Tales to Astonish #77
To Walk Amongst Men!
Following an undersea earthquake, Namor believes that the surface men have resumed their nuclear bomb testing and meets with his Royal Council on what to do. After much debate, Namor decides to err on the side of diplomacy and go alone so as not to start a cataclysmic war between the two races. Before Namor can depart on his mission Atlantis is rocked by another earthquake.
Saying his farewells to Lady Dorma, she asks if she might accompany him, to which he declines. He explains that he needs her to stay in Atlantis should the earthquakes revive the Behemoth, a giant creature that was made by Atlantean scientists to defend Atlantis from any devastating attacks that was buried beneath Atlantis years ago because it proved too dangerous for even the Atlanteans to control.
Venturing out into the vast ocean, the Sub-Mariner comes across a gigantic drill that is boring into the ocean floor. This device is being controlled by a group of surface scientists attempting to learn the origins of life on the Earth. The science team is led by none other than Henry Pym and Janet van Dyne, formally Giant-Man and the Wasp. Namor uses his massive strength to stop the drill and soon finds himself attacked by frog-men that are part of the military security that have been installed on the project. Out swimming them and rising to the surface, the Sub-Mariner warns them not to attack further.
The soldiers chose to ignore this warning and open fire, prompting Namor to climb aboard the vessel. Despite the fact hat he is surrounded by gunmen, Namor warns them from continuing their experiment further. However none of the soldiers and least of all Henry Pym are willing to listen to the Atlantean prince's threats, Pym warning Namor not to interfere with their project.
Recurring Characters
Sub-Mariner, Lady Dorma, Vashti, Behemoth, Henry Pym, Janet Van Dyne
Bruce Banner is the Hulk!
In a distant future time the Hulk battles the Executioner, who has also been banished to this era and is in conflict with King Arrkam. Back in the present, General Ross has called in Rick Jones to explain what effect Bruce Banner's T-Ray had, and what Banner's connection to the Hulk may be. Jones can't answer his questions, and when he is dismissed he is unaware that Glenn Talbot has decided to tail Rick to try and find some answers.
Back in the distant future, the Hulk manages to fight off the Executioner and his attacking army, turning back the tide of war and winning a victory for King Arrkam. In the present, the guilt-wracked Rick Jones returns to Banner's secret lab to mourn the apparent death of his friend and determine what he should do next. Glenn eventually reveals himself to Rick and asks Rick to reveal the secrets he's obviously been hiding for months now that the Hulk has met his apparent demise.
Cracking under the pressure of keeping his secret, Rick reveals to Glenn that the Hulk was really Bruce Banner, and Glenn tries to get the despondent Rick to tell more. While in the future, the Hulk begins to fade away, being transported back to the present as the effects of the T-Ray wear off. The Hulk begins to rematerialize in Banner's old lab just as Talbot chases after Rick hoping to get more information out of him.
Recurring Characters
Hulk, Betty Ross, Rick Jones, General Ross, Major Talbot, Executioner
