The year was 1997.  The Avengers and the Fantastic Four were missing presumed dead (they were in the midst of Heroes Reborn).  The citizens of the Marvel Universe were scared.  Who would protect them the next time Galactus or someone decided to attack?  Spider-Man? Daredevil?  Those untrustworthy mutants in the X-Men?  Then a new team appeared.  Their first mission was to battle a rampaging, now Bruce Banner-less Hulk in Incredible Hulk #449 (January 1997).