HULK #377 (1991)

In which Peter David adds a whole bunch of flesh to Bill Mantlo’s skeletal framework of young Banner being abused by a child.

The issue starts off with a therapy session that finally defines the various green/gray/Bruce aspects of Banner’s psyche.  (With the help of Ringmaster’s hypnosis power to really put Bruce under.)  The session is designed to marry the repressed memories/rage from the abused child elements introduced by Bill Mantlo with Mr. Fixit’s attempt to be a “cool dude” and raging Green Hulk’s desire to destroy everything.

You have to really read this comic.  It may Peter David’s best work.  But this panel is a good example of what he does:

All three Hulks spin in fear at the memory of the sound of Bruce Banner’s father’s voice.

And they collectively remember dad as a giant demon who killed their mother while they looked on, impassive, and helpless, as a child.

Samson helps them come to terms with the memory, shrinking dad from demon to old man.

And then, at the end of the issue, Hulk is back.

It’s a great use of psychology in comics, but also an unusual one.  Most of the time, psychotherapy in comics is a one-and-done issue in which a character offers a big reveal while lying on the couch.  PAD’s Hulk, which explores the idea of subconconsience quite a bit, posits the idea that Banner’s daddy issues affected the way that the gamma power manifested in him, creating a literal split personality of which the two personalities cannot coexist.  One is a mad, purely emotional beast.  The other is an uptight scientist who can’t succeed despite his own brilliance because his inner child’s rage is constantly blocking him.

Also: This cover got a tribute!

Creators: Peter David and Dale Keown
Grade: A+

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And see my Ratings of Runs on comics here.

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