Issue(s): Hulk #429, Hulk #431
Cover Date: May-Jun 95
Title: "A little death" / "Sliced and diced"
Credits:
Peter David - Writer
Liam Sharp - Penciler
Robin Riggs - Inker
James Felder - Assistant Editor
Bobbie Chase - Editor

Review/plot:
I said in the last Hulk entry that Peter David seemed to be going through a period where he was running through a bunch of political hot topics, possibly trying to replicate the success of the AIDS stories. The last arc - about a child-snatcher - might not have really fit the bill (although it definitely was in line with the "are your children safe?!?" escalation of crime reporting that the media was doing in the 90s). But when seen in a set with these two issues, it feels like a pattern to me. These issues remind me of the worst of Fabian Nicieza's Nomad run - bringing up some controversial topic without really taking a position on it and then using some plot development to cheat your way out of it.

The topic is abortion. A young woman, Kate, has run away from home because she's pregnant, and is found by the Hulk and Betty. Betty takes Kate to an abortion clinic (while declining to express an opinion on abortion herself), and then an anti-abortion protest escalates, resulting in Kate getting shot in the stomach, killing her and the baby. The shooter turns out to be the young son of an anti-abortion preacher, and the kid tries but fails to kill himself. So everyone is repentant and no one takes responsibility for everything.

I'm probably doing that thing again where i am being unfair by not taking into account how different the climate was at the time, but i see mushy stories like this as being a big part of the reason that the climate was the way it was.

All that said, if you just look at the "topic of the month" as a vehicle for the Hulk to get into some fun fights, these issues deliver. First, we get the big reveal regarding our headless sheriff.

Then he gets into a fight at the abortion protest with the Hulk (aka the still-bandaged "Bob Danner").

Both are, from the other's perspective, surprisingly strong, but - luckily for the Hulk's secret ID - the Hulk significantly weakens when he starts to get angry and transform back into his human form, allowing Chief Largo to beat him.

Later, it turns out that Kate's father was Speedfreek, so the Hulk has to fight him to prevent him from killing the kid who shot her.

Hulk gets badly gutted, and has to use his hand to keep from bleeding out. Which has gory repercussions when his healing factor kicks in.

Nevertheless, the Hulk recovers and beats Speedfreek by throwing a car battery at him. The acid spillout seems to show that Speedfreek's armor isn't adamantium like his blades.

Fun stuff!

Quality Rating: B+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: If you're an Ultraverse truther, Hulk appears in Prime Vs. Incredible Hulk #0 next.

References:

• Hulk and Speedfreek met (and fought) in Hulk #388.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A