Control

On a mission to stop the Intelligencia's Scorched Earth protocol, the Red Hulk has just assisted the Sub-Mariner in destroying the latest doomsday weapon to become active. However, Namor is furious at the near destruction of the Earth and takes his anger out on the Red Hulk due to his past affiliation with the group of mad scientists. Stripped of his breathing equipment, the Red Hulk is no match against the king of Atlantis in his natural element. After beating the Red Hulk senseless, Namor then tosses him to the surface, telling him that he fouls the sea. There, Ross catches up with Commander Rogers who is waiting for him aboard an Amphibious Quinjet. After filling Rogers in on what is going on, he is informed that he is being deployed to Monster Island to locate A-Bomb who went out of radio contact during his own Scorched Earth mission.

While back at Gamma Base, Bruce Banner contacts the Raft and has the Fixer and Songbird bring him Samuel Sterns for questioning. However, Sterns cannot remember anything he has done as the Leader and begs his old foe to give him access to gamma radiation so he can unlock his lost intelligence. Banner refuses and terminates the call and decides to try questioning George Tarleton, the man formerly known as MODOK. Taking lunch into his room, Banner tries to talk to George about what he might still remember about Scorched Earth. However, he finds a man dealing with the trauma of being forcibly transformed into MODOK by AIM. Bringing this up only upsets Tarleton, who doesn't want to talk about it, so Banner stops not to torment the man any further.

Meanwhile, the Red Hulk and Commander Rogers arrive over Monster Island. After learning that A-Bomb was trying to stop monsters from escaping this island, Thaddeus jumps from the ship. Attacked by flying lizards that can fire beams of energy from their antenna, the Red Hulk manages to tame one to fly the rest of the way down to the island. There he spots a herd of monsters heading toward the ocean where a whirlpool has been opened up in the artificial storm system designed to keep them in and allow them to escape. He spots Rick passed out on top of one of the beasts. When he approaches he finds a bunch of massive barnacles stuck on the monster's hide has attached themselves to Rick and taken control of his mind. When he removes one from the monster they are riding on, A-Bomb reacts to the barnacle mind control and knocks the Red Hulk off of the beat, sending him crashing into the nearby jungle. Ross is fed up of getting knocked around, but he is suddenly attacked by giant mosquitos that have come to drink his blood. While he is busy squashing these bugs, A-Bomb ambushes him. Using his stealth abilities, A-Bomb manages to get close enough to the Red Hulk to plant one of the barnacles onto him. Suddenly, Ross' mind is flooded with orders from MODOK telling him to escape the island and destroy civilization. However, the Red Hulk's loyalty to his country causes a struggle that brings his body to the point of overheating. This scorches the barnacle off, restoring Ross back to normal.

With his last ounce of strength, the Red Hulk crushes the barnacles that have attached themselves to A-Bomb before passing out and reverting back to human form. Seeing the Red Hulk in his natural form for the first time comes as a massive shock to Rick Jones who hadn't even guess that it might be his long time associate, Thaddeus Ross. Ross quickly explains his situation and what he has learned from their mission. However, there is no way they can remove the barnacles from the various creatures before they can escape through the whirlpool. Deciding to try and block them from the ocean, Ross screams in pain when he tries to turn into the Red Hulk again. Concerned, Rick calls in to Banner to inform him of what is going on. Bruce meanwhile has discovered that George has given him a subconscious clue as to how to stop this Scorched Earth weapon through his clay making. He suspects that whatever is controlling the creatures can be located within the volcano on Monster Island. Unable to leave Ross behind, A-Bomb grabs him and the two rush through hordes of monsters to try and get to the volcano. Taking cover in a forest, Rick is incapacitated by some strange sap that falls from the trees and can burn through his armor plating. When a monster begins converging on them, Ross struggles to try to change back into the Red Hulk, but still can't...

Recurring Characters

Red Hulk, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, Fixer, Songbird, Sub-Mariner, Samuel Sterns, George Tarleton

Continuity Notes

• Commander Rogers mentions that Rick Jones is an old friend. The pair have known each other since he was revived in the modern age circa Avengers #4.

• The Leader and M.O.D.O.K. were depowered in Hulk Vol 2 #23 and Incredible Hulk #610 respectively.

Things Best Left Unseen

The Watcher known as Uravo has come to the planet Earth to search for Uatu, the Watcher of Earth. She observes two X-Men in battle, the Mandarin plotting a scheme. She sees Parker Robbins commanding the power of two Infinity Gems, as well as Galactus confronting Alyssa Moy. However, she finds no trace of Uatu on the planet Earth. In fact, nobody is observing the activities on planet Earth at all.

She travels to the Panorama, a space station run by the Watchers. There she meets with Yruku, Enaku, and the rest of the Watcher's Council, to report her startling discovery. Concerned that Uatu has once again begun interfering with humanity, the council explains that Uatu may have gone rogue after being struck by the Red Hulk not too long ago and could be seeking revenge. The give Uravo permission to search for Utau by scanning for his mind. She discovers that Uatu has gone to the Red Hole of Dargalla. When she travels there she finds Uatu standing before the bodies of dead space explorers.

Recurring Characters

Uravo, Uatu, Yruku the Watchers, Cyclops, Wolverine, Mandarin, The Hood, Galactus, Moy-2515

Continuity Notes

• Uravo witnesses a number of events happening on Earth at the time of this story, they are:

  • Cyclops and Wolverine battling the forces of Mr. Negative in X-Men: To Serve and Protect #1.

  • Future Mandarin from Invincible Iron Man #500.

  • The Hood gaining the Power Gem from Avengers Vol 4 #7.

  • The recent activities of Galactus as seen in Fantastic Four #586.

• The Watcher's Council mentions how Uatu often observes alternate realities. This has been the case since What If? #1. They also discuss his numerous interferences with the planet Earth. The Watchers are sworn to a vow of non-interference of the worlds they observe after they inadvertently caused the annihilation of the Prosilians as seen back in Tales of Suspense #53. Lastly, they speak of Uatu violating this code, the Watcher of Earth has done so many times, the first recorded time being in Fantastic Four #48.

• The Red Hulk managed to strike Uatu back in Hulk Vol 2 #4.