Tales to Astonish #82

Title: “The Power of Iron Man!”

Plot: Stan Lee

Script: Roy Thomas

Pencillers: Gene Colon and Jack Kirby

Inker: Dick Ayers

CONTINUED FROM TALES OF SUSPENSE #80

Namor stands before Iron Man and says that he has returned. Iron Man notices that Namor is all wet and realizes that he must have replenished his strength. Iron Man thinks to himself that Namor doesn’t know that he has changed into a new suit of armor and that he too is at his fighting peak. Iron Man tells Namor that the last round may have been Namor’s but that this time it will be different. Namor decides to let Iron Man strike him and then he will “smash him like the overrated fool he is!” Iron Man hits Namor in the stomach and Namor realizes that this is the old Iron Man he remembers. Iron Man thinks to himself that he gave his punch everything, but that it only knocked Namor off balance. He decides that he has to try and keep Namor that way. He hits Namor again and asks how it feels to be on the receiving end. Namor tells Iron Man to boast while he can, and that his defeat draws nearer. Iron Man says that remains to be seen. He says that he is sick of being the target of everyone in need of an outlet for their hostilities. Iron Man unleashes his repulsor rays and sends Namor flying back. Namor says that Iron Man is a worthy foe and that his eventual victory will be sweet. Iron Man flies out of his hurtling and swoops around to attack Iron Man. He tells Iron Man that he is the one that ruined his chance to overtake Warlord Krang and the faithless Dorma. Iron Man realizes that is why Namor attacked him. Namor tells Iron Man that this is his penalty and hits him into a wall of machinery. Iron Man recalls that this section is filled with top priority weapons for SHIELD. He thinks that they can’t be destroyed. Namor sees Iron Man still moving and leaps at him. He says that he will drag him into the sea as a final humiliation. Iron Man smashes his two fists into Namor and realizes that he just has to keep Namor away from the water and that his strength will diminish while the strength in his armor remains constant. Namor swings wildly and Iron Man leaps over it. Iron Man taunts Namor saying that he is a fish out of water. Namor says that none mock him and live. Namor tells Iron Man to run like the coward that he is and tears a giant piece of machinery apart. Iron Man thinks to himself that Namor has done what he feared the most and torn the mango-volt projector from its base. He sees Namor figuring out how to fire it and thinks about how it is untested and how its virtually limitless power may destroy them both. Iron Man tells Namor to wait, but Namor just takes it as a sign of fear. Iron Man leaps over the projected beam and flies into Namor smashing the weapon. Iron Man says that in another few seconds and the entire area would have gone up in a flash of light. Iron Man says that now it is strength against strength. Namor tells Iron Man that his strength comes from his armor and that he will rip it off him. Namor palms Iron Man’s mask. Iron Man uses a judo move to flip Namor off. The move drains the armor’s power and Iron Man realizes he needs to get to the energo-grip to replace his power. Namor tells Iron Man to rise or beg mercy from his master. Iron Man grabs the grip and starts to recharge. Namor suspects what Iron Man is doing and Iron Man is forced to attack and stop recharging. He hits Namor and says that he has the upper hand now. He keeps hammering blows onto Namor and knocks him back into some machinery. Namor says that he has never been hit harder. Iron Man tries to tell Namor that they have no reason to fight, but Namor calls him a liar and charges into Iron Man. He tells Iron Man that he stopped him from overtaking his once beloved Lady Dorma. Iron Man thinks that he doesn’t know who Dorma is, but that she must be pretty special to affect Namor this way.

Nearby, the police see Iron Man and Namor together and prepare to fire sleeping gas at them. They spot Namor breaking free of Iron Man’s grip.

Namor presses a giant machine over his head and tells the “spineless humans” to get away from his with their weapons. Iron Man tells the cops to get back and that the machine he is holding weighs tons. Namor chucks the machine through the wall. He says to let that serve as a warning to any that attempt to stay his hand. He says that his struggle is with Iron Man and that any that hinder their struggle do so at their peril. The police pull out the heavy artillery. Namor asks if the dare risk his wrath. The cop says that it is their job. Namor says that he will show them what he thinks of their weapons, but just then Iron Man grabs him from behind. Namor says that he was careless, and then smashes Iron Man into a wall. Iron Man says that isn’t good enough and hits Namor. He thinks to himself that Namor is getting weaker, and that if he can just keep him there that he may be able to defeat him. Namor says that he feels the sting of the blows more than he should and says that he needs water. Iron Man tells him to use whatever excuses he wants, but that he can’t win. Iron Man tells Namor to surrender, but Namor says that he will never do so. Suddenly, out in the water, Namor spots Krang’s ship and realizes that he must be watching hoping to see his defeat. With new strength, Namor shoves Iron Man aside. He flies into the air and dives into the water to continue chasing down Krang and Dorma.

The cops say that they have to call the coast guard, but Iron Man tells them not to and that he understands now what Namor’s problem is. The cops ask Iron Man what he was doing inside the factory and that it is restricted. Iron Man says that he is sorry, but that he has no time right now. Iron Man takes off and says that he will double back and sneak into the factory when it is dark. He says that he has to make the most important decisions of his life.

Several hours later, alone in his luxurious executive offices, Tony Stark is thinking about Senator Byrd. He decides that he can’t withhold the secrets of Iron Man’s armor from the nation when it may save lives. He says that he is going to make the call that may change history itself. Stark picks up the phone and says that he wants to speak to Senator Byrd.

Prince of the Realm rating: 9 out of 10

Not much more than a battle issue, but what a battle issue! Seems, from this issue at least, that Iron Man could take Namor. Far from me to wish anyone ill, but I have to say that I’m kinda happy that Gene Colon got the flu after drawing the first two pages of this issue. Jack Kirby’s work on this issue is intense! A perfect 5 out of 5 for the art!

Title: “The Battle Cry of the Boomerang!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Designer: Jack Kirby

Illustrator: Bill Everett

The Hulk reappears on the surface and is instantly barraged with artillery. Hulk startles and says that men always attack him. He asks why it never stops. Hulk rushes over to a large boulder and picks it up. The artillery blows the rock into pieces in Hulk’s hand. ON the ground, Hulk crawls into a nearby cave to hide from the soldiers. Suddenly the shelling stops.

Minutes later, Hulk watches the soldiers from the cave as they rush by. One soldier says that he is sure he saw the Hulk. Another soldier asks why the Hulk would be on a missile-testing range. Another soldier asks how anyone can figure out why the Hulk does what he does. After the soldiers are gone, Hulk says that he can leave now. Hulk leaps into the air and all the soldiers that were looking for him fire. After the firing stops, General Ross rides in on a jeep and asks why the firing has stopped. One soldier tells Ross that the Hulk got away and that he leaped too high and out of range. Ross says that they will get him. He says to alert every radar installation in the sector. He says that his daughter and that Hulk is tied in with her disappearance somehow. Ross cancels all leaves and orders every available man to go after the Hulk. Just then Talbot and Rick arrive. Ross says that Talbot was searching for Betty and asks where she is. One of the soldiers notes that the two of them look pretty beat up. Ross tells Talbot to tell him where Betty is and says that the Hulk has to have captured her. Talbot says that they did find Betty, but that when they were bringing her back to Ross that they were attacked and they lost her again. Rick says that it wasn’t Talbot’s fault and that nothing could have stopped… the Boomerang. Rick says that he could fly using rockets and used discs to cut guns in two. Ross asks Talbot if he means to tell him that he and his entire patrol were beaten by one man. Talbot says that he understands Ross’ anger, but that this was no ordinary man. Rick says that bullets were useless against him. Ross tells Rick to shut up. Talbot sweats as Ross tells him that he is holding him personally responsible for his daughter’s safety. Talbot says that he loves Betty as much as Ross does, and that he would give his life to bring her back. Rick says that only the Hulk would have a chance against Boomerang, but that with the way Ross hounds him. Talbot interrupts and says that the Hulk would never help them after all that’s happened. Ross says to forget the Hulk and that it is Boomerang they are after.

On their screen, the Secret Empire watches Boomerang flying away with Betty. They say that Boomerang has succeeded in the first part of the plan and that they must now see if Ross can be coerced into giving them the Orion missile. Number Five asks how they know Boomerang can be trusted and that he is holding all the cards. One says that no one would cross them, and that even Boomerang knows that their power blankets the entire globe. Number Five goes to contact Boomerang when a jet of green gas blows into his face and kills him. The two remaining agents figure that it must have been Number Nine and that he has sworn to lead them. They realize that everyone that stands between Number Nine and leadership could be killed next. They say that without proof they can’t do anything except keep an eye on Number Nine

Boomerang flies along with Betty in his arms. He tells Betty that it is nothing personal, and that this is just a job to him. Betty says that Boomerang won’t be so smug when her father catches him. Suddenly, Hulk leaps by. Betty calls out to Hulk for help. Hulk recognizes the voice and says that he has to help. Boomerang starts pouring on the speed. Hulk leaps at Boomerang, but Boomerang changes direction and dodges him. Hulk says that he will get him. Minutes go by and Boomerang realizes that while he can’t keep this up forever that the Hulk doesn’t seem to get tired. Boomerang says that he can’t keep it up without endangering Betty, and that she is too important to him. He puts her down and says that he will take the Hulk on. Betty tells him not to. She says that he will kill him, and that no one can stand up to the Hulk. Boomerang says that he appreciates the concern, but that it is wasted on him. He says that his magnetic discs make him any man’s master. Boomerang magnetizes a bunch of discs together. Hulk says that nothing stops him. Boomerang throws the first group onto Hulk’s left knee. He hits Hulk again on his other leg and a group to the chest. The groups start getting pulled together and Hulk is folded in half and drops to the ground. Boomerang says that now he will pull out his most deadly weapon. Hulk says that is just a Boomerang and that it can’t hurt him. Boomerang tells Hulk to bite his tongue. He says that the Boomerang can do everything but talk, and that he is working on that too. Boomerang sets his boomerang for maximum electrical intensity. Hulk tears the groups of magnetic discs off just as he is hit with the electrical burst. Boomerang tells Hulk not to bother looking for him when he wakes up. Boomerang asks why Hulk hasn’t fallen yet. Hulk says that nothing stops him. Boomerang says that he is beginning to think Hulk means it. Boomerang grabs Betty and says that at least he has slowed Hulk down enough for a fresh start. Betty tells Boomerang not to do it and that Hulk will never stop chasing him. She says that his only chance is to leave her. Hulk leaps after Boomerang. Hulk says that nothing escapes him and orders Boomerang to put Betty down. Boomerang realizes that he is out of options. Betty wonders to herself if Rick is right and that Hulk is really Bruce Banner trying to save her.

Just then a spotter plane sees Hulk, Boomerang, and Betty. He radios his findings to base command. Ross is informed. Ross tells Talbot to tell the strike force that they are moving out in thirty seconds. Talbot says that Boomerang won’t escape him again. Ross tells Talbot that he isn’t coming. Talbot says that Betty may be in danger, and that Ross can’t keep him from her. Ross says that he is still in charge, and that when they leave that they will be leaving the Orion missile completely unguarded. He tells Talbot that he is security officer there, and that he is going to guard the missile. As Ross drives away Talbot asks what about Betty. Ross says that if he and his men can’t bring her back that he doesn’t know what Talbot could do. Talbot watches them go and tells Rick that Ross is right of course. Rick says that Talbot might have to stay behind, but that he is a civilian for now. Rick leaps onto the back of one of the convoy’s trucks.

Hulk orders Boomerang to let the girl go over and over. Boomerang says that he gets the message. He figures that he has to relinquish the girl in a way that the Hulk can’t follow. Boomerang tells Betty not to be afraid. He says that he is going to let her go, but that she will be safe enough. Boomerang tosses Betty at Hulk and says not to say that he never gave Hulk anything. Boomerang jets off to the arriving Secret Empire helicopter. Hulk sees that Boomerang is escaping, but says that he doesn’t care and that he has the girl. He says that no one beats him. Betty thinks to herself that Hulk’s arms are so huge and brutal, but that they are strangely gentle.

The men in the helicopter ask Boomerang where the girl is. Boomerang says that he had to trade her for their lives.

Betty looks up at the Hulk and wonders if she has been saved or just traded one danger for a far greater one. Hulk looks up at the departing plane. He shouts that he beat Boomerang and that he beats everything. Betty looks at Hulk shaking his fist and wonders how she could have thought the Hulk was Bruce Banner. Hulk looks down at Betty, and Betty studies his face for any sign of the man she loves.

No Excuses rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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