World War Hulk: Front Line #2

Mar 13

Mar 13 World War Hulk: Front Line #2

Embedded: Behind Enemy Lines Part 2

With the city under siege by the Hulk and his Warbound, New York is evacuated. However, among those who refuse to leave are Front Line reporters Ben Urich and Sally Floyd. As they try to figure out the ideal headline for their cover story. When Ben notes how many people are still in the city, he worries about those who can't leave. As they discuss how the rich elite will benefit from this, they drive right into a bunch of stalled cars in the middle of the road. This turns out to be a trap set by looters, but Ben reverses and speeds out of there before they can be pulled out of their car.

Later, Sally Floyd and her photographer Geoff Creswell are on the roof of a building. They talk about how New York City is always a target for attacks. They quickly realize that New York is such a magnet because staging an attack somewhere in Iowa wouldn't make quite the statement. Suddenly, something comes crashing through a far off building and slams into the side of another next to them. They rush down a fire escape just in time to see Luke Cage pull himself out of the rubble and rush off to rejoin the battle. Sally smells something horrible and notices that the damage caused by Luke's crash landing has exposed a gas main. As people begin to scatter, someone notices a little girl holding on for dear life onto a damaged fire escape. Before the girl can fall, she is rescued by Daredevil. The girl's brother is less than happy about Daredevil's rescue. When he finds out that their parents are gone and they refuse to leave for an evacuation shelter, Daredevil promises to keep an eye on them during the crisis. However, the boy is doesn't buy it and walks off, and Daredevil can't help but admit that the boy might be right.

Sally talks to Daredevil, who expresses his frustration over how Hell's Kitchen won't be considered a priority during reconstruction once the battle is over. He also points out that the Super Human Registration Act seems to be suspended because every superhero in the city is needed to battle the Hulk. Sally believes there is a story there and calls Ben to report it in. Ben, meanwhile, is witnessing the Hulk's battle with the Fantastic Four. Suddenly, the battle ends as the Hulk the victor. Suddenly, a power transformer in the city is destroyed, plunging the island of Manhattan into total darkness...

Recurring Characters

Ben Urich, Sally Floyd, Daredevil, Hulk, Luke Cage, Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, Thing)

Continuity Notes

Embedded: Behind Enemy Lines:

Ben Urich mentions the Hurricane Katrina disaster as though it had just recently happened. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616

This story takes place during the events of World War Hulk #2.

Costume Division: Death of an Android Part 1

Office Danny Granville has been assigned to investigate the alleged murder of Arch-E, one of the Hulk's Warbound, as a means of placating tensions between local authorities and the Hulk's forces. He's unhappy with the assignment, but as a member of the NYPD's Cape Division, he has no other choice. He arrives at the crime scene to find that there are minimal officers on the scene because of the evacuation order. Still, Granville demands the scene photographer to get someone from the coroner's office and some technicians on the scene to assist. Soon, they are joined by Korg, one of the Hulk's Warbound, who has been assigned to help Officer Granville with this case.

After Korg has a moment of silence for his fallen comrade, he once again asks Danny if he swears to join him in judicial servitude. When Danny does, the pair begin to get to work solving this mystery. They begin to ascertain that Arch-E was destroyed by a massive energy burst. While Korg instantly assumes that his comrade was destroyed by a human, Danny insists that they investigate first. The two get into a heated argument when Korg refuses to answer Danny's questions. However, when Danny makes a point of reminding the alien that he has pledged to help solve the case, Korg realizes that he is acting out of turn and apologizes. He explains that Arch-E was assigned to scout the area and gauge the reactions of humans to their presence and observe the activities of superheroes. The robot's last contact with them was to report a strange ionic energy source before his transmission was cut off.

When Danny suggests probing Arch-E's memories, Korg refuses as it is the violation of the rights of the robots as a sentient being. Granville realizes that he will have to solve this case the long way around. However, Danny points out that with no witnesses left they will be hard-pressed trying to figure out what happened. Korg tells Danny that they must solve the case quickly as if they fail to solve the mystery in 48 hours, their lives will both be in a forfeit.

Recurring Characters

Danny Granville, Korg, Arch-E

Continuity Notes

This story takes place during the events of World War Hulk #2.

War Is Heck Part 1

Captain Rectitude stands in the middle of Times Square. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents scurry about him and tell him about a "special mission". One agent makes certain that the Captain is standing above a painted red X on the ground, while others set up various props. The agents scatter, and Captain Rectitude realizes that they have planted various signs baiting the Hulk to attack him, including a "Smash Me" sign taped to his back. The shadow of the Hulk falls over Captain Rectitude.