Having revived from his adventure through time somewhere in modern day Europe, Bruce Banner hitches a ride to a NATO unit and is personally escorted back to the United States under the supervision of General Ross and Glenn Talbot, on a steady dose of tranquilizers to keep him from transforming into the Hulk. Along the way, Ross tells Bruce that both Betty (who suffered a nervous breakdown) and Jim (who was injured by Hydra) are recovering well together.
As they fly into New York and pass the Empire State Building, some invisible force near it causes Bruce to suddenly transform into the Hulk, smash out of the plane, and climb up the Empire State Building. As this is happening the same force appears to be draining all the electricity out of the city. Suddenly in space, a giant space vessel appears and Xeron the Star-Slayer is dispatched to Earth. This alien being has been dispatched by his masters to destroy a creature known as Klaatu, an energy creature that is "from beyond space."

When the Hulk reaches the top of the ESB, he is shocked by the arrival of Xeron and the sudden appearance of the gigantic Klaatu. Confused by the whole tableau unfolding the Hulk decides to attack Klaatu, however he is beneath the creature's notice and it simply swats him out of the way before disappearing again.
Furious over the Hulk's involvement, Xeron has his slaves "row" his hunting ship toward the Hulk so that they may capture them. The Hulk has revived and tries to fight off Xeron and his men. Xeron however uses his energy harpoon to incapacitate the Hulk, draining him of enough energy to knock the green giant out and make him easy for capture. Taken aboard the ship, the Hulk revives and learns that his old foe the Abomination has a high ranking position aboard the ship.

---