THE-INCREDIBLE-HULK-NM-#66

The Incredible Hulk #66 (2004)

"Dead Like Me: Conclusion"

The conspiracy that has been dogging Bruce Banner since the start of the year reaches a boiling point. Banner is trapped between the shadowy "Home Base" organization and the relentless pursuit of his own past. In this finale, the secrets of the mysterious "Sandra" are laid bare, and Banner is forced to confront the fact that even his attempts at human connection are often just another trap. It’s a cynical, tightly-wound issue that proves why the Hulk is the ultimate tragic hero.

Issue Highlights:

• Mike Deodato Jr.’s Swan Song: This is one of the final issues of Deodato’s iconic run on the title before Lee Weeks takes over in #67. His hyper-detailed, shadow-heavy style is at its absolute peak here, making the action feel heavy and the quiet moments feel suffocating.
• The "Home Base" Mystery: This issue provides critical answers regarding the organization that has been manipulating Banner from the shadows, making it a "key" issue for those following the long-form narrative of the Jones run.
• Cinematic Action: The transformation sequence and the subsequent fallout are rendered with a grit that felt revolutionary for Marvel in the early 2000s, leaning more toward The Fugitive than The Avengers .
• Atmospheric Pacing: Bruce Jones excels at the "downbeat" ending. This isn't a victory for Banner; it’s a survival, setting the perfect emotional tone for the psychological breakdown that occurs in the following "Nightmerica" arc.