Let There Be Battle!

In need of allies, the Sub-Mariner views the Hulk's most recent battle and decides to establish a partnership between them. On his way to the surface, the Sub-Mariner is attacked by two men aboard a hydrofoil which unknown to him are under the control of his old enemy the Puppet Master. Furious to have one of his plans fouled by the Sub-Mariner once again, the Puppet Master (inspired by a newspaper story) decides to make the Hulk his next puppet and use him as a weapon against the Sub-Mariner.

On the mainland, the military is cleaning up the mess following the Hulk destroying the home base of the Lords of the Living Lightning. General Ross and Glenn Talbot have brought Rick Jones on the scene in the event that the Hulk survived the blast believing that the Jones boy would be able to control the Hulk should he lash out. This proves to be incorrect due to the fact that the Hulk is revived by the Puppet Master's manipulations, and he strikes out at Rick before jumping away, leaving all present (Rick included) to finally believe that the Hulk is an irredeemable menace.

Forcing the Hulk to battle the Sub-Mariner, their battle takes them across the coast, causing damage in their wake. However, the Sub-Mariners constant immersion in water and the Hulks inability to fight effectually in that element tip the fight in the Sub-Mariners favor. While back on the mainland, Rick is brought to a hospital where Betty is torn between her love for Bruce Banner, and the menace of the Hulk, which leave Talbot torn as well because if he kills the Hulk, Betty would never love him.

Meanwhile, the battle between the Hulk and the Sub-Mariner rages on, and is taken out into sea, where their combat causes a giant enough tsunami to wipe out the Puppet Masters island base and defeat the foe. When the water finally settles, Namor finds the unconscious body of Bruce Banner on shore. Not realizing that Banner is truly the Hulk, and believing the behemoth to have perished in the waves, the Sub-Mariner leaves Banner to his own fate and returns to the sea.

Recurring Characters

Hulk, Sub-Mariner, Betty Ross, General Ross, Major Talbot, Rick Jones, Puppet Master

Continuity Notes

• The Sub-Mariner remarks on how great an ally the Hulk would be, he should know since the pair teamed up in Avengers #3.

• The Puppet Master mentions the times he was defeated by the Sub-Mariner. He is specifically referencing his failed attempts to enthrall Namor in Fantastic Four #14 and Tales to Astonish #78-80.