THE-INCREDIBLE-HULK-#69

The Incredible Hulk #69 (2004)

"House of Cards, Part 1"

The cat-and-mouse game changes shape yet again. As Banner continues to evade the military, he finds himself drawn into a complex web of deceit involving past associates and new, shadowy players. This issue is a masterclass in establishing a "noir" atmosphere, where the biggest threat isn't always the monster—it's the uncertainty of who to trust. It’s a slow-burn setup that prioritizes character-driven dread over instant gratification.

Issue Highlights:

• Lee Weeks on Art: This issue features the incredible work of Lee Weeks. His style is a bit more grounded and classic than the previous arc's artists, giving the series a more "real-world" grit that fits the fugitive narrative perfectly.
• The "House of Cards" Setup: True to the title, everything Banner has built—or tried to build—is starting to look fragile. Bruce Jones does an excellent job of showing that for Banner, "stability" is just a polite word for "the next disaster waiting to happen."
• Psychological Depth: Jones continues to treat Banner as a man haunted by his own biology. The transformation isn't just a physical change; it's a terrifying loss of identity that the story treats with genuine, tragic gravity.
• The "Fugitive" Consistency: If you've been collecting this run, you know the rhythm by now—the pacing is deliberate, the stakes are high, and the threat of the Hulk is always hanging over every conversation like a sword of Damocles.