Eternals #15, September 1977

"Disaster Area"  [can't argue]
Edited, written and drawn by Jack Kirby
Inker & Letterer- Michael Royer
Consulting Editor- Archie Goodwin

SUMMARY

The Cosmic Hulk dodges Ikaris's eye-beams and leaps through the air, with Ikaris & Sersi in hot pursuit! Sersi takes control over the Hulk's molecular structure, turning him into a statue. The danger seems to be passed- but energy swirls out of the Hulk's form, restoring him to mobility! Ikaris flies in to attack, but is belted away! The Hulk snatches Sersi up and leaps away with her.

Meantime, Sam, Margo & Makkari are following the Hulk in Makkari's sky-mobile, but the Hulk lands atop a giant building [Empire State?], rips off the steeple and throws it at them! Makkari barely dodges, and then fires a cosmic blast at the Hulk- but still he stands! The Hulk leaps at the craft, and sends it ricocheting across the city!

Policemen arrive and try to shoot the Hulk down, but he caves in the roof, sending them flying!

On the street below, a battered Ikaris is met by newsman Walter Reasoner.

Passer-by#1:"Hey, Mister Reasoner! Ask him if DOCTOR DOOM an' THOR are fighting TOO!"
Walter Reasoner:"A FAIR question, sir."
Passer-by#2:"YEAH! Is it true that the INHUMANS are coming?

Ikaris ignores them, and takes after the Hulk again, finding him running from a series of fireballs! The Hulk tries to turn a chimney into a weapon, but it transforms into a fire-breathing gargoyle! The entire rooftop turns into a monster, sending the Hulk running!

It's the work of Sersi, who hoped to stop the Hulk with psychological warfare.

Ikaris:"Your gimmicks buy us TIME-- and nothing more!"
Sersi:"You've yet to see the REST of the bag! My next trick will send him leaping to the MOON! Just WATCH!"
Ikaris:"I said, NO, Sersi!"
Sersi:"ARROGANT MALE! My efforts may only buy us time, but all you've gotten us is-- LAUGHS!"
Ikaris:"That's all too TRUE, Sersi! That's why this situation grows more FEARFUL each passing second!"
Sersi:"Even BOORS can acquire the knack of being right!"

On a news report, the two students are forced by Dr. Ryan to confess they created the Hulk robot.

Makkari blasts his way out of his crashed ship, to return to the fray! Sam & Margo are left behind, and are badly injured when a massive shockwave rips across the city! The Hulk is tossing debris upon the city!

Helicopters move in to attack the Hulk, but he knocks them down! Finally, he leaps upon the side of a building, crashing the entire thing over! Now, Sersi, Ikaris & Makkari converge upon him to end the fight- when suddenly, Zuras appears!

COMMENTS

Ugh. This story takes too long. Three issues of robo-cosmic-Hulk?
Well, we got some nice Sersi dialogue. And the scenes of Kirby-destruction are nice, especially the building that falls over!
That conversation regarding other heroes is interesting- at least it recognizes the other MU heroes.

Next: Things go from laughable to passable as we meet a new villain and send the Cosmic Hulk 12 feet under!