Marvel Two-In-One #89

Title: “The Last Word!”

Writer: David Anthony Kraft

Penciller: Alan Edward Kupperberg

Inker: Chic Stone

Colors: Don Warfield

Editor: Jim Salicrup

In the middle of New York City, a woman is frantically running toward the Baxter Building. She has overcome many traps set by a man. She says that she has phoned ahead and that they are expecting her. She looks over her shoulder and knows that the man that is after her knows that she is trying to reach the Fantastic Four. She knows that he will not stop until she has been stopped… permanently. She ducks into an alley and figures that maybe she can avoid the spies that the man has surely sent. Suddenly a shadowed figure steps in front of the woman. She says, “Daddy is very displeased with you, Karen! You refused to remain normal, Karen… and now you must pay the price!” Karen’s screams are heard from the street outside.

Inside the Baxter Building, Human Torch sneaks up behind Thing as he sits on the couch and watches television. Torch sets the couch on fire and Thing leaps into the air when the flames burn his rear. Torch tells Thing that the show he was watching really lit his fire. Thing says that Torch thinks that he is so funny, but that he wants to see him laugh this off. Thing grabs the couch and swings it at Torch. Torch tells Thing to be careful and that he is a little guy. Thing says that he knows, and that it is the only thing that has kept him from pounding him in the past, but that he got too big for his britches. Thing says that it is his job to put him back in his place. Thing throws the couch, but misses the Torch and smashes it into the elevator. Torch says that he is glad that he isn’t in Thing’s shoes and that Sue is going to kill him. Thing says that he isn’t taking the wrap alone. Torch recalls the woman that was coming to see them. He says that he better head down. Thing starts walking down the stairs and says that he will meet Torch there as Torch flies out the window.

Torch spots paramedics loading Karen into an ambulance. He figures that it is probably a random mugging. He wonders where the woman that called them is, and figures that with him flying around that it would draw her out. He decides that it was probably a crank call. Torch spots a blonde woman in red walking away from the scene and starts following her because of how good looking she is.

Thing comes out and sees Torch flying off. He wonders where he is going when Karen calls out to him. Thing says that she shouldn’t try to talk right now and that she looks really hurt. Karen says that the danger is to high, and that he has to beware of The Word.

Ultima walks in the park glad that it is starting to get dark. She knows that the crowds will disappear as the darkness comes, and that she is happiest on her own or in the company of her father. She says that others might fear the dark, but that if any man threatens her that he will face punishment from Ultima. Suddenly Torch appears. He says that a lovely lady like her should always have a light to illuminate her way. Ultima looks up and Torch has formed a heart shaped flame around his body. Ultima is waiting for Torch to get a little lower and then plans to rip out a lamp post and beat him to a pulp with it. Torch sees her inching back and figures she must be scared. He flames off and lands. He says that he is sorry and introduces himself. Ultima says that she has heard of him. She thinks to herself that it is good that she didn’t reveal herself since he may have figured that she was the one that intercepted the girl. Torch says that a girl was just mugged and that she should have an escort. Ultima says that she can take care of herself and walks off. Torch flies off wondering why he is always interested in the weird ones.

When Torch gets back, Thing says that it is about time he came back, and that he thought that he had been knocked out too. Torch asks what he means. Thing says that he found the girl that they were looking for, but that someone found her first. He says that she mentioned something about The Word, and that he contacted Nick Fury to see what he had about The Word. Torch looks at the screen and sees a picture of The Word and Ultima. He says that he doesn’t know her name, but that he just saw her in the park. Thing turns up the volume on the screen. The information tells them about the Word defeating Jennifer Walters in a case that she leveled against him. It goes on to say that right after that the Word’s daughter, Ultima, was attacked by the She-Hulk. Because of intervention from her fiancée, Ultima wound up paralyzed. The Word forswore all speech and disappeared with his daughter. Torch wonders how if Ultima is a vegetable did he just meet her in the park. Thing says that he doesn’t know and that he isn’t a genius like Reed. A red light starts flashing. Thing pushes it and Nick Fury’s face comes on the monitor. Fury tells them that one of their agents spotted the Word in Delaware. He says that he owns lots of land there including some coal mines. Fury says that the only clue they have is an ad that’s been running in the newspaper. He says that the number on the ad belongs to the Word. Fury says that he wants to warn them. He says that he sent two agents to check it out, but that they never returned. Thing throws Torch over his shoulder and says that they are heading to Delaware. Torch tells Thing to be careful and that he isn’t made of orange cobblestones. Thing says that Torch is lucky he is in a hurry or he would wash his mouth out with soap.

Thing and Johnny are driving towards the Word’s land. Torch asks why they are driving when they could have taken the Pogo plane. Thing says that they can’t ride in there like the Calvary. He says that the agents might not need rescuing, and that even though they know that the Word had that woman attacked doesn’t mean that they can prove it. He says that they are going to check out the place incognito.

Word watches them approaching. He says that Thing and Torch might think that they can just approach like any other initiates, but that they are wrong.

Suddenly, the rover catches on fire. Torch flames on and flies out of the car. He draws the flame away from the car. Torch says that everything is under control, but Thing says that his clothes have been ruined. Torch flies overhead and blasts the mines in the road that the Word had set out. Thing rips up part of the road to protect him from the machine guns that are shooting at him. Thing gets sick of it. He rips the rover in half and throws one half at each of the guns. Torch lands next to Thing. Thing asks what is the matter with him. Torch says that he feels woozy and says that the mines must have had knockout gas in them. Torch tries to fly off, but he passes out and falls to the ground. Thing thinks to himself that he hates to admit it, but that the gas is getting to him too. He decides to grab Torch and get out of there, but Ultima steps out from behind a tree. She says that it is too late for retreat. She says that “Dad” doesn’t want them hurt, but that if he resists that he will have no one to blame but himself. Thing says, “Hunh! The day ain’t come when any dame can knock the Thing out fer the count! Run on home ta yer daddy, sister… before ya get yer fingernail busted!” Ultima asks if he will mock her. Ultima brings down two fists onto Thing’s back. Thing drops to the ground. Ultima says that he won’t endure insults from anyone. Ultima puts a brainwave inhibitor on Thing that will keep him unconscious until he has been “adjusted”. She says that soon Torch and Thing will be thanking her father for making them normal.

Under two hours later, Thing awakens in restraints. He and Torch are wearing identical purple outfits. Thing is fitted with a mask of a regular human face. He asks who the wise guy is. Word corrects Thing’s grammar. He says that he will expain their outfits in due time, but first introduces himself. Thing comments that Word must have gone to the same prep school as Reed since they both use “fifty-cent words”. Word says that he is prone to “oratorical excess”, but that even Reed Richards would approve of his goal. He says that he is going to eliminate all excesses in strength, weakness, beauty, ugliness, and height. He says that the “trauma of inadequacy” and the “arrogance of superiority” will be gone. He says that all men will truly be created equal. Thing asks what about Ultima and says that she doesn’t look like the others. Word says that his daughter is different. Word gives Thing his past including how Ultima became the ultimate result of his teachings. Word says that his daughter was struck down and paralyzed by the She-Hulk. He swore to give up speech, but when he was alone he realized that he couldn’t let everything end this way. He says that knows where he went wrong, and that he revoke his vow against speech. Word says that he set out on his ultimate test. He began to speak to Ultima and convince her that she could become whole once more. Word spoke to her for weeks and months. Never wavering he continued speaking to her until one day Ultima regained control of her body. Word says that she is more powerful than ever now. He says that she is the ideal for his new society. He says that all of society’s ills come from inequity, and that the biggest offenders are super heroes. He says that their suits are designed to inhibit any extraordinary gifts, and that the mask is used to banish ugliness. He says that mankind will become a homogenous mass. He says that until the time of world-wide acceptance that his daughter will act as enforcer. He tells them that they will be happy there and that they will have no choice but to be happy. He tells them that it is time for them to assume their new duties in the mines. Ultima crunches up a pipe in her hands.

Torch says that Word wasn’t kidding and that every tries to flame on that he gets an electrical shock that almost knocks him unconscious. Thing says that at least he doesn’t have to walk around with a mask, and that the he keeps getting injected with drugs that sap his strength. He says that he feels as weak and stupid as a Yancy Streeter. Thing says that if Word thinks that he is pull knobs and switch levers for the rest of his life that he is wrong. The man behind Thing in the long line of Word’s minions tells Thing that life here isn’t that bad. He says that originally thought the same as him. He says that he used to be an agent of SHIELD, but that he has come to appreciate and like this life. He says that Word has eliminated stress. He says that he gives them enough work to be satisfied, and enough food to be filled. He says that Thing will come to agree in time. Torch whispers and asks that if Word so easily brainwashed a SHIELD agent that what chance do they have now that they are without their powers. Thing tells him to hold on and that he isn’t without a plan, but thinking to himself he admits that things really do look hopeless. Suddenly Thing chastises himself for giving up “in the middle of a fight”. Thing says that his collar must know that he is getting mad, and that it is pumping the drugs into him faster and faster. Thing messes around with some of the machinery and causes a short circuit. He says that he hopes Word doesn’t take away their coffee breaks for this. The short circuits start causing explosions and the underground cavern starts to collapse.

After the collapse, everyone is fine but the tunnel is sealed off. Thing says that he had to play hero and that now they are in a worse situation. He says that if only he had his strength back. Torch tells Thing not to blame himself. He says that he couldn’t have known what would happen, and that it is only the drugs that keep his strength from him. Thing gets up and says that is no excuse for nearly killing everyone. He walks over to the rocks and starts tossing them aside. Torch says that he has to stop. He says that if he keeps using his strength that the collar could pump too much drugs into his system and overdose him. Thing says not to worry about him.

Word is told about the massive collapse. His robot requests immediate assistance. Word turns to Ultima. He says that the section that collapsed is where Thing and Human Torch are. He says that she should lead the rescue robots herself.

As Ultima walks down with the robots she says that it is unthinkable that they could have freed themselves from their restraints. She says that the post hypnotic suggestion that “daddy” gave them should have kept them under his thrall. She says that even if they have gotten free that she has handled better than either of them. She starts tosses rocks aside and shouts that she is invincible. She says that she can beat anyone and overcome anything. She says that her father said it was so, and that by saying it, it makes it true. Ultima finds Thing on his knees. He makes a smart comment, but Ultima reminds him that she is the one that saved him. She says that everyone else is completely indoctrinated, and that it is clear the two them caused the sabotage. She orders the robots to take the two of them to the surface. Torch whispers that this is their last chance. He says that with as weak as they are now that they would be no match for the Word.

Up on the surface, Torch concentrates. He pushes aside the pain of the electrical charge and manages to go nova. He quickly flies as high as he can as fast as he can before the explosion. Torch flies back down and frees Thing from his restraints with a fireball. Thing starts smashing the robots and tells them that he has bigger fish to fry. Thing comes face to face with Ultima. Ultima tells him to surrender and that if he does she might be merciful. Thing says that only someone that can beat him can order him around and that there isn’t anyone like that. He says, “Now runalong to yer dolls, or somethin’… I got some unfinished business with yer father!” Ultima calls him a patronizing freak and hits Thing. Thing is knocked off his feet. Thing says that she can hit hard, but that not even the Hulk can match his “Sunday Pulverizer”. Thing hits the ground.

Torch sees more of Word’s guards coming out. He says that he is still weak from going nova. He uses a couple of well placed fireballs. He also manages to fly around and cause the robots to shoot themselves. He wonders where Thing is, and that he should have finished off the much smaller Ultima by now.

Ultima leaps on Thing. She says that she isn’t impressed and that she saves her energy for when it counts. Thing wonders why, not only isn’t Ultima scared, but she is coming on stronger. He thinks how the drug is still in him, and that he has to do something before she finishes him. Ultima grabs Thing in a hold. She tells him to say his prayers because she isn’t going to show him any mercy. She says that for interfering with her father’s plans that she is going to kill him. Thing makes a smart comment, but thinks to himself that he is kidding himself. Suddenly Word shows up as Ultima punches the Thing down. Word compliments her power and says that it is without peer. He tells her not to kill the Thing though and to think of how glorious it will be to have him as her helpless personal servant. Ultima decides that her father is right. Word starts raging about how great his plan will become by virtue of her defeating the Thing. Thing tells Word to “clam up”. He flicks him with his finger and knocks him out. Ultima says that can’t be. She says that her father told her that if she did everything he ordered that nothing could go wrong. Thing says that he is sorry to burst her bubble, but that sometimes things don’t work out. Ultima says, “No! Daddy is different! Daddy is perfect! That’s why I believe him! That’s why I recovered! But… but… you ruined everything…” Ultima falls over. Ultima’s lapse of faith in her father causes her to revert back into being totally paralyzed.

The Word’s followers start to filter out. They see that the Word has been defeated and asks what will become of them. Torch says that it up to each of them individually. He says that sure the Word’s life made them free of worry, but to look at what it cost them. He says that without any kind of conflict that they just exist. He says that they become like soulless bugs. He says that the Word’s way makes human life like a mindless sham. He says that life is more than just living, but doing. He says that overcoming conflicts is what gives life meaning. Word says that is a pretty speech. He says that some might go, but that others that prefer to avoid responsibility will stay. Thing says that some might let him off the hook, but that he isn’t one of them. He says that he is going to see him jailed for what he’s done. Word tells him to do as he will, but that no punishment will be as bad as the fact that his pursuit of a perfect world destroyed the life of the one person he was trying to protect… his daughter.

Leader’s Lair rating: 6.5 out of 10

I really enjoy the Word and Ultima characters. Word’s ability to heal his daughter through his words is a great idea. It’s a testament (albeit a fictional one) to the power of positive thought. The art is a little bleah, but it does its job. 2.5 out of 5 for the art. David Anthony Kraft does a much better job with these characters than when he created them. 4 out of 5 for the writing. Though the mask Thing wears is more than a little silly.

Review and pictures by The Leader

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