THE-INCREDIBLE-HULK-#68

The Incredible Hulk #68 (2004)

"Nightmerica: Conclusion"

The surreal odyssey that took Banner through a landscape of twisted reality and subconscious fears concludes here. As the final layers of the "Nightmerica" illusion are peeled back, Banner is forced to confront the source of the manipulation. It’s a visceral, high-tension finale that forces the Hulk to do what he does best when pushed to the breaking point: smash the cage, whether that cage is made of steel or of the mind.

Issue Highlights:

• The Lee Weeks Finale: Lee Weeks’ pencils are at their finest in this issue. His ability to render the "dream-state" versus the "cold, hard reality" of Banner’s fugitive life makes for a visually stunning conclusion.
• The Psychological Payoff: Bruce Jones wraps up the "Nightmerica" arc by emphasizing that for Bruce Banner, the real nightmare isn't the monsters he fights—it’s the realization that he can never truly wake up from his own condition.
• The "Fugitive" Progression: This arc is a fan-favorite because it briefly removes Banner from the "real world" of military pursuit and places him in a psychological sandbox, allowing for deeper character work than the typical action issue.
• A Key Transitional Piece: This issue effectively sets the stage for the shift into the "House of Cards" arc we just looked at in #69. It bridges the gap between Banner's psychological breakdown and his return to the cold, hard chase.