Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #111

Title: “Shanghaied in Space!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Herby Trimpe

Inker: Dan Adkins

An alien commander shouts out that there is a crisis alert. He says that they have met disaster on planet Earth. He says that their planet destroyer has been wiped out. He says that some earthly power has destroyed Umbu, the giant robot, which was ordered to protect their hidden planet destroyer. He says that power must now have the displeasure of the all powerful Galaxy Master that they all serve. He says that only by capturing their unknown enemy will there lives be spared. He orders that they depart for Earth immediately. He says that the Galaxy Master must have a prisoner or their world will be destroyed. He then orders the Titan Time-Probe to be brought forth. He says that only he can compute the identity of the “unknown victim to be!” He says that only he can bring him to them. The probe is activated and prepared to launch.

Kazar carries Bruce Banner’s unmoving body. He says that he destroyed the machine that threatened all of Earth, but that the maybe been slain as he did so. He says that he is down, but that his body is still warm. Kazar sets Bruce down and says that maybe Banner can be restored to life. Kazar order Zabu by his side and says that they are searching for the rarest of herbs and plants. After Kazar leaves, a large shadow is cast over Bruce’s body. A shiny, ice cold pincher grabs him.

Seconds later, Kazar and Zabu return to find Banner gone. They spot large footprints that Kazar has never seen before. Kazar and Zabu follow them as the lead upward to the outside world. Kazar winds up all the way up in Antarctica where he finds that the tracks just disappear. Kazar asks how this is possible.

The probe floats back up to the alien ship. The alien leader says that now they will learn what kind of being could defeat the monstrous Umbu. Banner’s prone body emerges. The leader shouts that it is impossible. One of the men check Banner’s body and says that he is useless to them and that he is dead. The leader says that the Galaxy Master demands a living victim. Another man says that his life essence still lingers and that there is no tissue damage yet. The leader orders Banner into the resuscitator. He says that they can only learn the nature of his power if he lives. He says that only then will their lives be spared.

Meanwhile, Earth has returned to its normal orbit. Talbot tells Ross that the crisis is over, but that the Hulk is still at large. Ross tells Talbot to find him then. He says that there is a deadly power that has been at work, and that it is a power that only the Hulk could possess. He says that with the monster’s brawn and Banner’s brain that he could smash a planet if left unchecked.

At a nearby hospital, Rick tells Betty that he is sure that Doctor Banner is okay. Betty says that it has been so long without a word. Rick says that even if he turned into the Hulk that she knows how strong he is. He says that there is nothing on Earth that can harm him. Betty says that she keeps trying to tell herself that, but that even the Hulk can die. She says that you never know when he is going to change back to Bruce. She asks what would happen if it happens when danger is present.

In the alien ship, the resuscitator has worked and Banner starts to awaken. The leader says that now they will learn what they need to know. He says to take him to the brain beam. As Bruce is carried to the brain beam he asks where he is and what they are going to do. He is told to be silent. Bruce is strapped into the machine. The leader says that in a few seconds that his entire life will flash before them and that they will have the answers they seek. The lever is pulled and Banner’s body contorts from the shock. The leader finding only Bruce Banner’s life doesn’t see the Hulk in Banner’s vision. He says that Banner is one of the most brilliant scientists of all, but that he has no super powers and that he cannot harm them. He says that Banner stumbled upon the doomsday machine and deactivated it with the aid of a primitive being. He says that Galaxy Master would sentence him to death and to let it happen. One of the men says that they are not murderers. He says that the man was only trying to save his world. The leader smacks the man in the face and says that no one can question one who serves the Galaxy Master. He says that the human must die. He reminds the man what has happened to those that defied the Galaxy Master. He asks if he has forgotten that Galaxy Master’s power is the greatest within a thousand galaxies. He reminds him that all intelligent life must be erased so that he knows that none will rise to oppose him. He says that they are only allowed to survive because they are his unquestioning slaves. The man asks what happens when the day comes that Galaxy Master no longer needs them. The Galaxy Master’s voice booms and says that he has heard all they’ve said. He says that their prisoner has thwarted his plans and must perish. The alien leader says that the Galaxy Master has spoken. He orders Banner out into the decompression chamber. They say that the master must be appeased.

The decompression begins. Bruce begins to feel the pressure becoming heavier and heavier. He says that he can’t breathe. Fear fills Banner and he begins to change. Hulk’s fingers rip into the wall. He asks why he is locked in an empty cabin and why they are trying to kill him. Hulk smashes through the window of the chamber and says that no one keeps him prisoner. Hulk says that there is nothing out there but space, and that he can’t be drifting in the sky forever. He gets a hand hold on the side of the ship. Hulk starts climbing the ship. The men inside arm and fire the gunnery stations and shoot at Hulk. Hulk deflects the shots with his hands.

The men inside the ship watch Hulk destroying the ship. They wonder what kind of monster he is. One suggests that he is robot sent from Earth. One asks where he came from and that as strong as he is that he can’t fly. The other says that he must be stopped before he destroys the ship. The leader sees all the destruction and tells his men to man their repulse spheres. The men fly outside the ship inside bubbles armed with weapons. They say that their objective is sighted. Hulk sees them coming and rips up the main detection scanner dish with one hand. The bubbles open fire. Hulk is hit, but he doesn’t fall. Hulk throws the giant dish and smashes the spheres.

They watch Hulk entering the port rocket exhaust tube and say that he has made a fatal error.

Hulk says that he is in the ship and that will fill find out who was trying to kill him and make them pay. The port engine kicks on. Hulk is knocked backward, but before he is sent back into space he grabs a hand hold. Hulk rights himself and starts walking into the engine blast. He says that he must reach the engine no matter what. Hulk reaches the engine and destroys it with one punch. One of the two engines of the ship explodes

The alien leader says that they are within gliding range of their home planet. He tells them to jettison the excess cargo and that the green monster will trouble them no more. One of the men points out that the Hulk is still alive.

Hulk sees the ship landing and says that at last he will learn who his enemies are.

The alien leader orders that the ship be landed horizontally. He says that they will crush the monster. The ship lands horizontally, but Hulk leaps off just as the ship touches down. Hulk says that he is back on ground now and that nothing can stand up against his strength now. Hulk says that no matter who he goes up against that he will beat them all. A voice booms, “Not so, monstrous one!” Hulk turns to see who it is. Hulk sees a giant fanged mouth floating in the air. It says, “I, the Galaxy Master! The only living entity against whom all your strength cannot prevail! The supreme space lord… who shall now destroy you!”

No Excuses rating: 7.5 out of 10

 Review and pictures by The Leader

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