Tales to Astonish #99

Title: “When the Monster Wakes!"

Writer: Stan "the Man" Lee

Penciller: Marie "the She" Severin

Inker: John Tartaglione

The Hulk wakes up inside the cell and sees Betty in the cell with him. He recognizes her as the General's daughter. Betty thinks to herself that she can't let the Hulk see her fear. She says that no matter what he is Bruce Banner and that Bruce wouldn't hurt her. She says that she must show him that she trusts him. She puts her hand on Hulk's arm.

Outside the cell, the Lord of the Living Lightning asks Ross if he sees why he must obey him. Ross says to get her out of there and that he won't obey anything until she is out. The Lord of the Living Lightning says that first Ross must surrender the base to him on a nation-wide broadcast first. The Hulk starts to rumble. The Lord of the Living Lightning tells his men to get back and that only he can control the Hulk. Ross warns the Lord of the Living Lightning to release his daughter or he will track him down even if it takes forever.

Hulk asks Betty why she is crying. He says that he won't hurt her. Just then the Lord of the Living Lightning opens the door. He tells Hulk that the girl is Hulk's enemy just like her father is. Betty says that isn't so. The Lord of the Living Lightning says that only he is Hulk's friend. The Lord of the Living Lightning grabs Betty's wrist and says that she is going to betray him just as everyone has betrayed him... except him. Betty tells Hulk that it is all lies and that he is really Hulk's enemy. Hulk grabs the Lord of the Living Lightning and says that Betty says that he is the bad one and that he believes her. Hulk tosses him up against the wall. The Lord of the Living Lightning calls for his guards to blast Hulk. Betty says that he musn't kill the Hulk. Hulk says that nothing can kill him. The guards hit Hulk with the lightning guns. Hulk falls against the wall and slumps down. The Lord of the Living Lightning says to hit him again and again, but then he notices something happening to the Hulk. The Hulk changes back into Bruce Banner.

The guard in Talbot's room diverts his attention to see what is happening. Talbot sucker punches and knocks the guard unconscious. Talbot puts the guard's clothes on to fit in. He finds a radio and contacts the Pentagon for help. He says that he isn't going to just wait around for it... not while Betty is in danger.

Two of the guards ask for help with Ross. The other guards that just watched Hulk change into Bruce Banner don't even respond. Betty has passed out. The Lord of the Living Lightning says that now the Legions will see what happens to their enemies. Just then a guard bursts in and says that the Major escaped. The Lord of the Living Lightning asks who is responsible and that he will have his hide. The guard says that they don't have time for anything except flight. He tells the Lord of the Living Lightning that Talbot contacted the Pentagon. The Lord of the Living Lightning says that they still have the General and his daughter as hostages. He says that no one can stop them and that they are too strong. Talbot blasts one of the guards with the unconscious guard's weapon. Ross calls out to Talbot and the Lord of the Living Lightning makes a run for it. Talbot sees Banner and says that Betty is safe for now. Bruce says that she was always safe and that Hulk would never harm her.

Outside, the reinforcements have arrived. The Lord of the Living Lightning says to follow him and that they can still escape. His men ask about the others inside. The Lord of the Living Lightning says that is their tough luck and that he comes first.

Ross hears that they made it to their ships and took off. Talbot asks Banner if he is satisfied. Betty says that they can't blame Bruce for the Hulk's actions.

Bruce says that he seems to remember that the Lord of the Living Lightning had missiles ready to launch. Ross says that they have to stop him. Talbot says that they can't and that Banner knows it. He says that Banner may have even planned it. He says that he is calling Banner a traitor. Ross says that they can figure that out later after they stop the missiles. Talbot says that Banner probably designed the missiles for him. Bruce tells Talbot that he will make him eat those words. Bruce says that the Hulk can stop the missiles. Talbot asks if Bruce thinks they would trust the Hulk again. Bruce says that he doesn't have a choice. Ross says that Bruce is right. Talbot says that they can't trust the Hulk. Ross says that he isn't having a debate and that he is still in command. Ross takes them both to Bruce's gamma ray machine. He says that Ross rebuilt it from his early plans. Ross tells the soldiers to stay back and that he will assume full responsibility. Bruce gets in the machine and says that he won't forget that Ross trusted him. Ross says that he doesn't need thanks and to just stop the missiles. Bruce changes into the Hulk. Hulk smashes out of the tube. He says that the Lord of the Living Lightning lied to him, but that he won't lie to anyone else ever again.

The Lord of the Living Lightning gives the order to abandon base after they launch the missile and wipe the base off the face of the Earth. Suddenly Hulk smashes through the doors. The guards shoot Hulk with their weapons, but the Hulk is too angry to be affected. Hulk smashes the big lightning machine. Hulk says that their leader wants him to keep smashing them so he can escape, but he won't be fooled again. Hulk throws a giant machine and hits the atomic pile. The mountain base explodes.

Hulk lies under the rubble from the explosion.

No Excuses rating: 6.5 out of 10

So the Hulk is defeated twice in two issues... and this time by such a loser. To make matters worse... they keep calling this loser "the leader"... and I keep thinking how much better this story could have been if they had only brought the Leader back early. Another thing I don't really get is why Banner cares what Talbot thinks about his plan to have the Hulk stop the missiles. Ross points out that he is in charge and I feel I have to point out that Banner doesn't NEED either Ross or Talbot to turn into the Hulk. I miss Trimpe, but Marie does another fine job with the art in this issue.

Title: "When Falls the Holocaust!"

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Penciller: LP Gregory

Inker: Dan Adkins

The waves wake Namor up. He looks up and sees the Atlantean fleet heading toward the surface. He says that if the air-breathers are to feel the might of the Atlantean army that it must be at his command. He says that first he must prove to his people that he wasn't an ally of Lord Plunder. Namor says that he is too weak to go after them unaided, but that inside the locks are vessels that he can use. He says that without his knowledge of the surface's weapons and wiles that his armada will face defeat. The doors open and another warship goes forth. Namor dodges the ship, but then recognizes it as the vessel that carries their new hurricane inducer. He says that the weapon hasn't been tested yet and that it can't be used. Namor leaps to catch the ship.

The American ship that caused all the trouble is headed home. Their sonar tells them that a fleet ships are moving on them quickly. They know that they can't fight them all and go to hide in the sea mountains. The captain of the ship hopes that the armada won't be able to follow them. The Atlanteans marvel at the skill the Americans show maneuvering their craft. Lord Seth manages to steer the lead ship through the mountains and the armada is able to follow him, but the Americans got away. Seth says that they will return with reinforcements, but that he has sent orders for the hurricane inducer.

Namor rides the ship that carries the hurricane inducer. He is back to full strength from the water surging around him. He says that his strength will stop the untested weapon. Namor rips open a hatch that lets him into the craft. Some guards come to check on the damage to the hatch. Namor decides that the false charges of treason against him might make them doubt him. He hides and decides to secure the hurricane inducer and then explain his actions. The guards have their weapons drawn, but Namor knocks them out. He pulls his punches so as not to really hurt the guards. Namor hears the surging power and realize that they have already activated the hurricane inducer. He says that they don't know what they've done and that once the cycle has been started that nothing can stop it. Namor knows that the build up will be slow and figures maybe he can stop it before it really starts. He grabs a connection rod and smacks the hurricane inducer. Another soldier happens along. He says that he doubted the charges against Namor, but that he can't doubt them anymore. He shoots Namor, but the hurricane inducer explodes from Namor's hit. Namor hears the engine rev up and knows that the weapon continues. He figures that this is probably the first of many explosions. Namor tells the soldier that the weapon should never have been used and he asks them to abandon ship. The soldier tells Namor that his words would carry more weight if he hadn't started this trouble. One soldier says that they need to sound the alarm to let the others know what has happened.

Lord Seth is told what Namor did.

Another blast sends the crew running for the hatches. Seth's ship arrives to save the crew.

Namor takes control of the ship and steers it away from the Atlantean fleet.

Seth watches and knows that the explosion that next occurs would have destroyed the armada. He knows that another more powerful blast is coming. He says that someone is steering it behind the mountain and is doomed. The man with Seth says that the whole crew is with them and that it must be Namor.

The ship is no longer responding. Namor escapes from the ship just before it explodes. The strength of the explosions pushes him even further away.

Seth knows that they don't have enough to wage war. He directs the fleet back to base. He thinks about what an enigma Namor is, but thinks to himself that Namor died a prince.

The Americans see that the Atlanteans are headed back and call off the reinforcements.

Namor knows that his people doubt him now more than ever and that only deeds will remove the stain of traitor. Namor says that it will be deeds against their sworn enemy the surface dwellers.

Prince of the Realm: 5.5 out of 10

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