Tales to Astonish #75Tales to Astonish #75
Title: "The End of the Quest!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Adam Austin
Inker: Vince Colleta
Namor stands there with Dorma in his hands
waiting for the Faceless Ones to maul him. He says that they know
that he can’t defeat them all. Namor wishes that they had a
leader that he could attack, but instead he just figures that his
body will serve to shield Dorma until he passes away. Suddenly
the Faceless Ones stop advancing. One hold its hand up into the
air. A visage of Neptune appears and his voice fills the
“Stygian deep”. He says to let the fighting stop. One
of the Faceless Ones holds Neptune’s trident. Neptune says
that Namor has forsaken his quest for the trident and that he has
broken the covenant. Namor says that he cannot dispute this and
says that he failed him. Namor asks Neptune if he can bear the
full price for this failure, but that if Neptune could spare
Dorma. Neptune tells Namor to shut up and listen for a minute.
Off to the side, the old man from Atlantis finally finds Namor.
He watches as Neptune speaks to Namor. Neptune says that with an
empire at stake, the crown of Atlantis almost within his grasp he
abandoned the glory for the love of another. Neptune asks if
Namor denies this. Namor says that he cannot and that he has been
unworthy. Neptune says that isn’t the case. He says that
Namor has proven himself the worthiest of all. He says that he
has every attribute that a prince needs: courage, strength,
honesty, but most of all a heart and a soul which can sacrifice.
Neptune waves his arm and banishes the Faceless Ones. 
As Neptune
fades he tells Namor to stp forward and claim the trident.
Namor stands there unable to speak until the ancient one from Atlantis finally interrupts. He says that he has beheld a miracle, but that there is little time for rejoicing. He says that he has journeyed a long time to tell him that Krang is oppressing his people. Namor says that he must return to Atlantis and that his subjects must suffer no longer. The old man falls to his knees and thanks Neptune for giving them such a leader in this hour of need. Namor tells the old man to rise and says that there is one more thing that he can do for him. Namor explains that Dorma needs a revitalizer ray that is located within the palace. He says that he has to get her there right away. He tells the old man to carry the Imperial Trident for him while he swims ahead. The old man says that he has lived many decades, but that this is his proudest moment. He says that he will guard the trident with his life. Namor tells the man to stand back as his wake might injure him. Namor swims off.
Namor tells Dorma as he swims that she has to live because even the throne of Atlantis would not replace her loss. As Namor approaches the gates of his kingdom, Krang’s mercenaries stand guard with their weapons. They start firing at Namor. Namor says that he has the strength to survive all but a direct hit, but that Dorma could not take it. Namor dodges each blast as they come and even uses his body as a shield for her when he has to. Namor says that he will not lose her now when he is so close to victory. He says that he has to do what they least suspect. He says that instead of trying to dodge anymore that he will charge right at them. The guards don’t fire at Namor because they fear that the concussion from a hit would affect them as well. Namor swims backwards and knocks over the gate to Atlantis with his back while still holding Dorma. Namor says to let Krang beware.
Namor swims through Atlantis and sees his subjects all lying on the ground. He thinks that they are dead at first, but then realizes that they are just unconscious. Namor says that his rages increases with every second, and that Krang will pay more dearly with his growing rage. He says that he has to attend to Dorma first, but then he will attend to Krang. Namor sees the Robo-tank and realizes that is what Krang used to knock out all his subjects. Namor says that Krang has the nerve to attack him with a weapon that once served him. Namor says that Krang knows in his heart that there is nothing that will stop him now. Krang shouts for the robo-tank to destroy Namor. The tank’s cannons fire on and hit Namor. Namor takes the blast, but does not go down. He says that he survived that shot, but that he might not be able to take another. He says that he can’t fail now. He says that it isn’t just his life, but that of Dorma, his people, and his kingdom. Namor sets Dorma down. He tells Krang to behold his power. Namor charges the robo-tank before it can fire again, lifts it up, and then smashes it into pieces. Namor picks Dorma back up and says that he has to get her to the revitalizer ray. Namor puts Dorma inside the chamber. He says that if Neptune wills it that she will sleep no longer, and that his heart will no longer be heavy. He looks at her and says that she is so still, but that even on the threshold of death “her breathtaking loveliness is beyond description… beyond compare!” He tells her that she must recover so that he can be forgiven for scorning her love all those years.
At that moment, Krang sneaks into the room. He says that while Namor is paying attention to Dorma that he will attend to him. He says that if the revitalizer ray should be short-circuited while they are both under it that he will have triumphed over all. Krang reaches for the lever, but suddenly the old man is there and calls for Namor to take his trident. Namor grabs the trident and hurls it at Krang. The trident pins Krang’s hand down so he can’t reach the lever. Namor tells Krang to turn and face his fate.
Prince of the Realm rating: 9 out of 10
Good story and good art. Love conquers all is of course revealed as Neptune’s secret agenda. That was a little easy to see coming, but it’s still a good story. The quest ends, but the story doesn not. Neptune himself gives Namor his approval and we get to see Namor admitting that he really loves Dorma. Namor finally goes back to Atlantis as the rightful ruler. Will we finally get to see the end next issue? Adam Austin does a great job with the art on this issue. The dynamics of Namor swimming, holding Dorma, and swimming backwards through the bars really works.
Title: “Not All My Power Can Save Me!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Mickey Demeo
Hulk stands
over the dead body of the Leader with the Ultimate Machine in his
hand. He says that the Leader is dead and so he is free again,
but that he is free in a world that hates and hunts him. He says
that he is free, but doesn’t know what he is free to do.
Hulk looks at the Ultimate Machine and says that Leader said the
machine held all the knowledge in the known universe, band that
it must have been too much even for his brain. Hulk says that he
is supposed to have Bruce Banner’s brain, and wonders why it
has been so hard for him to think lately. He says that it is as
if the limitless power of his body is overshadowing his mind. He
says that Bruce Banner’s thoughts seem strange and shadowy
as if they are getting harder to hold onto. Hulk decides that he
doesn’t care because he likes being the Hulk better anyway.
He says that Banner was a weakling, but that he is top dog
anywhere. Hulk leaps out the window of Leader’s Rome lair.
He says that he had to payback Leader for saving his life, but
that the debt is cancelled now. Hulk says that he needs space to
move and that nothing is going to fence him in again. Hulk says
that he doesn’t care if everything that lives is against him
because he will beat them all. He says that he hopes that he
never turns into Banner again.
Minutes later, Hulk decides that he is far enough away from anyone else to stop and figure out what he is going to do. He says that he is sick of running and hiding and that it is the world that should hide from him. He says that he is the strongest living man there is, and that he has the Watcher’s Ultimate Machine, but if it only weren’t getting
Halfway around the world, General Ross is looking at, Bruce Banner’s last invention ‘before he died’, the T-Gun. Ross says that they built it from Banner’s plans, but they don’t understand what it does. They tell Ross that is why they want him to test the weapon. The soldiers wonder why Banner called it the T-Gun and what the “T” stands for. One officer says that toward the end Banner was suspected as a traitor, and that maybe he was hoping that they would build the T-Gun from his plans. He says that it might be a booby trap. Ross says that it is his job to find out and that they should get started. He says that he wants the building ringed by his nike missiles night and day. He says that they will be operating under maximum security conditions. They ask if there are any other orders. Ross tells them to get out and that his staff has work to do. A few minutes later, Ross is meeting with his missile men and security officers when Glenn Talbot and Betty walk in. Ross says that Talbot is supposed to be his top security aide and not “the lover boy of the continental command”. Betty says that Glenn was just escorting her to see him, but Talbot mumbles to forget it and that her father is right. Talbot apologizes and asks for Ross’ commands. Ross tells the others to carry on and that he wants to talk to Talbot and his daughter alone. Ross says that he can’t relax security until the Hulk is accounted for. He asks Talbot what is taking so long. Talbot says that it is if Earth swallowed him. He says that they still have the Jones boy in custody, but that he refuses to talk. Betty says that they can’t believe that Rick knows the secret of the Hulk. Ross tells Betty that this isn’t her business. Betty says that Rick was a friend of Bruce Banner’s and that she loved him. Ross tells her not to say that again since she knows that Banner was a traitor. Betty says that nothing was ever proven and that she will never believe that of Bruce. Glenn says that Betty doesn’t know what she is talking about, but Betty tells him to stay out of it. She says that Glenn never Bruce even though he devoted his life to national defense. Betty says that he hounded him and never gave him a chance. Ross says that Talbot was just following his orders, and that if she has a problem with them that she should take them up with him. Ross says that Betty’s heart blinded her as to Bruce’s treason, but asks what Rick Jones’ excuse was.
Rick Jones sits in his cell. The guards ask why there are three of them guarding one kid that is already locked up. Another says that it is in case the Hulk comes. The third guard says, “A lot of good we’d do against the Hulk!” Rick looks out his cell window. He says that they are going to hold him there until he tells what he knows about the Hulk, but Rick says that he can’t do that because he swore that he wouldn’t. Rick remembers that the only other person that knows the Hulk’s secret is the president. Rick tells the guards that they have to let him call the White House. The guards mock Rick, but Rick says that the White House will take his call. The guard says that he will mention it to the President the next time he is over at the White House for dinner or when they are walking their dogs together.
Hulk decides that because his skin is thicker than the Leader’s that perhaps he could put the Ultimate Machine on. Hulk figures that the worst thing that could happen is that he would be killed, but that wouldn’t break anyone else’s heart. Hulk says that Banner would be trembling at all the things that he is about to learn, but that as the Hulk he is only doing it to prove that nothing can hurt him. Hulk puts it on and immediately feels like his head is going to explode. It is like listening to a billion voices as one. Hulk says that he has to get it off before it kills him the way it killed the Leader. Before Hulk pulls it off, he hears Rick Jones saying that only the President can help him. Hulk pulls the machine off. He says that it is like someone planned for him to hear that last message clearly. He decides to go help Rick because it will give him something to do. Hulk leaps and says that it won’t take him long to reach Washington. Distracted by the prospect of impending action the Hulk forgets the Ultimate Machine. He says that nobody had better try to stop him. After Hulk leaps away, Watcher recounts how he has vowed never to interefere in the lives of others, but that all he did was allow Hulk to hear one voice above the others. He says that only the future will let him know if he was wrong. Watcher activates a machine and retrieves the Ultimate Machine, which rises into the air and starts making its way back to Watcher.
At a far North coastal radar tracking station, the Hulk leaps by and the guards sound the alarm and suddenly the air is full of missiles trying to hit Hulk. Ross orders that the T-Gun to be brought. Talbot reminds Ross that they don’t even know what it does, but Ross says that there is no better time to find out. Ross checks in with the battery officer. He says that they are ready to go. Ross says to go ahead and shoot. He says that they already know the target. The chief executive, members of Congress, and the high command have all been safely quartered in their protective shelters. As the Hulk lands in front of the White House he is hit by a the T-Gun. Within the part of his mind that is still Bruce Banner, Hulk realizes that he has been hit by his own T-Gun. He says that Banner never meant for the weapon to be used, but that it was just an experiment to see if a sudden blast affecting the light rays around a person could send that person to another time. Hulk says that he guesses Banner was right. Hulk says that he is still in Washington, but he wonders what happened to it. Everything is in ruins except the statue of Abraham Lincoln. Hulk realizes that he doesn’t know how to get back to his time. Hulk is suddenly attacked from behind. A staff hits him in the back, explodes, and metal bands wrap Hulk’s body up all the way to his neck. Hulk’s attackers say that they have captured some sort of throwback from the past. They wonder if they should destroy it or enslave it. Hulk says that he might not know how to fight time guns or use Ultimate Machine, but that he knows his enemy and all he has to do is beat them. Hulk flexes and snaps the metal bands that bind him. Hulk turns to see an army of foes. The foe recognizes him as the ancient legend the Hulk. The commander says that they will see if the legends are true. Hulk says that no matter what age it is he has to fight to survive, but that he is the Hulk and they are just men.
No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10
Betty develops a character! After years of being just a stock female character, where she could just as easily been Betty Brant or Jane Foster, Betty finally sounds like the Betty we come to know in the future. The issue itself kinda drags out without much happening. I like Stan discussing Banner’s mind fading within the Hulk’s head, but the issue itself is clearly a transitional one since even the Hulk doesn’t seem to have any idea what to do with himself next. It’s almost like Stan figured it out as he wrote the issue itself. Jack Kirby is of course amazing and has a way of making not much look like something.