Avenging Spider-Man #3

Oct 27

Oct 27 Avenging Spider-Man #3

The Red Hulk has seemingly been killed by Ra’ktar, the leader of the Molans. This prompts Spider-Man to retreat with J. Jonah Jameson, who was forcibly brought to Subeterranea to settle a dispute between the Molans and the Mole Man. Jameson complains the whole way but eventually they get far enough away that the Molan armies pull back. Spider-Man intends to go back after he gets the mayor to safety so he can recover his fallen comrade.

Back at the scene of the battle, the Mole Man declares Ra’ktar the victor of the battle with the surface world’s champion and asks for the ruler of the Molans to take the surface world instead of his own domain. The Molans cheer their leader over this victory.

Meanwhile, at the Moloid camp, Spider-Man asks the Moloids to return mayor Jameson to the surface. When one of them asks about their master, Spider-Man apologizes for not being able to return the Mole Man to them. Jameson can’t understand why Spider-Man insists on going back, since doing so could be a suicide mission. Spider-Man points out that despite Jonah’s negative opinion about him, he knows that the web-slinger won’t go back to the Avengers without his teammate anymore than he would leave Jameson in danger. He also points out how defenseless the Moloids are without their leader to stress the importance of rescuing the Mole Man as well.

That’s when a Molan war party, led by Ra’ktar arrives at the scene. Jameson cowardly leaves the scene alone when it becomes apparent that Spider-Man is not going anywhere. Translating for the leader of the Molans, the Mole Man announces that his captors have decided to eliminate the Moloids. Spider-Man refuses to let the Molans commit genocide and challenges Ra’ktar to battle, even though the odds are not in his favor. To demonstrate how powerful he is the leader of the Molans flicks a chunk of rock at the web-slinger. He just barely dodges this projectile, and it slices his finger open. When the battle begins, Spider-Man doesn’t fare very well. However, he manages to use the thrown rock and his webbing to make a primitive sling and whips it at Ra’ktar. This shatters the Molan’s belt causing his loincloth to fall down. Seeing their leader with his dick out causes the Molans to all start laughing.

Suddenly, the other Molans begin swarming their leader and putting him in shackles. Spider-Man is confused until the Mole Man explains that he won the battle by humiliating their leader. By this point, the Red Hulk — who survived being stabbed through the chest due to his healing factor — makes it to the scene and is ready to resume the battle. However, Spider-Man convinces the Hulk that the battle is won and keeps the brute’s anger in check as the Molans retreat in order to prevent unnecessary battle.

On the surface, J. Jonah Jameson is upset that Commander Steve Rogers, Iron Man, and Spider-Woman are not going down into the tunnels of Subterranea. Rogers explains that they are waiting on Mister Fantastic to bring them maps of the underground tunnels. This isn’t good enough for Jameson, who thinks Spider-Man is going to screw everything up. That’s when Spider-Man and the Red Hulk emerge from the tunnel an announce that the crisis is over. Everyone is surprised to hear that Spider-Man managed to save the day. However, the Hulk — grumpy after his ordeal — tells the web-slinger to never ask for a lift again and leaps off. Jameson also doesn’t understand why Spider-Man let the Mole Man go free after he kidnapped him. Spider-Man points out that he saved the Mole Man’s life and a little kindness can go a long way.

Unfortunately, Spider-Man would be wrong. Back in Subterranea, the Mole Man is furious that he was made to look weak in front of his followers. Looking at a model of a ruined New York City, the Mole Man orders it destroyed, but then changes his mind deciding that the broken city will be a symbol of their future.