Onboard the Helicarrier, Maria Hill meets with Doc Samson and General Ross of the Hulkbusters to discuss the sample of the Hulk's blood that S.H.I.E.L.D. has in its possession. Hill refuses to hand it over in light of the US Military's transparent attempts to create more gamma-powered super soldiers of their own. Doc Samson agrees, stating that he and the Hulk were accidents and that the conditions leading to their creation can never be replicated. The talks are inconclusive but it doesn't matter because the blood sample has already been stolen by an individual calling himself Winter Soldier, who combines it with another vial and injects it into an unnamed person to create a new "Red Hulk".
The Red Hulk tears up the Helicarrier and takes out almost the entirety of S.H.I.E.L.D. before Captain America and Wasp intervene. Back at the Avengers Mansion, Bruce Banner's much-deserved vacation from being the Hulk is interrupted by The Falcon, who injects him with an adrenaline inhibitor that prevents him from transforming. Falcon attempts to carry Banner off but he is stopped by Hawkeye. Then the Red Hulk intervenes and carries Banner off anyway under orders from a mysterious patron. Despite the fact that the Red Hulk was clearly red and the original Hulk green, Hill gives the Hulkbusters full authority to bring Banner down by any means necessary.
The Avengers give chase to a shipyard where the Red Hulk has ignored orders and is demanding that Bruce change so that the two of them can fight. Wasp, Cap, and Hawkeye charge in but they are on the ropes until the drug wears off and Banner is able to change again. With their combined attacks they drive the Red Hulk back and he retreats after his mystery boss points out that his identity will be revealed to the world if he allows himself to be brought in. The Hulkbusters move in to arrest the real Hulk and Cap convinces him to come quietly until they can prove his innocence. General Ross has other ideas though, and Cap stands by while Banner is taken away, deaf to his pleas for help.
We then cut to Red Hulk and his compatriots Falcon, Winter Soldier, and Doc Samson who are all working for an unnamed member of the US Government. He declares the experiment a success. The Captain America Skrull reports to their queen that the Hulk has been neutralized.
Tropes:
- Aesop Amnesia: Lampshaded by Samson. He notes that the Cube proved gamma power can't be controlled, despite Ross's insistence otherwise.
- Armor-Piercing Response: After Hawkeye gets alerted to the situation.Banner: My day just got cut short, didn't it? So, who's attacking now? Time travelers? Aliens?
Hawkeye: You. - Batman Gambit: Red Hulk puts the squeeze on Hawkeye to make Banner angry enough to bring out the Hulk.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Red Hulk wants nothing more than to fight the Hulk. He got his wish and a massive beating.
- Deus Exit Machina: Hawkeye and Wasp are conveniently pinned under some shipping containers before it's time for Banner to be arrested.
- Downer Ending: Hulk AKA Banner is arrested and the Avengers are now powerless.
- Foreshadowing: Nick Fury will eventually learn of the Helicarrier attack and Skrull!Cap selling out Banner, both of which help him realize which Avenger was replaced and that his operation's been infiltrated.
- Hypocrite Has a Point: Ross accuses Samson of being a hypocrite on gamma power, saying "a gamma Captain America" like him is what he's trying to mass-produce. Samson retorts that his transformation was an accident that can't be replicated at will.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Talbot angrily derides the Avengers as costumed vigilantes that have no oversight and give shelter to someone that SHIELD itself previously considered a notorious fugitive.
- Lampshade Hanging: Hawkeye grousing about Banner wanting to spend his day off fishing instead of dealing with the oncoming Skrull threat.
- Mythology Gag:
- Maria Hill notes that Hulk used to be gray.
- Banner starts to use the "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry" line before the adrenaline inhibitor kicks in.
- Negated Moment of Awesome: Banner learns the hard way that the adrenaline inhibitor will keep the Hulk from taking down Falcon.
- Oh, Crap!: Banner is horrified when seeing Ross again during his arrest.
- The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: Red Hulk has no intention of handing Banner over, as he wants to fight the Hulk.
- Put on a Bus: Hulk is taken away and isn't seen again until thirteen episodes later.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!:Red Hulk: You've lost! Do you hear me?! You're nothing!
Hulk: You're wrong. I'm an Avenger! - Slasher Smile: Ross when he finally gets Banner.
- Story-Breaker Power: Invoked. The Hulk was the greatest threat to the Skrull invasion, but Cap's Skrull impostor has remedied that situation."The Hulk has been dealt with. The Avengers are now powerless."
- Villain Has a Point: Skrull Cap wants Banner/Hulk out of the way, but he is right about one thing: surrounded by Hulkbuster Units under the impression of him attacking SHIELD, attacking them will not help his case of proving he's innocent.
- Wham Episode: Banner/Hulk is taken away by the military, severely weakening what's left of the Avengers ahead of the Skrull invasion.
- Xanatos Speed Chess: Skrull!Cap took advantage of the situation to get rid of the Hulk.
- You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry!: Subverted. Banner tries to say this to Falcon, but the adrenaline inhibitor keeps him from transforming into the Hulk. Double subverted when the Red Hulk makes Banner so angry that he burns through the inhibitor.
