Tales to Astonish #93

Title: “The Monarch and the Monster!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Penciller: Dan Adkins

Inker: Dan Adkins

Editor: Stan Lee

The first torpedo misses as Namor and It lock in combat. The two of them plunge deep into the murky depths as the submarine fires another torpedo. He figures that they are willing to doom their own cat’s paw in order to strike at him. The second missile misses as well, but it destroys a cliff above Namor and It. Namor sees the falling rocks and says that they have to act swiftly or they will be buried alive. Namor moves swiftly, but It looks up slowly with hate filled eyes. Namor watches “the robot” get buried by the falling rubble. He says that the humans destroyed their own creation, but that he can’t waste thoughts on false pity. He says that it was only an android anyway. Namor swims at the submarine.

Beneath all the fallen rubble, It still lives. It’s brain is filled with an all consuming hatred for Namor. It begins to stir and strain against the massive stone that has it pinned. Long fateful minutes are like instants for It as it doesn’t know the meaning of the word fatigue. It forces the giant stone up inch by inch until finally with one massive surge of immeasurable power the monster is free again. The words “kill! Kill!! KILL!! go through its brain.

Namor says that with the robot smashed that the humans continue to stalk the fathomless depths of his golden realm as if they, and not he, were the monarchs. He says that even though they have attacked him that he can’t bring himself to utterly destroy them. Namor wonders if it is because his father was a surface man. Namor decides that it is time to strike so that the air breathers will see their folly before it is too late. Namor strike the ship.

The men inside are tossed about from the force of Namor’s blow. They realize that Namor must still be alive since nothing else could have caused the leak in their hull where the water is coming through. One of the men says that he thought Namor was destroyed or at least gone. The man on the radar says that there hasn’t been any trace of radiation since they fired the torpedoes. The captain says that radiation or not that they are under attack and that he wants to know what is out there. The radar man says that the radiation signals just came back strong. He says that whatever they are up against that it is right on top of them.

Namor turns and sees It. He figures that it must be another of the robots that he crushed and wonders maybe if it is the same one. Namor decides that it doesn’t matter and that the way it is standing proves its hostility. Namor hits It and says that he will be the one to strike first and last.

The captain says that it sounds like there is a prize fight going on out there. He orders that the word be given that they are surfacing.

Namor hits It again and thinks to himself that it is strange that the robot feels like it was made out of flesh and bone, but that its skin is as hard as metal. Namor wonders why he is suddenly feeling weak and dizzy not realizing that he is suffering from concentrated radiation poisoning. Namor is relieved when the “robot” drops and says that he is glad that it can’t tell that he can barely stand. Namor tells It to get up and go tell its masters of his total and utter defeat. It doesn’t seem to comprehend. It starts to get up to continue fighting and kicks Namor up and into the submarine. Namor wonders if the creature is so strong or if he is so weak. Namor says that it can’t be his destiny to die like this. He senses It coming at him and at the last moment  moves out of It’s way. It smashes into the submarine will full force. It smashes through the wall of the submarine and stops moving. Namor figures that the “robot” is broken, but that his increasing weakness means that it is no time to boast of victory.

Inside the men see the creature and realize that it must have been It and not Namor that was attacking them. The captain notes the massive radiation from the creature and says to seal the area off.

Namor struggles to keep from blacking out.

The captain tells Sparks that they will be surfacing in a moment. He says to get a detail ready for repair duty and that they have a few holes to patch up. He says to keep the boys away from the bridge and that they will let the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) worry about that when they dock.

As the ship surfaces, Namor slides off. He thinks to escape capture from the humans and let the water restore him. After a while, Namor regains control of his limbs though he is still weak. Namor swims past a giant octopus. After a long slow swim, Namor returns to Atlantis completely drained of strength. He heads toward the medi-ray lab.

The tech working on Namor thinks to himself that it is only because Namor is half human and half Atlantean that the radiation poisoning didn’t kill him.

Days later, Namor tells Dorma that he has been thinking only of her for the last few lonely days. Dorma says that she was thinking of him too, but that no one was allowed to see him until the danger had past. Namor says that the danger to him is past, but not the danger to the kingdom. Dorma asks Namor what he means and that the physician said Namor dreamt of a robot whose power equaled his own. Namor says that it was no nightmare, but that the robot exists and that it is a creation of the accursed air-breathers. He says that he knows now that it is radioactive as well. Dorma asks how they are going to prevail against the teeming numbers of surface men. Namor says that he doesn’t know, but that they will bear their hostility no longer. Namor says that when he gets back to his throne that he is summoning his Council of War.

Prince of the Realm rating: 7.5 out of 10

I’m not sure why Namor decided that “It” was a robot… especially when he’s remarking at how it seems to be made of flesh and bone. The good news is that I really enjoyed It, but the bad news is that he was never seen again. His mystery never explained… his hatred for Namor never explored. It could have been a great nemesis for Namor, but he never showed again. I personally would like to see It come back with some connection to Sea Leopard and his ancient heritage. Adkins does a really nice job on his own work. Really nice stuff. 4.5 out of 5 for the artwork.

Title: “He Who Strikes the Silver Surfer”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Marie Severin

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Hulk swings at Silver Surfer, but Surfer dodges it and says that Hulk is trying to hurt one with the speed of a shrieking space wind. Hulk tells Surfer to move as fast as he wants, and that sooner or later he will connect. Surfer unloads a hand blast in Hulk’s face and tells him to get back. He says that Hulk doesn’t know who he opposes. Surfer erects a force field to keep Hulk at a distance while he speaks. Surfer tells Hulk that he was the herald of Galactus, but that for defending the human race against his master’s onslaught Galactus made him earth bound. He says that he can never again surf among the stars, but that this limbs still possess the matchless force of the cosmos. Hulk says that no force is stronger than him. He tells Surfer that he has to take him to another world. He says that no one refuses him. Surfer says that his words were wasted on him, and that his actions will have to speak. Surfer hits Hulk with a cosmic bolt and says that should hurl him back. Hulk braces himself and doesn’t move. He brings his fists up and hits Surfer in the face. Hulk stands over Surfer and says that Surfer didn’t expect him to be so strong. He tells Surfer to take him to another world so that he can be free. Surfer says that he has never seen such raw savage strength in a mortal, but that instead of anger that all he feels is pity for Hulk. Hulk says that he wants no pity and that nothing can beat or stop him. Hulk realizes that he just hit Surfer as hard as he could, but that Surfer is still talking and that he is, in fact, not hurt. Surfer says that his body can bear the brunt of a meteor storm. Hulk says that it can’t be and that Surfer is too light and small. Hulk says that he can lift him like a feather and does so, but Surfer uses his power to command his board to strike Hulk in the face and frees himself.

The police find Hulk and surround him. They blind Hulk with their bright lights. The men with the flame throwers show up and are told to stay out of the Hulk’s reach.

Surfer is about to leave when he sees that Hulk is surrounded and under attack. 

The wall of flames keeps Hulk from leaping away. The men know that the atomic tanks are on their way. Hulk says that no matter how much he warns them that they won’t listen. He says that he will make sure that no one ever bothers him again.

Surfer watches and says that of all that live that none are more cruel to their own kind than men are. He says that they persecuted him and that now they persecute Hulk. He says that fire holds no fear for him and that he can remain an idle bystander no longer. The cop’s pull back on the fire as they see someone else coming near. They watch as Silver Surfer swoops down and grabs Hulk by the wrist. Surfer says that he doesn’t sense any evil in the ones attacking him, but that his sympathies go toward Hulk who is a hunted outcast like himself. Hulk tells Surfer to let go of his hand and that he doesn’t need anyone. Surfer carries Hulk away and says that all that live need someone, and that even Galactus needs a herald. Hulk asks Surfer if he will take him to some other world where he can stop running. Surfer says that he can’t, and that because of Galactus that he is exiled to this world. Hulk says that Surfer lies, and that no one lies to him. Surfer says that he didn’t lie. Hulk thinks to himself that Surfer has to land sometime and that when he does that is when he will get him.

Surfer comes in to land near a bunch of trees. Surfer says that he is going off to ride the wind. Hulk grabs Surfer’s board and says that he can ride where he wants to, but that he isn’t going to use that board. Hulk says that he will ride it to the stars if Surfer won’t. Surfer says that Hulk must not, but Hulk says that it is too late and that nothing will stop him. Hulk leaps into the air with the board. Surfer tries to tell him that no one but him can control the board. The board steers away from where Hulk wants it to go and smashes through two trees. Hulk’s anger makes him stronger and he pulls the board back. Hulk says that nothing gets away from him. Surfer says that even his patience isn’t without its limits. He says that none may alter the course of his board, and that the power of the cosmos is still supreme. Hulk is hit with a shock like a million live wires. Hulk can’t hold on and lets the board go. Surfer jumps on his board and says that the earthlings can’t seem to understand that he and his board are one. Hulk creates a giant boulder by pulling it out of a cliff wall. He throws it at Surfer and says that nothing beats him. Surfer dodges the boulder and says that this unlikely charade must now be ended. Surfer blasts Hulk and knocks Hulk to the ground. Surfer says that violence born of violence can breed only new violence. Surfer stands looks down at the unconscious Hulk and says that there is much that is baffling in “yon mighty frame”. He says that must learn more about the Hulk. Surfer uses a mental beam of purest cosmic energy to probe Hulk’s slumbering brain. Surfer sees Bruce Banner’s accident with the gamma rays. Surfer says that he knows well the feeling of despair and sense of longing which haunts his brutal brain. Surfer is about to use one skillfully placed cosmic burst that will rid Bruce Banner of all the gamma cells. He says that he will be normal again. Hulk suddenly wakes up and says that Surfer is attacking him when he can’t fight back. Surfer tries to tell Hulk that he doesn’t understand, but Hulk says that he understands everything and hits Surfer. Surfer says that he sought to befriend Hulk, but in the manner of humans that he has spurned him. Surfer says that Hulk is a monster and that he will remain a monster. Surfer flies away. He says that he has to avoid contact with humans and that they are a race gone mad. He says that though the stars are denied him that he will still soar high and free. Hulk sits back and says that he is trapped on Earth forever, but that some day he will make him take him to the stars where frightened men will hound him no more.

No Excuses rating: 4 out of 10

Review and pictures by The Leader

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