Heart of the Monster (Part 4)

It is the second day since Monica Rappacini turned Tyrannus' Fountain of Youth into a literal Wishing Well, causing a massive war. As a result of this, the Hulk has gotten so angry that he has turned into the World Breaker, threatening to destroy the entire world. Amid the chaos, Amadeus Cho tries to keep Rick Jones and Jennifer Walters safe after they were stripped of their powers and poisoned by Armageddon. They are soon joined by Monica Rappaccini, who has developed an anti-toxin she hopes will cure them. When Rick asks what's happening, Monica tells him that today is the day for female supervillains to win the day.

Not far away, the Hulk is confronted by Umar, a powerful sorceress from the Dark Dimension. She uses her powers to try and seduce the Hulk and bring him into the Dark Dimension. When the Red She-Hulk tries to stop her, but Umar easily swats her away with her magical powers. Mocking the Red She-Hulk for wanting something after she lost it, Umar absconds to the Dark Dimension with the Hulk. There is a massive explosion of gamma and magical energies that form into the shape of a heart. The President asks Amadeus Cho what happened, but the young genius is at a loss of words to explain it that are suitable for children to hear. Twenty-Four hours later a joint effort of the United States Army, the Green Cross, and the Olympus Group have set up camp to contain the situation. Inside the main lab Amadeus Cho and Monica Rappaccini call in Doctor Strange and Doctor Sofia di Cosimo. Amadeus explains the situation and asks if there is a way they can rescue the Hulk from the Dark Dimension. Strange wonders if they should, pointing out that the Hulk came very close to destroying the West Coast like he almost did to the East Coast not too long ago. Cho tries to argue that the Hulk is incapable of destroying the world, but Rick Jones disagrees. Regardless of this, Rick, Amadeus, and Jennifer Walters all disagree with the notion of exiling the Hulk again, pointing out that every time that has been tried, the Hulk always returns. Di Cosimo also points out the danger the Wishing Well has created. Monica is attempting to find a solution by creating a device that can parse their requests so they get the get what they want. However, both Sofia and Strange point out that because the Hulk's villains were splashed with the water, two conflicting wishes could give the Hulk exactly what he wants.

Meanwhile, in the Dark Dimension, the Hulk has become Umar's loyal warrior-king, slaying Mindless Ones much to her delight. He pushes them back so Umar can restore the mystical barrier that keeps the creatures contained. Umar commands the Hulk to take him back to her castle so they can undertake some more intimate concerns. As they return to the castle, Umar's subjects cheer the Hulk. As Umar takes the Hulk to bed, their romantic tryst causes a magical display that can be seen for miles away. It is seen by a group of demons that are sharing their camp with the Red She-Hulk who is furious when the creatures get a good laugh from it. She is about to lash out when she is suddenly approached by Tyrannus. While back on Earth, Monica and Amadeus complete the machine. Doctor Strange still has his misgivings, but Cho points out that the first person splashed with the water from the wishing well, pointing out that since Betty has been trapped in her Red She-Hulk form they aren't entirely sure if she loves or hates Bruce Banner. Convinced that this is more of a danger, Doctor Strange relents and opens a portal to the Dark Dimension.

When they pass through the portal, Strange, Amadeus and Monica find their clothing transformed into that of the Dark Ages. That's when they notice that Monica and the wish machine have disappeared. Trapped, for the time being, Sofia has her two comrades to a nearby castle where the Hulk is fighting an army of trolls. Amadeus tries to run off and help him, but Doctor Strange stops him, saying the Hulk doesn't need their help. Sure enough, the Hulk easily trounces the Trolls. Strange points out that this is the Hulk's paradise. Suddenly, Doctor Strange is seemingly incinerated by flames spewed by Fin Fang Foom. Riding atop of the massive alien is Tyrannus and the Red She-Hulk. He proclaims the Dark Dimension his own, saying that he owes it all to the Red She-Hulk.

Continuity Notes

• Umar says that she "missed" the Hulk. The pair met during the events of Defenders Vol 3 #1-5.

• The President of the United States is depicted as Barack Obama. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.

• Doctor Strange mentions the following:

  • How he exiled the Hulk to the Crossroads Dimension. This happened in Incredible Hulk #300, but he returned to Earth in Incredible Hulk #314.

  • Also how he and the Illuminati exiled the Hulk in space, that happened in Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #91 but he managed to head back home in Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #105.

  • The Hulk almost destroyed the East Coast during the events of World War Hulk #1-5.

• Doctor Strange reminds Amadeus Cho that he is not the Sorcerer Supreme anymore. He was stripped of this title in New Avengers #54. He is eventually returned to this status in New Avengers Vol 2 #34.