Desert Test Area — Day
Alone in the desert stands the most awesome weapon ever created by man—the incredible G-Bomb.
Miles away, behind solid concrete bunkers, a nervous scientific task force waits for the Gamma-Bomb's first awesome test firing.
And none is more tense, more worried, than Dr. Bruce Banner, the man whose genius created the G-Bomb.
"A few seconds more and we'll know whether we have succeeded or not," Banner muttered, his gaze locked on the instruments before him.
"I was against it from the start, Banner, and I still am," came a sharp voice at his side. "It is too dangerous."
Scientist chimed in, his tone edged with resentment. "I still say you should have confided in us, your fellow scientists. You should have told us the secret of the Gamma Ray…"
"Quiet, Igor," someone hissed quickly. "Here comes General Ross."
The doors swung open and in marched the broad-shouldered general, his presence filling the room with authority. His voice thundered immediately. "Why the delay, Banner? What are you waiting for? My men have been stationed here for weeks, wasting time because of your infernal delays. Are you going to test that blamed bomb or not?"
"Of course, General," Banner replied quickly. "It's just that I must be sure every precaution has been taken. We are tampering with powerful forces."
"Powerful forces," Ross barked, his mustache bristling as he slammed a fist into his hand. "Bah. A bomb is a bomb. The trouble with you is you're a milksop. You've got no guts. If I were in charge of this test, by thunder, it would have been done by now."
"Oh Daddy, don't be so unfair," Betty Ross exclaimed suddenly, stepping into the tense exchange. "Dr. Bruce Banner is one of our most famous scientists. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."
"You keep out of this, Betty," the general snapped. "This is man talk."
Betty frowned, her eyes softening as she turned toward Banner. "Don't mind Dad, Dr. Banner. Ever since he was nicknamed 'Thunderbolt' Ross, he's tried to live up to it."
"Hrmmphhh," Ross growled, spinning away in frustration.
Banner allowed himself a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Miss Ross."
"And now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for the final countdown," Banner announced, his voice steady as he adjusted his glasses and turned toward the control station.
"Good luck, Dr. Banner," Betty Ross called, her voice carrying warmth and worry.
"It's well about time," General Ross barked, his arms crossed, impatience written across his face.
But just as Banner focused on his instruments, Igor stepped close, his voice sharp and insistent. "Listen, Banner, this is your last chance to tell me the secret of harnessing the Gamma Rays. It isn't right for you to be the only one who knows."
Banner didn't look up. "Sorry, Igor. The formulas are locked in my room, and they will stay there."
Igor's face darkened with fury. He grabbed Banner by the front of his coat, shaking him roughly. "You fool. Nobody has checked your work. If you've made an error, you might blow up half the continent. I oughtta—"
Banner pulled free, glaring at him coldly. "I don't make errors, Igor."
A young soldier hurried into the room, breathless. "Dr. Banner. The countdown has begun."
Banner ignored the noise, lifting his eyes to the viewing scope. "In a few seconds we will finally learn what happens when the powerful Gamma Rays are released."
But suddenly, his voice cracked with shock. "Wait. What's that? Good Lord. It's a boy—a teenager. He's driving into the test area."
Banner spun on Igor, desperation in his voice. "Igor. Delay the countdown until I can get to that boy. Hurry, man. Every second counts."
Igor glanced at the console, his expression twisting into a sly grin. "Sure…" he muttered under his breath.
Inside his mind, a cruel thought burned. 'What a stroke of luck. All I have to do is keep my finger off the 'Hold' button, and it'll be the end of Bruce Banner.'
....
Forbidden Zone — Seconds Before Detonation
"You. Get out of there. You're in a forbidden test area," Banner's voice thundered across the desert as he sprinted toward the lone teenager.
Rick Jones turned, grinning with reckless bravado. "Cool it, man. The kids bet me I wouldn't have nerve enough to sneak past the guards…"
Banner's face twisted with urgency. He lunged forward, grabbing Rick by the arm. "Come on, you fool. We've got to reach the protective trench before the bomb goes off."
Rick blinked, startled. "Bomb??"
…Meanwhile, at the bunker, not having been told to delay the firing, a finger pressed down on the fatal button.
THREE!
TWO!
ONE!
ZERO!
FIRE!
"There. You're safe," Banner shouted, shoving Rick into the trench with all his strength. "And now I'll—"
The desert exploded in green fire, a blinding storm of Gamma energy.
AHHHHHHH!
Banner's scream tore the sky apart as the force of the blast swallowed him.
Although many miles from bomb zero, Dr. Bruce Banner was bathed in the full fury of the mysterious Gamma Rays.
The world itself seemed to stop, trembling on the brink of infinity, as his ear-splitting scream filled the air—
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
....
Base Hospital — Night
Banner was still screaming, hours later, when the medics bent over him.
"He's coming out of it now," a doctor whispered urgently.
"Thank heaven," another breathed in relief.
Banner stirred, his voice weak and broken.
"Banner… it's a miracle that you're still alive—you absorbed the full impact of the Gamma Rays."
His eyes fluttered open, dazed. "How—how did I get here?"
A young boy stepped forward, his voice earnest. "My name is Rick Jones… I brought you."
"You saved my dumb life," Rick said quietly. "I figgered it was the least I could do for you… Y'know, it's a funny thing… I'm an orphan, and no one ever did anything for me before—'cept you, a stranger."
Night settled outside the base, the desert swallowed in darkness. Inside the medical quarters, Banner sat uneasily on a cot while Rick lingered nearby, restless.
"It's gettin' dark out. How long they gonna keep us here, Doc?" Rick asked nervously.
Banner pressed a trembling hand to his forehead. His face was pale, his breath unsteady. "I don't know. I don't know. They must be waiting—for me to die. It isn't possible to take so much Gamma radiation, and not have something happen."
He staggered, clutching the edge of the bed as his legs nearly buckled. "I—I'm beginning to feel strange. My head is throbbing. This must be—the end…"
Across the room, Rick fiddled with a small device, frowning. "The whole world's going batty. Even this kookie radio—it won't play. All it gives out with is static."
CLICK—CLICK—
Banner's eyes widened. He lurched forward, panic flooding his voice. "That's no radio. It's a Geiger counter." He bent over the device, listening to the growing rhythm. "It measures radiation. Listen to it. It—it's going wild."
CLICK-CLICK—CLICK—CLICK—
The steady beeps grew sharper, louder, like a countdown hammering in his ears.
Banner's body shook, sweat dripping down his face. "It's getting louder—and louder. Faster and faster. What's happening??"
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
His scream ripped through the room.
ARGHHHHHH!
He clutched his skull as his body convulsed violently. His muscles bulged, swelling against his clothes, seams tearing apart. His skin darkened, twisting as though the radiation itself was reshaping him. His frame doubled in size, bones cracking, his body rising like a monstrous shadow over Rick.
Rick stumbled forward, reaching out. "Hey. Look at you. You—changed."
The giant's enormous hand shot out, seizing Rick by the shoulder. With terrifying ease, he shoved him aside, sending the boy sprawling against the wall.
"Get out of my way, insect," the creature roared, his deep, guttural voice shaking the room.
....
Detention Wing & Yard — Same Night
Inside the darkened room, the massive figure stirred, his glowing eyes sweeping the walls that confined him. His voice rumbled low, edged with fury. "Where am I? Why am I locked in here? I want to get out."
He pressed his giant hands against the concrete wall. With a thunderous roar, he heaved forward. "OUT."
The wall cracked, then shattered, bursting apart as though it were cardboard. Debris exploded outward, and the monster stepped through the wreckage.
A soldier gasped, his voice rising in panic. "Holy cow. He's breakin' down the wall like it was cardboard."
Another soldier shouted to his sergeant. "Hey, Sarge. Look—ahead. What's that?"
The sergeant froze at the sight of the giant storming toward them. "Men. More little men."
"I—I dunno," one stammered, fumbling for his weapon. "But if he doesn't stop, we'll hit 'im."
The Hulk growled, swinging his enormous arms. The jeep flipped, men flying through the air like rag dolls, crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs and uniforms.
As the stunned enlisted men picked themselves up from the wreckage, the mighty thing that was once Bruce Banner turned, his massive frame heaving. "Have to go. Have to get… away… to hide…"
Like a wounded behemoth, the man-monster stormed off, vanishing into the waiting night.
But he was not alone. One lone figure stumbled after him, refusing to be left behind.
"Wait. Wait for me," Rick Jones cried, running to keep up with the giant's stride. "You saved my life. You need me now—wait. I'm goin' with you."
The Hulk did not answer. His shadow loomed larger as he disappeared into the darkness, a legend newly born—while a single thought pounded in his head like boots on hardpan:
'Mustn't let them find me…'
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