Featuring: Hulk
Release: February 14, 1967
Cover: May 1967
12 cents
By: Stan (The Man) Lee and Gil (Sugar Lips) Kane
Lettered by: Artie Simek
10 pages
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|---|---|---|
| Tales to Astonish #91 | Reading order | X-Men #30 |
| Tales to Astonish #91 | Tales to Astonish | Tales to Astonish #92 |
This is your chance– to finally make everyone know that you’re not really a menace! You can become a hero–!!
The Stranger had taken control of Hulk to use as a weapon to destroy the world. But the Stranger’s control ended as soon as Hulk reverted to Banner. A spy used the Gamma Ray machine to transform himself into a Hulk-like creature that Betty dubbed the Abomination. Banner turned back into Hulk to stop the Abomination, but Hulk was defeated. And the Abomination absconded with Betty.
Now, General Ross thinks he has no choice but to try to save the life of the Hulk.
At Rick’s suggestion, they used Gamma Electrodes, which revives the Hulk and makes him stronger than ever.
Hulk handles Rick roughly, but Rick won’t give up on him, pleading that he has a chance now to be seen as a hero.
I appreciate Rick’s speech. The Hulk has been a villain, an anti-hero, and just a destructive force. He has often been a somewhat inadvertent hero. As the people he chooses to smash are often villains. But Rick argues he can be a true hero, doing good with intent, and perceived as a hero by the world.
It’s the mention of Betty that finally gets through to Hulk, allowing his rage to subside so he can transform into Banner.
And Banner can do science stuff to save the day.
In the end, the return of the Stranger leads to the final fate of the Abomination. Witnessing the Hulk’s heroism convinces the Stranger there may still be hope for humanity. And he decides not to destroy the world… yet.
In the meantime, he captures the Abomination for his own purposes.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 55/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
Characters:
- Major Talbot
- General Thunderbolt Ross
- Abomination
- Betty Ross
- Hulk/Dr. Bruce Banner
- Rick Jones
- Stranger
Story notes:
- Ross can’t let Hulk die. Only he can stop Abomination and save Betty.
- Rick bursts into the lab where Hulk is being treated. He suggests they use the Gamma Electrodes to revive Hulk. Hulk revived and stronger than ever.
- Rick risks his safety to reason with Hulk.
- Hulk is ignoring Rick until he mentions Betty. He remembers Betty was captured by the Abomination, and turns back to Banner. Because his rage has diminished.
- Banner can modify Infinite Weapon designed to repel Gamma Attack to send out Infra-Gamma Beams, which Abomination won’t be able to resist.
- Ross gives Banner complete command.
- The plan works and Abomination drawn to the lab with Betty.
- Banner then uses machine to sap Abomination’s strength, but the excitement and tension cause him to transform into Hulk and destroy the machine before it’s finished.
- Stranger wonders if he was mistaken about mankind, when he witnesses Hulk’s valor.
- Stranger takes Abomination with him to be his weapon.
- Hulk takes his leave.
| Previous | #659 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Tales to Astonish #91 | Reading order | X-Men #30 |
| Tales to Astonish #91 | Tales to Astonish | Tales to Astonish #92 |
