The Green Room - 08.08.2007
By Sal Loria

INCREDIBLE HULK #109
Greg Pak (W)/Carlo Pagulayan (A)

NOTE: This issue takes place before and during the events of World War Hulk #3.

THE LEAN, GREEN SUMMARY

• Amadeus Cho and General “Thunderbolt” Ross are debating their own personal methods as the battle against the Hulk continues around them. With incoming missiles aimed right for Cho and his hero allies, they spring to action to try and contain the increasing damage to the area. Together with members of the Warbound, they do so with varying degrees of success. Hiroim recognizes Cho and the gang’s efforts, and gives them all a free pass within the city.
• Rick Jones, meanwhile, has been unofficially enlisted by S.H.I.E.L.D., with the help of the registered hero Scorpion. S.H.I.E.L.D. Commander Gabriel Jones deputizes Cho and his heroes as well, and begins setting orders; however, Cho thinks it’s he who should go and try to reason with the Hulk, not Rick. Commander Jones explains he has another job for Cho—system hacking.
• Shortly thereafter, the group notices that the Hulk is building a makeshift arena in Madison Square Garden. Commander Jones reluctantly decides to send Cho into MSG to see what he can do. In a moment of camaraderie, Cho, Hercules, Angel and Namora stand united in mutual respect before Cho heads off.
• Having infiltrated MSG, Cho realizes he’s not alone. Scorpion, on Commander Jones’ orders, has shadowed Cho into the arena. It’s there that two horrors present themselves—the torture of General Ross and the Hulk himself standing right behind Cho as he watches.

JUST BECAUSE I’M NOT WEARING A COSTUME…

Amadeus Cho springs into action against, of all things, a missile headed towards him. His weapon of choice, besides his brain? A shard of adamantium. Kid’s got big, brass ones.

TAKE THAT!

Showing an incredible amount of strength, the Warbound known as Hiroim deals with a falling building by reducing it to rubble — with one punch.

GET A GRIP

Who knew Cho had such a soft side? Unable to control his emotions, Cho reacts to the bond that’s developed between himself and the heroes he’s recruited to help the Hulk.

HE’S BEHIND ME, ISN’T HE…

The Hulk has just caught Cho skulking around the makeshift arena in MSG. Cancel Christmas*, because this isn’t going to end well.
*Web Of Spider-Man #7, October 1985, true believers!

WORLD WAR HULK: FRONT LINE #3 (of 6)
Paul Jenkins (W)/Ramon Bachs and Shawn Martinbrough (A)

NOTE: This issue takes place during the events of World War Hulk #3.

THE LEAN, GREEN SUMMARY

• As the evacuation of Manhattan continues, Sally witnesses firsthand just how reluctant some civilians are to leave their homes. Ben, meanwhile, is seeing the effects of that evacuation elsewhere in refugee camps spread throughout the surrounding areas.
• The reporters’ work hasn’t gone unnoticed, however, as J. Jonah Jameson, publisher of the Daily Bugle, steams over the sight of Front Line’s front page. Despite Robbie Robertson’s (JJJ’s right-hand man) attempts to calm him, JJJ is now focused more on the rival paper than the destruction being caused in the New York area.
• Ben and Sally meet up, and while asking a soldier questions, they witness a Blackhawk chopper go down. They set off and find the downed chopper a few blocks away, embedded into a dwelling with an old lady standing there, watching her home burn to the ground.
• Detective Granville and Korg start to make progress in their investigation into the “murder” of Arch-E-5912 when they come across one of Danny’s old informants—Thermo, the Thermogenic Man. Dangling Thermo from a rooftop, Korg is able to get the duo another lead, and they head to Slappy’s Deli to see what they can find. Deserted thanks to the mass exodus, Danny notices their next clue—a wall-mounted video camera.

SURREALISM AT ITS BEST

Even for a reporter like Ben, who’s been around the block a few times in his career, when asked what he sees, all he needs to do is look up for his answer.

MESS WITH THE BULL…

Never awaken a dragon, and never get on JJJ’s radar, especially if you’re his competition. Unfortunately, he’s now quite aware of Front Line these days.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

While watching helplessly, Ben, Sally and the old lady who lives in the very building that’s being burned to the ground can do nothing.

YOU’RE A FUNNY MAN, SULLY…

It seems Korg has seen one or two Arnold Schwarzenegger flicks in his day, as he displays here. Thermo, on the other hand, is not enjoying the Commando role-play nearly as much.

Have an opinion you'd like to share? Email me and you may find your email on the site, but if you'd prefer not have your name posted, please let me know. Furthermore, your email address will not be given to anyone, and no one will contact you.