Tales to Astonish #97

Title: “The Sovereign and the Savages"

Writer: Roy Thomas

Penciller: Werner Roth

Inker: Dan Adkins

Namor tells Plunderer that he is a fool if he thinks the energy bands are going to hold him long. He says that he is trapped now, but that the triumph will be his. Plunderer says that the bands are hardly his only weapon. He says that Namor is only alive because he allows it. Plunderer tells his guards to go back to their posts. Namor keeps trying to break free. Plunderer silently admires Namor's will. He thinks to himself that he must try and win him as an ally. He starts telling Namor his plans of conquest. He tells him about how he found the Savage Land. He tells him about his giant submarine and his piracy. He says that only the X-Men had ever been there before and that they didn't suspect the fantastic truth about it... nor did they know that Ka-Zar the jungle lord was his brother. He says that Ka-Zar has left for civilization and that the only other humans there are the Swamp People. He says that they are held in awe of the skull shaped rock. He tells Namor that they don't matter and that what he wants to show him is an invincible weapon. He says that with it he can plunder the world and not just ships. Namor says that other madmen have said the same and lived to regret their words. Plunderer says that Namor scoffs and suggests a demonstration. He points out a giant rock and shoots at it. He says that once the Vibra-gun, powered by the Plunderstone, would have crumble nothing but metal. He says that now with a mere adjustment it will destroy any substance of his choosing. He says that when he shot Namor with it that he just set it to stun him so that Namor could acknowledge his power. Plunderer says that he failed in his first attempt to steal mining tools and that is why he attacked the American's undersea city. He says that it was only a temporary setback. Plunderer asks Namor if he will join him as his second in command. Namor says that he will never join him and that he would die first. Plunderer says that he will die then.

Plunderer's men stand guard against the Swamp People, but they are lax and not expecting the Swamp People to do anything. Suddenly the Swamp People attack. They see one of the guards' weapons fall to the ground. They recognize that it must be the weapon that always defeats them from afar. One says that they must master it. The weapon goes off accidentally and the Swamp Men are worried that their position will be given away.

Plunderer orders his men to go outside and destroy the Swamp Men. In minutes, Plunderer's men have the Swamp People on the run. However, Plunderer's attention is diverted and Namor gets free. The energy rings were damaged by the errant shot into the building by the Swamp People. Namor tells him to prepare to feel his wrath. Plunderer says that Namor is a fool and should have attacked him from behind. He fires his gun at Namor, but it is stuck and will only destroy metal. Namor says that it is a sign that Plunderer's villainy is coming to an end. Namor picks up the Vibra-Gun and smashes it. Plunderer tries to run, but Namor quickly grabs him. Plunderer begs Namor not to kill him. Namor says that Plunderer is not worth killing and slams him against a wall. Plunderer grabs an air compression gun and fires it at Namor. He rushes for a second Vibra-gun. Namor grabs a cable and lassos it around Plunderer's hand. Plunderer says that it can't end like this. Namor says that it already has. He says that his men are still off and there is no one to help him.

On the roof, the leader of the Swamp People is leveraging a stick under a large rock. He drops the rock down a hole and onto Namor's head. Plunderer grabs the Vibra-gun. He fires it at the roof and the roof itself disappears from under the leader of the Swamp People's feet. The leader falls and is rendered unconscious. The base is on fire because of one of the Swamp People, but Plunderer says that it doesn't matter because they no longer need a secret hideout. He says that they have to leave before the fire reaches the ammunition depot. He says that there is enough Plunderstone on the sub and that anything else they need they will steal. Plunderer says that maybe it is best this way. He says that no one can steal their technology and that Namor is dead. One of his men asks how he knows that Namor is dead. Plunderer says that nothing, especially a creature of the sea, could survive that fire. Plunderer says that they are on to attack their first target.

Inside, a broken water pipe pours water on Namor's head. Namor wakes up. Namor uses his renewed strength to free himself, but is then weakened again. He spots the leader of the Swamp People. He knows that it must have been him that attacked him, but even though he is weak he can't leave him behind to die. Namor grabs the man and dives into the water just as Plunderer's base explodes. Namor emerges from the water and gives the Swamp People back their leader. Namor watches Plunderer's sub leaving, but he is too weak to do anything about it. He says that once he has his strength back that he will go after him.

Vashti says that it is almost beyond belief that Namor would become an ally of the Plunderer. Dorma says that they saw it. She says that they lost their video feed, but that there can be little doubt that they will attack the surface. Dorma says that it is sure to mean war with the surface. Vashti says that they only have one choice and that they must convene the Council of Elders before it is too late.

The Council listens to Dorma and because it is her saying Namor has allied himself with a pirate they believe her. They banish Namor until he renounces all thought of warfare with the surface world. Vashti foresaw the Council's decision, but because he could not be a part of it he has stepped down as Grand Vizier of Atlantis.

Namor sits with the Swamp People who are honoring him with a feast for saving their leader. Namor thinks to himself that he will only regain strength for another hour. He thinks that he wishes he knew where the Plunderer was going to strike first.

The Plunderer, looking for vengeance against Namor, sets out first to attack Atlantis.

In Atlantis, the Council is telling the people that Namor is banished and that if he tries to come back that he must be repelled at the cost of his very life

Prince of the Realm rating:  7 out of 10

Plunderer was much better in this issue. I'll give Roy Thomas some credit for that. One thing that I have to say is pretty lousy is the respect and loyalty Dorma and Vashti have for Namor. With friends like that who needs enemies? First they both know that the reception they had of Namor being with Plunderer was poor. They just assume that Namor is throwing in with Plunderer. First to even believe that Namor would do such a thing shows a remarkable lack of faith in Namor, but then to go ahead and assume he would despite any real evidence shows an even bigger lack of faith in Namor. Then to immediately rat him out... Roy Thomas does make the story more entertaining though. Everett's absence will certainly be felt though. Roth is nowhere near Everett in Namor's realm. He's certainly adequate, but he doesn't scream Namor to me. 3 out of 5 for the art.

Title: "The Legions of: The Living Lightning"

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Marie Severin

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Hulk leaps into the air and accidentally hits a low flying jet. Hulk hits the ground. He gets up and sees the plane crash. He says that if the pilot dies that it will be his fault. Hulk leaps over. He sees the pilot clear of the wreckage. He goes over to him and pulls him away from the fire. Hulk says that he will take him to the top of the mountain where the air is clear. He says that maybe the pilot will tell people that he saved him and that people might not be afraid of him anymore. He says that maybe he can stop running and hiding and live like anyone else.

On the mountaintop, Hulk stops the pilot's bleeding and puts a splint on his leg. He sits disgusted with the man's weakness. The man starts to wake up and Hulk figures that he will be like everyone else. He figures he will see him, try to run away from him, and not listen to him. Hulk says that if he gets a chance to that the man will probably try and kill him. Hulk says that no one can kill him. He says that he hates all men and that he should have left him there. The man wakes up. He remembers the accident and then realizes that it was the Hulk that caused it. He asks Hulk why he did it. Hulk calls him a fool and asks if he thinks he wanted to hurt him. The man says that he thought the Hulk was a monster, but that he can talk, think, and understand. He says that with the Hulk's limitless strength that they could use him. Hulk says that no one uses him. The man tells Hulk not to go. He says that he knows he is an outcast with no where to go, but that it can be different. He says that he was going to the Living Lightning and that he can change all that for Hulk. Hulk picks the man up and says that he will take him where he wants to go, but that he had better not be lying to him. The man asks if anyone would dare lying to someone as powerful as him. Hulk says that no one is as powerful as him. Hulk says to tell him where to leap. The man tells him to go to the other side of the river. He tells Hulk that he will see a yellow diamond shaped marker on the ground. Two leaps later, the Hulk and his passenger arrive. Hulk says that there is no one there. As Hulk lands the injured man is knocked unconscious from the force. Giant doors open up on the side of the mountain.

Rick Jones finishes contacting every member of the Teen Brigade. No one has seen the Hulk. Les, the guy with Rick, asks him why the Hulk is so important to him anyway. He says that the army will finish the Hulk off sooner or later. Rick says that is what tears him up and that it must not happen. He says that everyone thinks the Hulk is just a rampaging killer, but that he isn't. He says that he is the only one that knows it, but that if he can't find him he can't help him.

Ross orders Talbot to give up his search for the Hulk. Talbot says that he knows he is close. Ross asks Talbot if he thinks he wants the search to stop. He says that his daughter still loves the man the monster once was. He says that he won't rest easy until the monster is locked up, but that their new mission is even more vital. Talbot says that he will begin Operation Lightning immediately. Ross tells Talbot that if anyone can do it that Talbot can. Talbot walks off wishing that Betty would love him. He says that he knows if Bruce were out of the picture that she would love him.

A machine fires a bolt of lightning at the Hulk. Hulk says that it was a trap. He jumps up and rips the arm off the machine that fired on him, but after he does so another arm comes out and blasts him for an extended duration until the Hulk is no longer moving. A work crew comes out and collects the Hulk and the pilot.

Seconds later, a truth inducer is pointed at the injured pilot. The Lord of the Lightning stands before the man and says that he has returned in failure. He tells the man to explain himself. The man says that he had no choice and that the base was too closely guarded. He says that he brought a dupe and that with the power of the Hulk that he could be supreme. The Lord of the Lightning says that he is already supreme, but that the notion of the Hulk as an ally intrigues him. He says that the Hulk shouldn't be hard to deceive. He says that he will go to him alone and prove his trust. The Lord of the Lightning comes to the Hulk and orders that the lightning holding the Hulk down be removed. He says that the Hulk is their friend and that he must not be harmed. Lord of the Lightning introduces himself. He says that he just learned that he saved the pilot and that he is in the Hulk's debt. He says that he will allow the Hulk to join them. Hulk says that he joins no one. The Lord of the Lightning tells the Hulk to let him explain, but Hulk gets up and stalks toward the Lord. He says that the man tried to hurt him and capture him. He says that he is just like everyone else. The Lord of the Lightning says that he knows that all men have been the Hulk's enemies, but that here he will find friends who understand him. He says that he will never have to run or hide. Hulk says that he is lying and trying to trick him. He asks why he would be any different. The Lord of the Lightning realizes that the Hulk wants to believe him. He says to come with him and he will show Hulk. The Lord of the Lightning tells his sub-leaders that their honored guest must be refreshed. Hulk takes note of how they are treating him as a friend. He offers the Hulk some coffee and tells him that he has a movie to show him.

The film is of the military fighting. The Lord of the Lightning tells the Hulk that they are pledged to destroy this kind of thing and that when they control the country that they will abolish war and hatred. He says that he wants the Hulk to help them. Hulk does so. He moves a giant machine with one hand.

Talbot finds the secret headquarters of the Living Lightning Legion. He is about to radio the information in when two troops jump Talbot from behind.

Lord of the Lightning gets the report and tells Hulk to come with him. Hulk sees Talbot and says that he is the one that always hunts him. Talbot sees Hulk and says that he should have known that Hulk was one of them. He says that he always knew Hulk was a traitor and that this proves it. Talbot says that freedom can't be destroyed by fanatics even if they have Hulk's help. Hulk decks Talbot and says that he doesn't want to hear any more. He says that these men are his friends and that if the army tries to fight them that Hulk will smash the army. He says that no one hurts his friends. Lord of the Lightning tells Hulk to go and smash them before they can attack them. Hulk smashes through the wall and says that nothing will stop him.

No Excuses rating: 6 out of 10

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