More or Ness

Having just snapped out of her catatonic state, Marlo Chandler calls her mother to tell her that she is back to normal. As she talks to her mother, the Hulk and Rick Jones marvel over her miraculous recovery. Meanwhile, in Loch Ness, Scottland, a tour is underway of Lake Loch Ness. As the tour guide tells of the legend of the Loch Ness monster a strange creature emerges from the water and attacks the boat. Back in Reno, Nevada, Marlo continues to talk to her mother. Her brothers Kieth and Ray thank Rick for their help but Ray still punches out Rick for beating them up earlier. When Marlo tells her mother what happened, Ray is then made to apologize. Before Keith and Ray depart, their lawyer Elaine Schoenfeld reiterates that she is a big fan of Rick's work and tells him that she has a business proposition to discuss with him in the future. It's then that Doc Samson notices that the Hulk has slipped away. Betty tells him that Bruce went into the kitchen to check in with the Pantheon. When they go to check up on him they see that he has walked through the wall. They are disturbed when they find a note where Bruce almost signed it as "Hulk" but crossed it out and wrote his real name. Betty asks Leonard what is happening to her husband.

Some time later, the Hulk arrives in Scottland where he meets with Perseus, a retired member of the Pantheon who has summoned him to investigate the strange creature attacks. He explains that he retired to Scottland and started an inn, relying on the tourist trade from the legends of the Ness, the recent monster attacks will affect the area. Not wishing to meet an early death on one last adventure, he called in the Pantheon for help. Soon the Hulk is out on a boat in the middle of the Loch searching for the creature. As he searches, Bruce wonders if he took this mission because he was trying to dodge Doc Samson and his wife. His thoughts are quickly interrupted when his boat suddenly begins to shake. Suddenly, the boat is shattered by Piecemeal, a strange patchwork creature whose body is the composite for various supervillains. As the two fight it out, the Hulk gets a good look at the creature's face and notices that it resembles that of the Red Skull. Their fight takes them inland where they fight outside of Perseus' inn.

As the two fight, it out the din of battle draws out Perseus and the patrons of his inn. Among them is a man who watches the shadows with glee. The Hulk manages to fend off Piecemeal's attacks but is suddenly caught off guard when the monster's face changes to resemble his own. Suddenly, the Hulk is attacked from behind. The attacker turns out to be Madman, one of the Hulk's old foes. He reaches out to Piecemeal and offers his friendship.

Recurring Characters

Hulk, Betty Ross, Rick Jones, Marlo Chandler, Doc Samson, Perseus, Piecemeal, Madman, Keith Chandler, Ray Chandler, Elaine Schoenfeld

Continuity Notes

• Marlo Chandler was murdered by Jackie Shorr in Incredible Hulk #398. Rick was able to resurrect her in Incredible Hulk #400, however, she was in a catatonic state until last issue.

• The Hulk makes a number of chronological appearances between pages 6 and 7 they are as follows: Battletide (vol. 2) #1-4, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #50, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #12-13, Fantastic Four #374, Sensational She-Hulk #54 and 56-57, Infinity Crusade #1-6 (including crossover stories in Web of Spider-Man #104, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #19-21, Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #56, Darkhawk #30, and Alpha Flight #127), Fantastic Four Unlimited #4, Amazing Spider-Man #381-382, Wonder Man #26-27, Secret Defenders #11, and Incredible Hulk Annual #19. It was a busy month, I guess.

Ulysses Part 1

September 30, 1955

Famous actor James Dean has just died and this death hit young Walter Charles hard as he has spent much of his misspent youth emulating the rebel looks and lifestyle the late actor often portrayed. The young man who will eventually become Ulysses of the Pantheon rides into town on his motorcycle to the local pool hall where he hangs out. There he meets with his fellow gang members. Walter's grief over the loss of James Dean is mocked by Jack a rival gang member and this leads to a fight between the two of them.

However, before the brawl can explode they are interrupted by Achilles who tells them that James Dean was an idiot and deserved to die in the car accident that took his life. This angers the would-be hoods and Charles is encouraged to try and attack the stranger with a knife for daring to insult their idol. Walter is apprehensive about doing to especially since Achilles doesn't back down when threatened. Jack manages to sneak around and crack Achilles upside the head with a pool cue. This causes the man to fall forward and into the knife in Walter's hand. The hoods flee and the owner of the bar rushes to check on Achilles. However, the man is unharmed, showing the bartender that the knife merely bends out of shape when he ran into it and that he is fine.

Recurring Characters

Walter Charles, Achilles

Continuity Notes

• As both Ulysses and Achilles are nearly immortal, this story actually does take place in 1955. As such the Sliding Timescale only affects this story in terms of the length of time that takes place between this story and the start of the Modern Age.