WAR & PIECES (1992)

Since the apparent merging of his split personalities, Bruce Banner is now in full control of the Hulk and is smarter and stronger than ever. He's also found himself allied with the half-gods known as the Pantheon who work rescue and relief missions around the world. When rebel factions in the war-torn Middle Eastern country Trans-Sabal attempt to overthrow their tyrant ruler Farnoq Dahn, the Hulk and the Pantheon step in to help.

Unfortunately, Farnoq Dahn was granted the position of power by the US Government who send in their specialist superhuman unit in the form of the all-new all-different X-Factor. The team consists of mutant misfits Havok (Alex Summers, brother of Cyclops), Polaris (Lorna Dane), Multiple Man (Jamie Madrox), Strong Guy (Guido Carosella), Wolfsbane (Rahne Sinclair) and their newest and most-reluctant recruit Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff). They might not be A-listers, but they might just be enough to take down the Green Goliath.

WAR & PIECES was Peter David's chance to bring the characters from the two biggest Marvel titles he was writing at the time in one story and it paid off big-time for readers...

Stories leading up to this event:

• MUTANT GENESIS - Introducing the all-new X-Factor

Minor Crossover: One issue of X-Factor offers a tie-in to the storyline in the Hulk's series, though the Hulk story can be read without that tie-in and still make sense.

• Incredible Hulk #390-391
• X-Factor #76 (tie-in)
• Incredible Hulk #392

Incredible Hulk #390
On a mission for the Pantheon, the Hulk heads to Trans-Sabal where rebel factions are attempting to overthrow the country's ruler, Farnoq Dahn. As the battle rages, the Hulk and Rick Jones learn SHIELD are providing old suits of Mandroid armour as extra firepower for Farnoq Dahn's troops to help him keep the rebels in line. Hearing about the Hulk's involvement, the US Government send a special task force to deal with him and protect their interests. Back in America, Betty Banner receives a phone call from someone claiming to be Rick Jones' mother, despite him being an orphan...

Incredible Hulk #391

X-Factor arrive in Trans-Sabal, though they're immediately sceptical about Farnoq Dahn and their mission. Rick Jones gets to know Shurk, one of the Pantheon's soldiers, only to watch him die in battle. The Hulk tears through SHIELD's forces until he's attacked by X-Factor. Havok unleashes the full force of his powers in a desperate plea to bring him down. Back in America, Rick Jones' girlfriend Marlo Chandler joins Betty when she agrees to meet with Jackie Shorr who assures them both she truly is Rick's mother.

X-Factor #76 (tie-in)

During the conflict in Trans-Sabal, Wolfsbane is separated from X-Factor and taken captive by religious zealot Jolel who believes her to be working with the Pantheon. Jolel's sister Sandah frees Wolfsbane, so he murders Sandah for disobeying him. Out of her mind with rage, Wolfsbane kills Jolel in retaliation and is found by Quicksilver in a state of distress.

Incredible Hulk #392

Having realised Havok's true power, Farnoq Dahn captures him and attaches him to a missile he plans on launching at his enemies. While X-Factor and take on the Pantheon, the Hulk finds and frees Havok before snatching Dahn and taking him before his people for trial. His loyal citizens forgive him, but a Mandroid shoots the Trans-Sabal ruler, killing him. The deed is revealed to have been done by Rick Jones, distraught over the death of Shurk. Rick is comforted by Wolfsbane with the two of them sharing an unexpected bond now that they're both killers.

Incredible Hulk #394 (1992) 

Rick Jones continues to struggle with his experiences in Trans-Sabal.

New Warriors #29-30 (1992) 

The New Warriors become embroiled in the ongoing political conflict in Trans-Sabal; Farnoq Dahn's cousin, Jalfaha Dahn, succeeds the deposed ruler though proves to be equally malevolent.

Incredible Hulk #395-396 (1992) 

Rick Jones meets Jackie Shorr, the woman claiming to be his mother.

Incredible Hulk #398-400 (1992) 

Jackie Shorr turns out to be a psychopath who murders Marlo Chandler; Shorr is arrested; Marlo is resurrected by the Leader. but remains in a vegetative state.

Incredible Hulk #406 (1993)

Marlo Chandler slowly begins to recover her senses and control of her body.

Incredible Hulk #319 (1994)

Rick Jones and Marlo Chandler get married during WE ARE GATHERED HERE.

Incredible Hulk Annual #20 (1994)

The Hulk and the Pantheon return to Trans-Sabal and ally with the Arabian Knight in order to aid the suppressed people once again.

Captain Marvel #25 (2002) 

Jackie Shorr is accidentally released from the asylum.

Captain Marvel #32-33 (2002) 

Shorr tries to kill Marlo Chandler again but fails and is permanently crippled.

Spider-Man 2099 #3-4 (2014)

Miguel O'Hara (Spider-Man of Earth-928, stranded in our present) is forced to accompany his grandfather, Alchemax boss Tiberius Stone, on a visit to Trans-Sabal to sell Spider-Slayers to Jalfaha Dahn; Stone ends him using the Spider-Slayers to convince Jalfaha to leave the country.

See how this story fits into the wider Marvel Universe continuity with these reading orders:

• HULK: The Professor (1990-1992)

Hulk Visionaries: Peter David vol.8
Incredible Hulk by Peter David Omnibus vol.2
X-Factor by Peter David Omnibus vol.1
X-Factor Epic Collection vol.7: All-New, All-Different X-Factor
X-Factor Visionaries: Peter David vol.2
All include...

Incredible Hulk #390-392

X-Factor #76