WWH 2: Avengers Dismembered, 4 No More

[Doctor Doom]

Doom's Deconstruction: In the Sanctom Sanctorum, Iron Fist watches Iron Man go down and suggests that Doc Strange use his power to take care of Hulk. Strange asks if he means sending him away only to return again but Iron Fist means killing him. Ronin and Echo are also present. Strange confirms that the Illuminati never sent the bomb, and says he'd lose his soul if he killed Hulk. He then invokves incantations, trying to "find the only hero can stop Hulk and redeem him at the same time". But it depends on Hulk letting him in- and Hulk hates them all so much...

At the battle site, Hulk approaches the Avengers. The stunned heroes are relieved that at least there's only one of him- which is the cue for Hulk's Warbound to drop in and announce themselves. They offer Earth's Mightiest a chance to join them which for some reason they don't take.

She-Hulk tries to talk to Hulk and use, y'know, reason and logic. Hulk responds by smashing her. Big Avengers vs Warbound fight. The Avengers all go down, hard. Ares gets totally pummelled by Hulk.

At the Baxter Building, the New Fantastic Four have been rejoined by their old comrades and built a giant cannon-weapon. Before it's complete though, the Hulk and the Warbound show up. Human Torch and Storm combine their powers into an elemental onslaught which creates a GIANT explosion and downs all the Warbound. Hulk is still standing.

Thing charges into battle with Hulk. His ass is totally kicked and Hulk is about to kill him when a golden light bathes the area- the Sentry has arrived. Except the Hulk KNOWS it's a fake- a hologram created to try and calm Hulk down, made by Reed. Hulk isn't fooled and despite the Invisible Woman's best forcefield efforts, pounds Reed into jelly. Sue cotacts the real Sentry, asking for help.

All the lunatic civilians still on Hulk's side are cheering his victories (No, this isn't bias. They are actual lunatics, crazy people.) When Hulk returns dragging Reed and Ben, Rick Jones steps forward to confront him. Rick explains that much has changed, and mentions that Cap's dead. For a second, Hulk is literally speechless. The Hulk finally calms down and looks tranquil for the first time.

Unfortunately at that moment, Strange enters his mind. Hulk becames enraged and the backlash stops Strange's spell. Hulk rises again, enraged...

...when Thunderbolt Ross and a colossal army appear.

TO BE CONTINUED....

Feedback coming later!

[balok]

I just don't see this "event" as having any long term significance to Marvel. Say what you will about Civil War, it fundamentally changed the Marvel Universe. (Not in a good way, but that's another discussion.) An "event" should have lasting repercussions.

I think the only kind of lasting repercussions this event could have would be either (1) another Stamford, except even more folks would have to die, because you can't do the same thing twice, you have to exceed it the second time, or (2) the death of another important character - Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Thing important, not Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Doctor Strange important.

[spiderwasp]

balok said:

I just don't see this "event" as having any long term significance to Marvel. Say what you will about Civil War, it fundamentally changed the Marvel Universe. (Not in a good way, but that's another discussion.) An "event" should have lasting repercussions.

I think the only kind of lasting repercussions this event could have would be either (1) another Stamford, except even more folks would have to die, because you can't do the same thing twice, you have to exceed it the second time, or (2) the death of another important character - Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Thing important, not Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Doctor Strange important.

I agree that this event doesn't seem as important as Civil War, but I don't really want to see the world changed every year with the next big crossover. Change should happen, but it should happen organically, not just because "Hey here's a crossover." Even if crossovers are necessary for sales (Though my preference would be for sales to be bolstered by just plan good writing on the individual books - Yeah, I know, I'm dreaming.) I don't have a problem with events that bring together the MU but doesn't outdo the previous story. This concept of always having to top what came before is part of what has caused the current MU to spiral out of control (IMO). Just tell good stories and let things happen. Remember what came before for the sake of continuity but forget about it for the sake of competing with it.

[Doctor Doom]

I can't say I'm a fan of this issue. The story has clearly just become one giant Hulk fanboy self-serving. Allow me to summarise the crossover: Hulk beats people. Becuae he's stronger. There's no tactics or anything, he's just stronger. Two Avengers team blindly charge the Hulk and his Warbound with no plan and get taken down with total ease by inferior fighters, without taking down ONE enemy. Then Hulk defeats most of the FF off-panel. Ben I have no problem with. How exactly he grabbed Johnny and what happened to Storm and the Panther, I must question. And Sue proved utterly worthless, reduced to standing screaming and making force fields.

Not to mention that, like civil war before it, the crossover has become skewed. When we have Hulk beating on a man as the man's wife screams at him to stop, beating up his cousin because she tried to reason with him and trashing the Avengers because they got in his way, the skewing starts. At least in Civil War the main book wasn't biased.... So on one hand, we're seeing actions which CLEARLY show Hulk is wrong but the writer himself doesn't seem to comprehend this and seems to be trying to fconvey that Hulk is totally justified. It's just one giant fight and we KNOW Hulk will win it all, no matter how improbable it has to get. Plus a rubbish ending- oh wow, tanks. I look forward to seeing how Hulk deals with them without killing anyone though.

On the plus side, it IS well written mindless action, and the art is incredible as always, so it's pleasing to the eye if nothing else.

But yes, you guys are right- it will have no long term implications except for Hulk himself, they've already said the Initiative remains intact, Tony is still director of SHIELD, etc. They won't kill an FF member, they might kill off Black Bolt or MAYBE Doctor Strange though I heavily doubt that.

[Shiryu]

I liked the issue but agree with some of Doom's points.
Ok, the Hulk has to beat up everyone... it's his war and he is strongest than ever, I can accept that.

But the combined mighty of some of the strongest past and present Avengers couldn't even down one of his warriors?? And all that the smartest man in the planet can do is make him believe he is the Sentry? That's excessive. Sue alone could have created a force field in his lungs and make him drop out of oxygen...

I wonder what the army can hope to do against him now that much stronger warriors have failed.

[balok]

They're waiting for Marvel vs. the Skrulls to dismantle the Initiative, when it's revealed to be a Skrull plot! (Hey, I can dream, can't I?

[Doctor Doom]

There's some hilarious comedy gems here though.

The Rock Man Thor fought in his first appearance can take down Wonder Man in about two minutes with no huge damage

Elloe, a slightly stronger than average woman with a staff, can defeat SPider-Man with ease!

Ms Marvel is no match for a single brood!

Apparantly the solution to fighting Reed when he stretches was there all along- you just hit him and then he unstretches and feels the pain, as consistent with exactly 0 past appearances!


Some of my favourite ludicrous moments.