Issue(s): Hulk #317
Cover Date: Mar 86
Title: "You're probably wondering why I called you here today..."
Credits:
John Byrne - Writer
John Byrne - Penciler
John Byrne & Keith Williams - Inker
Don Daley - Assistant Editor
Denny O'Neil - Editor

Review/plot:
While Doc Samson battles the Hulk...

...Bruce Banner, having stolen Professor X's chair from the future, summons a ragtag group of scientists and adventurers and recruits them to become his new Hulkbusters.

Click to Gamma-Size

That's basically it. The issue is split between introducing the Hulkbusters, showing them to all be desperate in one way or another and needing this offer from Bruce to restore their reputations/careers...

...and a great big dumb slugfest between the Hulk and Samson.

The fight ends inconclusively. Diane Bellamy says that Samson is as strong as the Hulk when he's at rest, but since the Hulk is currently a creature of pure rage, and the madder he gets the stronger he gets, Samson isn't in a position to stop him.

It seems we're already backing away from the "loss of life" claim last issue. This issue, Banner only mentions property damage.

The other big news is that Bruce proposes to Betty this issue, but she doesn't give her answer yet.

Quality Rating: B+

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - first Craig Saunders and Samuel LaRoquette, later Redeemer and Rock

Chronological Placement Considerations: It's said to have been "a few weeks" since the Hulk and Banner were separated. Samson's battle with the Hulk lasts at least 6 hours. I have to assume that the events here don't take place too long after last issue, since the Avengers said they'd be waiting for a quick resolution from Samson.

References:

• While recruiting his new Hulkbusters, Banner mentions the Hulk's creation in Hulk #1.
  
• The Hulk was separated from Bruce Banner in Hulk #315.
  
• Banner and the Hulkbusters are setting up in a new Gamma Base, the old one having been destroyed by the U-Foes circa Hulk #277.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

The appearance of the new Hulkbusters, all with names and extensive backstories (albeit ones that can be summed up in one caption box each) shows that Byrne had put a lot of thought into giving Hulk a revived supporting cast and content. I was really excited about this run at the time this issue came out.

I was never a big fan of Betty Ross, but it's nice to have a classic girlfriend back. At this point, Jane Foster is out of the picture (and, as we soon find out, pregnant), Pepper Potts is basically gone, Karen Page is a junkie and Betty Brant is soon going to be a widow.