Tales to Astonish #77Tales to Astonish #77
Title: "To Walk Amongst MEN!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Adam Austin
Inker: Vince Colletta
Namor walks along in his crown and regal cape. He thinks to himself that he has to inform the Royal Council of his decision to return to the surface world because that is the written law.
Minutes later, two of the Royal Council beg Namor not to go to the surface for fear that something could happen to him, but Vashti says that Namor’s decision is the only one that matters. One of the council members reminds Namor that the human race is always trying to kill him and that their weapons are always growing more deadly. Namor says that there is truth to that, but that if he ignores the challenge to their empire that he is not worthy to possess the sacred trident of Neptune. He says that when there is danger a monarch must act. The other council member says that Namor should take an armada with him. Namor says that he has to go alone if he is going to prevent a war with the surface.
Soon after Namor leaves the noblemen, Atlantis is struck by an earth tremor. A woman nearly falls into an opening chasm, but her husband manages to pull her back. The wife asks her husband why Namor isn’t doing something about the tremors.
Namor inspects the damage and says that he has to go prepare for his mission. He says that only the humans can be responsible for this carnage and that he has to put a stop to it. He says that they are only conducting their underwater tests and that they don’t suspect that Atlantis is below them. He says that he will order them to cease and that the consequences would be dire. While Namor is taking off his crown and cape, Dorma comes in and asks Namor if he is really returning to the surface. Namor says that he is. She says that she knows the dangers of the surface world and requests to accompany him. Namor says that Dorma’s request is denied and that he will not risk the life of one so dear to him. He says that there is another reason that she must remain behind. Namor says that with all of the upheavals that the Behemoth may rise. He says that if that happens that he must be warned immediately. Dorma says that she had almost forgotten about the Behemoth. She says that it has been so many years. Namor says that time is meaningless to the Behemoth. He says that the Behemoth has been hidden for decades. Dorma asks if Namor thinks that the time has come. Namor says that it not for him to say and that he was created after the last holocaust. He says that he almost lost his kingdom then and that the Behemoth is their guarantee that such a disaster will never occur again. Namor says that their scientists made the Behemoth far stronger than any living being… even himself. He says that he is so powerful that they can’t be sure that they can control him and that he might even turn against Atlantis. Dorma says that she will stand vigil for Namor even if it takes an eternity. She bids Neptune watch over him, but inside she is trying to remain strong so she doesn’t start crying while he is in earshot.
Sometime later, Namor swims up to an enormous drill boring into the Earth. He says that is what is causing the tremors and that the deeper it gets the more damage will be done. Namor says that he is happy to see that it is only an experiment that endangers them as opposed to an armed invasion. Namor says that this will be a simple matter to deal with.
Many fathoms above, Hank Pym and the Wasp supervise the drilling. Pym says that only by drilling deeper than man has ever drilled before will they get a clue as to the origin of life on Earth. Wasp says that she never realized that Hank’s work was so important and that an armed task force is there to protect the mission. One of the scientists informs Pym that there is a blip coming at them at a fantastic speed. Suddenly the drill stops working. Pym tells Dr. Barnes not to force it as the unknown presence is the cause. He says that they should wait to learn its purpose. Pym tells the soldiers to stand by and that their condition is red.
Namor holds the drill in place. He starts to spin the drill in the opposite direction in order to break the gears controlling it. He then sets out for the surface to insure that there be no further drilling.
On the surface, Pym sees that the blip is coming towards them and will be there in seconds. He orders that “Operation Intercept” go into operation on the double. The frogmen dive into the water to confront their attacker. They swim downward, but Namor buzzes by them like nothing. He says that he has to reach their leader. Namor reaches the surface and orders that the men lay down their arms. The soldiers take Namor’s command as a threat and open fire on him. Namor says that once again humans choose to fight instead of negotiating. He says that the Royal Council was right. He says that if they want a battle that they will get one.
Thousands of fathoms below, a gigantic red webbed hand reaches out of an ever-widening fissure.
Namor swims
below the water base, but when he climbs up the side he finds
himself face to face with Hank Pym, Wasp, Dr. Barnes, and a
number of soldiers aiming their guns at him. Namor tells Pym that
he orders them to stop their project as Lord of Atlantis. Pym
says that Namor’s rank doesn’t mean anything to them
and that Namor must stand aside or he will not be held
responsible.
Prince of the Realm rating: 7 out of 10
The writing is fine for what it is. This in a set up issue and this issue does the job fine. I really hope we get to see more of the Behemoth. The art is as good as ever. I don’t know if it is just because this is the way I remember Namor, but this art just feel like Namor to me.
Title: “Bruce Banner is the Hulk!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Layouts: Jack Kirby
Penciller: Johnny Romita
Inker: Johnny Romita
Executioner hurls a piece of shrapnel from
his ship at the Hulk and orders him to get back. He says that he
faces the matchless power of the Executioner. Hulk says that he
doesn’t back up for anyone. Executioner says that he is an
immortal of Asgard and that he has power beyond Hulk’s
comprehension. Hulk says that he is the Hulk and that he is
stronger than anyone. Hulk says that words can’t stop him.
Hulk hurls a giant ball of metal at Executioner. He says that he
doesn’t belong in this time and that he will keep smashing
and destroying until someone sends him back. Skurge says that he
has to knowledge to send the Hulk back, but that he will never
share the secret with Hulk. Executioner punches the ball of metal
and smashes it into tiny pieces. Hulk braces himself as the
shrapnel goes flying all around him. The barrage only makes the
Hulk angrier . 
He pounds his
fists into Executioner’s shoulders. Hulk says that nothing
can hurt him and that he is the strongest one there is. Hulk says
that it isn’t possible as Executioner gets back up to his
feet. Executioner says that Hulk can’t be expected to
understand the power he possesses… a power which can be
replenished over and over. Executioner says that now Hulk will
pay for his arrogance. Executioner charges Hulk and the two of
them fall off the construct towards the Earth together.
Centuries in the past, Ross is hollering at Rick Jones. He orders Rick to tell them where the Hulk is. Rick says that he doesn’t know and that he thought he was killed when they fired Banner’s T-gun at him. Ross says that Hulk can’t be dead and that there is no sign of a body. Ross says that the gun doesn’t cause any damage and that it was some trick of Banner’s to help the Hulk escape. Rick says that he honestly doesn’t know. Ross tells his soldiers to go ahead and let Rick go since he can’t find any evidence to hold him. Rick says that both Dr. Banner and the Hulk are dead. He asks why Ross won’t just let it go. Ross says that Banner was a traitor and that Rick is one too for withholding information. As Rick is lead out he thinks how he can never betray the secret of the man who saved his life. Ross thinks that Rick is the key to the mystery of the Hulk and that he has to learn the real answer. Betty asks Talbot where they are taking Rick. Talbot says that they are forced to let him go. Ross tells Talbot that he wants him to keep Rick under surveillance and that he wants to know everywhere he goes and everything he does. Betty asks if her father is going to start hounding Rick the way he did to Bruce. Talbot tells Ross that he will do it and learn the connection between Banner and the Hulk. Talbot thinks to himself that if he can prove Banner was a traitor that he will no longer stand between him and Betty.
Back in the future, Executioner’s men see him struggling with a green-skinned creature. One of the men orders the firing of the stun gun. He says that it will not harm the master, but that no mortal can resist its power. The stun blast hits Hulk and knocks him off his feet. Executioner says that only an immortal of Asgard could withstand it. Hulk starts to rise which infuriates Executioner. He says that he can’t bear to have a mortal having power that is almost equal to his. Executioner says that he will have to batter him into helplessness. Hulk tells him to give it his best shot and that it is the last chance he’ll get. Executioner says that for his insolence alone he will kill the Hulk. Executioner brings his fists down on Hulk’s back and then raises them up to hit Hulk in the face. Executioner says that is why he is called the Executioner. He says that he will finish the job. Hulk says that Executioner knocked him down and that nobody knocks him down. Seized by an intense hatred, Hulk grabs the ground under Executioner’s feet and shoves him over. Executioner’s men continue firing at Hulk. Hulk wonders how much more his body will take. Executioner’s machine start advancing on the city. Hulk stands helpless struggling to think of a plan.
Rick Jones walks along lost in thought. He wonders if Ross was right in calling him a traitor. He says that Bruce is dead and that the Hulk is probably gone forever. He wonders what harm it could cause to just tell the truth. He thinks that maybe it would help people realize that Banner wasn’t a criminal and that he didn’t betray America. Rick finds himself at Banner’s secret laboratory. He walks down the steps saying that he can’t believe that it is all really over. Rick says that all Bruce ever wanted to do was help his country and that it was only by accident that he became the Hulk. Rick says that he can still see and hear Bruce in his head. Rick’s imagination starts causing him to hear Bruce crying out to Rick or warning him to run away. Rick starts shouting that the Hulk id dead and that Banner doesn’t have to worry about the Hulk hurting him anymore. Suddenly Rick spots a shadow. He realizes that someone is in the cave with him. He falls to the ground. A shadowed figure tells Rick to get on his feet. Rick asks who is there. Talbot reveals himself and says that Rick doesn’t have anything to fear from him. He says that the only thing he can’t escape is his conscience. Rick asks how he got there. Talbot says that he has been following him. He says that whatever this secret he has been carrying around with him that it is time for him to get it out of his system. Talbot says that only then will the memories fade. Talbot tells Rick to take his time and that he will wait as long as he has to.
Hulk wonders why he should care if the Executioner destroys the city. Executioner orders his men to keep firing on the city and that he will carve an empire out for himself. He says that he will return to Asgard as a conquering hero. He says that not even the Hulk can stop them, and that when he conquers the city he will attack the Hulk again and show no mercy. Hulk decides to let Executioner destroy the city and there all he cares about is getting back to his own time. Hulk says that there isn’t anyplace for him to fit in anywhere. Suddenly without thinking Hulk leaps into action to stop Executioner. He says that he just can’t watch him destroy an entire city. Hulk grabs the long legs off the pillboxes and smashes them into each other. Hulk says that he is destroying them and then he will come for the Executioner. Other pillboxes fire at the Hulk again. Hulk rips off one of the legs and uses it as a projectile missile. The other machines start running. Hulk says that they can’t get away and that he needs Executioner to get him back to his own time. Executioner wonders how a mortal can have such power and that he must return and crush him. Executioner sees that the city gates are opening and that maybe they are coming out to finish the Hulk for him.
The people figure that the Hulk drove off the Executioner so that he could conquer the city for himself. The commander tells Hulk to surrender, but Hulk says that he doesn’t surrender to anyone. Suddenly the Hulk’s body begins to fade. Hulk realizes that this is the same thing that happened to him when he was hit by the T-gun.
Back in the cave, Talbot tells Rick that
Banner and the Hulk are dead and that it can’t hurt to
reveal their connection. Rick says that it is time that everyone
learned that Banner was not a traitor. 
Rick says that
Banner was a great guy and that it was only because he was saving
his life that he accidentally became the Hulk. Talbot is stunned
to learn that Banner and the Hulk were the same person. He says
that explains why he never saw them together. Rick starts to walk
away. Talbot says that he wants to hear more. Rick says that
there isn’t anymore and that they are both dead. Talbot asks
what if the Hulk returns and that would mean that Banner is still
alive too. As Talbot and Rick walk out of the cave a mysterious
whirlwind starts to form and then grows faster and faster.
No Excuses rating: 9.5 out of 10
This one has it all! Hulk versus the Executioner could have been a little more action oriented, but it was still a good confrontation. It’s kind of a shame that Executioner was never more of a presence against Hulk. The Hulk has always been about change and this marks perhaps the earliest big change in Marvel history. The world knows that Bruce Banner is the Hulk now and who knows where it will go from here (okay well everybody now, but nobody used to). The art in the issue is phenomenal. Jack Kirby and John Romita work spectacularly together. 4.5 out of 5 for the art.