Incredible Hulk #6Incredible Hulk #6
Title: “The Incredible Hulk vs the Metal Master!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Steve Ditko
Inker: Steve Ditko
Colors: Andy Yanchus
At a military missile base in the southwest the countdown is halted while the commander is waiting for Bruce Banner to arrive. The launch is now fifteen minutes late. Ross says that Bruce is supposed to be the brains behind this space probe and wonders where Bruce is. Rick thinks to himself that Hulk has had plenty of time to change back and get there by now. Betty says that the Hulk has been spotted in the area and wonders what if he got to Bruce.
Hulk is hiding out. He is trying to change back into Banner, but an entire infantry regiment is doing maneuvers right by his underground lab. He can’t reach the lab without them seeing him. Hulk says that if he doesn’t change back soon that it may be too late. He says that the longer he stays the Hulk the harder it is to change back. Hulk tries to leap towards the lab, but has to turn around as he almost hits some jets flying overhead. The infantry starts to move towards Hulk. Hulk says that he doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but that if they come any closer that it will be too bad. Suddenly an emergency alert goes off and the infantry goes to report. Hulk says that it was lucky for them that they got called away.
Hulk makes it down into the cave. He says that he hates to do it, but changes back into Bruce Banner. For a moment Bruce Banner seems to be stronger, but then the effect fades and Bruce collapses weak as he usually is after the change. He sits in a chair and flips on the monitor at the missile base. Bruce sees Ross and Betty looking terrified. Bruce then sees that his missile project seems to be melting.
At the missile base, Ross asks who did this. The Metal Master introduces himself. He says that he is from the planet Astra many galaxies away. He says that he melted the missile with the power of his brain to show them how invincible he is. He says that he can control all forms of metal by manipulating the metal’s molecules. Metal Master says that on his planet the people use their gift for making magnificent metallic statues, but that he alone on his planet was judged a criminal because he wanted to use his powers to conquer. He was exiled and since then has been searching for a planet rich in metal where he could rule. He says that now he has found such a world. Ross orders his men to grab Metal Master. Metal Master has one soldier’s helmet and gun fly off his head, and another’s to melt on his head and in his hand. Metal Master then turns his attention to a tank and melts it down. He turns the metal into a long band that surrounds Ross, his men, Rick, and Betty. Metal Master gives an ultimatum. He says that they will surrender the base to him immediately and that the entire planet must surrender itself within twenty-four hours. Metal Master says that he will go while they discuss the terms of his demands. Metal Master creates a metal plate and uses it to fly into the air.
Ross climbs out of the bands and orders that hunter missiles be fired at Metal Master. Metal Master dissolves them all but one that he then redirects back at the base. Ross and Rick jump to safety. Rick says that there is still a chance and runs to get the Hulk.
Rick gets to
the lab only to find that Bruce already knows and is transforming
himself. Hulk thinks that he is ready for action, but Rick points
out that for some strange reason the Hulk still has the face of
Bruce Banner. Rick says that he can’t go out like that or it
will blow his secret identity. Hulk walks into the other room and
grabs a plaster mold that Banner made of his face to study and
puts it on. Rick asks why Hulk’s face didn’t change.
Hulk says that he doesn’t care, and that it is for the
bookworm Banner to figure out. Hulk gets outside and leaps away.
Hulk finds Metal Master around some big
scrap pile. Metal Master is surprised, but Hulk says that
everyone on Earth isn’t a weakling. Metal Master starts
chucking pieces of metal at Hulk, but Hulk swats them away. Metal
Master forms a giant unbreakable cage to trap Hulk. Hulk shatters
it and says that nothing is unbreakable to him. The battle goes
on like this for a while until the Metal Master realizes that
they should team up. Hulk starts to say that Metal Master is
crazy, but then figures that he doesn’t owe anything to the
human race. He thinks about how they’ve been hunting and
hounding him, but then decides that he doesn’t need the
Metal Master. While Hulk is still distracted Metal Master bounces
a chunk of metal off the back of 
Hulk’s head
knocking him unconscious. Metal Master flies off saying that he
didn’t need the Hulk and has proved that he is superior.
The army, that had been looking for Metal Master, finds the Hulk apparently semi-conscious on the ground. One of the troops notices that the Hulk is wearing a mask. Hulk thinks to himself that they can’t find out who he is. The soldier pulls the mask off to reveal a face that looks exactly like the mask underneath it. Hulk apparently passes out after this. The troops radio in and tell Ross that they’ve captured the Hulk. Ross says that now they can worry about the Metal Master. Betty says that there still hasn’t been any word from Bruce. The soldiers carry Hulk between two helicopters. They lower him into a specially made stone building. After that they move the roof into place.
Rick Jones says that Ross has got to let him talk to the Hulk because only he might be able to stop the Metal Master. Ross says that he can talk all he wants, but that the Hulk is staying where he is. Rick goes to Hulk and asks him if he is okay. For some reason Hulk thinks that Rick betrayed him because only he could tell the soldiers about the mask (like they didn’t have eyes). Hulk says that he can’t trust anyone anymore. Hulk says that he is going to get his hands on Rick. Rick turns away crying and says that he didn’t tell. Hulk says that Rick is lying to him. Hulk starts pounding on the walls and says that sooner or later he is going to get out of there. The wall starts to crumble little by little as Hulk hits it.
Hurt and bewildered Rick asks Ross where he can join the army. Ross says that Rick is only sixteen and too young. Rick says that he wants to be where the action is. Ross says that the best thing for Rick to do is stay in school. Rick walks off.
Metal Master starts going around the world. Metal Master destroys oil wells in the Near East. He then goes to Africa to topple some construction. He affects shipping in the Mediterranean, and then goes to Europe and uproots bridges. Soon the entire world fears the Metal Master.
Rick is still depressed that kids like him can’t do anything to help the world. Rick says that he was the Hulk’s partner and he can’t go back to just being a normal kid. Two of Rick’s friends call him over to show him something. They all chipped in and bought a ham radio. Rick gets an idea of what they can do to help the army, police, and everybody. Rick says that with ham radio people all over the country they’ll have the greatest set up in the world. He says that with all of them watching around the country they can be ready to help wherever. Rick says that they can call it the Teen Brigade.
Hulk finally pounds his way out of his prison.
Ross says that it is strange that they haven’t heard from Banner yet. Betty is crying and says that she didn’t realize how important Bruce was to her. A soldier comes in and reports that the Hulk has escaped.
Hulk gets back to the underground lab and turns into Bruce Banner. Bruce says that he has been using the machine too much. He is so weak that he collapses against the wall. Bruce says that he can’t pass out and must defeat the Metal Master. Rick walks back into the underground lab to get his things. Bruce calls out to him for help. Rick helps Bruce up into bed. Bruce says that good old Rick is always loyal. Rick remembers that Bruce Banner isn’t responsible for what the Hulk says. Rick says that Bruce should get to the hospital. Bruce says that he has thought of a way to defeat the Metal Master, but that he can’t do it alone. Rick tells Bruce to just let him know what he needs and the Teen Brigade will go into action.
Rick tells the Teen Brigade what they must get and somehow supplies from all over the country start instantly arriving.
Bruce says that he can’t rest anymore and gets up to change himself back into the Hulk.
Metal Master pulls up the train tracks. In the Soviet Union they try to fire more missiles at Metal Master. Metal Master simply divides the missiles into two and the two sides pass around him. More aircraft it sent against him. Metal Master passes right through them melting them as he touches. Metal Master ascends into a cloud to wait until he is ready to rule mankind.
In the southwest, the Teen Brigade has delivered the supplies. Inside the Hulk is putting together the pieces. Rick says that it is a good thing that the Hulk remembers most of Bruce Banner’s scientific knowledge. Hulk tells Rick to shut up and let him think. Hulk finishes putting the gun together and goes out to find the Metal Master. One of the Teen Brigade spots him and delivers the news to Hulk. Hulk starts leaping to get to Metal Master. The Teen Brigade follow in cars. Hulk orders Metal Master to come down or he will blast him down. Metal Master tries to manipulate Hulk’s gun, but Hulk says that Metal Master can’t control this hunk of metal. Metal Master finds that he cannot affect it. He gets closer and closer, but still cannot control it. Hulk says that Metal Master is a big ugly phony.
Ross is saying that he has to find Banner. Betty says that she has called the hospitals and the morgues. A soldier comes in and tells Ross that the Hulk is fighting the Metal Master outside Washington DC. Ross tells him to prepare his jet. Ross thinks that Hulk and Metal Master are fighting over which one gets to take over the nation.
Ross gets across the country in record time and mobilizes a missile striking force. Hulk says that he has let Metal Master tremble there long enough. Metal Master decides to use the metal he is standing on to hit the Hulk. Hulk leaps into the air and grabs Metal Master. Metal Master says that he will do anything and begs Hulk not to hit him. Hulk tells Metal Master to put everything back to the way it was. Metal Master fixes it all. Hulk lets Metal Master loose and Metal Master flies away. The Teen Brigade congratulates Hulk. Hulk says that anybody could have done it. Hulk says that the gun was just cardboard and plastic painted to look like metal. Hulk thanks the Teen Brigade for getting the things he needed together for him. The army is about to show up so Hulk puts Rick on his back and leaps away. The Teen Brigade tells Thunderbolt Ross how the Hulk saved the whole Earth.
Back at the lab Hulk tries to turn back into Bruce Banner, but after getting blasted he finds that he is still the Hulk. Hulk checks the settings, but everything was set right. Hulk says that Banner always said that the machine shouldn’t be used too much. Hulk says that he always wanted to be the Hulk forever, but to spend his whole life hunted and feared.
The Teen Brigade sees Betty Ross asking around about Bruce Banner. They decide to tell Rick Jones. They kids ask to contact Rick, but the guy says that he was just about to contact him anyway with some big news from Washington.
Rick tells Hulk
that the news just came in that he received a pardon. Hulk says
that he saved the whole world and the best they could do for him
was a pardon. Hulk starts freaking out and smashing things. As
the Hulk rages he eventually turns back into Bruce Banner. Bruce
guesses that the ray must have just had a delayed effect. Rick
helps Bruce sit down. Rick tells Bruce that Betty has been
looking for him.
At Ross’ house, Ross is furious that the Hulk was pardoned and says that he is just tricking them. Bruce rings the doorbell. Ross answers angry and demands to know where Bruce has been. Bruce says that he wasn’t feeling well and took a few days in Bermuda. Betty runs over thrilled while Ross tries to figure out what Betty sees in Bruce. Bruce and Betty head out for a walk. Betty says that she knows there must be something more to Bruce’s absence than the fact that Bruce didn’t feel well. She says that she gets the feeling that there is some connection between Bruce and the Hulk. Betty asks why Bruce won’t tell her. She asks if she doesn’t mean enough to him. Bruce says that he doesn’t say anything because Betty means too much to him. Bruce says that he hopes that the Hulk is gone for good.
Rick wonders what will happen next time Bruce uses the machine.
No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10
Great story and art in this issue, but first let me just say that the 60’s were a long time ago, and the vernacular in this issue is so difficult to read without rolling my eyes. Metal Master is a cool enough villain, but what a lame way to lose. Why didn’t Metal Master use other metal instead of the cube he was standing on to attack Hulk, like say the car behind him. Ditko does a good job with Hulk, but he is a little more gangly than Kirby’s Hulk.