Tales to Astonish #83

Title: “The Sub-Mariner Strikes!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jack Kirby

Inker: Dick Ayers

Namor flies directly at Krang’s ship. Krang says that Namor’s instincts lead him right to them even though he activated the metal-molecular camouflager changing the appearance of his ship. Krang says that Namor will regret his attack and that he has weapons enough to destroy any foe. He says that Namor has to be destroyed or they will never be safe. He says that Namor hates them both now that he thinks Dorma chose to betray him. He says that Namor doesn’t suspect that Dorma agreed to become his bride because she loves Namor beyond all measure. Dorma tells Krang to stop. She says that she only agreed to marry him because he vowed to spare Namor’s life. She says that he cannot make a mockery of her sacrifice. Krang sets off a hydro force blast and says that he only promised that Namor would survive the Behemoth and that he did. Namor dodges the blast and then using the time it will take to recharge slams into the hull of the ship. The hull nearly shatters. Namor announces to Krang that if he surrenders that he will receive a trial from a jury of his peers, but that if he fights on that no power in the cosmos will save him from his fury. Krang tells Dorma to stand back. He says that he is flying into the city where Namor will fear harming innocent bystanders. Dorma tells Krang that he doesn’t know Namor if he thinks there is anything that will save him from his wrath. Namor thinks to himself that Dorma must be on board too, but that he won’t think of her so that he won’t give in to uncontrollable rage.

Krang sees a rooftop and seeks to land on it, but Namor reaches the rooftop first and catches the entire ship in just his hands. Krang says that he is firing his sonic vortex ray. Dorma says that if he harms Namor that her sacrifice will have been in vain. She asks Krang to project her image on the ship’s exterio-screen so that she can try to reason with Namor. Krang says that only he can make such decisions. Dorma says that Namor is unarmed, but that Krang has his warship at his command. She asks how victory this way can bring him any satisfaction. Krang says that her unthinking love has blinded her from the danger that they are in. He says that as long as Namor lives that he cannot relax his vigil for an instant. He tells Dorma to grab some support, and that the recoil will be intense. Namor is blown back and part of the top of the building is destroyed. Krang says that Namor may not be dead, but that the top of his head may be injured and that is his most vulnerable spot. Dorma asks what he means and Krang tells her about the years Namor was missing from Atlantis when he had amnesia caused by a blow to the head.

Namor recovers from the blast. He flies back to the ship and begins to tear the thing apart. Krang activates the power borer, but Namor dodges it and punches the thing.

Below, the police try to hold back the rubberneckers from looking on.

Number One of the Secret Empire watches Namor through binoculars. He says that if he had someone like Namor serving him in the past that maybe he wouldn’t be hiding like a petty criminal. He says that it was the Hulk that frustrated his earlier plans, but that now he has found the one man whose strength might be the equal of the green monster. He says that if he can find a way to make Namor serve him that the Secret Empire will rise again.

Krang’s ship rises back into the air, but Namor hangs onto it. He says that he will never let Krang escape until he has confronted Lady Dorma for the last time. Namor crawls over to one of the ship’s portholes so that he can see the ones who have betrayed him.

Seconds later, Namor stands looking at Dorma through the window of the ship. Dorma can see the hatred in his eyes. Krang tells her to get back and asks if she has forgotten his power, but Dorma can only hear the sobbing of her heart. Dorma tells Namor that it is he she loves, and that she did not betray him but fled with Krang in order to save his life. Namor, hearing none of this through the glass, smashes his fist through the porthole. Namor says that the time of reckoning has arrived. Krang tells Namor that he hasn’t won yet and hits Namor point blank with a shock blast mortar. Namor is sent hurtling from the ship, but Namor says that he will be back before Krang can prepare another mortar. Namor quickly dives into the water to restore his strength. He thinks to himself that if only he could banish the sight of Dorma’s face from his mind. He thinks that even though his hatred for Krang, and Dorma’s betrayal that he still can’t strike with his fullest might. He says that now he must forget such things since he is at his peak.

Suddenly, Number One arrives on the scene in a hovercraft. He watches Namor emerge from the water and admires his power and speed. He thinks what an ally Namor will be against the Hulk. Number One says that he will just follow them, and that when the timing is right that he will hit Namor with his lobotomizer, and give him a jolt to the brain that will cause Namor to obey him.

Namor is flying back at the ship. Dorma tells Krang that he is going to have to surrender. Krang says that he has one more weapon to use against Namor, but that it is his most deadly. Dorma says that she is warning Krang that if Namor is injured or worse that she will never marry him, and that she would rather die first. Krang tells her that can be arranged. Krang activates his fleet destroyer. Dorma recognizes it as his fission bomb that is capable of shattering an entire undersea navy.

Namor sees the fleet destroyer coming at him and knows that it is pre-set to his heartbeat. He says that his only chance is to try and hit it head on. Namor hits it and tries to damage it before detonation. Namor damages the bomb enough so as to lesson the explosion, but the bomb goes off and sends Namor falling into the sea.

Number One watches Namor fall. He sees that the other ship is gone. He sees that Namor is in shock. He helps him aboard his hovercraft and says that he will use the lobotomizer on him before he can resist. He thinks to himself that it is hard to believe that anyone so normal looking could possess such power. Number One tells Sub-Mariner to sit and rest. Namor asks why he calls him that. Number One asks if that isn’t his name. Namor says that he doesn’t know. He says that he can’t remember anything. Number One realizes that he won’t even need the lobotomizer and that Namor has lost his memory. He says that he couldn’t have planned this better. Namor asks Number One who he is. Number One says that he is his friend, and that all the human race is his enemy… except him.

Prince of the Realm rating: 8.5 out of 10

It’s cool to see the two titles in this book coming together as one. I’m still liking Namor’s rage building him up to the point that he isn’t even listening. Kirby really has some dramatic shots in this issue.

Title: “Less Than Monster More Than Man!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Layouts: Jack Kirby

Art: Bill Everett

Betty kneels on the ground looking up at the Hulk in the rain. Betty realizes that she has to keep calm and not scream. She figures that it might send him running amok. Hulk turns towards the hillside and digs his hands into it. Betty watches as Hulk pulls a giant hole in the hillside and creates a cave. Hulk lifts Betty inside and Betty realizes that he did it so that she would be more comfortable out of the rain. Hulk sits on the opposite side of the cave. Betty says that if Hulk really doesn’t mean her any harm that he has to take her to her father. Hulk says, “No! He’s General! Hated Hulk! Tried to kill Hulk!” Betty thinks to herself that Hulk is right and that her father has never given Hulk a chance. Slowly, and hesitatingly, comes to Hulk. Her eyes burn into his and searches for some sign of Bruce Banner. She says that it doesn’t seem possible, but that sometimes she feels that he is Bruce Banner. She asks what could have transformed him into the Hulk. Hulk looks at her struggling. Betty wonders if the man she loves is inside Hulk’s grotesque face if she has lost him forever.

Inside the Secret Empire’s helicopter, they tell Boomerang that they are disappointed that he has failed them for the first time. They say that he let the girl escape. Boomerang says that the Hulk took her away from him, and that nobody can stop the Hulk. Secret Empire says that they aren’t impressed with carefully framed excuses. Boomerang says that it isn’t the girl they want, but the Orion missile. He says that he still may be able to get it. One of the Secret Empire says that nobody gets a second chance. Boomerang says that he isn’t “nobody”, and that he is Boomerang. He says that he isn’t afraid of them, or Number One. Suddenly the radio comes on with information about General Ross’ giant task force that is going after the Hulk. Boomerang says that the ball game isn’t over yet. He says that he is going after the missile, and that he doesn’t make a habit out of failing. Boomerang flies off realizing that Ross probably only has a skeleton crew guarding the Orion missile. He activates the guidance system in his chest device. He says that this will be much simpler than trying to get the missile with a hostage.

Ross says that Hulk won’t escape him this time and that he has enough muscle to get rid of a hundred Hulks. Ross announces that they have reached “Area A”, and that “Target H” may be anywhere in the area. He says to dispatch search parties. Ross’ drive says that no matter how strong the Hulk is that he wouldn’t want to be in Hulk’s shoes now.

Back in the cave, Hulk says that he rain stopped. He says that he is hungry, and that he will build a fire and get food. Betty watches him walk out and says that it is odd, but that she is no longer afraid of him. She says that she can’t help feeling that he isn’t evil. She thinks about how men are always hunting him and that maybe if just one person showed some faith and trust in him that things might be different. Hulk pushes a rock up and picks the dry sticks out from underneath. He grabs two large pieces of flint rock and smashes them together with such force that the friction alone causes the wood pile to burst into flame. Hulk tells Betty to wait for him, and that he is will be back. He leaps into the air and says that it is easier to see food from up there. Suddenly Ross’ forces are firing on Hulk.

Back at the base, Talbot stands guarding the missile with a small, but heavily armed unit. He wishes there were some word on Betty. He thinks that he wishes he were searching for Betty, but that he is a soldier and must do as he is told. Suddenly a metal disc shoots into the room and breaks the propellant fluid tank. The tank explodes and Talbot’s leg is injured. One of the soldiers says that he will alert the medic about the shrapnel, but Talbot says to never mind him. He tells the soldier to get the missile out of there before it blows. He says that they have to guard the missile with their lives if necessary. Outside, Boomerang thanks the soldiers for bringing out the missile for him, and that he will take it from here.

At the Secret Empire, Number Two says that Boomerang has failed them and that he must pay the standard penalty of death. Number Nine protests and Number Two asks how dare he. Number Nine says that they can’t afford to lose an ally like that, and that he may still get the missile for them. Number Two says that ever since Number Five’s death last month that Number Nine has been under suspicion. He says that this is the last straw. He accuses Number Nine of high treason, and that even Number One will breathe easier once Nine has been eliminated. Nine asks if they really thought he wouldn’t be prepared for such an eventuality. He says that he is going to shorten his climb to Number One and throws a stun grenade. He says that once they recover that the Secret Empire will be under his control. Number Nine undoes his robes to reveal his protective armor. He says that now only Number One stands between him and the goal which nothing can stop him from attaining.

Hulk stands facing down Ross’ task force. Ross says that he has got Hulk now. He orders Hulk to return his daughter to him. Hulk says that nobody orders him. Hulk charges toward Ross as the firing begins. Hulk grabs a jeep and presses it over his head about to smash Ross with it. Ross says that he will face up to a hundred like him for his daughter. He says that killing him will only seal Hulk’s fate and orders Hulk to surrender while he can. Suddenly, Rick Jones leaps out of the back of the truck he was in. He says that the Hulk isn’t a killer, and that he is just confused. He says to let him talk to him. Hulk tells Rick to stay back and that nobody tricks him. He says that no one is his friend. Ross tells Rick to stay back, but Rick says that Hulk will know him, and that he has to remember him. Rick tells Hulk that he and Bruce Banner aren’t killers. He tells Hulk to think and remember. Hulk says, “Bruce Banner! That name… always in my brain!! I hate it! Hate Bruce Banner!!” Hulk turns from Ross and throws the jeep. Hulk says, “Banner is weak! Banner is afraid! Hulk fears nothing! Hulk can do anything!” Hulk grabs Ross. Ross orders his men to never mind him and open fire. Hulk grabs Rick. Rick tells Ross not to and that Hulk is taking them to see his daughter. Hulk leaps away with the two of them. The soldiers say that they will follow on the ground.

After a dozen leaps, Hulk returns to Betty by the fire holding her father and Rick. Betty rushes to her father’s arms and says that Hulk did bring him back to her. She says that she was afraid she would never see him again. Ross tells her not to worry. He says that his men will be there in minutes and that this will be the end of the Hulk. Betty tells her father that he is wrong. She says that Hulk isn’t the menace, but that he saved her from Boomerang. Ross shields Betty from the Hulk and asks if she wasn’t frightened by the monster. Betty says that she is convinced that Rick is right and that the Hulk is really Bruce Banner… the man she loves. Betty walks toward the Hulk. Ross tells her to come back and that she doesn’t know what she is talking about. He tells her to just look at him. Betty says that something happened to change him, and that she can’t desert him when he needs her. Confused by all the talk, Hulk shouts that he doesn’t need anybody or anything. Hulk leaps off. Rick tells Hulk not to leap off without him, and that he wants to help him. Ross recounts what Betty told him and says that he thinks he is beginning to understand. Ross tells Betty and Rick to come with him back to the base, and that they have a lot to talk about. Rick asks how they will reach the Hulk again and what will happen when they do.

Hulk sits all alone on a hilltop.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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