Issue(s): Hulk #268
Cover Date: Feb 82
Title: "And they called the wind Pariah!"
Credits:
Bill Mantlo - Writer
Sal Buscema - Penciler
Sal Buscema - Inker
Jack Abel - Assistant Editor
Al Milgrom - Editor

Review/plot:
Rick is having doubts about Bruce Banner's decision to try and eliminate the Hulk. Rick suggests trying to retain the power to turn into the Hulk but with the ability to control it, suggesting all of the wonderful things that Banner could do with the Hulk's strength, but Banner says he just wants to have a normal life.

This issue is presenting it as if Rick has developed a bond and a sense of loyalty to the Hulk, but the strange ending to last issue also suggests that Rick likes the idea of being able to control the Hulk.

Also, over this issue and last, the Hulk is beginning to understand that he and Bruce Banner are the same individual.

But this issue is mainly about a cowboy who found a possessed rock that killed off an entire town. Rick stumbles across the ghost town while he's driving around thinking (there's a little bit of Rick's backstory, showing how he left his orphanage), and he runs into the ghost of the cowboy, now called Phariah.

The Hulk shows up and smashes the rock, saving Rick. During the course of the fight with Phariah, Banner has the option of letting the ghost drain the Hulk out of him...

...but he refuses. This gives Rick hope that Banner does see the Hulk's value.

Sal Buscema does a nice job with the opening pages of this issue; the story of the cowboy finding the possessed rock is given a grainy washed out look (probably should give some credit to colorist Bob Sharen as well).

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A