Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell Page #2

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exerting itself upon a young

man named Benito Serrano.

His parents contacted me.

They were concerned about their

son's unusual sleep patterns.

Using Benito as a conduit, I was

able to enter the Dream Dimension.

Doc, help me!

Benito!

Down here!

Help me!

Doc!

It's all right,

Benito, I'm here.

You don't get it.

We have to go.

He's right behind me.

Remain calm.

He's only trying to scare you.

If you can face your fears, they

will have no power over you.

Oh, come now, children.

Do you really want

to test that theory, Benito?

I don't think this two-bit magician

knows what he's talking about.

Nightmare.

I was wondering when you'd

show your vile face.

The Eye of Agamotto

will reveal your deception.

You forget your place, Sorcerer.

Here, in the Dream Dimension,

I reign supreme.

The source of your power

is fear, demon.

And I do not fear you.

Ugh. Pathetic.

Shadow creatures,

tear him apart.

I summon the Blade of Balthakk.

Your creatures are no match

for the Sorcerer Supreme.

Oh, Doctor,

haven't you forgotten someone?

No.

No!

Benito. Benito!

Doc, help me!

No!

You failed, Sorcerer.

The boy is mine now.

The first of many.

Benito!

I will not lose you

to the Dream Dimension.

Try as I might,

I could not breach

the mystical barrier.

I had no choice but to

return to the waking world.

I hoped I could do something to

help Benito from the other side.

Benito.

But I was too late.

Benito had

already transformed into

the very image

of his own worst nightmare.

Forgive me, Benito, but I must

summon the Chains of Krakkan.

At his parents' request,

I've been keeping Benito here,

under my protection, ever since.

I hate to ask,

but what did Nightmare mean

when he said Benito was

the first of many?

See for yourself.

There're four victims so far.

And I fear there may be others.

While Nightmare holds

their dream selves captive,

they've become monsters

in the real world.

Each a reflection of

their deepest fears.

They've been growing stronger

and harder to contain.

If I cannot free

them soon, they may be

trapped in these forms forever.

And under Nightmare's control.

But what's Nightmare's endgame?

I mean, how much damage

could four monsters do?

You'd be surprised.

The four victims all had

unusually deep-seated fears.

And fear is the source

of Nightmare's power.

With the barrier to the Dream

Dimension at its weakest,

his influence over those four could

enable him to enter our reality.

Tactically speaking,

they've given Nightmare

a toehold in our dimension.

And his next step might be

a full-scale invasion.

And he makes our world

a living nightmare.

Okay, so how do we lay

the smackdown on this clown?

I need to smash

Nightmare's mystical barrier

and rescue those four victims.

Uh-oh.

I heard the word, "Smash."

With your unique dual nature

and these recent incidents of

sleep-Hulking you told me about,

I think you may be the key.

But first,

I need to speak with Hulk.

And what if the green guy

doesn't feel like talking?

We can always force that hand.

Seriously.

You've got some spell that can

just poof me into the Hulk.

I had something simpler in mind.

Warwolf.

What, is that supposed

to make me angry?

No, this is.

Warwolf, no!

Doc!

You're next, Fido.

That's enough,

Warwolf. Thank you.

Whatever you say, Doc.

One of your astral projections.

You set me up, Strange.

Don't ever do it again.

Ahem, ahem. Yes, well,

now that you've graced us

with your presence, Hulk,

why don't you tell me

everything you can remember

about these recent incidents

where you turn...

Into puny Banner?

I remember everything.

And let's just say it makes me,

what's the word,

angry.

I see.

And why is that?

I'm a hero!

Not just a hero, I'm an Avenger.

People count on me.

My team counts on me.

And right when I'm about to

smash some evil guy's face in,

Banner shows up!

And always at the most

inopportune time.

Yeah, that's right.

Some rotten luck, huh, Doc.

Not luck at all, my friend.

I believe you may have fallen under

Nightmare's influence as well.

Nobody influences the Hulk.

Man-Thing,

if you would please.

- I

- saw your reaction earlier,

and now this confirms it.

Whoever knows fear burns at

the touch of the Man-Thing.

Hey, I ain't afraid of nothing.

Perhaps not.

But what about Banner?

Who cares about that puny loser?

I'm the hero.

Banner keeps showing up

where he ain't wanted.

That's the problem.

And the big green monster

turns into a normal human

who can walk down the street without

people running and screaming.

Where do I sign up

for that problem?

I ain't a monster. I'm a hero.

That's enough, Man-Thing.

I think I have

all the information I need.

I summon the Mists of Morpheus.

Clearly, Nightmare is tampering

with Banner's transformations

by tapping into some extremely

powerful subconscious fears.

But to what end,

I'm not sure yet.

I'll have to enter

Banner's sleeping mind

and confront Nightmare

one more time.

And you called in the Paranormal

Containment Unit for backup

while you go behind enemy lines.

Not a problem, Doctor.

We're ready to face down

anything Nightmare throws at us.

And blast the living

daylights out of it.

I'm glad to hear that.

Because I have an even more

important duty for your team.

So, you need us to houses it

while you're gone.

While I'm in

the Dream Dimension,

my physical body will be

completely vulnerable to attack.

We understand, Doctor.

We'll ensure your safety

during the mission.

And we'll babysit your pet

monsters, no worries.

Nobody's getting in

or out of here tonight.

Thank you.

These talismans will allow us to

contact one another

should the need arise.

It's sort of

a mystical walkie-talkie.

I just hope I'm not too late.

What are we doing here?

I take it

you recognize this place?

It's the Gamma Base.

Birthplace of the Hulk,

where I...

Let's just say

a lot happened here.

Not here, precisely speaking.

This is part of the Dream

Dimension, shaped by your memories

and impressions.

So none of this is real?

Well, I didn't say that.

Take this talisman.

It will allow us to locate one

another should we become separated.

The Dream Dimension

can be disorienting.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

You might want to cover

your eyes for this part.

No, that's impossible.

Shield of the Seraphim,

protect us!

But how can he be here

when I'm here?

You share a consciousness.

And the Dream Dimension operates

by very different rules.

Banner!

Listen to me, Bruce.

This is your nightmare.

You must regain control over

the Hulk part of your psyche.

But I don't have any issues

with the Hulk.

I'm fine with who we are.

This isn't my nightmare.

No, it's mine!

Puny Banner.

Always in the way.

Trying to get rid of Hulk.

No, listen to me.

You know that's not true.

Stop lying!

I've been going

about this all wrong.

I've been focusing my efforts

on you, Dr. Banner,

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