Avenging Spider-Man #2

Oct 27

Oct 27 Avenging Spider-Man #2

Spider-Man and the Red Hulk have been swallowed whole by a massive subterranean creature while trying to prevent the Moloids from kidnapping mayor J. Jonah Jameson. When the creature returns to Subterranea, the Moloids toss some foul goop into the monster’s mouth making it throw up the two heroes.

Meanwhile, deeper in this underground domain, J. Jonah Jameson has discovered that the Mole Man has been disposed as the rule of Subterranea. His conquerors are the Molans, a species of massive underground warriors. The Mole Man tells Jameson that he needs to bow before the Molans, but the mayor of New York City refuses to comply. When their leader, Ra’ktar, yells in Jonah’s face he doesn’t even flinch. He refuses to do anything until the creatures start speaking to him in English. Jameson’s lack of fear impresses Ra’ktar who leads him away for what Jonah assumes is diplomatic talks. However, the Mole Man knows what is really going on and calls Jonah a fool for not having any idea for what he has done.

By this time, Spider-Man and the Red Hulk have shaken off the effects of the monster’s neurotoxin and find themselves in the Moloid camp. When one of them blows a massive trumpet, the pair think they are about to be attacked and are shocked when a bunch of Moloid children come out to greet them. That’s when Spider-Man notices a funeral pyre and wonders what is going on. That’s when one of the adult Moloids brings them a poster of J. Jonah Jameson advertising the New York marathon. Spider-Man thinks something is up and suggests they need to work with the Moloids. The Red Hulk disagrees, pointing out that they kidnapped the mayor, making them the enemy. Spider-Man plays on the Hulk’s sense of honor to convince him to follow his lead.

Elsewhere, J. Jonah Jameson realizes that all of his bluster has gotten him is a battle in an arena with Ra’ktar. Still not understanding the gravity of the situation, Jonah figures he’ll be allowed the chance of a phone call so he can call the Avengers for help. It starts sinking in when, instead of a phone call, Jameson is fitted with battle armor so he can fight Ra’ktar. The Mole Man tells the mayor that this is going to be a battle to the death and only one of them will leave the arena alive. When Jameson is brought into the arena, the Mole Man is used as a translator to tell Jonah what will happen. He explains that Ra’ktar intends to slay Jameson with his crudely carved sword called the God Edge. That’s when the Red Hulk arrives and scoffs at the weapon, boasting about his own science spawned strength.

While the Red Hulk keeps the Molans distracted, Spider-Man comes in to save the mayor. Jonah almost blames the web-slinger for all of this, like he usually does, but stops himself because, for once, even he sees how outlandish such an accusation is. That’s when Ra’ktar asks if the Red Hulk will be Jonah’s champion. The Hulk accepts this challenge and leaps into battle. However, despite the Hulk’s bravado, Ra’ktar proves to be a superior fighter and gores him many times with the God Edge. When Ra’ktar prepares to land the killing blow, Spider-Man tries to use his webbing to stop him from lunging his weapon. Unfortunately, the webbing snaps under the strain and Ra’ktar buries his blade into the Red Hulk’s chest.