Issue(s): Hulk #405
Cover Date: May 93
Title: "Downtime"
Credits:
Peter David - Writer
Gary Frank - Penciler
Cam Smith - Inker
Matthew Mora - Assistant Editor
Bobbie Chase - Editor

Review/plot:
This is more or less a downtime issue dealing with internal politics at the Pantheon.

The conflict comes from the clandestine affair between Atalanta and Achilles. Ajax has a crush on Atalanta, and Paris makes sure that he sees them together.

Achilles is injured thanks to the arrival of the Hulk, whose gamma radiation is the one thing that weakens Achilles's invulnerability. Hulk tries to stop his rampage, but it eventually becomes clear that Ajax is trying to kill himself, and Hulk stops him and tells him that he's loved.

This is sweet but Ajax nonetheless makes me a little uncomfortable. I'm reminded of a line from the movie Tropic Thunder where they say that actors should never go (forgive me) "full retard". Because there's a fine line between pathos and offensiveness, especially when you also use the character for humor. See also Drax in Infinity Watch. Speaking of which, we have a similar parallel between Hulk and Ajax to the one that was made between Hulk and Drax in Warlock and the Infinity Watch #12-13.

In other news, an attorney for Marlo's brothers, Elaine Schoenfeld, tries to get Rick Jones to release Marlo to her.

Schoenfeld turns out to also be a fan of Rick's. But even that doesn't get Rick to listen to her in his current state.

We also see that Hulk is going to therapy sessions with Doc Samson, as he agreed to do with Betty last arc. But it turns out he's not showing up in person.

We also see Piecemeal hitching a ride out of Brazil.

Finally, we have Paris, who seems to have taken a lesson from the Hulk's cousin and is breaking the fourth wall.

Statement of Ownership Total Paid Circulation: Average of Past 12 months = 299,775. Single issue closest to filing date = 250,000.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• There's mention of the U-Foes attack on the Pantheon Mount, which happened in Hulk #397.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A