Tales to Astonish #95

Title: “The Power of the Plunder!”

Writers: Roy Thomas & Raymond Marais

Penciller: Bill Everett

Inker: Vince Colletta

Editor: Stan Lee

Namor and Dorma are swimming home to Atlantis when they come across a domed city. Namor says that the dome proclaims it to be the work of accursed humans. He asks if they are mad to think that he will allow such a thing to stand within a few leagues of his golden realm. Dorma says that they can’t be sure that he air breathers mean them any harm. She asks if he can’t let his burning hatred for their kind go so that their two races can leave in peace. Namor says that when surface men say the word “peace” they use it to disguise slavery. Namor tells Dorma to stay there while he tells the surface men to go. Dorma tries to stop him, but Namor is too fast. She hopes that no human tries to challenge him.

Outside the dome, two men are doing repairs. One man says to hurry since their air supply won’t last much longer. The other man says that Dr. Newell said that the dome would collapse without these repairs, and that he knows what he is talking about. The two men spot Namor coming toward them. They were warned about him and were told not to back down. Namor says that them not being surprised to see him is proof of their evil intent. Namor says that all who enter his domain are his subjects and orders the men to go and get their leader. He says that his patience wears thin. More men come up behind Namor. One of the men has a harpoon and tells Namor that even his tough hide can’t stop the electric harpoon. He tells Namor to go back to Atlantis and save him the trouble of firing. Before the man can fire Namor uses his incredible speed to hit the man. The man says to call the main base for reinforcements. Namor quickly swims back to Dorma. He says that they will return to Atlantis and return with a squadron of hand picked warriors. He says that he will then learn the purpose of this city or destroy it. Dorma knows that nothing she says will sway Namor, and that only a miracle will prevent war between the races. Suddenly an odd ship obstructs Namor’s path. A voice from inside says that he must speak with Namor before he acts rashly. Namor starts to upend the ship, but the man inside says that there is no reason to attack him. Dorma asks Namor to see what the man has to say for her sake. Namor says that he will listen only because Dorma desires it. The man in the ship says that Dorma has more wisdom than Namor, and that she can see that their city bears no armaments save for hand weapons. He says that she knows their aims can only be peaceful. He says that if they want to learn why they are there to simply swim into the canopy of his saucer-sub. Namor enters and says that it seals behind him. The man says that it is ultra-polystyrone, a new synthetic material. The man says that if Namor will listen that they can prevent bloodshed and perhaps help both their races. The man introduces himself as Dr. Walter Newell. He says that he is the designer of the dome city. Namor says that he is the one he wished to talk to when he was basely attacked. Dr. Newell says that the guards were just defending the city until he could reason with him. He says that he wants to tell Namor why he built a base in his domain.

Dr. Newell explains that there are shortages of many kinds all over the Earth and that soon dome cities must provide food and minerals for an over populated world. Namor says that Newell is speaking of needs of the surface that he would fill from the sea. He asks why Atlantis should stand idly by while they rob the ocean floor of its treasures. Newell asks Namor if he doesn’t see that Namor’s people will benefit as much as his will. He says that in exchange for Namor’s resources that they have many things to trade. Namor says that they are worthless baubles and gaudy trinkets that they call civilization. Namor says that they can’t give them anything they want except by departing. He tells Newell to leave or face the wrath of the legions of Atlantis. Newell tells Namor to wait and talk, but Namor swims out and says that the time for talk is past, and that deeds will speak for Atlantis.

Namor returns to Dorma and asks if the air breathers have harmed her. Dorma says that they have paid her no heed, but then points out that they are raising their weapons now. Namor says that they will face him, but Dorma says that the humans aren’t raising their weapons against them. She points out a giant ship. Namor says that the armor on this craft speaks not of peaceful purposes. Dorma says that she can feel its pulsations of raw energy. The guards of the domed city exit quickly though they know their stun guns won’t do anything against anything that big.

Inside the ship, Lord Plunder tells Tyson to pull up next to the domed city and stop there. He says that for months, since he broke out of prison in England, that he has been waiting for this moment. He says that now the Plunderer will strike again. He announces to the people of Newell’s city that they have one minute to open their portals and surrender themselves to him and his men or suffer total annihilation. Dr. Newell comes swooping in and announces that whoever is threatening them has bitten off more than they can chew. He says that their weapons are far more advanced than they can imagine. Newell hopes to himself that his bluff works. The Plunderer attacks and blasts Newell’s ship. The ray bounces off Newell’s ship and hits the dome. Water surges into the cracked dome.

Namor and Dorma watch the events unfolding. Namor says to look how the air-breathers scramble to avoid a watery grave. He says that where humans go death and destruction follow. Dorma says that many innocents will die unless Namor intervenes. Namor watches as the Plunderer attacks those trying to escape in a tiny escape craft. He says that such monstrous depravity can’t be endured so long as he rules the depths. Namor tells Dorma to find shelter and that the time has come for him to act. Namor slams into the Plunderer’s craft, but the ship stands strong. Namor figures that at least it has given the hapless humans a chance to escape since he knocked it off balance.

Inside the ship, the Plunderer says that it is so much for the much overrated Sub-Mariner. He says that his first step will be to get Namor out of the water where he is virtually invincible. Plunderer opens a hatch for Namor to enter. Namor enters and tells Plunderer that he is wise to let him in. He tells Plunder to surrender and turn his ship around to rescue survivors of the doomed city. Plunderer says that Namor will be the one surrendering to his newly redesigned vibra-gun. Namor says that he is glad that he chose to defy him, and that his heart rages at the sight of his craven attack upon his helpless fellow humans. Plunderer takes his shot, but Namor moves too quickly and says that now he will pay. Namor hits Plunderer and knocks his helmet off. Namor tells Plunderer to be thankful that he wants him to pilot the ship to rescue the ones he has endangered or his punch might have carried the full weight of his wrath. Plunderer says that he must stall and reach his vibra-gun. He tells Namor to look at the telescreen behind him, and that there is someone else in need of rescue. Namor looks and sees that Plunderer’s men are chasing Dorma down. Namor turns back and starts to threaten Plunderer, but he is hit with the blast from Plunderer’s vibra-gun.

Newell enters the water when he sees Dorma being chased. He says that if only he had built weapons for he and his people. He says that it will be different next time. Dorma manages to escape Plunderer’s men, but she is sucked into the vortex of water entering the dome. She can’t breathe inside the vortex and is about to pass out. Newell follows Dorma in. He thinks about how all his years of planning are ruined, but decides that he has to concentrate on getting the girl out of there and helping the others.

Plunderer curses Newell for putting up a fight, He says that he is going to leave the memory of his supreme unbridled ferocity upon all that dare to oppose him, and that he will come out richer for it as well. He says that if any pity ever found its way into his heart that it has now been vanquished. He says to let all that live quake at the mention of his name. Plunderer pilots his submarine directly into the dome.

Newell sees one of the destroyed buildings falling toward Dorma. He grabs her and pulls her out of the way.

Namor starts to get up. Plunderer asks if he is still alive. Namor says that the weapon hasn’t been made yet that will rid Plunderer of him. He says that if anything has happened to Dorma that he will rue this day. Plunderer throws a switch and sucks Namor out a vacuum tube. He tells Namor to go back to the sea and tell the others of how he met defeat at the hands of the Plunderer. Namor thinks that he would like to stay and mete out justice, but that he is too weak right now. He says that the sea will restore his powers.

Namor returns to the water refreshed. He sees the people dying and says that their plight stirs even his implacable heart. Plunderer starts pillaging the ravaged city in order to make his base at Skull Island impenetrable. Namor’s blood boils at the sight, but then he sees Dorma with Newell. He figures that Newell must have saved her, but that he can’t let him carry her off on his ship. Namor snatches Dorma from Newell and tells him to get back. He says that though Newell’s valor will be long remembered he wants him to know that “this beloved maid is a sacred jewel unto me!” He says that none may take her away and tells Newell to get on his vessel and be gone. Newell wishes Namor luck and tells him that they will meet again. Namor tells Newell to be wise and stay away from his domain lest tragedy overtake him again. Namor senses that Dorma is just stunned and swims down to the pressure she is accustomed to.

Newell’s people all reach the top, and just then a ship Newell contacted arrives to help pull them out of the water.

As Namor and Dorma return to the shattered dome just as Plunderer is leaving after stealing everything worth stealing. Plunderer says that soon every harbor in the world will pay tribute to them instead of facing obliteration. Namor tells Dorma that from the moment Plunderer invaded his realm that his hours of freedom have been numbered. He says that he vows it by his eternal city. Namor says that first he must see that their people are safe before he does what must be done. Dorma asks what Namor will do. Namor says that he will follow him and make sure that he presents no further menace to any that live. He says that no matter where he goes that he will not escape the wrath of the Sub-Mariner.

Prince of the Realm rating: 7 out of 10

Well it seems like Walter Newell might save Namor from starting a war with the humans and possibly wiping out all of Atlantis. The plot feels a little dragged out. Is it about Newell or Plunderer? And in what way are they connected? It doesn’t seem like they are and that their appearances are just mashed together. Bill Everett continues to impress, but I have to say that Plunderer’s appearance is perhaps the most boring costume ever.

Title: “A World He Never Made!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Marie Severin

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Hulk looks out in space. He says that he doesn’t know where the ship is going, but that it is leaving Earth and that is good enough for him. Hulk hears a voice coming from a radio. Planet Wundagore is trying to reach Sir Ram. Hulk wonders what it means. The voice asks Sir Ram if he has the prisoner on board. Hulk answers that he is on board, but that he is no ones prisoner. High Evolutionary keeps calling out to Sir Ram. He says that the ship is in danger. Hulk realizes that High Evolutionary doesn’t hear him, and that he doesn’t know what buttons to push to make him hear him. Hulk smashes the machine and decides that he doesn’t care. He says that all that matters is that he is leaving Earth and that they won’t be able to hound him anymore.

High Evolutionary says that he can’t reach the ship, but that he must. He says that the radar star tracker says that the ship is headed right for a cosmic storm. High Evolutionary says that Sir ram can only save himself if he follows his instructions, but that he can’t help him without radio contact. High Evolutionary  says that in another few minutes that it will be too late.

Hulk looks and the controls and lights and says that they keep buzzing and flashing on and off, but that none of it means anything to him. Hulk decides to go find the pilot. He says that he didn’t hit him too hard and that he should be awake by now.

High Evolutionary says that only the Hulk has the power to save him from the monsters he has created. He says that if Hulk is lost to the cosmic storm that his entire life’s work will have been in vain. He says that the Hulk must make it, and that he thought he had made a utopia with his evolutionarily advanced animals in the Knights of Wundagore. He says that now the animals are more savage than ever.

Hulk stands there as Sir Ram awakens. Sir Ram mutters something about needing to reach the control room. Hulk says that he will take him there. Sir Ram shouts for Hulk to stay back. Hulk grabs Sir Ram by the back of the neck and says that even in space he is feared. He asks if there is no place that he can be trusted… where he can find a friend. Sir Ram is telling Hulk that he didn’t realize, but then he sees the view screen. Hulk asks why Sir Ram is afraid and that he only sees dark clouds. Sir Ram says that they are no ordinary dark clouds, but that they are heading into a cosmic storm. The first blast hits the ship and Hulk and Sir Ram are knocked off their feet. Once the first barrage stops, Sir Ram says that he can reach the controls before the next impact. Sir Ram says that the ship can’t take another hit. Hulk tells Sir Ram to tell him what to do and that he has the strength needed. Sir Ram says that Hulk’s strength is useless to him now and that everything depends on how fast they can turn before they are hit again. The ship is hit again, but Ram pulls it out and saves the ship. Ram says that they were too close to the rays, and that they have penetrated the ship. Hulk asks who cares about rays and that he saved the ship. He says that Sir Ram did a good job and was brave. He says that Sir Ram will be his friend. Sir Ram’s body goes limp. He says that he absorbed too large a dose of rays and that he can’t stand or breathe. He says that Hulk will have to reach the High Evolutionary alone. Sir Ram dies. Hulk says that he is alone again. Hulk says that he might have become his friend, but that it is too late and that he has lost him. Hulk says that no matter where he goes that it is always the same. He says that everyone who is close to him must suffer. Hulk asks why the rays didn’t kill him too. He asks why he must live. He says that nothing can kill or hurt him and that he is the Hulk. However, the cosmic rays did affect Hulk and he starts to transform back into Bruce Banner. Bruce says that he is back and that the Hulk is gone. He says that he wishes he could remember where he was. He says that everything is so hazy like a fading nightmare. Bruce says that this might just be the beginning of the nightmare.

High Evolutionary has managed to activate the remote control power. He says that he now he can look into the ship’s control room, but that he can’t believe the change he just saw. He says that Hulk is on board, but that something happened to him. High Evolutionary says that he doesn’t have the time to wonder though and that he must bring the ship in for a safe landing. High Evolutionary decides that any being that can transform himself into two different beings may be incalculably dangerous. He says that he will bring his vacuum-ray blaster. He says that it is the most powerful weapon in his arsenal. High Evolutionary says that if he can’t change him back into the Hulk to enlist his strength that he will be useless to him. He says that this may be a blessing however and that at least he will be too weak to defy him. He says that he may have a more deadly use for him when he lands.

Bruce looks at the dead pilot and realizes that he is neither man nor beast, but a fantastic combination of both. He sees that he is dead, and decides that since they are the only two on the ship that the Hulk must have killed him. Bruce says that if only he could remember when the change occurs. Bruce feels the ship slowing down, and then sees a planet ahead on the view screen. Bruce wonders where it is and what the Hulk has to do with a flight into space. He clutches his head trying to remember.

The ship is guided down into a hole leading to a sub-surface area. The hole closes up behind. Bruce realizes that he is trapped there. High Evolutionary calls out and tells Bruce Banner that he has been brought to Wundagore II as his guest. He says that a ramp will lower so that he can descend. Bruce sees High Evolutionary and decides that he looks human enough and that at last he will get some answers. As Banner reaches the ground, High Evolutionary says that he is the one that was formerly the Hulk. Bruce asks how he knows that. High Evolutionary says that he saw what happened on the ship, but that he has little time to talk. He says that the questions Bruce has will be found in the main power complex that he has created. Bruce looks at the equipment and is awestruck. He forgets about his plight as the scientists’ curiosity takes over. High Evolutionary tells Bruce to go ahead and look. Bruce thinks that he probably doesn’t realize that he is also a scientist and that he can’t wait to get a close look at the controls. Bruce starts looking and realizes that this is a machine used for bio-chemistry. He wonders what purpose they serve, but then High Evolutionary activates his vacuum ray. He tells Bruce that it will prevent him from undergoing any new physical change until he wishes it. Bruce says that it is as if his will has been stolen. High Evolutionary says that he regrets the necessity of such an act, but that he can’t take the chance of him becoming the Hulk again for the next few minutes. Bruce asks what will happen in the next few minutes. A glass cage descends around Bruce. High Evolutionary tells Bruce of his experiments in evolution and that they have all gone wrong. He says that all the beasts that he turned into New Men, like the pilot on the ship, have turned against him. He says that he was hoping that the Hulk would help him put down their rebellion, but that instead he was delivered into his hands. High Evolutionary says that now his experiments can continue and that Bruce will be his new subject. He says that he will do what has never been dared before. He says that though they may all perish in the attempt that they are going to see what happens when he transforms a human into the type of being that will walk the Earth a million years from now. Bruce says that High Evolutionary is mad, but that he can’t change into the Hulk.

No Excuses rating: 8 out of 10

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