Synopsis
Hulk is battling the all-new Hulkified Annihilus. Anni's only regret is that Hulk doesn't have Bruce Banner's keen intellect to fully appreciate how outclassed he is. Hulk of course just keeps fighting back. But then the lord of the Negative Zone demonstrates a new power - he broadcasts fear waves, and Hulk runs away terrified.
Pip the Troll wakes up in the ruins of the laboratory where the juvenile Annihilus was transformed last issue. He looks through a large hole in the wall and sees Hulk leaping past outside, followed by the flying giant Annihilus. Even with Anni's size Pip doesn't understand why Hulk is running away.
The Troll teleports outside intending to follow and help Hulk. But he gets hit by Annihilus' fear wave. He tries to convince himself that he must rescue Hulk and take him back to Earth, or the Avengers will blame him for putting Greenie in this situation in the 1st place. And the further Annihilus gets from him the more confidant Pip becomes. So he deduces the existence of the bug-guy's new fear power.
Annihilus continues to chase Hulk. But Pip figures out, for the readers' benefit, a flaw in Anni's strategy. No matter how frightened, a cornered animal will turn and fight. Sure enough Hulk stops, faces his foe, leaps a mighty leap and smashes him in the face.
Annihilus is angered because Hulk has broken 1 of the metal antennae on his new armour. He forgets about his fear power and blasts at his enemy with his Cosmic Control Rod.
Pip has been following them and 'ports onto Anni's back, leaving a bomb as a present. But this just serves to attract the Neg Zone lord's attention. Until Hulk leaps and hits him again. And Pip teleports himself and Hulk back to Earth.
Hulk isn't grateful, so Pip just leaves him in the desert. Next we see Bruce Banner stagger back into the SHIELD base where he works. Maria Hill demands to know where he's been, but Bruce just needs to sleep.
Pip returns to the alien bar where he left Heater Delight in #1, only to find that she left with Quasar.
Thanos is shown, surrounded by his Outriders, watching Annihilus on a videoscreen.