Thunder Under the East River!

After arriving to New York City, the Incredible Hulk is attacked by the police but quickly loses interest, and hides in a light house where he befriends a hobo, Carl Pfotts. After a good night sleep, the Hulk wakes up as Bruce Banner and boards a train to get away from the city. Caught by the guard, Banner runs away, failing to notice an incoming train. Panic triggers the transformation and the Incredible Hulk halts the train "on its tracks". Dr. Don Blake, who happened to be at the freight yard's clinic, quickly turns into the Mighty Thor to face the Hulk.

The green goliath buries the Odinson under a cargo wagon and leaps away, hiding in lower Manhattan. However, the monster's temper soon gives up his location. Resuming their fight, Thor and the Hulk end up inside the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel where the Hulk throws a van to Thor and misses, cracking the tunnel's roof; water starts leaking. Turning his attention to civilians, Thor is surprised by a Hulk punch that releases Mjolnir from his grasp. As Thor steps on a truck to hold the roof, the Hulk tries to lift Thor's hammer... until he does!

But, the hammer has turned into a wooden cane and Thor into Don Blake. Blake explains the Hulk that he and Thor are the same person; Hulk leaves, thinking he has defeated Thor by trapping him inside of Blake. Using the cane, Blake turns back into Thor to hold the roof until repair crews show up to fix the tunnel. Moments later, the Hulk sneaks into an Israeli freighter with destination: Tel Aviv. The new "cargo" wants the boat to take him away from the cities, the puny humans, the fighting... and Banner.

Recurring Characters

Hulk, Thor

Continuity Notes

• At the time of this story, Thor was trapped in the frail body of Donald Blake as a means of teaching Thor humility, as explained in Thor #159. One of the limitations of this double life is that if Thor was separated from his hammer for more than sixty seconds he would change back into Don Blake. This limitation was removed by Odin in Thor #337.

• Many mentions are made of how Thor and Hulk had a history together in the Avengers. Some facts about this:

  • Both were founding members in Avengers #1, however the Hulk later left during the follow issue beacuse the rest of the team did not trust him. The Avengers later hunted the Hulk in Avengers #3 leading to a battle between the Hulk and Thor.

  • The clash between the Hulk and Thor during the events of Avengers #3 was expanded upon in Journey into Mystery #112. This story incorrectly references it as Thor #112