Episode 15: Rocket Launches and Ringmasters - and a Flying Hulk??? (Incredible Hulk #3) -- September 1962

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss another superpowered individual who can control minds - this time in New Mexico and across the midwest.

In this issue:

Bruce Banner and Rick Jones come up with a way to keep the Hulk locked away. The Army, however, are on the lookout for the Hulk. General Ross tells Rick they need the Hulk to test a new missile. This is a lie, as they just want to shoot the Hulk into space. Rick falls for this ruse, lets the Hulk out, and leads the Hulk into the missile, which shoots into space. The Hulk turns back to Bruce Banner and is bombarded with radiation which appears to permanently turn him into the Hulk (rather than just turn him into the Hulk when the sun goes down). The Hulk is, ironically, an even greater menace due to General Ross’s intervention.

Meanwhile, Rick learns that he had been tricked. The Hulk returns to Earth, and blames Rick for being shot into space. Rick realizes he can control the Hulk mentally, provided he is awake (another side effect of the space radiation on the Hulk). When he is asleep, the Hulk rampages through town. Rick returns to locking the Hulk away.

Assumed before the next issue:

The Hulk is now a mindless monster who can only be controlled by Rick Jones. This gives the Army, the police, and the public even more reason to fear him.

This episode takes place:

A few days after the events in the issue, when people hypnotized by the Ringmaster have been interviewed and the military has made statements as to what happened with respect to the capture of the Ringmaster and escape of the Hulk.