Incredible Hulk, The (1968 series) #460

While the Hulk lies severely injured at Ground Zero—the very site of the original gamma bomb explosion—Bruce Banner awakens in a nightmarish version of hell. There, he’s confronted by his abusive father Brian Banner, along with two of his greatest enemies: the Leader and the Maestro. All three attempt to destroy Bruce’s spirit, but fail.

Meanwhile, the Hulk begins to recover from his wounds and stumbles upon a helicopter pilot who has crashed nearby. As energy flames engulf the area, Hulk shields the injured man with his own body, protecting him from harm.

At the same time Bruce leaps toward a radiant light, personified by his late wife Betty Ross. Hulk leaps toward the light of a rescue helicopter. In a moment of unity, Bruce and Hulk merge successfully. When the second chopper lands, it’s Bruce Banner who emerges—carrying the wounded pilot on his shoulders.

As the survivors depart, another figure rises from the shadows. Someone else has escaped hell: the Maestro.

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