Appearing in "Must the Hulk Die?"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- ⏴ Betty Banner ⏵
- ⏴ Rick Jones ⏵
- ⏴ Doc Samson (Len Samson) ⏵
- ⏴ Dianne Bellamy ⏵
- ⏴ Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross ⏵
- S.H.I.E.L.D. (Mentioned)
- Doctor Fisher
- Hulkbusters
- Avengers
- Avengers West Coast
- ⏴ She-Hulk (Jen Walters) ⏵
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Beyonder (Mentioned)
- Molecule Man (Owen Reece) (Mentioned)
- Zeus (Invoked)
- Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) (Mentioned)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earth
- Olympus (Mentioned)
Items:
- Captain America's Uniform and Shield
- Ebony Blade
- Hawkeye's Suit, Bow and Trick Arrows
- Iron Man Armor Model 8
- Mockingbird's Battle Staves
- Gamma Bomb (Mentioned)
Synopsis for "Must the Hulk Die?"
The savage Hulk is rampaging through the town of Jericho, and the She-Hulk's attempt to talk the man-monster down have failed. Now, as She-Hulk deduces there is no trace of Banner in the monster, and the Avengers could fight without restraints, the combined east and west coast Avengers must consider the only way to stop the Hulk is to kill him. Then the Avengers reason that the Hulk could cause widespread fatalities if he reaches more populated centers, and Hercules concludes that the Hulk must be stopped at any cost, even if the Avengers eventually die in the attempt. Meanwhile, at a nearby hospital, Bruce Banner raves about letting the Hulk die. The process that separated Banner from the Hulk was imprecise and now he is beginning to lose molecular cohesion. Dr. Fisher takes Betty Banner to his office to discuss their solutions and fears that the only way to save her husband's life is to merge him with the Hulk once more. He wonders if the Hulk has been suffering ill effects yet.
In Jericho, the Hulk continues to fend off the Avengers. When Captain America is knocked back toward the injured Doc Samson, he calls out to the star-spangled Avenger. Samson points out that even though he took quite the thrashing, the Hulk didn't kill him, suggesting that the savage is weakening somehow. With the town in shambles, Captain America mulls over the fact that they might just have to kill the Hulk for the damage he has caused. When the National Guard arrive, Cap orders them to keep people clear while the Avengers handle the Hulk. Cap reassures their course of action is right as the monster is merely a brainless creature. The two Avenger teams then renew their effort to take down the Hulk, but the gamma-spawned monster is still too strong for them. Back at the hospital, Betty goes to Rick Jones for advice on what to do about Bruce. Rick suggests that perhaps letting Bruce die along with the Hulk is the best thing to do as saving Banner will also save the Hulk. Betty refuses to just let her husband die and is about to storm out, but Rick decides that he is going to help as well and goes along with her. They are watched by Betty's disgraced father, Thaddeus Ross. Hearing how they are planning to save the Hulk, Ross returns to his hospital room and accepts Clay Quartermain's offer to get revenge against the Hulk.
Back in Jericho, the Hulk is finally starting to lose the battle from the constant assault from the Avengers. When Betty and Rick arrive, they are allowed through by one of the soldiers who recognizes Betty. By this point the Hulk is beginning to lose the combat while all those gathered begin calling for the Hulk's death. Wonder Man points out that, instead of gradually getting stronger, the Hulk is progressively getting weaker. Suddenly, the Hulk falls, and the Avengers are about to land the killing blow when Betty Banner steps in the way. She explains that in order to save her husband, they need to merge him with the Hulk once more. Captain America is touched by her bravery and orders the Avengers to stand down. They then pick up the Hulk and begin carrying him away. While at the hospital, Bruce Banner wakes up from his fevered state and realises that the Hulk is still alive.
Notes
Continuity Notes[]
- Bruce Banner is separated from the Hulk in Incredible Hulk #315. However, this separation proves hazardous to their continued existence and Banner is forced to merge with the Hulk again in Incredible Hulk #323.
Continuity Errors[]
- Dianne's eyes are colored blue in this issue, contradicting her previous appearances.