Thursday, December 19, 2019

As usual, all of the jerks are in Tower One..


"The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson" is a classic episode forever undermined by the specter of 9/11; but it kills me that some conspiracy types see 'clues' to the disaster in it. They probably see them here, too: from 1975, the Incredible Hulk #193, "The Doctor's Name is...Samson!" Written and edited by Len Wein, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Joe Staton and John Romita.

Bruce Banner is taking a ship from Europe to America, but it's hardly a cruise: it's a rattrap freighter, that also happens to be dumping radioactive waste. Cue the Hulk, ship sinks, etc. Usually that would mean a Sub-Mariner appearance, but not today. Instead, it's the return of Doc Samson, as a 'gammatron' 'accident' blasts him with radiation and gives him his powers again, seemingly for good. He wonders if maybe he wanted that to happen, and is thrilled at the thought of facing off with the Hulk again. Which wouldn't take long!

Tracking the Hulk down in New York City, Samson is laughing and overconfident, telling the Hulk to come back with him willingly, or dragged. He's able to dance around the Hulk's clumsy attacks, and lures him to the top of the World Trade Center towers, which did not appear to be that far apart here! The Hulk punches his ass to 122nd street, which at a glance seems easier than driving there. After nearly crushing a bunch of kids playing baseball, Samson demands a rematch. Why he tells the kids that, is anyone's guess.

I'd suspect Samson would be a bit more humble in his next appearance, but I could be wrong.

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