The Escape from the Canadian Border Patrol was the result of Bruce Banner's first attempt to flee from the United States to get away from General Thaddeus Ross by boarding an empty truck.
However, when the truck was stopped by the Canadian Border Patrol, Banner was forced to transform into Hulk, escaping the area whilst destroying both the truck and border station.
Background[]
Bruce Banner was conducting research into curing gamma poisoning using radiation at Culver University. To speed up results for the United States Army and General Thaddeus Ross, who were funding his project, Banner decided to test it on himself despite concerns from his girlfriend, Betty Ross. Testing suddenly went wrong as exposure to the radiation transformed Banner into a figure known as Hulk. He subsequently went on a rampage in the facility, injuring Betty and their students.
Three days later, Banner came to visit Betty in the hospital, guilt-ridden over the destruction he had caused. Ross tried to persuade Banner to use the accident as an opportunity to study Hulk's capabilities, wanting to weaponize his full potential. However, Banner refused to adhere to Ross' agenda anymore and fled the hospital. He escaped Ross' soldiers by disguising himself as a cleaner and went on the run.
Determined to cure himself of the Hulk before Ross could capture him, Banner found an empty freight truck at a stop and snuck on board.
Later as the truck approached the US-Canadian border on the way to Quebec, the driver was stopped by Border Patrol, who requested to search the vehicle. Once the driver opened the freight, the agents found Banner, who tried to explain himself. As he was escorted out of the truck, one of the Border Patrol agents learned Banner was a wanted fugitive by the military. He was immediately arrested, with the agents preparing to hand him over to the feds in Virginia. Banner pleaded the agents to release him as he was being cuffed, causing them to believe he was threatening them. Banner realized it was too late as the stress from his arrest triggered Hulk.[1]
Escape[]
As Hulk emerged, he easily broke off the handcuffs before causing a series of mindless destruction in the station in response to the anger fueling him. As the driver and Border Patrol agents fled, Hulk grabbed the freight truck and threw it away, causing it to crash into a nearby busy road. Many cars were crushed together, forming into a pile. The ongoing impact of the cars crashing additionally damaged the pillar of a nearby border highway, causing a portion of it to crumble. Amidst the chaos, Hulk managed to flee from the border station. With the civilians focused on protecting themselves from him, no clear video footage of the Hulk was captured.[1]
Aftermath[]
The United States Army was sent to the border station in order to help investigate the incident, clear away the damage and tend to injured civilians. Authorities could only piece together scattered reports of a mysterious green creature with incomprehensible powers. Bruce Banner's watch, a gift to him from Betty Ross, was found in the rubble, confirming to General Thaddeus Ross that he was responsible for the attack.
Banner managed to leave the country undetected and for months, traveled the world in search for a cure to his condition. He eventually made his way to South America, where he helped a lost boy, Miguel, only to be captured and taken to notorious cartel leader Espinoza. As Espinoza interrogated Banner, Hulk emerged once again, defeating all the cartel members and destroying the compound. Emil Blonsky, Bill Mantlo, and Greg Pak arrived shortly after, with Miguel as the only standing witness. General Ross's determination to retrieve Banner only intensified.[1]