A Firm Offer!

Daimon Hellstrom is walking the streets of New York lost in thought over his recent troubles when suddenly he hears a scream coming from a nearby alley. In the shadows, he sees a figure standing over a man laying on the ground. When he approaches the scene, it turns out the man who is standing is Power Man. Thinking that Daimon was the victim's killer he lashes out, knocking Hellstrom aside. In retaliation, Daimon summons his powers, transforming once again into the Son of Satan and blasts Luke Cage with hellfire from his trident. Luke shrugs it off, but before they can resume battle, the two men recognize each other through their past association with the Defenders. Power Man explains that the man lying on the ground is a street contact named Tyrone D. Gus. Luke explains that he was meeting with Tyrone as he discovered something big. Power man fears that they won't be able to get Gus to a hospital in time to save his life. Son of Satan believes they can and attempts to cast a spell to keep Tyrone alive until they can get him to medical attention. However, as he begins to cast the spell, Tyrone's body suddenly explodes, leaving nothing but ashes behind, much to the surprise of both men.

The two retire to the offices of Heroes for Hire, Luke thanks Daimon for coming back to the office with him as Iron Fist is away. He explains that he knew Tyrone since he was a former teacher who Luke lost track of after he left school. He explains that he reconnected years later after discovering that Tyrone was now homeless. However, the man had not changed since, and Luke is furious that someone had apparently killed him. Power Man is determined to find out who, and since mystical forces are involved, Son of Satan offers his assistance.

First, they try to learn the truth by roughing up local thugs, but this turns out to be a dead end. That's when Son of Satan decides to use his trident to search for any mystical elements in the area. He picks up a signal that draws them to a boarded-up building. Inside they discover members of the Sons of Satannish cult casting a spell to release their master. The pair comes crashing through, but find a mystical barrier blocking their path. Suddenly, they are enveloped in the Wreaths of Ravenna and constrict around them, causing the pair to blackout. When they wake up they still find themselves bound in the wreaths, and have been placed in a pentagram. The leader of the Sons of Satannish explains that they were waiting for the two heroes to arrive and then reveals himself as Tyrone Gus. He and the other Sons are all homeless people who are seeking to summon Satannish in order to obtain the power to crush those who have ignored and neglected them.

By this point, Satannish has grown impatient and orders Tyrone and his minions to sacrifice Hellstrom and Luke, as the stars will only be in alignment for a few moments. As Tyrone approaches them with the sacrificial dagger, he explains that he lured them into this trap by creating a psycho-kinetic construct of himself earlier. By this point, the Sons of Satannish have delayed enough for the Son of Satan to gather his strength and blast them with his hellfire. With the Sons knocked back, Power Man is able to break them free from the Wreaths of Ravenna. While Power Man fights off the Sons of Satannish, Hellstrom deals with their master. With his plans falling apart, Tyrone demands that his master provide him with the power to destroy his enemies. However, Satannish reveals -- just as Hellstrom warned -- that he sought to destroy all humanity, including his followers. With the portal to Earth now closing, Satannish grabs Tyrone and tries to pull him through the portal. Power Man leaps onto Satannish's hand and manages to pry Tyrone free.

Although he does manage to do so, and Satannish is banished, Tyrone is mortally wounded. Gus' final words are how he regrets giving into his bitterness and anger. When Son of Satan asks if Luke will be okay, Power Man tells that he will be okay, eventually...

Recurring Characters

Son of Satan, Power Man, Satannish

Continuity Notes

• Daimon Hellstrom's mind is on his relationship troubles with Hellcat, as seen in Defenders #116.

• Son of Satan and Power Man recognize each other through their mutual association with the Defenders. They first met in Defenders #24.

The Obligation!

The Hulk's presence in Manhattan has attracted the attention of the authorities and he is attacked by a SWAT Team, putting the green goliath into a rage. The Hulk easily fends off his attackers. Among the fleeing crowd is Peter Parker, who decides to do something and slips away to change into Spider-Man.

The wall-crawler arrives he takes the Hulk's attention away from the police officers and lures the creature away from the scene. The Hulk loses track of Spider-Man in the warehouse district and beginning to calm down he slips into a nearby warehouse to rest. Watching from above, Spider-Man's spider-sense informs him that the Hulk is reverting back into Bruce Banner. He uses this change to change into Peter Parker and see if Banner needs any help. At first, Banner thinks that Peter is a cop and asks him to shoot to kill. Peter explains that he is not a police officer, and give Bruce a coat and some money so he can sneak out of the city.

Sometime later, Bruce Banner returns to New York have found an apartment, a job, and is getting close to finding a cure. Bruce hears an elderly man called out for help as he is being mugged of his pension check by a group of thugs. Bruce confronts the thugs and they try to rough him up. This prompts a transformation into the Hulk, who sends the thugs packing. The Hulk then goes on a rampage on the streets. When he crosses path with the old man, he tells the Hulk to kill him and end his suffering. This prompts a dim recollection in the Hulk, and instead of killing the old man, the gamma spawned creature gives the old man his own money and then leaves peacefully.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Hulk

Continuity Notes

• Per the narrative of this story, this story occurs before the events of Incredible Hulk #272. More accurately, this story happens around Incredible Hulk #253.