Incredible Hulk #4

November 1962
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby

Two stories in this issue.  "The Monster and the Machine" and "The Gladiator From Outer Space"

The issue begins with the Hulk strapped down to a new machine created by Banner.  Rick pulls the switch!  And Hulk reverts to meak, mild-manner Dr. Robert Bruce Banner. 

Only four issues in and Banner has discovered a way to not only turn the Hulk back into Banner but to also turn Banner into the Hulk.  Furthermore, the Hulk maintains Banner's intelligence.  Thus begins a new status quo (the fourth so far?) for our modern-day Jekyl and Hide. 

I find it fascinating that within this six-issue series Stan and Jack explore numerous different dynamics between Hulk and Banner.  Looking through the letters pages, some of these changes were driven by the fans, but nevertheless the constant changes are fun and interesting.  Even more interesting is that this series became a microcosm of the personality and status quo shifts that will fill the Hulk's book for the next 50 years.

There's not much else of substance in the first story in this issue.  In a flashback the Hulk battles the army for a bit and in the present, the Hulk saves a family from a burning building.  The family is terrified, shoots at the Hulk and calls the police.  The issue ends with the Hulk wondering if he will always be shot at and hounded.

In our second story, the Hulk battles another outer space villain, Mongu the Gladiator.  Mongu arrives on Earth and demands to fight the strongest there is or he will unleash havoc upon the planet.  Banner hears the threat, changes into Hulk, and goes to meet Mongu. Once he arrives, however, it is revealed that Mongu is not what he claims to be.  In reality, it is a communist trap!  Hulk defeats the commies in quick order.

With this issue, Jack continues to bring the magic on the art-side of things.  On the other side, Stan still hasn't delivered a true compelling antagonist for our hero.