Incredible Hulk #73

The INCREDIBLE Hulk #73

Date: August 2004
Title: Big Things Part 3
Writer: Bruce Jones
Penciler: Dougie Braithwaite
Inks: Bill Reinhold
Letters: Randy Gentile

Colorist: Rainier Beredo
Editor: Axel Alonso
Cover Artist: Mike Deodato, Jr.

Bruce and Stark test an improved suit based on Bruce's suggestion by blowing up a gamma bomb in the desert but the blast tears apart the suit. Stark questions what happened. Jack mentions it was maybe a computer glitch and that they should be testing underground. When Stark asks why they haven't , Jack says that he has been trying to cut time and costs to meet the deadline. Stark throws out that he has Banner and Jack there because they are supposed to be the best in gamma research. Jack says that he did not have best before. Stark grabs Jack and throws him against the wall for the off-hand comment about Lisa. Bruce separates them. Stark grabs some pills and tells Bruce that it is only aspirin and tells them to reset the test for an underground test.

Richard sits in the cellar listening to the conversation as Stark tells Bruce to get it ready in an hour. He also tries to undue the lock with the knife he secretly stole. He hears someone come in and hides the knife and is surprised to see Stark. Stark leans down and unlocks Richard. He tells Richard that he is too dangerous to let roam free and says he has a free shot. Richard accuses Stark of setting him up but Stark grabs him and tells him to stand up.

Back in the lab, Nicole comes with some food and convinces Bruce to take a break for a lunch. Out in the yard, she tells him that Stark Enterprises is at risk if Stark doesn't start paying attention to his company.

Stark hits Richard and tells him to fight back. Richard says that Stark is going to finish him off the way he did Lisa and then claim self-defense. Stark grabs Richard and says that he did not kill Lisa but that her death was suspicious. Richard is knocked near where he hid the knife.

Nicole says that Richard and Stark are alike, both competitive and strong-headed. She says that Richard has lost a loved one and can be charming such as when she served him the steak dinner he requested. Bruce is jolted when she mentions the steak dinner.

Richard insults Stark about what a rich man would do if a young college girl out of hand and started making demands and threats. Richard jumps up and tries to stab Stark but only catches his shoulder. Stark falls to the floor and Richad brings the knife up to kill him when Bruce grabs his arm and throws him into some barrels of wine.

Jack bandages Stark up who says that injury won't stop him from testing two bombs. Bruce is surprised when Stark mentions two bombs. Stark mentions that he amended the schedule but Bruce tells him that gamma photons have a bad effect on one open wound. Stark tells them to let him grab some sleep before he has to do the test in a couple days.

Later, Jack and Bruce test the suit underground and find that it meets all the safety requirements. Bruce wants to tell Stark the news but Jack says to wait. Jack says that he wants to run the suit on himself for the test but Bruce thinks they should just use an empty suit. Jack points out that the government only wants to see results on actual human subjects. Bruce says that Jack is needed in the blockhouse to help run the test so that leaves Stark as the only person. As Bruce walks away, Jack mutters to himself that they should just use Richard.

Nicole is in the cellar looking after Richard's injuries. He managed to convince her that Stark attacked him and that he was only defending himself with the steak knife. He even sneaks a kiss while stealing a hairpin from her..

Bruce finds Stark sparring in a boxing ring and tells him the suit was a success with the latest test. Later, Stark, Jack, and Bruce get into a car and drive off to where the test is going to be held.

Down in the cellar, Richard uses the hairpin to unlock the cuffs. A guard comes down with food and Richard pretends to accidently spill it. When the guard bends down, Richard knocks him out with the food tray. Richard locks the guard up and steals his clothes and goes off to find Stark, armed with a gun.

Return to Main Page