Finch doing better with this Iron Man suit than its predecessor. I’m sure the Sentry will get involved here and not wait til the last issue. To get started this time, the president is surveying the damage via helicopter, being comically country and hokey, so that’s nice. He’s also being recapped at by an underling that “their mystics” say Dr. Strange has take on the power of an extradimensional demon named Zom. Great name. Apparently created by Jim Steranko in 1967 and making only his 5th appearance ever in this series.
Ol’ Dr. Zom-Strange seems to have this all wrapped up. We cut to a group of cult-like Hulk followers trying to get past barricades to see him when he comes crashing to Earth in front of them, pursued by the demon, Strange. They keep fighting until Strange almost knocks a building on the fans and emergency crew alike.
So Hulk pummels Strange for a while, and then Rick Jones finally gets close enough to taunt him for helping those people, like Banner would, because he is Banner.
How is Strange not dead?
They trot out some humans to give damning evidence against the prisoners. Including Tom Foster, nephew of Goliath, and a weird hippie religious cult lady upset that Dr. Strange consorts with demons, which… maybe not the best witness. Well, Hulk makes them fight a big monster without their powers, and they do pretty well, frankly. Mostly due to Black Bolt not being all that hampered. Then they’re told they all have to fight each other, but they get electrocuted before they can. Ok. Cut to the president basically having the same scene with the Sentry as last issue, but now from a helicopter nearby instead of over the phone. Then Sentry flashes back to Tony telling him they’ll lose without him, and doing anything could endanger billions of lives, but it’s time to play god. And he continues to not do anything, since he’s obvious only going to confront Hulk in the final issue. This coulda been a 2-issue series. Just not enough meat on this bone. Back at the ranch:
They’re all beatin’ on each other, and I think Strange accidentally sets himself and Black Bolt on fire with a spell? Not sure. Everyone seems to think this has gone too far, with cuts to Rick looking shocked and Korg saying as much, but that pink lady is not satisfied.
I at least enjoy another instance of crazy JRJR laser guns. Nothing like ‘em in comics. Fight fight fight, with the crowd chanting for the heroes’ deaths, as this is (somehow?) all broadcast on a TV Sentry has access to. Thus:
It was time to play god back is issue one, buddy! Well, at least this’ll be over next time.