Hulk (Vol. 2) #24
The Strongest There Is
Having interfered with the Intelligencia's plans to take over the United States of America, the Red Hulk has destroyed the Glenn Talbot LMD that was to be their puppet. But, before he can declare himself as the new ruler of the United States, he is confronted by Bruce Banner, the one true Hulk. The Red Hulk is shocked because he thought he stripped Banner of his ability to become the Hulk ever again. The Hulk mocks him for being wrong and the Red Hulk leaps at his long time enemy and the two begin trading blows outside the White House. The Hulk grabs his red counterpart in a bear hug and orders him to surrender or he will suffer even more pain if he refuses. The Red Hulk does refuse, but the Hulk overpowers him, striking him so hard that he fractures the Red Hulk's skull, much like the Red Hulk did to the Abomination back in the beginning. The Hulk can understand why Ross did that to the Abomination, as their mutual enemy was responsible for killing Betty Ross, and up until he became the Red Hulk, there was nothing Thaddeus could do about it.
As the Hulk pounds into the Red Hulk, the Red She-Hulk calls out to Bruce and tells him to stop hurting her father. However, when she tries to get in the middle of the fight, she is stopped by the She-Hulk. She strikes back against Jen Walters, but this only angers Jennifer, who pronounces herself the one true She-Hulk, knocking the Red She-Hulk with a powerful blow. Seeing her daughter getting struck down, the Red Hulk manages to fight free from the Hulk and leaps away. The Hulk then orders A-Bomb to protect Betty, orders the She-Hulk to stop attacking her, and Lyra to protect innocent people in danger. He then takes off to stop the Red Hulk once and for all. At that moment at the US Treasury, the remaining members of the Intelligencia are robbing it of all the currency inside when both of the Hulks come crashing down in the middle of the building. They continue battling it out, the Red Hulk begins generating so much power that he gets dangerously close to critical mass. He strikes the green Hulk with such force it causes a massive explosion. In the aftermath of the blast, the Red Hulk believes his foe is destroyed and proclaims himself the strongest one there is. However, the Hulk crawls out of the crater and asks the Red Hulk if that is all he's got.
The Hulk then claps his hands together with such force it sends the Red Hulk crashing into the Lincoln Memorial. He then orders the Red Hulk to surrender unconditionally, warning him against reverting back to human form and making a return as General Ross. However, the Red Hulk explains that he cannot change back to human form anymore. The Hulk can only laugh, pointing out that after all the years he spent chasing after the Hulk he has made himself on and that is all he has left.
Sometime later, the AIM run Gamma Base has been commandeered by the United States government. The Hulk meets Steve Rogers there and tells him that they have a use for the Red Hulk, as his unwavering loyalty to his country will allow them to use him against Hulk level threats. They go down into the holding area where the Red Hulk is being contained. Once they come face-to-face with Ross in his cell, he remarks that he was wondering when they were going to come to him and ask for help.
Recurring Characters
Hulk, She-Hulk, Lyra, A-Bomb, Red Hulk, Intelligencia (Red Ghost, Mad Thinker, Red She-Hulk, Wizard, Klaw, Trapster), Steve Rogers, Glenn Talbot LMD
Continuity Notes
The Hulk mentions how Ross had killed the Abomination out of revenge. Betty Ross died of radiation poisoning in Incredible Hulk #466. It was later revealed in Incredible Hulk #474 that this was the work of the Abomination. Ross killed the Abomination out of revenge in Hulk Vol 3 #1. However, at the time he was unaware that the Intelligencia has resurrected Betty, as revealed in Fall of the Hulks: Alpha #1.
The Hulk refers to Betty as his wife. The couple was married in Incredible Hulk #319.
Hulk also mentions the funeral held for General Ross. This was in Fall of the Hulks: Gamma #1. However, this was actually a Life Model Decoy as revealed in last issue.
