(Professor) Hulk is in court, defendant in a civil suit
brought by 1,397 people suing over his rampages and misdeeds, demanding one
billion dollars in judgment; the defense’s argument is that Hulk just wants to
be left alone and it is others who instigate the trouble. Judge Leiber has a
bad feeling about this, while Betty Ross Banner and Rick Jones watch, along with
numerous other Hulk supporters including Peter Parker, Wolverine, and
Howard the Duck….
“Old Friends”
Written, penciled, inked, colored, and lettered by Dave
Gibbons.
Synopsis: The first witness describes how the Hulk went on a
rampage in his neighborhood and the army was called in. Captain America arrives
along with Rick Jones and they try to calm Hulk, reminding him that they are
his friends—but the situation merely convinces Hulk that Rick and Cap are no
longer his friends and he leaps away with a tear in his eye….
“The Power of Bullies”
Writer: William Messner-Loebs. Pencils: Sam Kieth, Dane
McCart. Inks: Sam Kieth, Dane McCart, Bill Reinhold. Colors: John Kalisz,
Electric Crayon. Letters: Richard Starkings, Comicraft.
Synopsis: The next witness is a guy named Kenny who remembers
an incident from his childhood: Hulk was fighting Rhino nearby when Kenny was
being bullied. The bullies run from the sight of the unconscious Rhino but
Kenny waits to see Hulk. Kenny is not afraid of Hulk and wishes he could be
like him because he is fearless; Hulk admits he is afraid of only one person:
Banner. Hulk changes back to Bruce Banner and he and Kenny have a long talk
that results eventually in Kenny becoming a Nobel Prize winning scientist….
“The Strongest One There Is”
Writer: Scott Lobdell. Pencils: Humberto Ramos. Inks: Bob
Wiacek. Colors: Steve Buccellato, Electric Crayon. Letters: Richard Starkings,
Comicraft.
Synopsis: Doc Samson is called as witness and he explains
that Hulk has a great deal of hostility…which segues into the scene of Hulk
brutally beating up his strongest foes including Juggernaut and Abomination
then taking on his strongest friends like Thing and Thor, proving he is the
strongest one there is—and then we learn that Hulk is in a trance created by
Doctor Strange. Strange explains to Valkyrie that he puts Hulk under a spell to
work off his aggression; Val refers to it as his fantasies but Strange assures
her, it’s no fantasy, Hulk is the strongest one there is….
“Brief”
Writer: B.J. Estes. Pencils: Pascual Ferry. Inks: Al Milgrom.
Colors: John Kalisz, Electric Crayon. Letters: Richard Starkings, Comicraft.
Synopsis: Tony Stark is called to the stand to testify to
Hulk’s strength versus the Iron Man armor. We’re shown a briefing of
high-ranking military officers as to Hulk’s strength. Dr. Sturgeon plays a film
of Hulk in action and describes the monster’s various powers; asked for a plan
of action, Sturgeon can only reply, “There isn’t one.”
“Vision-Quest”
Writer: Peter David. Pencils: Mike McKone. Inks: Mark
McKenna. Colors: Electric Crayon. Letters: Richard Starkings, Comicraft.
Synopsis: The next witness, Native American Gilbert
Stormflower relates how he was on his vision quest in the desert when Hulk
crashed down nearby, followed by Thor. The two Avengers start fighting and
destroying various geological landmarks. Iron Man arrives to break it up and
tell them the Space Phantom is back. Gilbert decides to abandon his quest and
go out for a beer….
“Dinner”
Writer: Jeph Loeb. Pencils: Tim Sale. Inks: Tim Sale. Colors:
Gregory Wright, Electric Crayon. Letters: Richard Starkings, Comicraft.
Synopsis: An angry businessman relates how he and his wife
were terrorized when Hulk broke into their grocery store late one night and
took a shot at Hulk with a gun. Peeved, Hulk stomped his foot and brought the
building down. They never learned why Hulk had invaded their store…but the
reader knows: Hulk hungry….
[Courtroom Sequence (concluded)]
Synopsis: Finally (Professor) Hulk takes the stand and
defends himself, saying he is only acting in self-defense. The prosecutor
scoffs but then dozens of Hulk’s enemies crash in and madness ensues with Rick
and Betty being transformed into Rick Hulk and Harpy. Hulk demands to be left
alone—and the resultant spat levels the courthouse. The judge dismisses the
charges and sends everyone home.
[Pin-ups]
Hulk versus Thing by Michael Golden. Portraits by Frank Teran
and John K. Snyder III both colored by John Kalisz. Hulk and Silver Surfer by
Shawn McManus, Bob Smith, Electric Crayon.