World War Hulk Prologue: World Breaker #1

Casus Belli

This story continues from Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #106...

Enraged over the death of Caiera Oldstrong, the Hulk stands atop an alien starship bound for Earth. He wants revenge against the Illuminati - the secret cabal of Earth's heroes who left him stranded on the planet Sakaar. The Hulk is insane with rage and cannot distinguish friend from foe. He begins battling his old allies mistaking them for members of the Illuminati. They attempt to make the Hulk see reason, but all of their efforts fail.

Back on Earth, Jennifer Walters is embroiled in an argument with Doc Samson. She is furious over the fact that he infected her with nanites, which suspended her ability to transform into the She-Hulk. After eventually regaining her abilities, Jen punched Samson to Passaic, New Jersey. Now, however, they discuss the moral implications of deporting the Hulk to another world. Jen argues on her cousin's behalf, but Samson stresses that the Hulk has been a menace for so long, that the Illuminati's solution was justified. Walters warns him that there will be serious repercussions for what has transpired. She tells him that the Illuminati's actions are a form of Cassus Belli – a prologue to war.

Moments later, Jennifer has a precognitive flash of insight, and she sees a vision of the Hulk on the prow of a starship. She gasps, "My God... he's on his way."

Recurring Characters

Hulk, Doc Samson, Jennifer Walters, Warbound (Miek, Korg, Hiroim, Arch-E, Elloe Kaifi, No-Name of Brood)

Continuity Notes

• The Hulk was originally exiled from Earth by the Illuminati in Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #91.

• This story follows the events of She-Hulk Vol 2 #18 when Iron Man used nanites to de-power She-Hulk.

• This story has numerous flashbacks that recount different moments in the Hulk's career:

  • His first encounter with the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #12.

  • When Tony Stark attempted to cure the Hulk with the help of Erica Sondheim, which happened in the pages of Iron Man #131-133.

  • The Hulk's falling out with the original Avengers which happened circa Avengers #2.

  • The Hulk also recounts his time with the original Defenders, which he first joined in Marvel Feature #1. His recountings are of battles against Dormammu (during the Avengers/Defenders War circa Avengers #115-118 and Defenders #8-11), Nebulon (Defenders #13-14), and the Headmen (Defenders #31-35).

  • The Hulk also recalls his battle against the "Silver Savage" on Sakaar which happened in Incredible Hulk Vol 2 #95.

  • The Hulk remembers his time in the Crossroads dimension where his exile lasted from Incredible Hulk #300-313.

Continuity Errors

• The Hulk makes a recollection of fighting Black Bolt on the Moon. However, the Hulk has only been to the domain of the Inhumans on two different occasions: Incredible Hulk Special #1, and Incredible Hulk #175. Both of these times were prior to the Inhumans first sojourn to the moon in Fantastic Four #240 or their return there in Fantastic Four Vol 3 #54.