Two Average Stories
In 'The Monster and the Machine', it seems the writers forgot that just last issue Gen. Ross had made the connection between Rick Jones and The Hulk, because in this issue, Betty comes to the same conclusion and has to convince the General what he already knew. In any case, the story represents a turning point in The Hulk storyline, because here we are in only issue #4 and already Bruce Banner has found a way to have his mind in The Hulk's body - a mistake that would be made over-and-over again in this title. Seems each generation of writers needs to learn again that The Hulk / Banner dynamic works best when the two are kept apart.
The second story appears to be the setup for a Jack Kirby slugfest between an alien powerhouse, and Earth's big green wrecking machine - and boy do I wish it was! Instead, Mongu is actually a front for a far less compelling Hulk vs. Cold War baddies type thing.
Both of these stories leave me wondering... has Hulk run out of steam already?
