TITLE: The Incredible Hulk Issue #334
YEAR: August 1987
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Penciller: Todd McFarlane
Inker: Jim Sanders III
Letterer: Rick Parker
Colorist: Petra Scotese
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
When it comes to comic book writers that I absolutely love their work, Peter David is right up there.
His work on “Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man” issues #107-110 for “The Death of Jean DeWolff” storyline was fantastic.
But to be truthful, his work on the “Star Trek” novels such as “Q-in-Law”, “Vendetta”, “Imzadi” to namea few wore absolutely amazing. But what amazes me of Peter David’s work is his ability to take characters that were not in their greatest form, when it comes to public appreciation and is able to take them to even greater heights.
He did it with Aquaman and he also did it with the Incredible Hulk, a comic book series which no one wanted to write but with Peter David being offered a chance to write a comic book. Not bad coming from the Direct Sales Manager at Marvel, who now gets to show off what he could do with Hulk.
And during this time, The Incredible Hulk (grey)/Bruce Banner were going through this identity crisis and Peter David would eventually become the main writer with issue #331. And joining him on that ride was artist, Todd McFarlane.
With issue #334, the Grey Hulk and Bruce Banner have not been handling each other all that great. Seeing themselves as two separate people, Bruce Banner finds himself on top of a high Butte. How did he get there. Bruce knows that Grey Hulk is back, while others think he’s gone. So, Bruce makes up a story that the Leader put him up there.
Meanwhile, Betty Banner is not liking where her relationship is at and wanting to make Bruce jealous, she joins another man in a hotel room.
Meanwhile, there appears to be something dead waking up alive.
Meanwhile, as Bruce tries to find his wife, he starts to learn that she in a hotel room with another man. Rick Jones joins Bruce and once they arrive, a fight takes place between Bruce, which leads to a fight between the man and Rick Jones.
As Bruce and Betty want to have some special time alone, Rick is worried (because at a certain time, Bruce will turn into Grey Hulk). But because everything is good, he gives them some time alone.
What Rick is shocked, while waiting at a bar is how dark it was. The bartender tells him that the clock was turned back an hour (Daylight savings time?). This worries Rick and as he runs to Bruce/Betty’s room. Bruce is seen holding his wife and she tells him to not hold her so hard…not knowing that Bruce has turned into the Hulk and we see an image of Betty with tears in her eyes.
Rick barges in and finds the whole room destroyed. Is Betty alive?
Meanwhile, the Grey Hulk is upset about Bruce Banner’s timing with Betty and you can see both inner personalities arguing with one another.
Hulk then ends up coming across Ishmael, a half-life who is a Gamma spawned creature that comes alive at night. The two end up fighting and Hulk/Bruce realize…If not in New Mexico but from another state, what created this creature? Was it the US Military?
Overall, an awesome story that you have a combination of action, drama, romance, comedy and all-out violence. Peter David know doubt has changed the landscape for stories featuring “The Incredible Hulk”, for the best at the time.