airport but other than that, he’s not sure. The Hulk says yeah, but there’s one thing he’s sure of, he wants out!
Thinking to himself, Rick notices that the weird intense weather blotting out every trace of moonlight is making the Hulk even nastier than usual. If somebody provokes him when he’s like this… He then tells Hulk that he doesn’t think that’s such a good idea. Sneering at him, Hulk tells him that he said he wants out. Stopping the vehicle, Clay remarks that maybe a breath of fresh air would do them all some good. As the Hulk leaps off into the countryside, Rick asks Clay what if the Hulk takes off and doesn’t come back. Clay replies with what if they try to stop him and he kills them. Rick says good point and lets the Hulk go.
At a nearby flight tower at Dallas/Fort Worth airport, one of the controllers, Phil, tells Pan-Am flight #134 that he suggest they reroute to Houston as they are still snowed in there. Just then, one of his co-workers informs him that the snow’s playing havoc with their radar, but he thinks he’s got another plane entering their airspace. Phil proceeds to say that’s great and assumes that it’s some jet-jockey joy-riding.
Getting on the radio, he tells the unidentified aircraft that they have entered the airspace of Dallas/Fort Worth airport and that they must depart immediately as they are creating a serious hazard to other aircraft. Inside they mysterious aircraft, the Blackbird, six individuals are gathered, the current members of the outlaw mutant band known as the X-Men – Wolverine, Rogue, Havok, Dazzler, Psylocke and Longshot. Piloting the aircraft, Wolverine tells the controller that they don’t create hazards “bub,” they stop them. When the tower asks them to identify themselves, Wolverine replies that he wouldn’t believe him if he told him but he can believe this. If he doesn’t give them clearance to land, they’ll have a lot bigger headache than a snowstorm. Chew on that for a minute.
Turning towards him, Rogue tells Wolvie that he thinks he’s being pretty calm, considering they busted a few turbines to get there from San Francisco and now they can’t even land. Wolverine tells her that gettin’ mad when it’s pointless is a waste of energy. Somethin’ will turn up, it always does. Havok remarks that’s pretty optimistic considering what they’re up against. Even if they do land, even if they find Forge and help Storm get her powers back, there’s still that prediction to worry about. Psylocke repeats it – the X-Men are going to die in Dallas. Dazzler tells her not to sweat it. If they die in Dallas, maybe it’ll be a dream and they’ll come back in someone’s shower. Psylocke quips at her that she can’t believe she’s joking about it. Longshot adds that as long as they’ve got him along, his good luck may help them beat the odds.
Just then, Wolverine tells him to zip it, something’s heading their way. With that, Wolverine maneuvers the Blackbird to narrowly miss the Hulk, unbeknownst to them as to what they avoided. When Wolverine informs his fellow X-Men that they’ve dodged it, Longshot tells him see, like he said, beating the odds. Just think what would have happened if he hadn’t been aboard.
At that moment, the Hulk runs into Pan-Am flight #134 and takes out one of it’s engines and engulfs the plane in flames. Hearing the plane’s mayday on the radio, Wolverine tells Rogue to get out there, rip the engine off the wing and help the plane to the ground, they’ll follow. Rogue mentions that, if she tosses the engine away, it could land on somebody. Wolverine says he knows but there could be a hundred people in that plane. They’ll die for sure if that plane goes up in flames. He then tells her to get going and reminds her that when she drops the burning engine, make sure she aims for someplace on the ground with no lights. Chances are it’ll be an open field or a lake. Anyone dumb enough to be out there on a night like this, that’s their tough luck.
On the ground, the Hulk remarks “great.” He hasn’t found any food and now he can’t even find the van. This stinks. He feels like hittin’ somethin’ but ya can’t punch a snowflake. Stopping in his tracks, he hears a whistling sound and realizes that something is falling. Before he can move, the plane’s engine lands squarely on top of him with a loud crash. Emerging from the wreckage, Hulk emphatically asks if that was somebody’s idea of a joke.
Once on the ground, Wolverine looks over the damaged wing of the plane and begins to think about all the strangeness in his life right now – the unreal weather, the leadership of the X-Men. It’s as if the world’s in flux around him but his instincts have been a constant, unswerving, dependable; until lately maybe. If he can believe his heightened senses, the wing was trashed by the Hulk. But his scent has changed, it’s familiar but different. He didn’t think that was possible. He’d love to check it out but he can’t leave the team. He’s a loner, now he’s the leader. It’s a funny world but he’s not laughing. Nothing’s funny when you’re the leader.
Inside his lair, the Leader mentions to his minion, Half-Life, that the inclement weather breaking out in defiance of all weather patterns is odd. When Half-Life asks what it means, the Leader tells them that it means that the world situation may be deteriorating faster than he anticipated. He may have to seize the reins earlier than scheduled. Half-Life remarks that he’ll need a really powerful weapon to do that and asks about using the gamma bombs. The Leader tells Half-Life that in addition to being obviously pathetic, he’s pathetically obvious. He wants vengeance for what the bomb did to him and is seeking poetic justice. Nevertheless, he raises a valid point.
With that, the Leader places a call to the Pentagon to speak with General Hamilton. Using mind control, the Leader orders Hamilton to give him a full report on the strange weather situation. Hamilton informs him that they are sending in troops to aid in the largest disaster areas, including Dallas and Chicago. And no, their meteorologists have no explanation. On the other end of the phone, Half-Life begins to pester the Leader to ask him about the bomb. Annoyed, the Leader reminds Half-Life that he found him in the desert surrounded by assorted limbs and four radiation-poisoned vultures. If he doesn’t shut up, he’ll leave him in worse shape than that. Turning his attention to Hamilton, the Leader says to him to listen very carefully. The government is mass-manufacturing gamma ray bombs and he wants to know where they are.
Still handling the snow globe, Betty thinks to herself that she’s the slave of duty. She’s a creature of habit, trapped in the dreary confines of her existence – stalled and unable to go forward, snow-blinded and unable to look back. She knows what she should do and what she shouldn’t. She always has but it’s never helped. The one thing she should do is think about him. And yet once again, she does. Where is he?
In the snow, amidst stuck cars, the Hulk is inside a Patty-Time Inc. meat truck, eating to his heart’s content. Just then, Sergeant O’Riley and the National Guard approach the vehicle and ask if anybody is inside. He tells them that they are there to help them. Peering out, the Hulk tells them no thanks, he helps himself and then tells them to scram. Upon seeing that it’s the Hulk, O’Riley orders his men to shoot at him. As they commence firing, the Hulk exits the vehicle and calls them idiots, they’re bullets can’t hurt him. But if a couple of them hit the gas tank of the truck, it’ll…
Before he can finish his sentence, the truck erupts in a fiery blaze. In a rage, the Hulk picks up the truck with ease and tells the soldiers that they are morons. His food is ruined because of them. All those years and soldiers haven’t gotten any smarter. But he has. And he’s smart enough to know that they won’t leave him alone just by him asking them. He has ta step on them like the bugs they are. When he tosses the truck in their direction, the soldiers scatter like ants. Watching them leave, the Hulk tells them that’s right, run. Let everybody know the Hulk’s in town. And the next guy who crosses him is gonna get fried.
At the crash-site, Wolverine smells the smoke before him and his fellow X-Men see it. Some woods are burning and there’s an apartment house nearby. They should really go straight to Forge’s place but people may be trapped in that building. He can’t let them die. Wolverine then proceeds to tell… his… team to get to the apartment building, evacuate everyone, help wherever they can. He then pulls on his mask and checks out the source of the blaze. There he finds the burning remains of a truck. The wind carried sparks to the woods. Whatever happened there, it’s none of his concern. Still, he says out loud… “I wonder who the jerk is who’s responsible for this?”
Wolverine realizes later that the wind’s against him. His words carry, his quarry’s scent doesn’t. Wolverine’s only hint is a low animal growl he makes a split instant before it would have hit him – it’s enough. He pops his claws but not his cork. He doesn’t do that anymore. He’s civilized now. At least that’s what he likes to tell himself.
Wheeling around, Wolverine slashes the Hulk across the chest. Staggering backwards a bit, the Hulk calls him a miserable little shrimp and exclaims that he cut him. He’ll tear him apart for that. Gritting his teeth, Wolverine thinks to himself – an invitation to dance. He’d love to waltz. He’s already drawn first blood. Something inside’s set to draw more. His heart’s pumping, his lips curl back and then he remembers who he is and what he is and what he has to do. And in a voice, hoarse as if with passion, he says… “sorry, my mistake” and withdraws his claws. The Hulk says that he’s kiddin’. Wolverine replies that he’s serious. He used to be like him. Loved a scrap more than anything but he has more important things to do and he’s not going to fight him today. With that, Wolverine starts to walk away.
Leaping at him from behind, the Hulk tells him then he’ll die today. Dodging the Hulk’s assault, Wolverine thinks to himself that he may be right but to die in pointless battle with him is a waste. It’s everything he’s tried to put himself beyond. The Hulk angrily asks him if he thinks he’s forgotten when they first met in Canada. He just wanted to be left alone, but he wouldn’t back off, oh no. He had to have a piece of him.
Rebounding off the Hulk’s chest, Wolverine lands a few yards away and tells him that he’s changed since then. The Hulk replies so has he, he’s gotten smart and Wolverine’s gotten gutless. Wolverine tells him that knowing when to fight and when to walk away is more smarts than he’ll ever have. Leaping at Wolverine again, the Hulk tells him that he talks too much and he thinks too much. He’s a spineless wimp, looking for excuses to stay out of his way. He thinks he’s somethin’ special, but he’s nothing!
With that, the Hulk claps his hands together with a thunderous boom. Grimacing in pain, Wolverine recognizes that the ear-splitting clap of his is devastating against someone normal. Against him, with his acute hearing, it’s almost lethal. He then notices that the Hulk keeps on him, shouting, cursing, not giving him time to think. And then, thought is gone, replaced by fury, anger, hatred hot and beautiful. He’s sick of fighting himself. He’s panting, every muscle in his body contracts. The Hulk wants it. Wolverine wants it. …all right.
Popping his claws, Logan rushes towards the Hulk and jams his claws through his chest with animalistic rage. As the Hulk falls to the ground, bleeding profusely from his chest, Wolverine thinks to himself that he’s won. He stands there, howling his triumph to the moon he can’t see but in the heart hidden in his heaving chest, he knows he won. Because he made what he is stronger than what he thinks he is. Like a wild animal, he ripped him apart and the worst thing is, he’s glad. As he begins to walk away, his instincts tell him something his mind refuses to accept. He’s standing, alive, actually getting angrier, getting stronger, and the gaping wounds in his chest are healing. Weakly at first, then getting stronger, the Hulk tells him let’s try that again and begins to lumber towards Wolverine.
In their vehicle, Rick mentions to Clay that he’s glad he tried the shortwave again. He picked up some sort of police report. It sounds like the Hulk and somebody else are slugging it out on the highway near exit 12. If they hurry, they can get there before they level Dallas. Good thing he found this thing’s on-board guidance system or they’d’ve been snowbound forever. He adds that this is insane. They’re risking life and limb to find the gamma ray bombs the government’s stockpiling and their biggest ally is also their biggest handicap. Hopefully stealing this van and running from S.H.I.E.L.D. will be worth it. The world doesn’t need a weapon that could create even more gamma guys for them to worry about. He then looks over at Clay and asks him what he’s got there. Holding a photo of Betty and Bruce, Clay tells Rick some personal effects he grabbed from gamma base right before he blew it up – in happier times.
Betty continues to think to herself about happier times and wonders why. Why does she keep torturing herself? Why does she keep reopening wounds that refuse to heal?
As Wolverine continues to violently slash away at the Hulk, the Hulk tells him that those pig-stickers of his didn’t stop him before and they won’t help him now. Wolverine then realizes what is happening and he doesn’t like it. The most common result of radiation exposure is cancer, an abnormal growth of cells. When Bruce Banner got hit by gamma rays, it gave him a kind of cancer called the Hulk. He cuts him again, and he heals even faster. He always thought the Hulk’s skin was impenetrable but he was wrong. His cells reproduce so fast, it seems that way. And the madder he gets, the more his system speeds up, the more cells he produces. He gets tougher, stronger, harder to hurt.
Grabbing hold of Wolverine’s arms, the Hulk slams him into the ground with all of his mammoth strength. Recovering quickly, Wolverine slashes the Hulk’s shoulder. He’s no slouch himself and wants to shout “you think you’re the only one with a healing factor?” But his throat is constricted, his body feels like there’s too much blood in it. He continues to hack away at the Hulk’s back mindlessly. As mindless as he used to be, as he used to be.
Just then, the Hulk grabs him by the arm and throws him with great force into a large tree, splitting it into pieces. Picking himself up, Wolverine thinks to himself that, when two dogs fight, you’re supposed to turn a hose on ‘em. No one’s around with a hose. The X-Men, Forge, Storm, everything’s a distant memory. He can’t think, only feel. He’s his, his enemy, his kill, his! As the two enraged creatures rush towards each other, the Hulk asks the little man where the big talk is. Where’s his holier-than-thou attitude? If he wants more, c’mon then, he’ll give him more.
Engaging in battle again, they violently strike each other once more. The Hulk is able to gain the advantage and tosses Wolverine into a nearby car. As he does, he says to him that they’ve all spent years laughing at him, taking advantage of him. He was the dumb green giant, but now he starts giving it all back – every bit of it! Seeing Wolverine getting up again, the Hulk exclaims good. He wants this to last a long time.
Just then, the Hulk is knocked backwards by a cannon blast. That one is then followed up with another in between the two gladiators. Standing atop the vehicle with Rick Jones, Clay Quartermain yells at them enough! He swears to heaven, he doesn’t understand them. Every time the two of them muscle-bound bozos get together, they try and beat each other’s brains out. Or at least what passes for brains.
He yells at the Hulk that he thought he wanted to find the gamma bombs and help head off the creation of more creatures like himself. And he wastes his time beating up on Wolverine. Has it occurred to him that if he could find him, S.H.I.E.L.D. could too? And if they find him during the day when he’s Banner, he can kiss himself goodbye. If he’s not the “mindless” Hulk anymore, start acting that way. Get some priorities for pity’s sake.
Turning his attention to Wolverine, he asks him doesn’t he have anything better he should be doing? In a strangled voice, Wolverine replies yeah, yeah he does. Wolverine then mentions to the Hulk that he thought he’d come so far and then he runs into him and bang, the years fall away. No matter how far he goes, he’s right back where he started. The Hulk replies yeah, well he’s just like all the others who always thought they were better’n him. Well, now he’s better’n all of them. Does he understand, all of them? And he don’t have to beat up every low-life like him to prove it. Tell ‘em shrimp. Tell ‘em the Hulk’s better than any of ‘em.
As the Hulk leaps off, Wolverine says yeah sure. He then thinks to himself that he can’t remember the last time he wanted a cigar this bad. As the Hulk picks up the van and leaps off, he thinks to himself that Clay and Rick are weaklings that couldn’t get anything done without him. If he didn’t need them to watch out for Banner’s scrawny hide…
Inside the van, Rick asks Clay where they’re off to – New Orleans where Betty is. Clay tells him no, Kansas where his brother Alan is. Rick asks Alan Quartermain? Clay tells him not to laugh, he’s the elder. It could’ve been him. Anyway, he can help them find the gamma bombs. Rick replies that convincing Bruce that the bombs are more important than finding Betty may be tough. He then asks Clay if he thinks Betty’s been thinking about Bruce since he ran off. Clay says not if she’s smart, Rick-O. Not if she’s smart.
In her home, Betty continues to hold the snow globe in her hands and says to herself that she and Bruce have been like two stars orbiting each other. No matter how long apart, they’re always drawn back together. And yet, somehow, even after they got married, they never connected emotionally. They still continue to circle each other like two ships passing in the night, an endless, vicious circle. A cycle even, a cycle that can only be broken at great expense. With that, Betty tosses the snow globe against the wall, destroying it, and begins to weep.