Avengers
#2Avengers
#2
Title: "The Space Phantom!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Paul Reinman
In the library of Anthony Stark, Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk are waiting to start the meeting. Iron Man says, “Where is Ant-Man? We can’t begin our meeting without him!” Thor says, “He’ll show up… never fear! In the meantime, is it necessary for you to attend our meetings clothed in that repulsive manner, Hulk?” Hulk tells Iron Man that he has better get the “yellow-haired yahoo” off his back or he is going to “boot him back up to Asgard for good!” Hulk says that no one, not even Thor, talks to him like that. Thor says that Hulk dares to speak to him that way. Thor is about to tell Hulk what one blow from his hammer would do to Hulk, but Ant-Man cuts Thor off and says that they are all allies there. Thor asks who spoke. Ant-Man tells Wasp to take a growth pill and he and Wasp both return to normal size. Thor asks where they came from and Wasp says that the stork brought them. Hulk says that they showed up just in time to save Thor from getting pulverized. Iron Man asks how they did that. Ant-Man says that they are on the same team so he guesses that he can tell them. He holds up a pill and says that he and Wasp change size because of the capsules that he designed. Hulk asks what they are going to do now that the gang is all here. He says that he doesn’t want to play spin the bottle. Iron Man says that even though there is no task before them that they meet regularly to get to know each other. Wasp thinks that she would like to get to know Thor better.
As the Avengers meet a threat is coming towards them from space in the shape of an egg-like object. The egg-like object thinks to itself that after weeks of faster than light travel that he has almost reached his objective. In order to land undetected on the Earth, the egg-like object transforms into a meteor along all the other meteors. All the other meteors burn up in the atmosphere, but the Space Phantom takes his true form after landing in a dark alley. Space Phantom says that he is going to go find the Avengers and begin phase two of his plan. Space Phantom says that if he can defeat the Avengers that nothing will prevent his people from taking over the Earth. He says that he has been observing them from space and so he knows where they are. He says that all he needs now is a way to reach them unobserved. Space Phantom morphs his appearance into that of a man’s he sees on the street. Space Phantom then blasts the man and transports him to Limbo. He says that he will remain there until Space Phantom imitates “another creature, in which case he will take your place in Limbo while you return to your normal world!”
The man walks right into Tony Stark’s
mansion. He says that the other Avengers don’t know that
Iron Man is also Tony Stark, but that he knows because he has
been watching them for months from space. 
Space Phantom
does not know that the top of the meeting table is really a
television warning screen. Wasp says that the man is not bad
looking. Iron Man says that the man is too sure of himself like
he knows that they are there and that he is prepared for them.
Hulk says that no one can prepare for him. Iron Man tells Hulk to
wait and see what the guy is up to, but Hulk tells Iron Man to
stow it and that they don’t need a committee to stop one
visitor. Hulk says that he will go deal with him “real
gentle-like”. Thor warns Hulk not to hurt the man without
cause or he will make him regret it. Giant-Man tells Thor to
settle down and that there is no reason to steam up the Hulk.
Hulk comes face to face with the Space Phantom. Hulk starts to disappear into Limbo as the Space Phantom takes Hulk’s identity. Space Phantom says that he will cause the Avengers to fight with each other and destroy themselves from within. Ant-Man asks Hulk what happened, but “Hulk” says, “None of your business, stupid!” Iron Man says that it doesn’t matter how tough Hulk is. He says that they don’t have to take that kind of talk. “Hulk” pushes Iron Man and says that he will peel his armor off him like a tin can. Thor says that Hulk has gone too far. Iron Man tells Thor that he will handle Hulk. Iron Man says that Hulk thinks that he is the only one with super strength, but that he is about to show him how wrong he is. Hulk says that under his suit he is just another puny human, but that he doesn’t need any suit because he is stronger than anyone. Iron Man tries to punch Hulk, but Hulk dodges the blow. Hulk decks Iron Man. Iron Man says that Hulk seems more brutal and merciless than ever. He wonders what could have happened to change the Hulk. Thor starts twirling his hammer between Iron Man and Hulk to break up the fight. Iron Man asks “Long-Hair” what gives him the right to butt in. Thor says that his hammer gives him the right. “Hulk” says that Thor might be able to stop Iron Man, but that he can’t stop him. “Hulk” says that he is walking out and that no one can stop him. Space Phantom thinks to himself that he will give them more time to get on each other’s nerves and then he will return to finish the job.
Space Phantom decides that he might as well
learn everything he can about humans that will soon be his
subjects. He comes upon the first human that he sent to Limbo
that returned when the Hulk was sent there. He is trying to tell
people what happened to him, but they just tell him to call a cop
and think that he is some kind of kook. Space Phantom says that
he better interrupt before anyone actually listens to him. He
rips up the concrete that all the people are gathered on.
Suddenly Rick Jones runs up to Hulk and says that he has been
waiting for him. Rick says that Hulk is starting to lose control
and that they had better get back to the secret lab. Space
Phantom thinks that the boy knows the Hulk’s secret and that
he must be careful so he doesn’t suspect that he is really
the Space Phantom. Rick sees that the Hulk is looking at him
funny, but he reminds him that he is on his side and that he is
the guy that looks after him to make sure that he can turn back
into Doctor Don Blake when he wants to… Space Phantom learns
that Hulk has another identity. Rick climbs onto Hulk’s back
and tells him to go ahead and jump. Space Phantom learns that
Hulk isn’t flying, but that he is just leaping. Space
Phantom says that if Hulk can do that he can as well. Space
Phantom leaps off and Rick realizes that he is going the wrong
way. 
Space Phantom
thinks that Rick knows that he isn’t the real Hulk, but that
he can’t do him any harm. Space Phantom decides that he
feels like bragging. “Hulk” lands and sends Rick
hurtling over his shoulders. Rick says that he knows something is
wrong. Space Phantom says, “There is more wrong than you
dream, human fool! I am not the true Hulk… I have merely
imitated his body thereby taking over all his power as well! For
I am the Space Phantom… the one who can imitate any living
being!” Rick says that he should have guessed and asks where
the real Hulk is. Space Phantom says that is a good question and
that no two beings that are exactly the same cannot exist on the
same world. He says that whenever he takes a form that person is
sent to Limbo until he takes another form. Space Phantom takes
his normal form and Hulk appears right next to Rick Jones. Rick
says that he was telling the truth. Rick tries to tell Hulk to
get the Space Phantom, but Hulk is too disoriented. Space Phantom
says that even the most powerful beings are just putty to him. He
takes Hulk’s form again and Hulk fades back to Limbo. Rick
calls for Hulk to come back, but Space Phantom says that Hulk
will return when it suits his needs to take a new form. Space
Phantom says that this time he will finish his task and he leaps
away. He says that Rick is no threat to him and so he leaves him
there. Rick wonders what he can do.
A short distance away, Tony Stark’s men are about to test a new multiple anti-missile missile gun. They say that Tony Stark comes up with these inventions almost faster than they can test them. Space Phantom leaps along and picks the whole missile gun up. Stark’s men spot the Hulk doing it. Space Phantom accidentally triggers the device, but figures that any destruction he can wreck against humans will ultimately benefit him.
Tony Stark is just finishing charging his transistor powered heart activator. He says that he hates to think what would happen if he ever failed to charge it. Stark’s phone rings and he is told that the Hulk just stole his missile gun. He starts to say that is impossible, but he just says that he will send out Iron Man to get to the bottom of this. As Tony is suiting up he says that it is a good thing the missiles weren’t outfitted with any nuclear warheads. Stark wonders what Hulk has been up to and says that he hasn’t been acting like himself lately. Iron Man flies out and detects something coming towards him. Iron Man sees that it is Hulk and says that he thought it was a mistake to let Hulk join the Avengers and now he is sure of it. Space Phantom says that Iron Man is reacting just as he hoped he would. He says that he will fight Iron Man because he is sure that the body he is imitating is stronger than Iron Man. Iron Man grabs Hulk’s hand and sends a low voltage electrical charge through the Hulk. Whereas the Hulk would have fought through the pain and come back with a savage fury, Space Phantom possesses neither of the Hulk’s courage or near endless endurance. Space Phantom says that he has to escape. He takes the form of a wasp and the Hulk returns from Limbo. The switch is so fast that Iron Man doesn’t notice that he isn’t fighting the same opponent. Iron Man says that he has to find a way to knock the Hulk out and take him to the Avengers. Iron Man quickly attaches an expanding device to his armor taken from his chest plate accessory compartment. Iron Man forms a replica of Thor’s hammer at the end of the device. Iron Man notices that Hulk no longer looks fearful.
Rick Jones has just reached the nearest member of the nationwide Teen Brigade and goes into action. The kid asks Rick if he is really going to call Giant-Man. Rick says that he will if the kid will be quiet long enough for him to find the right wavelength. The kid calls out to his parents to come see this. Rick says that the Avengers are in deadly danger and this “lamebrain thinks this is a three ring circus”. Rick Jones starts calling out to Giant-Man. He says that the Space Phantom has been impersonating the Hulk and that he needs his help. Ma and Pa are standing around gawking at Rick.
At Henry Pym’s lab, Hank says that this sound serious and tells Jan to come on. He says that Rick was calling Giant-Man, and not Ant-Man, so this must be a top-priority emergency. Wasp shrinks down to wasp size. She tells Hank that he has “deliciously blue eyes”. Hank tells her to be serious and that he has a feeling that they have a strange and dangerous task ahead of them. Minutes later, Giant-Man and Wasp arrives at the Iron Man/ Hulk fight. Hulk dodges Iron Man’s swing, but Iron Man says to wait until his next swing. Hulk tells Iron Man to enjoy himself while he can and when he gets his hands on him… Giant-Man pulls Iron Man and Hulk apart. Iron Man says that Hulk has had this coming for a long time. Hulk tells Giant-Man to butt out and that he doesn’t care how big he is because he can finish the both of them together. Giant-Man says that this s insane and that they have no reason to fighting among themselves. Iron Man says that Giant-Man is right and that they are making fools of themselves and acting like kids. Wasp says that she can sense an evil presence. Hulk tells Iron Man that he got off easy, but that if he ever crosses him again… Iron Man cuts him off and says, “Quiet you brainless gargoyle!” He says the Wasp is hypersensitive and that she senses trouble.
Space Phantom, as the wasp, attacks Wasp. She says that the wasp must not be a genuine wasp. Giant-Man’s cybernetic helmet picks up Wasp’s pleas and starts running in the direction of Anthony Stark’s factory. When they get there Giant-Man, Hulk, and Iron Man divide up to look for Wasp. Space Phantom spots Giant-Man who has found Wasp. Space Phantom abandons his wasp form and transforms into Giant-Man. Giant-Man is sucked into Limbo. “Giant-Man” grabs Wasp and thanks her for distracting Giant-Man for him. Wasp says that she saw what happened and that he is not Giant-Man. Hulk says that he saw it too and says that must be what happened to him too. Space Phantom says that his secret is out, but that he no longer has any need for secrecy. Giant-Man tells Wasp to get lost and that he has more important victims to slay. He says that once he destroys the Avengers that the entire Earth will tremble before his power. Hulk dodges Giant-Man’s blow. Hulk says that Space Phantom forgot one thing. He says that he took the biggest body, but that he is stronger than twelve Giant-Men. Hulk grabs Giant-Man. Wasp says that she has to go find Thor. Hulk throws Space Phantom. Space Phantom hops into Tony Stark’s new tank-like moon tractor and drives it straight at Hulk. Hulk drops onto his back and kicks the moon tractor back towards Space Phantom. Giant-Man’s body is fast enough to dodge the moon tractor, but Iron Man isn’t and the tractor is coming right at him. Iron Man presses a button and causes his boots to magnetically bond to the floor. The tractor shatters to bits. Space Phantom says that they are all more powerful than he thought, but that they still will not defeat him. Space Phantom becomes Iron Man and Giant-Man returns from Limbo. Space Phantom is hoping that Hulk and Giant-Man won’t suspect, but Hulk tells Giant-Man that he saw Space Phantom turn into Iron Man. He says to grab him before he can change again.
Wasp flies to Don Blake’s office. She thinks how they were told to contact Blake if they needed Thor. Wasp snatches the pencil out of Blake’s hand and writes that she needs Thor at Stark Factory. Blake tells Wasp to wait in reception while he sends for Thor. Once alone, Blake stamps his cane. He transforms into Thor. Thor asks who summons him. Wasp says that she did. As they fly to Stark Factory, Wasp says that Thor sure talks funny, but that he looks so good that it doesn’t matter.
“Iron Man” is spinning Hulk and
Giant-Man around with his jet stream discs. Hulk says that the
air jets have to run out of steam sooner or later. Giant-Man says
that Thor has arrived. Wasp says that she is sick of flying
around like Tinkerbell. Wasp flies into a crack in Iron
Man’s armor and cuts the control cable to the discs. Thor
hurls his hammer at Space Phantom, but Space Phantom activates
the high-intensity magnetic repulser and sends it back at Thor.
Space Phantom says that once he vanquishes Thor that all of Earth
will feel the attack of the Phantoms from space. Thor says that
the Earth is under his protection, and that he has pledged it
with his life. 
Thor commands a
storm to come and completely rusts “Iron Man”. Thor
says that Space Phantom is helpless, but Space Phantom says that
Thor is over-confident. Space Phantom says that he doesn’t
need to move so long as he can imitate anyone. Space Phantom
tries to imitate Thor, but suddenly Space Phantom finds himself
being sucked into Limbo. Space Phantom asks why. Thor says that
Space Phantom’s power works on humans, but that he is the
God of Thunder.
Iron Man returns from Limbo and Thor tells
him that they have won. Iron Man asks what happens when the Space
Phantom returns. Giant-Man says that isn’t very likely since
he will have to wait until someone comes to replace him. Hulk
says that means that he will be forced to stay there forever.
Thor says that it is odd that for most of the battle that they
thought they were fighting each other. Hulk says that he never
suspected how much each of them hate him. Hulk says that he could
tell by the way they fought him and the remarks that they made. 
Hulk says that
he doesn’t need any of them. He says that he is still the
Hulk and the strongest thing walking the Earth. Hulk says that
what he does now he does alone. Hulk leaps away.
Wasp says thank goodness Hulk is leaving. She says that he terrified her. Giant-Man says that Hulk will be more dangerous than ever now. Thor wonders what Hulk will do next without the Avengers to keep him in check.
Avengers Files rating: 8.5 out of 10
The animosity between the members of the Avenger is fantastic. Hulk learns that everyone on the Avengers really isn’t his friend and he takes off one issue after helping form the team. Stan really could have used someone to read over his stuff that could keep his facts in line. You all remember that the Hulk turns back into Doctor Donald Blake right? The other odd thing is that people keep saying that Hulk isn’t acting like himself, but first how would they know and second I don’t see that Space Phantom was that much over the top than Hulk was. Kirby’s pencils look great as usual, but someone forgot to ink that first page there.