Tales to Astonish #86

Title: “The Wrath of Warlord Krang!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Jerry Grandenetti

Inker: Bill Everett

Namor walks the streets knowing that Krang is out there. He says that he can never rest until Krang, who steals his crown and the heart of the one he loves the most, is found. He wonders to himself how he could have known that Dorma’s matchless beauty was a false façade for the heart of a craven deceiver.

Krang says that now that Namor is dead that he is supreme. Dorma says that if Namor is dead that her life is over as well. Krang tells her to be silent and that she has pledged her loyalty to him. She says that it was only so long as Namor lived. Krang says that they will speak on that another time. Krang says that Atlantis will be his now and that he has long waited to make war on the smug surface men, and that he at last will do so. Krang braces his ship. Dorma says that Namor was right about him and that he is mad. She asks why he would want to destroy an entire race. Krang says that it is because of his craving for power. He says that it is not enough for him to rule Atlantis, but that he must be monarch over all. Krang moves his control lever and causes a giant tidal wave that washes over the city.

From atop Rockefeller Center, Namor hears the chaos. He wonders if Krang has struck. Water washes over the people and the streets. Namor knows that this isn’t natural. He thinks to himself that he has little love for witless humans, but that he can’t feel anything but pity for them. He says that he must come to their aid. The people spot Namor and decide that the wave was his fault. Suddenly police are on the roof and open fire on Namor. Namor thinks that he did wish to help, but that in their fear and panic they resort to violence. Namor knocks over the statue of Atlas to give him a moment. He flies off.

Krang admires his handiwork. Dorma begs him to stop before any lives are lost. Krang says that mercy is the badge of weakness.

Outside on a building’s ledge, Namor thinks to himself that even though they are mistakenly attacking him that he must help the humans. Namor overhears a radio transmitter and thinks to himself that if he can get to it in time that he can contact the greatest scientists of Atlantis.

The tidal wave recedes.

Namor thinks to call Vashti and that Vashti can call forth the Council of Science. He says that they will have the means to stem the tide. Namor leaps through the window. The men start alerting the police that Namor is trying to take over the station. Namor calls the men fools for questioning his imperial command. Namor tells the men to get away or he will crush them like fleas. The men run and say that the army will be there in minutes. Namor tries to reach Atlantis, but the equipment isn’t powerful enough. He decides that he has to reach the Air Force.

Drunk on power, Krang takes Dorma into the city itself to appreciate his handiwork. He says that when they get back to his ship that he will launch an even greater tidal wave. Dorma calls Krang a fiend and says that if only Namor were alive. Krang says that even Namor couldn’t stop him now. Dorma overhears two firefighters talking about Namor being alive and trapped in a radio station.

A helicopter, after having been contacted via radio to look for an alien looking ship, spots Krang’s ship.

Minutes later, the navy fires upon Krang’s ship and destroys it. They never received any answer to their challenges. Namor wonders why there was no answer. He thinks that even though Dorma betrayed him that he couldn’t bear having caused her death. He radios in and asks about survivors. The men that had been in the room before Namor send an electrical charge into the room while Namor is handling the equipment. Namor is zapped.

Krang chases after Dorma back to his ship. Krang tells her that even if she reached his ship first that it will only respond to his touch. Dorma and Krang are amazed to find Krang’s ship gone. A net captures Krang and Dorma. Dorma tells Krang that she is glad they are caught. The helicopter flies off with them 

The army bursts in and finds Namor still conscious. The soldiers start piling on Namor, but he swats them away. Namor struggles, but listens in as an announcement tells the people that Namor’s ship was destroyed and that the threat is over. Namor wonders if they really think he was responsible. The loud speaker goes on to say that Namor’s accomplices Krang and Dorma have been captured. Namor is relieved to hear that Dorma is alive. The speakers tell Namor that it is him they want and not his accomplices. They tell Namor that his accomplices have been taken to Columbus Circle. Namor leaps out the window after him.

The helicopter flies around Columbus Circle dangling Dorma and Krang as bait for Namor. Dorma tells Krang that it is getting harder for her to breathe. Krang says that his special formula is wearing off. Dorma says that the pilots do not hear them and don’t realize. Krang says that it can’t end like this when he was so close to victory. He says that soon they will be blue again.

The people below say that they thought all Atlanteans were blue except Namor. They wonder if they are turncoat humans. The people notice Dorma and Krang gasping for air and turning blue.

Namor approaches and the army is warned to prepare for battle.

Prince of the Realm rating: 7 out of 10

Well things are moving along. Krang starts causing a ruckus and is defeated by Namor… via radio. I was hoping for a Namor/Krang fight and not another Namor against the army fight. Still it’s good to see things going finally. It’s amazing how Everett’s inks make this penciller look just like Gene Colon’s Namor. 4 out of 5 for the art.

Title: “The Birth of the Hulk-Killer!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: John Buscema

Inker: Mick Demeo

The people run as Bruce rides the Orion missile into New York City. Bruce says that there is still one chance. He says that he designed this missile and knows every circuit of it. He says that you can’t change its course from the ground, but that he can alter its direction manually.

The men at the radar screen are stunned when the missile changes course and misses the city. One of the men says that someone is steering it for sure.

Bruce resets the Orion for a harmless sea landing. He says that he will be carried to his death, but that at least he won’t have died in vain. He says that he lived as the monstrous Hulk, but that he will die as a man. Before the missile lands, however, Bruce Banner changes into the Hulk. Hulk says, “No! Don’t wanna die! Won’t die…! Nothing can kill me! I’m too strong… too powerful!” Hulk leaps off the Orion missile as it crashes into the water. But as Hulk sits in the water, an Air Force jet, who was following all the action, opens fire on the Hulk. The pilot realizes that it is no use since he used his rockets against the Orion and normal bullets won’t hurt the Hulk. He says that at least he can radio in to the brass so they can know who was behind the attack on New York.

The police find a hidden lab of the Leader. One of the cops says that he knew they would find it sooner or later. He spots a large humanoid in a glass tube and asks what that is. The other cop says that he doesn’t know, but that maybe they could look around and see if they can find some notes from the Leader. The second cop finds the Leader’s diary. He says that the Leader created some kind of powerful robot called humanoids, but that the Hulk beat them all except this one. The humanoid in the tube was created specifically to beat the Hulk… no matter what. The first cop says that it is too bad the Leader didn’t live long enough to use it. He says that this is all too big for them and that he is going to call the Pentagon.

In an hour, Ross, Talbot, and Betty arrive in the Leader’s old lab. Talbot tells Ross to think what it means if that humanoid was designed to beat the Hulk. Ross says that he is way ahead of Talbot, and that this is their one chance to get rid of the Hulk forever. He says that they will find a way and get their top research expert there before nightfall.

A short time later, Ross gives the research expert the Leader’s notes. He says that he doesn’t care how long it takes and that he wants the humanoid brought to life. Betty tries to object, but Ross tells her to stay out of it. Ross tells the expert that he will wait and that he wants the humanoid to kill the Hulk. The man tells Ross that he doesn’t know how long it will take. Ross says that he didn’t ask and that what he said was that he would wait.

Before midnight, the researcher has everything set according to the Leader’s notes. He says that the Leader must have been a genius to create such a complex form of artificial life. He finishes throwing the right controls and the humanoid glows into life. The man says that it worked and that it is alive. Ross says that if anything can destroy the Hulk that a king-sized humanoid should do the trick. The humanoid smashes out of the plexi-glass cage holding it. The humanoid starts to walk. Ross says not to let it leave and that they have to give it its orders. The soldiers find that they can’t stop the humanoid at all. The humanoid walks through the wall as if it weren’t there. Talbot fires his gun at it, but the bullets just bounce off. Ross says that he is going to call for reinforcements.

Rick is standing on the dock when Hulk climbs out of the water. Rick tells Hulk to come with him and that they will find a place to hide. He says that everyone thinks that he is responsible for the Orion missile, and they don’t know he was saving the city. Hulk says that he doesn’t care what people think. Rick says that is good since they are blaming him for everything. Rick says that the iron foundry would be a good place to hide if they could get in. Hulk says that he can get in anywhere and rips the doors off. Rick finds the place deserted. He tells the Hulk to wait there and that he is going to go see about finding them something to eat. Hulk tells Rick to hurry and that he isn’t going to stay there long. Hulk says that everyone always attacks him, but that this time he is going to attack first.

Boomerang is furious. Since the Secret Empire has been destroyed he hasn’t been paid for his services. He says that he risked his life against the Hulk for nothing, but that it wasn’t a total loss. He says that he learned where his weaknesses were and remedied them. He says that he is twice the fighter he was before. He says that there is nothing he can’t do. He says that his flying boomerang can shatter an inch of iron slab, and that even the Hulk couldn’t stand up to him now. Boomerang says that his miniaturized discs are deadlier than ever. He says that his skills have finally paid off and that no weapon can threaten him. Boomerang throws a mini disc and splits a gun barrel in half. He says that his jets are the equal of any flying device in the world. He says that no matter how fast the Hulk leaps that he is the master now. Boomerang says that he is now Hulk’s equal in power, and he is Hulk’s superior in intelligence. He says that the next time they meet that he will beat the Hulk.

Talbot says that they should have never brought the humanoid to life and that it is completely out of control. Talbot uses the atomic flame thrower on the humanoid, but the humanoid isn’t affected at all. The humanoid smashes the flame thrower into pieces. They try an atomic powered sonic cannon on the humanoid at point blank range, but the humanoid de-activates all its auditory and sensory circuits. The men start falling back as they realize they can’t hurt the humanoid at all. They figure that maybe the Hulk can defeat it. The men spread out to find the Hulk.

They lure Hulk back to the scene and then run. Hulk smashes through the wall and sees the humanoid. Hulk charges the humanoid and hits it, but the humanoid absorbs the blow and hits Hulk back with a kick to the body. Hulk is knocked to the ground. Hulk is groggy from the hit and has trouble getting to his feet.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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