Tales to Astonish #75
The End of the Quest
The Sub-Mariner hold the nearly lifeless Lady Dorma in his hands ready to defend her from the army of Faceless Ones that now approach him. Just before he thinks they are about to attack, they suddenly stop and Namor is visited by the spirit of Neptune. He tells Namor that he had forsook his task of claiming Neptune's Trident the key to reclaiming Atlantis from Warlord Krang. However, when Namor explained that he did it to rescue the life of Lady Dorma, Neptune is touched that the Sub-Mariner gave up his quest for the love of another and deems him worthy of the Trident. Vashti the elder watches as the Faceless Ones suddenly disappear and Namor is bequeathed the Trident of Neptune.
Revealing himself to Namor, Vashti praises the Sub-Mariner on his success and tells the true prince of Atlantis what is transpiring in his oppressed nation. With not a moment to lose, Namor swims off toward home in hope of reviving Lady Dorma to health with a Revitalizer Ray, with Vashti trailing behind carrying his trident.
Arriving outside Atlantis quickly, Namor's superior swimming skills allow him to dodge the guards ray blasts and smash through the main gates. Once within the kingdom's walls, Namor is attacked by Krang's robot-tank however Namor makes short work of it. Taking Dorma's unconscious body to the medical facilities he preps he from the Revitalizer Ray. Krang in an attempt to stop Namor from saving his lover's life attempts to short circuit the device, however Namor spots him and, having Vashti toss him his trident, pins Krang's hand with it.
Finally face to face with his foe, Namor prepares for the final battle.
Recurring Characters
Sub-Mariner, Lady Dorma, Vashti, Faceless Ones, Warlord Krang, Neptune
Not All My Power Can Save Me!
With the Leader seemingly killed by the Watcher's Ultimate Machine, the Hulk leaves the Leader's hideout with the Ultimate Machine to figure out what he should do next. While back at the military base, General Ross is overseeing the final implementation of the T-Ray, the "last" invention of Bruce Banner. Betty visits her father to try and appeal to him to release Rick Jones, who has been prisoner for being the only person who may know the Hulk's true identity.
While out in the desert, the Hulk tries to use the Ultimate Machine and it broadcasts to him the whereabouts of Rick. Finding that the boy is in trouble, and that only appealing to the President at the White House will free him, the Hulk leaves the Ultimate Machine behind to go and save his friend. After being left unattended, the Watcher has the Ultimate Machine returned to his home.
The Hulk's travels to Washington D.C. land the Hulk in conflict with the military once more, and before the Hulk can breach the White House he is blasted with the T-Ray. When the blinding flash ends, the Hulk finds himself in a post-apocalyptic future where soldiers have arrived to take him prisoner.
Recurring Characters
Hulk, Betty Ross, General Ross, Major Talbot, Rick Jones, The Leader (corpse), Watcher
Continuity Notes
Death of the Leader. However, through the aid of one of his Humanoids, the Leader is soon resurrected and comes back to torment the Hulk anew in Incredible Hulk #115.
Rick Jones recounts how the Hulk once saved his life. This happened in Incredible Hulk #1.
The President is depicted as Linden B. Johnson. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.
