Incredible Hulk, The (1968 series) #453

The savage Hulk is confronted by a mysterious figure—an older, future version of himself who has traveled back in time with a message. This future Hulk doesn’t come to fight, but to reason. However, the present Hulk refuses to listen, especially after a bystander suggests that people think he’s stupid. Enraged by the insult and the presence of this other Hulk, the Green Goliath launches into a brutal battle against his future self.

The two Hulks trade devastating blows, shaking the city with every punch. Onlookers, unaware of the future Hulk’s true intentions, mistake him for a threat. Still reeling from the destruction caused by Hurricane Betty in the previous issue, the public now believes this new Hulk is an even greater danger—and they begin to root for the original Hulk to stop him.

Amid the chaos, the future Hulk finally gets a chance to speak. He reveals critical truths: that the current Hulk has suffered a brain injury, and that his involvement in the Onslaught crisis has left deep scars. He confesses that he came back not to fight, but to help—because he’s afraid of what’s happening to them both.

But the word “afraid” triggers something deep within the savage Hulk. Overcome with rage, he hurls the future Hulk away and goes berserk, unleashing destruction across the area and sending civilians into a panic.

As the future Hulk begins to fade, he tells his younger self there’s still more he needs to say—but time has run out. He vanishes, leaving the Hulk behind, who assumes—like so many others—that even this version of himself has abandoned him.

Alone once more, the Hulk mutters the words that echo through his legend: he just wants to be left alone.

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