Tales to Astonish #100

Title: “Let There Be Battle!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciller: Marie Severin

Inker: Dan Adkins

Namor sits and watches as the Hulk is buried under the collapsing under the exploding mountain. Namor thinks to himself that if he could save the Hulk that he would be a powerful ally. He says that his own people have branded him a traitor and that there is no where for him to turn. He says that he won't be alone much longer. He says that no one is more powerful than him in the water and that no one is stronger than the Hulk on land. He says that together they will be invincible.

After two hours of fast paced swimming, Namor arrives at the south east tip of the United States. Namor surfaces. There is a ship there and a man on the ship fires on Namor. Namor says that if he is to be plunged into battle so be it. The shell bounces off Namor. The man on the ship tells the other man to contact the master. The Puppet Master contacts them first and tells them that there is no need to contact them and that he sees everything. He does wonder who could be attacking them. Puppet Master says that the two men in the crew were to bring him the hydrafoil ship and shoot anyone who tried to stop them. He says that now someone is coming after them fast.

Puppet Master watches as Namor knocks the ship upside down. Namor says that the crew will remain there until help arrives. He says that he has returned and to let the surface world tremble.

Puppet Master says that he no longer wants the hydrafoil and that he has a much bigger prize in mind. He smashes the figure of Namor and says that each time he tried to take Namor over he was defeated. He says that this time he won't try and control Namor. Puppet Master sees the newspaper article about the Hulk buried in a landslide. He says that he will get the Hulk to kill Namor and get his revenge for him. He says that no landslide could kill the Hulk. Puppet Master makes a likeness of the Hulk. Then he treats the radioactive clay. He says that now the Hulk's will is his. Puppet Master says that first he has to revive the Hulk and have him dig himself free. Puppet Master tells the Hulk to get free.

Hulk says that he must obey and get free because the Puppet Master commands it.

Puppet Master says that the Hulk is even stronger than he dared to hope. He says that Namor will be like a sacrificial lamb. Puppet Master says that the victory will be the Hulk's, but that the triumph will be his.

Ross says that they have to find the body. He calls for the blasting crew. Rick Jones runs up and says that Ross can't. He says that the Hulk could still be alive, but that the blasting might kill him. He says that no matter what he's done that he is a human being and his friend. Ross asks Rick if he thinks he wants to do it. He says that he has no choice. Talbot says that they have to remain there until they find the Hulk and that he is too dangerous to go unaccounted for. Rick says that he knows that he is a nothing, but that he can't let it end like this and that Bruce Banner is the greatest guy in the whole world. Ross tells Talbot to get Rick out of there and that they can't let their feelings get in the way of their duty. Suddenly the Hulk breaks free. Rick starts running toward the Hulk. Ross tells Rick to wait and that it isn't safe. Rick says that Hulk wouldn't hurt him. Puppet Master tells Hulk that all that live are his enemy. He says that he can't trust anyone except the voice of the Puppet Master. Hulk says that he will trust no one. Rick tells Hulk that Ross and Talbot want to help him. He asks Hulk why he doesn't answer. Hulk says that he doesn't trust anyone. He smacks Rick away. Puppet Master orders Hulk to leap away. Ross yells for a medic for Rick. Ross says that Talbot was right and that he is a brainless monster. Ross tells Hulk that he will get rid of him even if it takes forever.

Puppet Master leads the Hulk to where Namor is. Namor sees Hulk approaching and says that is fortunate. He says that it is the one he seeks. Puppet Master orders the Hulk to destroy the Sub-Mariner. Hulk says that he will remember. Namor tells Hulk to hear him. He says that he has come there to make the Hulk an offer. He says that they are both powerful beyond description and both outcasts. He says that they should join forces. Hulk says that he doesn't join forces with anyone. He hits Namor and says that he is his enemy. Namor kicks Hulk. He calls Hulk a clod and says that he came to him in friendship and that he had no cause to attack. He says that he doesn't shrink from a gauntlet thrown. He says that if battle is called for that he will battle. Namor hits Hulk and says that Hulk thinks he is weaker because he is smaller, but that he won't think that anymore. Hulk grabs Namor by the head and tosses him to the ground. Hulk says that no matter how strong Namor is in water that they are on land and that he is the most powerful. Hulk tells Namor to get up so he can finish him fast. Namor realizes that Hulk is right and that he must get the fight into the water. Namor tells Hulk that he hit him hard, but that he still survives.

Puppet Master realizes that Namor is trying to goad the Hulk into losing his temper. He tells Hulk not to listen to Namor and to attack him again.

Hulk tries to hit Namor again, but Namor flies into the air. Hulk leaps after Namor. Namor says that he will lead the Hulk to water. Hulk grabs Namor by the leg and says that they will hit the ground. Namor breaks free, but Hulk grabs his arm. They crash into the trees.

Puppet Master tells Hulk not to try and outmaneuver Namor. He says that he doesn't have the skill or brains.

Namor swings at Hulk, but Hulk catches his arm in the air. He reels back and throws Namor out over the water.

Puppet Master calls Hulk a brainless bumbling fool. He says that he did the one thing that might save Namor. He tells Hulk to go after him.

Namor says that if only he could stop the voices in his head.

Namor tries to slow his speed so that he doesn't over shoot the water.

Hulk says that the only way to stop the voices in his head is to go after Namor. He leaps.

Namor crashes through a sail and manages to land in the water. He waits for his strength to return.

Ross rushes up to the missile base with Rick on a gurney. Betty comes rushing out. Ross says that she should be in bed. Betty says that she heard someone was hurt and that she was afraid it was Bruce. Ross says that it is Rick and that the Hulk did it to him. Betty says that Rick was his only friend and that if he attacked him that no one is safe. She says that the Hulk is beyond help. She says that she has lost Bruce Banner forever. Talbot says that this is what he always wanted, but he didn't want it to cause Betty such heartbreak and grief. He says that he wants her love because he is the better man... not because she can't have Bruce. He says that he must kill the Hulk, but asks what could kill the Hulk.

Namor says that the Hulk must die and that he will by his hand. He sees the Hulk leaping toward him. He says that even though his strength is restored that the Hulk still pursues him. Hulk lands and thinks to himself that one more leap should get him to Namor, but then he sees Namor coming at him. Namor rams into Hulk.

Someone calls in Namor and Hulk's fight and says that they have to stop him.

In the water, Namor swims around and around the Hulk.

Puppet Master tells Hulk to get out of the water and that he is no match for Namor in his own element. He tells Hulk to leap out.

Namor hits Hulk and thinks to himself that he can feel Hulk weakening. Puppet Master tells Hulk to brace himself against the wall and leap off. Hulk leaps off the wall and rams into Namor. The two of them clear the water and are high in the air. Puppet Master tells Hulk that the odds are with them again and to not let Namor back in the water.

Talbot says that it sounds like it is anyone's fight. A soldier says that the Pentagon is taking over and that troops are being rushed in from all bases. Talbot tells Ross to give him a task force armed with missiles. Ross says that he can't fire missiles over a populated area.

Hulk smashes Namor into the wall. Namor says that he has to finish Hulk quickly before his strength fades. Namor hits Hulk and drops him back to the ground. Namor swoops down. Namor and Hulk go at one another. Hulk hits Namor back into a car. Namor pulls his fist back, but Hulk hits Namor with two hands. Namor drops to the ground. Hulk dives at Namor, but Namor rolls out of the way and flies off into the air. Hulk leaps after Namor, but he collides with a helicopter. The helicopter starts to go down. Hulk leaps off again leaving the pilot falling. Namor saves the pilot. On the beach Hulk confronts Namor as the pilot lies at his feet. The Puppet Master tells Hulk that he must kill Namor now. Hulk says that he doesn't want to kill. Puppet Master says that he must. Hulk shouts no. Namor hurls himself into Hulk, but senses that something is wrong. Puppet Master tells Hulk to obey him or die. Namor senses Hulk's hesitation... fighting the control... and uses it to his advantage to hurl both of them into the water. Hulk tries to leap into the air, but Namor catches Hulk in a spiral of water. Hulk breaks out of it. He fights the voice in his head some more. Namor hits Hulk.

Puppet Master's control is break. Puppet Master says that Hulk lacked the killer instinct and wasted his strength fighting him instead of fighting Namor.

A giant wave caused by Namor and Hulk's fighting looms over the deserted island Puppet Master is hiding out on. The island is submerged.

Namor says that he didn't want to kill Hulk so he let him wash up on shore, but now he must find him before Hulk attacks again. Namor finds Banner washed up on the shore. He doesn't realize that he is the Hulk. Namor doesn't find the Hulk and goes back into the sea.

The clay figure of the Hulk washes up on the shore.

No Excuses rating: 7 out of 10

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