- "Stupid humans! Hulk cannot be hurt by puny little bombs! Hulk cannot be hurt by anything! But Hulk can hurt you, little men -- and Hulk will!"
- ―Hulk
| "A Monster in Our Midst!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The Incredible Hulk | |
| Title: | "A Monster in Our Midst!" |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Number: | 208 |
| Cover price: | .30 |
| Cover date: | February, 1977 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Archie Goodwin |
| Writers: | Len Wein |
| Pencilers: | Sal Buscema |
| Inkers: | Joe Staton |
| Cover artists: | Marie Severin |
| Cover inker: | Frank Giacoia |
| Colorists: | Glynis Wein |
| Letterers: | Joe Rosen; Irv Watanabe |
| Editors: | Len Wein |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Incredible Hulk #207 |
| Next: | Incredible Hulk #209 |
"A Monster in Our Midst!" is the 208th issue of the second Incredible Hulk ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Len Wein with artwork by Sal Buscema and inks by Joe Staton. It was colored by Glynis Wein and lettered by Joe Rosen & Irv Watanabe. The story was edited by Len Wein. This issue shipped with a February, 1977 cover date and carries a cover price of .30 cents per copy.
"A Monster in Our Midst!"[]
Two criminals named Elmo and Rocko use a concussion cannon tank to break their cohort, Bruno Caper, out of the Men's Detention Center in Lower Manhattan. As they try to escape, they run afoul of a rather pissy Hulk, who easily defeats them by picking the tank up and smashing it down upon the ground. The Hulk then wanders off and falls asleep, turning back into Bruce Banner in the process.
Scrounging together what little money he has, Bruce buys some new clothes for himself and rents a room on the Lower East Side from a woman named April Sommers, who takes an immediate romantic interest in him.
Meanwhile, the damage done to the Men's Detention Center enables another convict, Crusher Creel - the Absorbing Man, the chance to escape. The Absorbing Man fights his way through the streets against the New York City Police Department, but then mysteriously disappears.
A trio of shadowy figures address the Absorbing Man in a mysterious location. They outfit him with a new costume and recruit him to go after the Hulk - a task the Absorbing Man accepts with great enthusiasm.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- April Sommers (1st appearance)
- Glenn Talbot
- Jim Wilson
- Leonard Samson
- Thaddeus Ross
Villains
Minor characters
- Fred Cramer
- Jarella (As an afterthought only)
- Lann (Cameo appearance only)
- Morris K. Goldstein
- Prince Rey (Cameo appearance only)
- Rayburn
- Romulus Augustulus (Cameo appearance only)
- Unidentified man
Organizations
- New York City Police Department
- They Who Wield Power (Cameo appearance only)
- United States Air Force
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Hulk was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. He first appeared in Incredible Hulk #1 in May, 1962 in a story titled "The Coming of the Hulk".
- This issue carries the approval stamp of the Comics Code Authority.
- This issue is cover code number 02456.
- This issue is UPC barcode number 0714860245602.
- The tagline to this issue, "A Monster in Our Midst!", is also the story title. It is prefaced with "This is it! The dramatic turning point in the life of Bruce Banner!"
- This issue is reprinted in black and white in the Essential Hulk, Volume 6 trade paperback collection, published in September, 2010. It is also reprinted in color in the Incredible Hulk: The Complete Collection digital media collection produced by Graphic Imaging Technology, Inc., released in January, 2007.
- This issue includes an advertisement for Hostess© Cup Cakes starring Captain Mar-Vell titled "Captain Marvel and the Energy Crisis".
- This issue includes an advertisement for the Six Million Dollar Man inflatable Mission Control Center playset by Kenner.
- This is the first appearance of April Sommers. She appears next in Incredible Hulk #209.
- Reference is made to the Hulk's late alien girlfriend Jarella in this issue.
- Bruce Banner makes reference to Robert Redford in this issue. Robert Redford is an American film actor. He played the role of Alexander Pierce in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014, and in Avengers: Endgame in 2019.