The Green Room - 07.25.2007
By Sal Loria

INCREDIBLE HULK #108
Greg Pak (W)/Leonard Kirk (A)

NOTE: This issue takes place during the events of World War Hulk #2.

THE LEAN, GREEN SUMMARY

• The Hulk dismisses the offer of help from the group made up of Amadeus Cho, Hercules, Angel, Namora and civilians. Rick Jones, the Hulk’s first friend ever, is looking on, trying to approach the Hulk in an effort to calm him down. Miek, the Hulk’s first friend on the planet Sakaar, also wants to the help him, by keeping him focused on his vengeance.
• A series of flashbacks reveal just how similar Jones’ and Miek’s pasts are, and how the Hulk had been an inspiration to both of them when they needed it most. Rick also remembers the bad times, however, including having his back broken by the monster.
• Rick presses on, as S.H.I.E.L.D accompanies him, thinking he’s their only chance at subduing the Hulk. Miek interferes, wanting Green Genes to continue his rampage in the name of revenge. Mike’s insectoid brother Mung also joins in, and it’s doesn’t take much for Miek and Mung to begin battle themselves—each wants the Hulk to continue his destruction, but in different ways. It’s at this point that Rick explains to Miek that the Hulk needs the help of his two best friends. Reaching a compromise, they both set off to help the Green Goliath, both in their own way.

IT’S SO HARD TO FIND GOOD HELP THESE DAYS

Especially if the help is so easily dispatched by the Hulk and his giant stomping foot. Some people just don’t want to be helped…

THE TIES THAT BIND

Past and present are thrown together in this splash, updating a familiar image in Marvel lore and showing us just how similar the pasts of Rick Jones and Miek truly are.

THE HULK’S TO-DO LIST

The Hulk’s got things to do, and just like most people, he’s got a checklist. Thanks to this stunning image, he can check off three things: the annihilation of Black Bolt, Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic.

NOT ALL HEROES HAVE POWERS

Rick Jones, who lacks any powers, has run with the best of them in the Marvel Universe. Once again, while convincing Miek that they have to help the Hulk, Rick’s determination to not give up shines through.

IRON MAN #20
Christos N. Gage (W)/Butch Guice (A)

NOTE: This issue takes place during the events of World War Hulk #1 & #2.

THE LEAN, GREEN SUMMARY

• With Director Stark’s whereabouts unknown, “Dum Dum” Dugan is left to decide the next course of action for S.H.I.E.L.D. Unfortunately, the Hulk is impatient, and boards the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier in search of Nick Fury. Dugan informs him that Fury has gone underground, and that he himself is in charge. After a demand to release Director Stark is met with the Hulk’s laughter, Dugan lets him know that it wasn’t the real Fury who tricked him onto that ship that exiled him—it was a Life Model Decoy.
• Calling off his troops, Dugan allows the Hulk to leave, and then asks for a meeting with S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Quartermain and Lindsay in the war room; both of them have served time on previous Hulkbuster teams. Asking for direction, Dugan realizes that both agents are of differing opinion, and ultimately, of no help. Setting a plan in motion, Dugan retreats to the Director’s office to think things through.
• Tony Stark, meanwhile, is being held prisoner, and is able to communicate with Dugan using his Extremis abilities through an Iron Man helmet hanging in his Director’s office. Dugan wants to rescue Stark, but Stark stops him, reminding him that he will follow orders. Stark proceeds to explain that he’s had a “doomsday plan” at the ready in case all else fails, and shows Dugan the plan. Opening a dimensional portal, the “doomsday plan” would teleport the designated area into the Negative Zone, instantly destroying whatever was sent.
• With his captors nearing, Stark cuts the line of communication, and is knocked out for his troubles. Dugan, meanwhile, begins to put the “doomsday plan” into motion…

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER

Amid the chaos unfolding outside the Helicarrier, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent declares that the Hulk is about to board the giant flying ship. Strangely, she doesn’t seem too worried about it.

THIS ROUND GOES TO THE HULK

The Hulk lets Dugan know they don’t have to battle…unless he wants to. Knowing full well that Dugan wouldn’t put his troops in harm’s way unnecessarily, the Hulk’s smug face tells Dugan that he’s in over his head.

IT SHOULD BE HIS CALLING CARD

Dugan is quickly realizing that to work with Tony Stark is to welcome unpredictability. And really, the results are never that pretty. Dugan’s comment to an empty Iron Man helmet might as well have come from anyone who’s ever worked with Tony before.

DOOMSDAY APPROACHES

Stark’s floating Shellhead (if you don’t know Extremis, don’t ask) explains to Dugan just how the “doomsday plan” works… and its horrific results give even a battle-hardened warrior like Dugan a moment of shock.

HEROES FOR HIRE #12
Zeb Wells (W)/Clay Mann (A)

NOTE: This issue takes place during the events of World War Hulk #1 & #2.

THE LEAN, GREEN SUMMARY

• The Heroes For Hire have boarded the Hulk’s stoneship, safely disguised from Miek and Brood’s hivelings thanks to Humbug covering the team with a hiveling’s blood. It seems that the ship is having trouble maneuvering, having an extra 7 beings on board.
• Upon hearing that the extra “hivelings” were on board, Miek quickly realizes that he has intruders on his hands, and instructs the other members of the Warbound to find them. Hiroim, Korg and Elloe set off to find the group.
• Shortly thereafter, Hiroim finds the Heroes, minus Humbug, who is searching for the Brood Queen. While Shang Chi battles Hiroim, the others run until they are blocked off by Korg. Elloe, with a band of hivelings by her side, head for the battle as well, leaving Humbug alone with the Brood Queen.
• Hirioim, Korg and Elloe make short work of the Heroes, and drag them off to Miek for final direction. Meanwhile, Humbug is face to face with the Brood Queen, and he cannot bring himself to stop her. Sensing his inner desire for a planet ruled by insects, the Brood Queen asks Humbug to join her, and to kneel before “his queen”. Humbug obeys her request…

QUIT DOING THAT!

Last month was only the appetizer, apparently, as Humbug continues to munch away on a hiveling. Despite his feeble attempt to deflect attention, it’s still freakin’ gross.

HELL HATH NO FURY…

…like a king scorned. Realizing that they’ve been compromised, and that a hiveling’s death contributed to it, King Miek is certainly not in a good mood, as demonstrated here with a roar that’d make a Predator proud.

JUST HOW STRONG ARE YOU?

Shang Chi has always been a powerful weapon, and despite his own personal code, he can dole out punishment with the best of them. Hiriom, on the other hand, is destructive force who is easily Shang Chi’s better. Against obviously overwhelming odds, Shang stands up to him regardless.

SWITCHING SIDES?

This final scene leaves us with a sense of foreboding, as Humbug, who is powerful in his own right where insects are concerned, kneels before his queen. Even though she’s Brood, the Queen actually smiles at this development.

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