Issue(s): Hulk #434
Cover Date: Oct 95
Title: "Funeral story"
Credits:
Peter David - Writer
J.R. Justiniano - Penciler
Al Milgrom - Inker
Polly Watson - Assistant Editor
Bobbie Chase - Editor

Review/plot:
This is an epilogue to the Over The Edge crossover, dealing with the death of Nick Fury. The Hulk book isn't the most logical place for that, and of course a fair amount of the focus is on the Hulk's decision to not stop the Punisher. But the book does take the time to look at the death more broadly; it shows Val Fontaine dealing with her grief and even digs up Nick's younger sister Dawn (who basically only appeared previously in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #68).

The story also "confirms" that Fury is really dead. Most of the issue has Nick's Howling Fury buddies laughing at the idea that Fury died, but that changes when Wolverine shows up at the funeral.

As for the Hulk, he's feeling a lot of guilt. But equally importantly, the other superheroes aren't thinking very highly of him (and haven't for some time).

This is of course something David has been developing in this series for a long time, and it fits generally well with how the Hulk is usually talked about in other books. I do think the line-wide crossovers have been working against this idea, however; the fact that Hulk has helped out in all three Infinity events ought to have earned him a little credit with the other heroes.

That's basically it, though. No major fight breaks out thanks to intercessions from Val, Dawn, and President Clinton. The issue ends with the Howling Commandos thinking that they're going to "fade away" now that Nick isn't around.

It's worth noting that even though the Marvel books are currently in editorial silos, and issue like this shows that it was still possible for characters from one "silo" (e.g. the "Classic" silo that includes the Avengers) can appear in another.

Quality Rating: B+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Hulk seemingly hasn't gone home to Betty since last issue (and therefore not since prior to Hulk #431). But that doesn't mean he can't have appeared elsewhere since last issue (such as in Thor #489). The MCP have Wolverine here between Wolverine #92-93. Daredevil appears here out of costume, and of course this takes place after Darevil's Over The Edge issue, Daredevil #344. The Avengers and Force Works characters' appearances are context free, but note that Captain America isn't here, since is missing; note from a scan above that while the Avengers say that Fury is "dead", Cap is only "gone", which suggests this takes place at least prior to Captain America's funeral in Captain America #445.

A random housekeeping note (and a spoiler i guess!), which really should appear in Double Edge: Omega, but i don't have it: i'm following the MCP in listing the Nick Fury appearing in this crossover as Nick Fury LMD III. Careful inspectors of this site will note that i already have a Nick Fury LMD (I) tag, but no Nick Fury LMD II. That is because the existence of Nick Fury LMD II is based on an interpretation of the weird and inconsistent Fury #1 issue. It wasn't an interpretation that i particularly shared (or maybe understood), so i didn't follow the MCP in tagging Nick Fury LMD II in the appropriate issues. However, i'm still leaving open the possibility that i'll change my mind. Therefore, i currently have Nick Fury LMD (I) and III, but no II.

References:

• Nick Fury seemingly died in Double Edge: Omega.
  
• Justifying Hulk's decision to not help Fury last issue, Betty cites how Fury and/or SHIELD tried to kidnap him (Hulk #426), fought him when he rescued a political prisoner (Hulk #410-411) and sold armaments to a ruthless dictator (circa Hulk #391).
  
• Tony Stark recommended that Nick Fury lead SHIELD in Strange Tales #135.
  
• The Avengers say that they played nice at Rick's wedding in Hulk #417-418 because Cap and Fury asked them to.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A