Tales to Astonish #89

Title: “The Prince and the Power!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Bill Everett

Attuma tells the robot not to return until Namor has been destroyed. Attuma says that Namor will face a foe from which he can have no defense. Attuma says that before the end of the day that he will be ruler of the world beneath the sea. He says that then he and his barbarian hordes will be free to conquer the surface as well. He says that the hated words “Imperius Rex” will never assail his ears again.

The robot pounds on the gates of Atlantis. The robot bursts through and the alarm goes off. The people say that this is the end of Atlantis.

Namor watches the robot and concludes that the robot is not of Attuma’s making, but that he must have just gained control of it somehow. Vashti asks what difference it makes where it comes from. He says that they must flee because nothing will stop the rampaging robot. Namor says that he speaks with wisdom. He tells Vashti to lead the evacuation. Vashti asks what of Namor. Namor says that he is the Prince and that this is where he makes his stand. Vashti points out to Namor on the screen that the robot can make itself white hot to allow it to walk through the thickest steel and that he has disintegration eye beams. Namor says that is all the more reason he needs to find a way to stop it. Namor orders his palace guards to stop fighting the robot and retreat. Namor tells Vashti to go. Vashti tells Namor not to sacrifice his life in so vain a gesture. Namor says that he will do what he must. He tells Vashti that he leaves Dorma in his trust. Vashti tries to tell Namor that Dorma will never leave his side, but Namor leaps out the window to engage the robot.

Namor tells the guards still fighting to evacuate the site. Once the guards’ barrage stops the robot fires its eyebeams at Namor, but Namor uses his speed to escape. He says that he will circle around him until he is out of his line of vision and then attack again. Namor slams into the robot from behind, but the robot heats up to a white hot temperature and Namor is forced to let go. Namor says that he still can’t surrender, and that he will just have to use strategy over strength. Namor summons every fanged shark within the sound of his voice to attack the robot. He knows that they won’t be able to harm the robot, but it stops the robot from attacking Atlantis.

Attuma calls out to Namor to surrender and that only his surrender can save Atlantis.

Dorma tells Namor not to surrender and says that their people would choose death over rule by Attuma. Namor tells Dorma that she was ordered to flee with Vashti. Dorma says that she couldn’t while he was in danger. Namor tells Dorma that she might be of great assistance to him. He tells her to go to his imperial chamber and find his projecto-camera. He gives her instructions.

Seconds later, Dorma finds the camera Namor wanted and says to herself that she hopes Namor hasn’t taken leave of his senses.

Namor contacts a whale to delay the robot’s attack further. The whale swallows the robot whole in its mouth. Namor orders the whale to take the robot to the most distant corner of the realm, but before the whale can close its mouth the robot pries the whale’s jaw open. Dorma says that she has never seen such power as she returns with the camera. Namor tells Dorma to do as he commanded and that he will call more creatures to delay the robot’s attack. Namor summons a group of octopi to grab the robot, but the robot frees itself with one powerful thrust. Namor says that only his might will prevail. Namor hits the robot over and over, but the robot is unaffected. The robot snatches Namor with its great speed and Namor is caught despite a warning from Dorma. Namor starts to strain to keep the pincers from closing on him, but he finds the task very easy. Once free he looks up to see a giant dome lowering itself over the robot. The robot is caught and starts to rise out of the sea. Namor says that his guess was correct and follows the robot’s ascent. On the surface of the sea, Namor and Dorma see a space ship taking the robot aboard. Dorma says that she doesn’t understand and asks what the camera was for. The ship takes off and on the way back to Atlantis Namor explains that he figured the robot was from another world since he didn’t think Attuma could create such a thing. He says that the camera projected an image of the robot to the robot’s rightful owners, and that it was they who can to reclaim it. They get back to Atlantis and Attuma is retreating. Namor says that Attuma knows that he is no match for the defenders of the realm. Namor tells Attuma that so long as he stands that Attuma will be denied.

Prince of the Realm: 8.5 out of 10

Pretty much a continution of the last issue, but I feel that the ending is a little bit of a cheat. To have Namor win by thinking when the issue is touted as an action story seems a little of an out. Everett's work still works on many levels. 4.5 out of 5 for the art

Title: “…Then, There Shall Come a Stranger!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Art: Gil Kane

Bruce Banner lies asleep on the top of the mountain he leaped to before changing back from the Hulk. An ominous glow grows brighter and brighter until the form of the Strange appears. Stranger says that he has found the one he seeks. Stranger tells Bruce Banner to rise, and that even though he is asleep that he cannot resist his commands. Stranger says that from deepest space that he has been studying the Earth and that he has not liked what he has seen. He says that man is too consumed with greed and hatred for their fellow man. He says that they are obsessed with war and obtaining atomic power, and that the Earth is too dangerous a place for the universe. Stranger remembers that his words are falling on deaf ears and commands Bruce Banner to awaken. Bruce Banner awakens though he is unable to move or speak. Stranger says that even though Banner does not know him that he knows of Banner’s power as the Hulk. He says that Banner will use that power on his behalf. He says that the Hulk is going to go on a rampage more destructive than ever before. Stranger says that it is his intention to cleanse the Earth and purify the tortured planet of civilization. He says that the works of man and man himself must be obliterated. He says that only then can a new day dawn. He says that the humans that survive the holocaust will start a better world under the Stranger’s command. Stranger says that he senses Banner’s concern for the millions who will perish, but that it is not a concern of his and that human life means nothing to him. He says that if the solar system must be destroyed to bring peace that he would not shed a single tear at its passing. He says that he is the Stranger and that he forever walks alone. Stranger senses Banner’s loathing of him and his consideration that Stranger is a menace. Stranger tells Banner that he is mankind’s benefactor. He asks what it matters if most of humanity perishes and says that he will build a better world out of the ashes. He says that he will help the pitiful humans. Stranger says that when Banner is transformed into the Hulk again that he is the one that will help him rid the Earth of the undeserving human race.

At missile command headquarters, Betty walks in to find her father and Glenn. She asks if there has been any word on the Hulk. Talbot says that there hasn’t yet, but that when they find him that the Hulk won’t escape again. Ross shouts for the maps and charts he asked for, but then finds they are right in front of him. Betty asks her father how he plans to get the Hulk under control without hurting him. Ross says that he will wipe the Hulk off the face of the Earth if he has to, and that they are talking about the Hulk and not Mary Poppins. Betty asks if he has forgotten that you can’t destroy the Hulk without destroying Bruce Banner as well. Ross says that he doesn’t want to listen to this and be reminded that she is in love with a freak. Ross tells Talbot to take Betty back to her quarters. Suddenly, a soldier pops up on the vidi-com, holding Rick Jones, and reports that he has caught an intruder. Bruce says that it is Rick Jones, but Ross says that he doesn’t care if it’s Godzilla’s nephew. Ross tells the Lieutenant that he will be right there. Rick says that Ross has to let him help him find the Hulk.

As they walk to Jones, Ross says that he has just about had it with that brat’s interference. He says that this is an army base and not a “chicken-scratchin’ playground!” Betty says that maybe Rick has some info for them. Talbot says that Jones does seem to be the only human the Hulk trusts. Talbot wonders to himself if he is going soft and reminds himself that the most important thing is to destroy the Hulk. Betty asks why they have to always hound the Hulk. Ross says that it is because the Hulk is a menace. They walk in and Ross tells the soldier to let Rick go now. Rick tells Ross that he can’t find the Hulk and that he could be anywhere, but that Ross is going to find him eventually and that when he does there will be fighting and that Ross’ troops are going to get hurt, but that he has missiles and atomic warheads. He says that it is a safe bet that he will finish the Hulk because the Hulk never surrenders. Ross asks what the point is. Rick says that he doesn’t want the Hulk killed. Ross says that he isn’t an assassin and that he knows Hulk has saved Rick in the past and that he feels grateful to him for that, but that as long as the Hulk lives that their security is at risk. Ross says that his job is to protect that security. Rick says that the Hulk isn’t a killer, and that if he can get to the Hulk first that maybe he can reason with him. Ross says that he isn’t promising anything, but that Jones can stay with them until they find the Hulk. He says that after that they will have to see how it plays out. Ross tells the Lieutenant that he can give the boy clearance. Ross says that they have all seen the Hulk’s rage, and that if Rick doesn’t get to him first that the chances are that they will have finished the Hulk before he gets there. Ross and Talbot walk out leaving Rick with Betty. Rick says that if only he knew where to look. Betty says that Rick is Bruce’s only chance.

Stranger says that the Hulk is going to be the scythe he uses to sweep this planet clean. He says that using the Hulk’s unlimited strength that he will destroy bridges, dams, military installations, and public buildings. He says that the Hulk will destroy anything mankind needs to survive. Stranger says that he must make sure that Hulk follows his orders implicitly, and that with a science that mankind can’t understand he will cause an inter-spatial dimension warp between their galaxies. Suddenly a giant machine appears via the dimension warp. Stranger says that it will replenish the Hulk’s natural powers and make it so that Stranger’s will shall become irresistible to him. Stanger tells Banner to prepare himself to become his helpless slave. The thought frightens Bruce Banner into changing into the Hulk. Hulk says that no one stops him from moving or gives him orders. Stranger says that Banner has become the Hulk as he wished him to, and that the time has come for him to fulfill his mission. Stranger admires Hulk’s blazing rage and fury. Hulk says that he is going to kill Stranger and Stranger says that is enough. Stranger says that if Hulk is going to attack him that he will have to reinforce his power in the rays of his omnipotent machine. Stranger starts to glow with power. Stranger wills Hulk to be hurtled back and Hulk is sent flying into a rocky hillside. Hulk says that rocks can’t hold him and smashes his way out. Stranger says that Hulk really is the perfect choice. He says that Hulk will wreck havoc on mankind as easily as he anticipated and no force on Earth can stop him. Hulk leaps at Stranger and says that he can’t stop him either. Stranger says that Hulk is wrong. Stranger says that his power is not of this world and Hulk is suddenly trapped by rays of energy. Stranger says that the rays are powerful enough to change the orbit of a planet. Hulk says that nothing stops him and pulls against the rays. Stranger says that he has never seen such bestial power or inhuman resolve. He says that it would please him to stay and study the Hulk more, but that there are matters elsewhere in the galaxy that concern him now. He says that it is with great reluctance that he increases the intra-spatial energy around the Hulk. Hulk is immobilized in the energy and drops. Stranger tells Hulk to rise and that it is time for him to receive his irrevocable instructions. Hulk is blasted by the machine. Strange says, “You hate all of mankind! You exist for only one purpose… to smash out and destroy! You have no other purpose… no other goal… but destruction! Nothing may change the hatred in your heart! Nothing may dampen the flaming inferno of rage that smolders in your soul! Nothing! Now go! For I am the will… and you are the way! So speaks the Stranger!” Hulk leaps off in a frenzy saying that he is going to smash and destroy. Stranger says that the prologue is done and that the curtain will rise on Act One. He says that he will not be there to witness it, but that he pities the Earth.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

Review and pictures by the Leader

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