Order #2
Title: "It’s Our World!”
Writers: Jo Duffy and Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Chris Batista
Inker: Dan Panosian
Colors: Color Arts
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Dr. Strange, Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer stand within one of Strange’s spheres protected from the fiercest military defense humanity can mount. They float there above The Hague in the Netherlands, temporary home of the United Nations. Strange says that this resistance is foolish and pointless. He says that from this day on this is their world. Surfer, Namor, and Hulk go outside the sphere to crush the resistance. Hulk actually laughs at their efforts. Strange says that is enough. He says that they didn’t come there to hurt the people, and that they cannot allow them to waste anymore of their time. Strange calls for a spell that summons winds so strong that it blows all the soldiers away. Strange then uses a spell to open the wall for them to address the United Nations. Hulk says that with the way Strange can open a door that if he ever gets sick of running the world that he can be his chauffeur. Namor says that is enough levity, but Hulk says that is according to Namor. Inside the building, one of the men says that they have no business there and that this is an outrage. Strange says that the outrage is that because of a dead enemy and an uncaring goddess that they have been appointed the Earth’s protectors against their will. Strange says that they will perform this task, but that they will not tolerate any more disruptions in their life than necessary. Strange says that the burden falls to the rest of them. Strange says that the world must be peaceful and untroubled by things that would require their attention. Strange says that they will see to that. One of the men asks what makes them think that they can dictate to them. Strange says that he didn’t invite responses. He removes the man’s mouth. Hulk laughs and asks Namor how long he thinks Strange will leave them like that. Namor says that it will be until they learn their lesson. Namor says that it will be until they leave at least. Hulk says that forever would be fine with him. Surfer says that the silence is like the vastness of space. Strange says that they have heard some of their decrees, and that they will hear others. Strange says that he wants them to understand that they are their masters and that they will be obeyed. The Order disappears. The UN tries to track them, but they are unable like it was magic. Someone says that it probably was.
Hulk says that he can’t wait for one of those losers to try something so he can “kick their asses some more”. Surfer says that would defeat the entire purpose of the takeover. Strange says that it is also very unlikely given that their true purpose was not just to give a speech. Strange says that his silence spell will let them know the instant that any one of them plans or even hears about a plan that might trigger the spell. Strange says that the spell will grow with each person they contact and that soon the entire world will be their ears. Surfer says that then they will be able to deal with those that violate their rules. Namor compliments Strange and says to let the surface dwellers police themselves. Surfer asks what their next order of business is. Strange says that they need a new base of operations where the “cattle we husband won’t trouble us.” Strange says, “We require a lofty citadel, as far above humanity as we ourselves…”
The Order arrives at Red Raven’s
floating island city. Strange says that they did promise to
return and find a way to free the city from the dimensional rift
that it has blocks up since the last time they were there. Red
Raven and his guard come out to meet the Defenders. Red Raven
says that they have waited “unconscionably long for the
aid” that they promised. Red Raven says that they are not
patient and that they don’t like entanglements with
“groundlings”. Red Raven says that he hopes that they
will do what they have come for swiftly and then depart. Hulk
says that it will be swift, but that there has been a change of
plans. Hulk says that they are not there to help them, but that
they are there to help themselves. Red Raven is taken aback and
then says that they will defend their land to the death. Hulk
says, “Yeah. Like that’ll work.” In seconds, Red
Raven and his guard are defeated. Strange places them in
hibernation with what he likes to call his “Briar Rose”
spell. Namor says that they are not beauties, but that they are
sleeping. Namor says that he approves. Strange says that now if
Namor and Hulk will open their minds to he and Surfer that they
will transform “this overly canted city” into something
more to each of their individual likings. Hulk says to be sure
not to mess with the dimensional rift. He says that he
doesn’t care about the thing on the other side, but that he
doesn’t want it looking for “doggie” treats in his
new backyard.
Surfer says
that he can see and feel what must be achieved. Surfer says that
now that he has felt it he has made it so. The floating city is
transformed into four sections. One section is an Atlantean
palace, one with a sanctum wherein a wizard can work, one with a
dreamlike mini-Eden with the “proud and paradisiacal
towers” of Zenn-La, and a Las Vegas for the Hulk. Hulk says
this is nice and asks where the “birdie guys and gals”
went. Strange says that they are safe in a chamber within the
rock. Namor says that Strange and Surfer have labored well and
that this place will serve them well. Hulk says that he hopes the
roulette wheels work at his place, but he doesn’t get to
finish his thought as he notices a throne. Surfer asks Strange if
he created the throne. Strange says no, but then says that he
didn’t do it consciously at any rate. Namor says that the
throne must be his since he is the only royalty. Hulk says that
it’s Namor’s as long as he decides not to take it from
him. Suddenly in the middle of their argument both Namor and Hulk
stop arguing. The all go to their respective dwellings. Hulk says
that he will beat Namor later, but Namor says that Hulk can try.
In New York City at the Parrington home, Malicia and Reginald stand with their daughter Sammantha. They say that her friend Nighthawk flies very well. Sammantha says that he does so by use of a flying jetpack and lots of practice. Nighthawk says to forget that he has lots and lots of talent. Hellcat leaps from out of nowhere and pounces on him. She says that he has talent, but not much modesty. Nighthawk asks what she is doing. Hellcat says, “Cats and birds, baby. You practice your skills, I practice mine.” Reginald and Malicia say that they have been advised that if they want to be a part of their daughter’s life that they should take an interest in her hobbies and interests. They say that since she is set on being “this Valkyrie person” that they would like to help. They say that they have arranged stabling for the winged horse along with a groomer and an animal psychologist. Reginald asks them to come inside and shows them the headquarters they built. Reginald says that they had the whole attic reinforced with adamantium for when the Hulk shows up, including the elevator that leads to the gym in the basement. Reginald says that this used to be Sammy’s playroom and that he sees no reason why it can’t serve that capacity again. Hellcat mumbles, “A playroom. A playroom for Sam’s little friends. Pinch me someone.” Nighthawk looks around and says that he has a pretty good idea of how much all of this stuff cost, especially on such short notice, and that he really shouldn’t have done this. Hellcat mumbles to Kyle to ease up and that they are just trying to be close to Sammantha in their own way. Nighthawk says that it is times like these when he understands why Sammantha let her memories be overwritten and embraced the Valkyrie persona. Nighthawk tells Reginald that traditionally he has been the Defenders’ financial backing, and that he has already built a headquarters in Long Island. Reginald says, “On Long Island? A Parrington?” Malicia pipes in, “Please! Let us never speak of it!” Nighthawk mumbles something about giving him strength and Papa Hagg suddenly appears sitting on an elephant. He asks what about the strength of an elephant. Nighthawk asks Hagg where he has been. Hellcat says that apparently he was on safari. Hagg says that is right, but that he sensed that Nighthawk needed him. Malicia says that he brought his elephant. Hagg says that it isn’t his, but that the Sultan is lending it to him. Nighthawk suggests that maybe the elephant would be happier with Aragon. Hagg sends him there. Reginald and Malicia say that they had better go phone the stables. Once they leave, Hellcat and Nighthawk start laughing. Hellcat apologizes, but Sam says that it is okay. She says that she thinks that they mean well. Nighthawk says that they should get to work. Sam says to let her change into something more formidable. She holds a spear and transforms into Valkyrie. Hagg asks what they need. Hellcat says that they have to know what changed the big guys, first into “four crabby buttheads” and then into the Order. Hagg says they will need to know that if they are going to fix them. Hagg tells them to get together and joins their spirits together. He says that they will bring Hagg the clues he needs after they visit their friends in the realm of the spirits.
Suddenly Nighthawk, Valkyrie, and Hellcat
find themselves standing in the spirit world. Hellcat asks if
they shouldn’t be “all ghostly” if they are in an
astral plane. Nighthawk says that maybe this one doesn’t
work like that, or that maybe it is something Hagg did. Nighthawk
says that Hagg tends to do things before he finished explaining
them. He suggests looking around. 
Val spots them.
Nighthawk says that it is the Order, but corrects himself and
says that maybe they are the “Out of Order”. Strange,
Namor in his green suit, Norrin Radd, Savage Hulk and Bruce
Banner are all tied to stakes. Hellcat points out that these are
all the normal or human sides to their friends. She says that the
ones out in the real world must be fakes or controlled or
something. Namor says that they are not. He says that they are,
at least in part, them. Norrin says that they are the coldest,
most uncaring side to themselves. Hulk says, “Made Hulk go
away… Brought back other Hulk, mean Hulk.” Strange
says, “The curse… it imbalanced us all, increased our
frustration, our anger… until our more rational sides were
overwhelmed. But it was just the catalyst. Seraphim help us…
we chose this course ourselves. Ourselves!” Nighthawk tells
Strange not to worry about it. He says that they can balance
themselves and make things right again. Suddenly astral ghostly
forms of the Order appear. In response to Nighthawk’s
suggestion that they will be able to set things right, Namor
says, “I think not.” Strange asks them if they truly
thought that they could meddle there without him being aware of
it. Surfer says that they prefer themselves and their world this
way. Hellcat says that this was worth a shot. Nighthawk asks what
they do now. Val shouts out that they defy them, and that these
are their friends and that they will free them even if it is over
their broken bodies. Nighthawk says that it sounds like running
is out of the question. Hulk says that if they want a fight that
it will be a short one. Hulk tries to hit Hellcat, but she bounds
over him and lands on Namor’s head. Nighthawk says that he
is guessing that Strange is already busy projecting
everyone’s astral projection. He says that he will see what
he can do to keep him busy. Nighthawk pulls Strange’s cape
over his face. Surfer shouts for Kyle Richmond, but Kyle tells
Surfer to bite him. He starts to lead Surfer into the Hulk, but
knowing that Surfer would suspect that he instead lines him up to
get drilled by Namor. Val swipes her sword and knocks Hulk off
his feet. Nighthawk says that was great teamwork and that they
have to keep them separated. Hellcat says that she will zig while
Nighthawk zags. Strange says that he will zap. Strange’s
astral form palms Hellcat’s face and zaps her. Surfer blasts
Nighthawk’s jetpack. Hulk grabs Val’s spear. She tells
him to give it back. Hulk says, “Sure, girlie. Maybe
I’ll shove it right up… But nah. That’d be a waste
of a good chippie.” Hulk punches Valkyrie. The Order stands
over the defeated Defenders. Strange says that their weaker sides
remain their property to imprison or let wither. Strange says
that last time they were merciful and just returned them to New
York, but that this time… suddenly the Defenders are gone.
Hulk says, “Crap. Sometimes, magic sucks!”
Nighthawk, Hellcat, and Valkyrie are back with Papa Hagg. Hagg says that it was a complete success. Hellcat asks what Hagg is so happy about. She says that they got their butts kicked and that things are pretty dire as she sees it. Hagg says that they went where they needed to go and learned what they needed to know. He says that nothing is dire so long as you are learning. Hagg says that he has to go work. An odd sound starts going off. Hellcat says that she hates to ask, but asks “what now?” The screen in the headquarters comes on with a giant pink bunny on it. It tells Hellcat not to worry and says that it has been scanning news reports for news that might interest them. Nighthawk asks what is with the giant pink bunny. Hellcat says that she is just glad that he sees it too. Nighthawk asks Hagg is it is a strange mystic avatar. Val says that she thinks she knows what it is about. She says that she has some recollection of Samantha’s favorite childhood plaything. She says that it was part “blankie”, part imaginary friend. She says that she thinks that its name is Bunnyhopper. Nighthawk says, “Of course it is. I hate this place…” Hagg asks Bunnyhopper what is happening.
Bunnyhopper shows them a live scene from the oil fields of Alaska regarding the Order’s demands. Namor and Surfer fly in front of a drill and announce that there will be no more drilling, now or ever. One of the men on the rig says that he doesn’t answer to them and that he only answers to the President of Roxxon Oil. He says that he couldn’t stop drilling now if he wanted to. He says that people are depending on that oil. Surfer says that they shall no longer and that mankind has come to the end of the Oil Age. Namor says that the man and the entire planet answers to them. He says that the days of despoiling the befouling their home. Surfer says that Earth is too precious to be wasted on Earthmen. Surfer says that they will find non-polluting energy sources or they will revert to pre-industrial immediately. Surfer says that if they pump one ounce that he will ignite it. The man starts to stammer about the effects. Surfer says for him that it would destroy the valley, kill him and all of his men, and destroy all living things nearby. Surfer says that it would be a small sacrifice in the name of order. Namor tells the men not to test them. Namor tells them to spread the word to the rest of their ilk. Surfer includes that they must eliminate violence from all of their entertainment since it is bad for them.
Elsewhere, the President says that he has seen enough and tells them to make the call. Bush says that if it were just terrorism they were eliminating that he wouldn’t have a problem with that, but that they are messing with their armies, finances, and freedoms. Bush asks the Avengers to do what must be done. Captain America stands with Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Wasp, Vision, Yellowjacket, and Warbird. He says, “You can count on the Avengers, Mr. President. You have our word. We will find the Order … and we’ll take them down!”
The Order's rating: 8 out of 10
Great story. We’ve seen it through the story line that everyone was wondering what was making the Big Four so irritable. Now we know that it was the curse itself that was affecting them, Strange seems to think that they chose that path themselves, but it seems pretty evident from the mysterious throne that appeared that someone is controlling them somehow. The bit with their “weaker sides” on the astral plane was outstanding. It seems to fit so well with the Hulk that you have to wonder why it is affecting the others in so similar a manner. 4.5 out of 5 for the writing. Is it just me or does anyone else want to go dwarf tossing off the Grand Canyon with Papa Hagg? As far as Chris Batista’s art goes I just have one question, “Why the long face?” Batista’s art all looks pretty nice, but everyone has a head shaped like Jim Neighbors (Shazam!)
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