Tales to Astonish #87

Title: “Moment of Truth!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Illustrator: Bill Everett

Namor rushes headlong to rescue Dorma and the unspeakable Krang knowing full well that there are dangers awaiting him in a trap. He says that nothing will stop him from facing those who have betrayed him. He says that as long as he lives that Krang will be made to pay for coveting his throne and taking the love of Lady Dorma.

Around the corner, the soldiers are taking the net off Dorma and Krang. They see that their skin has turned blue and that they are gasping for air. One of the soldiers tells the others not to take their eyes off of them and that Namor is just turning the corner now. Dorma realizes that they are the bait in a trap and says that even if she should perish that she has to warn Namor. Dorma shouts out to Namor to take to the air and that he is about to be ambushed. The military opens fire at “target zero”, but Namor heard Dorma and has flown above the onslaught. One rocket powered shell grazes Namor’s shoulder. Namor flies at the military while they are adjusting the angle of their weapons. He sees Dorma and Krang still standing on the netting that caught them. Namor swoops down and scoops up Dorma and Krang in the netting. He says that they will yet face the justice of Namor the first. Namor dives into the water with the net.

Hours later, Namor has reached the gates of Atlantis. He says that the golden realm is no longer a haven for traitors and releases Dorma and Krang from the net. Dorma thanks Neptune that Namor is still alive. Namor tells her that her warning saved him, and that he will remember that at the time of trial. Krang tells Namor that he is an overconfident fool and that he should have slain him while he had the chance. Krang says that Namor is wounded and unarmed and that he will be helpless before him. Krang says that as Warlord of Atlantis that he has always been the mightiest warrior save for Namor, and that his injury makes him weaker by the minute. Krang says that he will be Namor’s master at last. Namor tells Krang that he is only master of cowardice and deceit. Krang hits Namor and says that his mouth speaks with royal power that his limbs no longer possess. He says that after all the battles lost that he will have the final victory. He says that the people will make him their ruler when they learn how he has destroyed Namor. While Krang and Namor fight, Dorma flees. Namor figures it means that Dorma has no real concern for him, but Dorma knows that if the fight continues that Namor will surely lose. Dejected again at what he perceives to be another betrayal by Dorma, Namor’s will to fight leaves him. Krang hits Namor again and tells him that he has waited for his glorious triumph over his greatest enemy.

Inside Atlantis, Dorma finds Vashti. She tells him of Namor and Krang’s battle. Vashti tells her to come with him into his sanctum of science. Vashti sets his teleportation beam for Namor and Krang’s exact location.

Krang and Namor are grabbed by the teleportation beam. Krang says that it can’t happen now when he is so close to his greatest goal. Inside Atlantis, the guards grab Krang while Namor grabs his shoulder wound. Krang tells the guards to unhand the one destined to be their monarch. Namor says that Krang profanes the word with his traitorous tongue. Vashti says that Namor has been mortally wounded and to take him to the medi-ray chamber.

In the medi-ray chamber, Namor is subjected to the full curative intensity of the medi-ray chamber. Two heartbeats later, Namor flies out of the machine and orders the summoning of his court in the throne room.

In the throne room, Namor sits before Krang. He says that he will now pass judgment. Krang says that he pleads no defense. He says that he risked all to win the empire, but that fate decreed that he be denied. He says to put an end to this mockery and slay him. He says that he will go to his death unrepentant. Namor says that a mere execution will settle nothing. He says that Krang still believes that he is fit to rule, but that he knows he is not. He says that before Krang meets his judgment that all must know beyond a shadow which of them is the master. He says that they will battle for the throne of Atlantis. Krang says that everyone knows that no one can match Namor’s strength. Namor says that the odds will be equaled. He says that he will use no weapon or armament while Krang will be allowed whatever his villainous limbs can carry. Krang agrees and says that Namor has overreached himself. He says that he will employ weapons enough to crush him. One of the guards tells Namor to reconsider and reminds him that Krang is the master of weaponry, but the other guard tells him to be silent and that Namor has spoken and that his word will stand eternal.

Krang readies for the fight. He says that Namor will never be able to win against a suit of magnesium chain mail armor worn over a protective electro-repellent chest shield. He says that Namor’s ego will be his undoing. Krang dons the indestructible command helmet that Namor himself proposed the design for. He then puts on his chief weapon… forged steel gauntlets armed with electronic knuckles. He says that Namor is doomed.

Namor and Krang face one another. Namor tells Krang that he has lusted after his throne for years, and that it is now his for the taking and that he only has to defeat him in battle. Krang says that he will defeat him and that never have the odds been more in his favor. Vashti calls for a beginning to the battle. Krang hits Namor with his electronic knuckles, but as Namor falls back he sticks his feet into Krang’s stomach and flips him over. Namor says that he has waited too long for his moment of total retribution. Namor hits Krang in the chest, but hurts his hand against Krang’s chest shield. Krang tells him to go ahead and hit him again and he will surely shatter his hand. Krang launches himself head first into Namor’s stomach and rams the indestructible helmet into him. Namor says that Krang was given every chance and allowed to sue the weapons of his own choosing against him, but that the time of trial is now ended. He says that the sentencing will now begin. Namor snatches Krang upside down and asks what good his weapons are now that he has no opportunity to employ them. He presses Krang over his head and says that for a traitor born that there can only be a traitor’s fate. Namor tosses Krang into a thick wooden pole and shatters it. Krang slumps to the floor and Namor raises his hand in victory. He says, “In the name of Father Neptune, now dost Namor the first, Prince of Atlantis, Emperor of the Deep, Lord of the Seven Seas, and supreme commander of the undersea legions, duly proclaim for all to witness… the victory is truly mine! Let no man deny that Namor is… and ever shall be… Prince of the Blood! Imperius Rex!” Namor tells the traitor to rise. He says that he has sent him into exile before, but that Krang dared to challenge his reign anew. He says that all Atlantis now knows that he has been bested in fair combat. Krang asks what his fate is. Namor says that it is the fate of all who betray their trust. He says that he will never again behold the glory of Atlantis or walk as an equal among the others of the realm. Namor orders Krang taken to the furthest deeps, to be kept in total isolation, until it pleases him to suffer his release. He says that because of Krang that the surface-men are now his enemy again. He says that Atlantis was almost plunged into a catastrophic war which none could win. He say that because of him he almost lost she whom he holds dearest of all that live. He says that execution alone can’t pay for that and to take him away. The people chant their approval.

Dorma bows before Namor. Namor tells her that Krang explained her seeming betrayal of him, and that she was told that accepting his marriage proposal would save his life. Dorma says that is true and that there is no sacrifice she would not make for her prince. Namor tells Dorma to rise. He tells her to let her head be lifted and to no longer avert her eyes. He says that from this moment forward that by imperial decree that Dorma may never again kneel before him. He says, “She shall stand at my side… with all due honor… as one who shall someday be princess of the realm!... As one who is truly a peer! And know you, my lady… whatever befalls… the gratitude… the trust… and the heart of your prince shall be yours… while Atlantis endures! Imperius Rex!”

Prince of the Realm rating: 10 out of 10

Now this is what I’m talking about! Nicely woven tale by Stan “The Man” Lee. He finds a way for Dorma to prove herself true to Namor while still allowing Namor to be the big man on campus. Dorma could have let Krang defeat Namor, but she pulled his fat out of the fire. Then Namor, restored to health, defeats a fully armed Krang. Krang is banished and Dorma is celebrated. Impeccable art by the classic Bill Everett. The only thing better than Everett’s inks on Namor is Everett inking his own stuff on Namor.

Title: “The Humanoid and the Hero!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Penciller: John Buscema

Inker: Mickey D.

The humanoid presses Hulk’s face back and prepares to hit with a busted piece of machinery, but Hulk hits the humanoid in the stomach. The humanoid absorbs the blow, but Hulk hits it again this time in the face. Hulk begins to realize the futility of his blows, but it only makes him angrier and angrier. He pounds and pounds on the humanoid, but doesn’t get anywhere. Soldiers watch on as the humanoid hits Hulk back and knocks him to the ground.

Ross says that the humanoid floored the Hulk with one blow. Betty reminds everyone that the Hulk is really Bruce Banner and asks why no one will help him. Ross asks Betty if she has forgotten that Hulk, Bruce Banner, or whoever he is tried to destroy New York with the Orion missile. He says that the Hulk is too dangerous to be left at large. Betty asks her father how he can be so sure that Bruce was trying to harm the city. Ross says that it is because he is not in love with him the way she is.

On the east coast of Florida, an officer is interrogating Gorski. He says that he has already confessed to sabotage on the Orion missile. He says that he just wants to know how he got the Hulk to team up with him. Gorski says that the man must be nuts. He says that the Hulk was never working for him, and that he doesn’t even know him. He says that the Hulk ruined everything for him and that he thought Hulk was working for them. He says that the Orion missile was going to ground zero in Manhattan, but that when the Hulk leaped onto it that he changed its course. He says that he can’t trick him, and that they all know that the Hulk alone saved the entire city. The officer picks up the phone quickly and says that he has an emergency call to make.

Moments later, Talbot picks up a phone at the scene of the battle. He is told that the Hulk is innocent. Talbot thinks to himself that if only he had gotten this call a few minutes later that he would have been rid of the Hulk and the man that Betty loves forever. He chides himself for thinking that way and reminds himself that he is a solider and has a duty to perform. He says that if the Hulk is innocent that he must be saved. Talbot tells Ross that the Hulk actually saved the city. Betty says that she knew it in her heart all the time. Talbot says that they have been tragically wrong about the Hulk and that they have to find a way to stop the humanoid. Ross says that he can’t use the proton shell on one of them without blasting the other as well. He says that if they could only separate them somehow. Off to the side, Rick Jones is trying to get through a barricade of soldiers.

The humanoid bashes Hulk in the head with a wooden club. The soldiers wonder how much longer the Hulk can take this kind of beating. Hulk tries to think. He leaps into the humanoid and drives him up into the air. Hulk says that now they will see how the humanoid fights in the air. Two thousand feet in the air, the humanoid makes its body hollow and floats in the air as it attacks the Hulk.

Boomerang dons his new outfit. He says that the old one was a symbol of defeat to him, but that now he has power unmatched. He says, “Each portable disc which I carry on my blouse has the power of a dozen hand grenades… and can be hurled with deadlier accuracy!” Boomerang flies out. After having heard about the Hulk’s battle with the humanoid on the radio he figures that he would go over and gloat over the Hulk’s annihilation. Boomerang spots Hulk and the humanoid falling out of the sky. He tells Hulk that he was lucky that it wasn’t him that beat him and that he wouldn’t be as gentle.

Hulk and the humanoid hit the ground and shatter it. Hulk thinks to himself that he can’t beat the humanoid in the air and that he has to find a way to beat him on the ground. Hulk says that nothing can beat him. He thinks that he can’t stop the humanoid with punches or in the air. He says that there has to be some way and for the first time admits that he needs Banner’s brains to beat the humanoid. Hulk wonders where Banner is.

The army surrounds the Navy yard where Hulk and his opponent landed and Ross demands to be let in. Talbot sees that the humanoid is still pounding on the Hulk with its greater speed. He wonders why the Hulk keeps taking it and doesn’t leap to safety. Rick Jones says that the Hulk will never retreat. He says that this time the Hulk has to escape and that maybe he can convince him. Rick rushes to the fight.

Rick tries to advise Hulk, but when he gets there the humanoid swats him down. The shock of seeing his friend injured causes the Hulk to transform back into Bruce Banner. The humanoid stands there pondering its next move. Bruce helps Rick to his feet. Betty sees Bruce and says that there can be no doubt now that the Hulk isn’t a monster and never was. Talbot orders the men to ready for firing. Bruce says that the humanoid is too powerful and that there may be a better way. He tells Talbot to have his men keep the humanoid confused and off balance. Talbot says that he will, but that Banner had better come up with something fast. Banner says that he will so long as they haven’t removed the heavy equipment from the yard’s repair shop.

Bruce runs over to the equipment he needs. Betty says that Bruce has to show the world what she already knows… that he isn’t a menace. Bruce says that the humanoid isn’t alive but merely a machine. He says that any machine can be immobilized. Bruce tells Rick to have Ross get as many good technicians as he can quickly. Ross says that he is right there and will get the men, but asks Bruce what his plan is and what he is going to do that all their weapons couldn’t. Bruce says that the humanoid was created by one of the most dangerous brilliant minds ever, and that the way to fight it isn’t with brute force, but with counter intelligence. Ross says that Bruce will get his chance and that he just hopes it works.

The humanoid chucks a large hunk of iron at the soldiers. Banner puts his hand on the machine and says that this is what he needs. He tells Ross and Talbot to take the technicians and get out. Talbot says that he is staying and that Banner may need him. Ross says that he won’t ask anyone to face what he wouldn’t. Bruce tells them to stay behind him then. He says that he has to lift the machine over his head. Ross says that even together that all three of them couldn’t budge it. Bruce says that the Hulk can. Ross says that he isn’t the Hulk now and asks if he is mad. Bruce says that he is counting on it and that he has to get mad enough to increase his pulse rate. Bruce transforms and hopes he can remember what he wanted to do. Ross reminds Hulk that he wanted to lift the machine over his head. Hulk says that is right and lifts the machine. Power starts to pour out of the machine. Hulk leaps and aims the voltage at the humanoid short circuiting it. Ross says that the Hulk is catching all the feedback and tells Betty to get the current off. Hulk and the humanoid lie on the ground out. Ross says that the Hulk saved them from their own folly. Betty says that he is lying so still. Talbot says that he is still alive, but thinks to himself that if he changes back into Banner that he has no chance of winning Betty. Ross says that he will send for the medics.

Off in the distance, Boomerang watches it all. He says that if the Hulk recovers from this that he will be a hero, but that he won’t be for long when he finishes with him. He says that he knows of a foolproof way to get rid of the Hulk. He says that all he has to do is wait until he has changed back into the powerless Bruce Banner.

No Excuses rating: 9 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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