Tales to Astonish #88

Title: “A Stranger Strikes from Space!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Illustrator: Bill Everett

Invading Atlantis, Attuma order his men to stay back and says that only he will take the life of the Sub-Mariner. Namor hits Attuma and says that it is too bad that Attuma’s prowess can’t match his boasts. Attuma smashes Namor’s arm with his sword, but the sword shatters against Namor. Namor says that he has vanquished Attuma and his barbarians before and that he will do so again. Attuma says that is nothing but empty words and that this time the triumph will be his. Suddenly a bolt explodes over Namor’s head. Namor ducks and says that he expected such an attack. He says that Attuma knew he couldn’t defeat him as he vowed and had his underlings attack from behind as well.

At the courtyard, Vashti waits with the legions of Atlantis. He tells them to remain at the ready, but not to attack. He says that when Attuma is defeated that his barbarian horde will flee in demoralized and disorderly route.

Namor hits Attuma and says that Atlantis will never crumble to an invader’s heel while he lives and justice endures. The pillars start to fall when Attuma smashes into one of them and Namor says that even the fates give sign of their defeat. The barbarians call for retreat once their strength and power Attuma is defeated.

Demoralized Attuma leads his men in retreat. Attuma says to let no man speak or question his word or deed. He says that they have been driven back, but that they will return. He says that for every second of their shame that Atlantis will pay a thousand fold. Attuma says that he will never sheath his sword until Namor is erased from memory.

Later, Attuma sits and addresses his men. He says that of all that dwell in the watery deeps that only Namor still defies him. He says that his strength is the greatest of all save Namor’s and that Namor’s power is that of a true amphibian. He says that Namor must be crushed and that his very existence is a burning offense to the soul of a barbarian. One of the men says that what Attuma decrees they will follow. Another man says that Namor has bested them many times and that they need a plan that only Attuma can create. Attuma balls his hands into fists and says that from this moment on that they live only to grind Atlantis into dust. He says that they will create a weapon so powerful that even Namor will be helpless against it. He says that no matter how long it takes or how many barbarians’ lives must be lost that Atlantis will be his and Namor destroyed.

Up in space, a ship headed for the 36^th nebula accidentally drops a servo-robot out of a loose door and falls into the sea. The crew goes off to its meal and doesn’t take notice.

The servo-robot drops into barbarian territory and Attuma is alerted. Attuma says that whoever crossed their border will be made to pay with his life. As they rush to the spot one of the men asks what if it is the Sub-Mariner. Attuma says that he is one and they are many. Attuma spots the robot and decides that it must be a weapon of Namor’s sent to destroy them. He tells his men to surround it and they will make a mockery of Namor’s handiwork. Attuma orders the attack once his men are in position, but all the barbarians’ swords shatter against the robot. Attuma tries his own shot and his sword is shattered as well. Attuma says that Namor must be gloating at their helplessness, but that they will be helpless no more. Attuma orders the nutro-ray to be brought forth.

Namor watches Attuma through a secretly hidden observa-scope.  Namor notes Attuma’s helplessness at the robot. Vashti warns Namor that Attuma’s latest attack has caused great damage to Atlantis and that if it hadn’t been for Namor that Atlantis would be Attuma’s. He says that the people need time to rest and repair their ravaged cities. He says that there can be no new battle until their fighting strength has been restored. Namor says that Vashti’s words have the ring of truth. Namor wonders if the robot is some new weapon Attuma has to use against his realm. He wonders if what he witnessed was a testing for invulnerability or some other menace that even Attuma can’t control. Namor says that he must learn which. Dorma enters the room and asks to talk to Namor. She tells Namor that her woman’s intuition is warning her of an impending disaster. She says that as one that loves him beyond all measure that she tells him he must not leave the city this night. Namor thanks her for the concern. He says that he doesn’t doubt the wisdom of her advice, but that he is the Prince of the Blood, and that he has to do what a prince must. Dorma starts to object. Namor says that though the sight of her brings gladness to his heart that he has to command her to leave. He says that he will face the danger alone. Dorma wishes Neptune to be forever at Namor’s side. After Dorma leaves, Namor watches Attuma bringing in a new gigantic weapon.

The nutro-ray is set to its highest penetrating power and Attuma orders it fired. The shot is perfect and the robot is hit. The ray heats the robot’s surface hotter and hotter, but the ray seems to have no effect. Attuma notices that though the robot has survived their deadliest weapon that it hasn’t counter attacked. He says that they must attempt to reach the control box on its chest. Attuma’s men pull the robot down with vines and Attuma realizes that it hasn’t been programmed yet. The men all mutter what a weapon they will have if Attuma can gain control of it. Attuma says that this is no trick of Namor’s, but a stroke of fate that will gain him control of Atlantis. Attuma fumbles at the control box and after a period of trial and error manages to fathom the controls. Attuma says that the robot is now set to obey only the sound of his voice. Attuma commands the robot to rise. The robot does so and Attuma orders it to go forth and conquer Atlantis in the name of his barbarian hordes. He tells the robot that before it is done to be sure and destroy Namor.

Prince of the Realm rating: 9 out of 10

A fun story to be sure, but the ironic thing about this tale is Stan’s explanation that there will be no “psychological or subliminal social significance” to this story. He says that it is a throw back to the “golden age of comics” in an action oriented manner. Of course comparing 1967’s “psychological or subliminal social significance” to 2005’s “psychological or subliminal social significance” might make you smile a little in them “dumbing down” this script, but it’s also ironic that Stan’s 12 line explanation of this action oriented tale partially covers up some of the best art in this story. Everett really is the consummate Sub-Mariner artist and it shows. Though I prefer a more traditional Attuma, Everett does a good job of separating Attuma from Krang or other blue skinned opponents.

Title: “Boomerang and the Brute!” 

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Gil Kane

Inker: Gil Kane

Hulk gets up. He tells everyone to stay back and that no one crowds him. Ross says that he doesn’t like this and that the Hulk is too unpredictable. Betty thanks Heaven that Hulk is all right. Talbot wonders how Betty can still love Bruce Banner knowing that he is the Hulk. A photographer tells Hulk to smile and flashes a picture. Hulk says that the lights are blinding him. He tells the man to go or he will smash. The photographer says that you don’t have to tell him twice. Betty asks Glenn how they change him back into Bruce Banner. Talbot says that it is anyone’s guess. He tells her not to get to close and that Hulk might do anything. Hulk says that there is too much noise and too many people. Betty tells Hulk that he mustn’t mind all this and that he is a hero now. She says that he won’t be hounded anymore. Hulk says that everyone is looking and crowding around him. He shouts to keep away from him. Talbot tells Betty to be careful and that Hulk isn’t Bruce Banner right now. Betty says that she knows he would never hurt her.

The President watches the scene on television. He says that the Hulk has proven himself at last. He says that there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Hulk was never a threat to America’s security. He says that Hulk was only misunderstood and feared, and that within that monstrous body is the brilliant mind of one of their greatest atomic scientists. He says that they must spare no expense to free Bruce Banner and make him normal again. The President picks up the phone and says that he wants to send a message to General Ross.

Boomerang watches the scene. He figures that all he has to do is make the Hulk rampage a little. He takes a small explosive disc and hits the Hulk with it. Hulk growls in pain, Photographers snap pictures and Hulk says that they are attacking him without warning. He says that no one attacks him and that he will fight back. Hulk lifts a news van over his head and shouts at people to run from the anger of the Hulk. Betty says that something is wrong and that he wouldn’t go berserk like that for no reason. She says that he needs help, but Talbot tells her not to be a fool and won’t let her go to Hulk. Ross tells Talbot to disperse the crowd and get his daughter out of there. Ross has B company surround the Hulk. Rick Jones spots Boomerang and realizes that he must be the one that riled the Hulk up. Rick tries to tell Ross, but Ross won’t listen and tells Jones to get to cover. Rick says that Ross has to listen, but Ross says that he isn’t listening so long as the monster lives. Rick goes up to the Hulk and says that he wants to help him. He tells Hulk that he has to calm down and show them that he isn’t dangerous. He says that if Hulk doesn’t that he will be hunted again. Hulk says that he isn’t scared of puny soldiers. Hulk says that he will show them what he thinks of puny guns. Ross tells his men to keep their bazookas aimed at Hulk and to blast him if he makes one wrong move. Hulk hits the ground and shakes it so hard that the men fall over. Rick tries to talk to Hulk, but Hulk swats him away and says that he is done listening. He says that nobody can stop him and leaps away.

Boomerang watches Hulk go and says that he made him an outcast again. He says that now when he destroys Hulk that he will be regarded as a hero.

Ross says that Hulk got away, but that he will track him down if it takes the rest of his life. Betty says that they can’t punish Bruce Banner for the deeds of the Hulk. Talbot asks how they know Banner isn’t responsible. Talbot says that they know so little and that maybe Banner is in control of the Hulk all the time. A White House courier drives up to Ross and says that he has an urgent message from Washington. Ross opens the letter. The President writes that if General Ross thinks that the Hulk is no longer a menace that he can grant him full and immediate amnesty. Ross says that it is up to him, and that just a half an hour ago his answer might have been different. Ross tears up the President’s letter and drops it on the ground.

Boomerang flies after Hulk as he leaps. Hulk hears Boomerang’s jets and turns spotting him. Hulk remembers Boomerang and how he tried to kill him the last time they fought. Boomerang tells Hulk to say his prayers and Hulk asks if he dare threaten him. Hulk leaps after Boomerang and Boomerang thinks to himself that this is almost too easy. Boomerang lands. Hulk comes at him, but Boomerang throws at disc at the rocks above Hulk and cause them to fall toward Hulk. Hulk smashes them and says that no falling rocks can hurt him. Boomerang throws another disc and opens up a crevice beneath the Hulk’s feet. Hulk falls in and rocks come down on top of him. Hulk asks Boomerang if he thinks he is beaten. Boomerang says that he wouldn’t call Hulk a winner, but Hulk throws the rocks on top of him out of the crevice all together. Hulk leaps out and says that it is his turn. Boomerang says that not yet it isn’t. He throws a disc containing a tranquilizer gas and says that it is powerful enough to put a bull elephant to sleep. Hulk says that he feels tired and that his eyes are getting heavy and hard to keep open. Hulk says that his hands are getting numb. Boomerang hits Hulk and says that he has been waiting until he could batter him at will. Boomerang asks why Hulk won’t fall. Hulk backhands Boomerang and says that even though he is tired that he can still brush away a flea. Boomerang realizes that nothing short of death will ever really stop the Hulk. He flies up to the dam and says that if he shatters the dam that nothing would remain alive below. He throws a disc and destroys the dam. He flies back to the Hulk and tells Hulk that he wants the last thing he sees to be the man that destroyed him. He asks Hulk if he hears him. Hulk says that he hears him and then uses the remainder of his strength to smash the rocks nearby. The impact is so great that Boomerang is sent flying to the opposite side of the canyon crashing into the side. Hulk starts to transform back into Bruce Banner. Boomerang calls out to Hulk. He says that his rocket boots were shattered when he hit the boulders. He says that his leg is broken and that he can’t get out of there. Boomerang says that he’ll drown if he doesn’t save him. Hulk grabs Boomerang and leaps into the air. Hulk reaches the top, but he just grabs the ledge. Hulk holds onto the ledge with the one hand and Boomerang with the other. As Hulk changes back into Banner he tells Boomerang to reach for the top. He says that he is too heavy, but Boomerang can’t reach and falls. Banner climbs to the top. He says that if Boomerang hadn’t tranquilized him that he could have remained the Hulk and saved him. Banner lies on the ground alone.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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