Betty Ross Banner attends her father's
third funeral (see Comments), pondering his complicated legacy.
Tony Stark speaks at the memorial service and seems at a loss for words;
he invites anyone in attendance to speak and General Reginald Fortean
stands. He pays tribute to Ross, his mentor, and utters veiled
threats against Betty, knowing she is harboring Bruce Banner....
At Shadow Base, the lab staff are
working on a secret project to rebuild some mystery figure from only
about 100 pounds of remains, a project that weighs on their
consciences....
At the graveside, an unidentified
figure mutters about the funeral being held in the rain. Tony Stark
tries to apologize to Betty for the Avengers' action against the Hulk
(issues #6-7) and offering her a ride on his jet; she refuses, citing
the death ray he unleashed on a town (also #7). She flies home
pondering her mixed feelings about her father and finds Bruce waiting
on her doorstep. Despite all of the negative emotions in her head she
runs to him and kisses him, then brings him inside where they can be
safe, with a tiny statue that blocks psychic and remote viewers.
Meanwhile, General Fortean has Bushwacker (Carl Burbank) waiting
outside, preparing to kill Banner when he gets the shot. Burbank says
he can shoot Banner though Betty, killing both of them but Fortean
does not want that. Bruce pours out his suppressed grief to Betty,
especially over Rick Jones while she suppresses her questions about
his and Hulk's behavior over the last several months (including his
involvement in the Secret Empire). As the sun goes down, Burbank,
bitter over his adventure in Hell with Hulk (issues #9-13),
fires—hitting Betty in the head. Bruce becomes Hulk in an instant,
crashing through the wall and Burbank shoots him in the head—which
puts a huge hole in the green man's head but doesn't slow him down.
Hulk can't die at night (and neither can Betty, Fortean informs us).
Burbank insists he can fight Hulk but a mystery figure grabs him and
hurls him away as the newcomer—Doc Samson, summoned earlier by
Betty—confronts Hulk....