Tales to Astonish #78

Title: “The Prince and the Puppet!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Adam Austin

Inker: Vince Colletta

The soldier stands with his weapon aimed at Namor. Pym calls him a fool and tells him not to shoot. Namor tells the soldier that he commanded him to begone, but that he dared to disobey him. The soldier tells Pym to watch out. He says that Namor is coming closer, and that he is too strong to take chances with. He says that this is the only thing that will stop him before it is too late. The soldier fires, but Hank Pym deflects the shot. The stray bullet strikes an oxygen tank and causes an explosion. Namor sees the fire and knows that it is the one element he fears. Pym throws a bucket of water on the fire and tells everyone that they have to help or they are all doomed. The soldier that fired grabs a fire extinguisher. He apologizes about firing and says that he just lost his head. Another soldier throws another bucket of water. He says that if the fire reaches the engine room that they won’t stand a chance. Namor realizes that the fire is doing his work for him. He figures that they will be forced to leave his waters, but that with the fire coming closer he has no defense against it. One of the men, named Cooper, gets to the radio to ask for help. Cooper tries, but the radio is already ruined from the fire. He says that he managed to report that Namor was on their ship, but that was all.

Elsewhere, Puppet Master hears of Namor’s being alive and back on the surface where his powers can affect him again. He says that this is the moment he has been waiting for. He says that it is time for him to test his new puppet. He says that every time he tried to defeat the Fantastic Four, or any other costumed foes, that he failed. He says that he vowed never to try again, but that this time he can’t fail. He says that now he has found a “cat’s paw” to do his work for him. A man powerful enough to do what he could never do. He says that all he has to do is make a puppet of the Sub-Mariner out of his radioactive clay. Puppet Master finishes his puppet.

Pym yells at Namor that this is all his fault. Namor says that no matter what that the humans always blame him for everything. He grabs Pym and says that if they have to be enemies, but then suddenly Namor stiffens. Pym notices that it is as if Namor went into shock and he notices a glossy look in Namor’s eyes. Pym asks him what is the matter, but Namor doesn’t answer as Puppet Master’s voice is the only one he hears. Pym realizes that it is as if Namor is hearing voices as Puppet Master tells Namor to leave the ship. Pym realizes something is wrong, but as Namor turns and walks away. Janet tells Pym that though the fire is subsiding that there is still much to be done. Pym is forced to let Namor leave.

Namor leaps into the water as Puppet Master orders him to go to New York.

After the fire dies down, Pym notices that Namor is swimming to New York. He says that he can’t help feeling that this is going to be trouble for America. He says that if only there were some way they could warn them. Janet says that the radio is damaged. She says that if someone like Giant-Man could take hundred foot strides that he might be able to beat Namor to shore. Hank tells Janet to lower her voice. He says that if anyone hears her that it will give everything away. He says that he can’t leave his work now anyway. Jan says that she knows someone who can. She shrinks down to Wasp size and says that it is time for her to fly again. She says that the distance is too far for her tiny wings, but that she can grow to regular size and float on the surface when she gets tired. Hank tells her to think of the danger. Wasp says that he is the one that trained her, and that this is her chance to prove herself worthy of that training. She says that she has come to realize that retirement is unbearably dull.

Wasp flies. She wonders what she will tell others to explain her absence. She decides to fly to the Avengers figuring they will know what to do.  She thinks about how good it feels to fly again and thinks to herself that she must have been mad to beg Hank to give up this life.

Namor arrives at Puppet Master’s sanctum. He tells Namor that before he sends him out to get his revenge for him that he has a chore for him first. He says that for the months that he was forced to hide out that his funds have almost run out. He says that Namor will replenish his funds for him. He says that it should be child’s play for Namor to rob a bank, and that so long as Puppet Master holds the radioactive representation of Namor that he can’t refuse. Puppet Master tells Namor to go and not to come back without a fortune for his master.

Outside the bank, the guard thinks to himself how dull his job is. He thinks about how no one in their right mind would try to rob the strongest bank in the city. He wishes that someone would and wonders how he will ever get a promotion if he never gets the chance to be a hero. He says that he has to find another job. Suddenly, Namor chops the man in the neck and knocks him out. Namor snaps the alarm wire. He drags the guard into the building and takes off to find the main vault. Namor rips through the iron bars to get to the vault. Namor tries to rip open the vault door, but finds that he cannot. Namor picks up a book of matches on the floor and starts a fire. The sprinkler system goes off and covers him in water. With his strength replenished, Namor tears the door off. Namor grabs some “loot” and takes off.

Back at the Puppet Master’s sanctum, Puppet Master tells him that he has stolen non-negotiable bonds. He orders Namor to return and steal him cash.

Namor heads back to the bank; oblivious to the fact that the guard has been revived and that the city is now crawling with troops. One of the troops sees Namor approaching. He says that no matter how powerful Namor is that they have the hardware to stop him. The troops surround Namor. Puppet Master tells Namor that he must not be captured alive. He says that he can’t be allowed to lead them to him. He tells Namor that he must fight to the death.

Prince of the Realm rating: 7 out of 10

I’ve never been a big fan of the Puppet Master, but I have to say that I’m a little surprised that Namor’s willpower was of no use to him against being controlled. I would have figured he would give a little resistance. Nice to see Wasp wishing to be back on the superhero scene. There are some really cool angles in the artwork in this issue. Another nice job there. 4 out of 5 for the art.

Title: “The Hulk Must Die!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Layouts: Jack Kirby

Artwork: Bill Everett

The effects of the T-gun finally wear off on the Hulk and Hulk is returned to the present. Hulk recognizes that he is back in his own time and in his cave. He can’t remember what has happened and is having a hard time thinking. Bruce Banner’s intellect becomes more and more suppressed until Hulk decides that he doesn’t need to think since he is where he belongs and as strong as ever. He says that is all that matters. He says that no matter what world he is in that the men hate and hunt him. He says that there is no place to rest, but that it doesn’t matter. He says that he is strongest of all. He says that he will go anywhere and do anything. He says that no one can stop him. Hulk leaves his cave.

Two soldiers spot the Hulk. One says that Talbot’s order for an around the clock watch paid off. He says that the Hulk is alive and that they have found him. The other soldier say to give him his exact location, rate of speed, and estimated objective and that he will contact the base with it.

Before the message gets to base, Talbot, on behalf of Ross, welcomes Bruce Banner’s replacement Dr. Zaxon. He says that it is an honor to have a scientist of his stature there. Zaxon says that he will try to erase the blot that Banner’s treason has given the name of science. Talbot says that Banner’s treason was never proven, but that he is convinced of it. He asks Zaxon if his field isn’t different from Banner’s anyway. Zaxon says that Banner specializes in gamma rays, but that he has chosen to work with organic energy. Talbot says that it is over his head, but says that he will do anything to help. Zaxon thanks Talbot and says that he will do his best to prove that organic energy will do more for their missile program than Banner’s gamma rays ever could. Suddenly a soldier comes running up to Talbot and says that the Hulk has been sighted. Talbot says that he knew Hulk was alive. Talbot says that they have their orders. He says to follow Plan H. He says that there must be no slip ups and that this time the Hulk won’t escape them. A soldier announces into his radio that Plan H has been activated. Talbot says that he is going to “Project Control”.

Hulk instinctively leaps toward the missile base. Suddenly Hulk is hit with a barrage of heavy artillery. Hulk takes the impact in stride. He starts to land in order to look for the ones that fired on him, but when he hits the ground he falls into Talbot’s trap. Hulk falls into a prepared hole. Hulk starts to leap out, but he is surrounded by a gas of Bruce Banner’s design. Hulk feels the gas seeping into his skin. Hulk starts to choke. Weakly Hulk leaps up, but weak for the Hulk is still enough for him to leap the twenty feet out of the hole. However, at the top of the hole Hulk is dizzy and can not stop from falling into the hole next to the one he just leaped out of. The entire ground is a grid of holes for Hulk to fall into. Talbot pumps more gas into the holes. He says that they can’t relax for an instant. He says to keep the gas coming and that Hulk mustn’t be given a chance to revive. He says that he has to head back to Project Control and that he still has work to do. He thinks to himself that he has to break the news to Betty and the Jones boy.

At that moment, Rick is telling Betty the truth about Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Betty says that she can’t believe it. She says that he must be lying. Rick says that it is just like he told Talbot. He says that they were the same guy, but that now both of them are dead. Betty says that it can’t be and that the Hulk is a menace. Rick tells her that it happened when Bruce saved him from the gamma bomb explosion. He says that Bruce took the whole impact himself. He says that Bruce can’t help himself. He says that it isn’t his fault. Betty turns from Rick. She says that she loved Bruce Banner, and that she can’t stand to think of him as a monster. She says that he was the most wonderful man in the world. Rick says that he was, and that nothing he has said changes that. He says that even when he was the Hulk that he wasn’t so bad. He says that people just misunderstood him. He says that they made him angry. He says that they are both gone now though. Suddenly Talbot opens the door. He tells Betty that he has trapped the Hulk. Rick realizes that if Hulk and Bruce are still alive that he has betrayed their secret.

Back at the pit, the soldiers stand looking down at the Hulk. They say that he wishes the major would get back and that even if the Hulk is supposed to be helpless that he doesn’t like the way he’s looking at them. One asks if anyone as strong as the Hulk can really be helpless. Hulk grabs the wall and tries to start climbing, but he sets off the trip wires that set off the anti-matter elements causing them to explode. Hulk gets angry and leaps up again, but this time he is kept in the hole by a grid of anti-matter beams. The soldiers realize that Hulk can’t get out. Dr. Zaxon comes to see the captured Hulk. He looks into the hole and says that this is a great day for science. Zaxon points an instrument into the hole. He says that this will give him a reading on Hulk’s physiological and molecular make up. Hulk shouts that he will get out and smash them all. Zaxon looks at his machine and says that he can hardly believe the readings. He says that Hulk is like a blast furnace of limitless organic energy. He says that there is no way to measure his strength. He says that if they can keep him under control that there is no limit to what they can learn about harnessing raw power. Talbot, Betty, and Rick arrive. Talbot says that he was about to call Zaxon and that he is glad he is there. Zaxon says that he wouldn’t have missed it. Betty asks if he is really captured. Rick says that he has to see him. Rick looks down and sees that it is really him. He says that they can’t keep him in a pit like some animal. Betty says that she can’t believe that horrible thing is really Bruce Banner. She says that she would rather believe that Bruce were dead. Rick says that he knows how she feels, but that it is the truth. She says to look at the Hulk and that he recognizes her. For a moment, Hulk’s face softens at the sight of Betty, but then the part of Bruce Banner fades and Hulk starts shouting again. Betty says that he didn’t know her, and that he isn’t Bruce Banner. Talbot holds her and says that he doesn’t know what to think now. He says that maybe Rick did lie to him. Rick says to think what they want and says that it doesn’t make any difference. He says that they can’t bring Bruce Banner back anyway. Zaxon says that he will take over now. He tells Talbot that he wants him to get him full authority to experiment on that creature. He says that he may be able to duplicate the conditions that turned him into the Hulk. He says that they will learn if he has a dual identity. Talbot says that he will contact Ross at once. Talbot says that he is putting Zaxon in charge of the Hulk and that he is a matter for science to deal with now. Rick asks Zaxon if he won’t hurt Hulk. Zaxon walks away and says that the interests of science are more important than that brute’s welfare. Rick starts to object, but Talbot says that Zaxon knows what he is doing.

Back at his lab, Zaxon says that he does know what he is doing. He says that he is going to make himself the most powerful man on Earth. He says that he is going to destroy the Hulk by transferring his organic energy into a machine that only he can control. He says that the machine will allow him to control the weather and let him control underground volcanoes to erupt. He says that he will take control of the primitive nations by causing apparitions to appear. He says that the Hulk hasn’t the brains to harness his power, and that is why he must die. He says that once he has his matchless organic energy that he will be the master of Earth. He says that they call the Hulk a menace, but that they won’t know what that word means until they deal with him. He says that no one will be able to oppose him and that he will become Zaxon the first.

That night, Dr. Konrad Zaxon dons a protective armored suit. He calls the guards watching the Hulk and dismisses them. He says that he will take full responsibility. He picks up his weapon and says that nothing can interfere with his mission now. He says that he only has to get close enough to Hulk to aim his organic energy attractor at him and that Hulk’s strength will he his to control.

At the pit, Zaxon turns off the anti-matter beams. He tells Hulk to come out and face his master. Hulk climbs out of the hole and says that no one talks to him like that and lives. Zaxon says that he will remember Hulk’s words because they will be his last. Zaxon fires his weapon at Hulk.

No Excuses rating: 5 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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