Featuring: Hulk
Release: September 1, 1964
Cover: December 1964
12 cents
Sensationally scripted by: Stan Lee
Dynamically drawn by: Steve Ditko
Impeccably inked by: George Bell
Lovingly lettered by: Sam Rosen
10 pages
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Even if he escapes this mess, the status quo is unsustainable. If Hulk might revert to Banner at any moment and has no control… he can’t keep that identity a secret.
In a recent issue of Amazing Spider-Man, we remarked the Enforcers were distinguished from other super-villains in that they were content to be lackeys, serving a major super-villain. Most of the super-villains are to arrogant to serve anybody, a plot point whenever two try to team up. The other “lackey” villains we’ve met are Dr. Doom’s Terrible Trio and Magneto’s Evil Mutants. The Terrible Trio tried to make the leap from lackeys to being their own bosses with limited success. Magneto’s mutants only serve him, while the Enforcers are clearly for-hire.
Chameleon is the first villain we see make the leap from super-villain to lackey. He’d teamed up twice with Kraven, but those seemed more like partnerships. Now, he works for the Leader. Chameleon has been getting around. Originally a Spider-Man foe, he recently fought the Avengers, and now faces off against Hulk.
I’m loathe to call this the introduction of the Leader since we don’t see his face. I suspect Ditko hadn’t even finished designing him yet.
The spy whose name we never learned from the last two issues turns out to also be one of Leader’s men. Thus we are in the “Leader Saga” which really began two issues ago. Because it goes on so long, we will pause whenever the story grants us room to breathe.
Rick Jones self-describes as Captain America’s sidekick and practically one of the Avengers. He and I must be reading different Avengers comics. Captain America has repeatedly rejected the notion of taking another teen sidekick given that his last one died horribly. It’s true Rick goes on a lot of Avengers missions, but I have no idea why.
Rick calls Betty Ross “Miss Brant”. I’d say he’s confusing her with Betty Brant, but he’s never met Betty Brant. An odd mistake. Flash recently made a similar mistake when he called Liz’s dad Mr. Brant. A little more understandable as Flash has met Betty Brant, however briefly.
Rick notes he feels like he deserted the Hulk. Rightly so. He actually was Hulk’s sidekick and Hulk actually needs one. For example, he needs someone to hold his glasses while he Hulks out.
Of course, the truth is practical. Hulk’s series was cancelled and Rick wanted to stay in the spotlight. When Hulk joined the Avengers, Rick hung around. When Hulk left, Rick continued to hang around, clinging now to Captain America. Because Hulk was in comic book limbo. But now that both Hulk and Captain America have their own ongoing series, Rick can’t decide between them.
Rick, you don’t always have to be someone’s sidekick. You shouldn’t just find another superhero once one is through with you. Take some time to find out who you are when not in a superhero/sidekick relationship.
Dr. Banner has been working on a gamma bomb in grenade form. You would think he would have learned hard lessons about building gamma bombs by now, but I guess not.
We get a good shot of Banner’s clothes shredding when he turns into the Hulk. I suppose to army pays him well enough to afford extra shirts.
Still trying to nail down the character of the Hulk. Last issue, he selflessly saved the base from a missile, getting captured in the process. He’ll be protecting the base again; this time the narrator explains it’s because Hulk is part Banner, and Banner exerts some influence over him. But Banner lets us know that sometimes Hulk goes on a rampage, and is unable to think or reason in that state.
The issue ends with a cool pin-up by Kirby and Roussos.
Rating: ★★★½, 61/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
I read this story in The Incredible Hulk Epic Collection vol. 2: The Hulk Must Die. You can also find the story in Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk vol. 2. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- General “Thunderbolt” Ross
- Hulk/Dr. Bruce Banner
- Leader
- Chameleon
- Captain America
- Rick Jones
- Major Glen Talbot
- Betty Ross
Story notes:
- Chameleon disguises as General Ross, then Dr. Banner.
- Spy from last 2 issues working for Leader.
- Hulk absorbs brunt of gamma bomb and changes back into Banner.
- Leader’s Humanoid creation ready.
| Previous | #268 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Tales to Astonish #62 | Reading order | Fantastic Four #32 |
| Tales to Astonish #62 | Tales to Astonish | Tales to Astonish #63 |
