Incredible Hulk, The (1968 series) #389

Sent by the Pantheon to investigate the disappearance of one of their agents, Hulk and Rick Jones head into the murky depths of the Florida swamps, where strange sightings of the legendary Man-Thing have been reported.

As they navigate the eerie terrain, they encounter not one, but two Man-Things—one seemingly benign, the other hostile and twisted. The “good” Man-Thing reveals itself to be the missing Pantheon agent, transformed but still retaining a sense of purpose and morality. The “evil” counterpart, however, is a corrupted echo, driven by rage and instinct, and it immediately targets Rick.

Hulk steps in to protect his friend, and with the help of the “good” Man-Thing, they engage in a surreal and elemental battle deep in the swamp. The clash is brutal and bizarre, with nature itself reacting to their conflict. In the end, Hulk and his unlikely ally overpower the malevolent creature, saving Rick and restoring balance to the swamp.

The mission closes with the Pantheon agent choosing to remain in the wild, guarding the swamp as a silent sentinel. Hulk and Rick return, their bond strengthened, having faced not just monsters—but the blurred line between humanity and transformation.