Story continues from INCREDIBLE HULK #349:The Hulk has been taken to the Nevada desert by Doctor Doom who proposes they form an alliance. After using a nerve paralyser to quiet the Hulk down enough to explain that he needs Hulk’s strength to help Doom defeat Kristoff Vernard, the impostor who has seized his throne, Hulk still refuses. Doom suggests that the Hulk is a coward, and decides to turn to the Thing, whose recently increased power and leadership abilities make him a more fitting ally for Doom. His ego stung, the Hulk sets out to show that he can still smash the Thing, which was, of course, Doom’s scheme all along.
In New York, the Thing is alone atop the Baxter Building when the Hulk suddenly drops on him (courtesy of a rocket pack loaned by Doom) with a mighty blow, knocking Ben to the street. The fight continues through the streets of New York, with the Hulk concerned about hiding his true identity from his foe, and into the sewers, as Doctor Doom watches from a place of concealment. The Thing clobbers the Hulk, frustrated that he isn’t finally beating the real Hulk, and as he is about to deliver the final blow, the combatants are interrupted by the sudden appearance of…the green, savage Hulk!?!