This story picks up after Bruce Banner takes a fatal gunshot wound. Rick Jones carries him back to his old secret lab, hoping to use the equipment there to force a transformation into the Hulk—knowing that while the wound would kill Banner, it wouldn’t kill the Hulk. The effort works: a seemingly dead Banner transforms into a living Hulk, though if he changes back, he’ll die from the wound again.

While we have the Hulk’s body, this time, we have Banner’s mind in control. Using this to his advantage, he works on a formula that will keep him from transforming for two days at a time—ensuring he stays the Hulk and stays alive.

Meanwhile, the Leader, working with his Russian allies, sets a plan in motion to destroy the missile base with a giant Humanoid—coincidentally (or not) the same base where the Hulk is, and where General Ross operates.

As the military struggles against the attack, the Hulk leaps into action. But General Ross, ever suspicious, mistakes the Hulk for an ally of the Humanoid and prepares to launch the “Sunday Punch”—a super missile designed to take them both out. The issue ends with Rick Jones racing to warn the Hulk before the missile is fired.

Character & Development

A “Smart Hulk” is an interesting twist, but given how often the early Hulk stories experimented with different ideas, this feels like another attempt to redefine him—almost like a soft reboot. Between his death last issue and this new approach, it’s clear they’re trying something different. Whether it works or not? Jury’s still out.

Originality & Continuity

Like I mentioned, this feels like a callback to the early days, where they kept shifting ideas about what the Hulk was supposed to be. That said, the story remains grounded in its ongoing arc, keeping the Leader as the primary antagonist. Despite the significant changes, the consistency of the supporting cast and villains gives me hope.

Story & Art

From an artistic standpoint, this isn’t my favorite of Jack Kirby’s work. That said, I love the Sunday Punch—nothing else in the issue wowed me quite as much as seeing it looming on the final page, ready to fire.

As for the story? They had to find a way to undo killing the Hulk, and this does the job. Maybe not in the best way, but in a way that makes sense for the character.