Last year finished on a high note as "The Incredible Hulk" #18 (or #799 for those of us that believe in the Legacy numbers) was published by Marvel Comics with Phillip Kennedy Johnson continuing his "City Of Idols" story. All of this is setting the stage for the ginormous 800th issue! Bruce Banner has exchanged the Hulk for the release of Charlie Tidwell, who is not totally free but locked in a room until Eldest gets what she wants from the Hulk. Tidwell is surprised when she notices her scar is completely gone.
Teelget, one of Eldest's monsters, is keeping an eye on Charlie and kind of wanting her to be his personal plaything. Katie, who was taken in the last issue and is now a monster herself, breaks Charlie out of the room and tries to help her escape as they have to face many monsters along the way, including werewolves. While being given the impossible task of escaping, Charlie doesn't want to leave the Hulk behind. The Hulk, however, is already in chains as Bruce Banner attempts to reason with Eldest because he wants Charlie saved. Somehow, I don't believe this Pactum Aeternus is going to be honored as several things were screaming at me that Charlie won't be freed.
This entire situation just pulls the Hulk and Banner's relationship further apart with no sign in sight of a potential truce. You almost have to believe that the Hulk wouldn't have shown the same compassion for Charlie that Banner did. I will have to read the big 800th issue to find out where this is going!