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Fantastic! Vol 1 70

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I don't want you with me! I don't need you! I don't need anybody! With my strength -- my power -- the world is mine!

—Hulk (Bruce Banner)

Appearing in "The Hulk"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Incredible Hulk #1

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Synopsis for "The Hulk"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Incredible Hulk #1

Part 1: The Coming of the Hulk

At an Army base in the desert, Dr. Bruce Banner is readying the first test of his invention, the G-Bomb. General "Thunderbolt" Ross wants to know why Banner keeps delaying the test. His daughter Betty tries to calm him down, with little success. Banner tells Ross that the final countdown has begun. His assistant, Igor, demands that Banner share his work so that someone may check his calculations. "I don't make errors, Igor," says Bruce, and, when Igor threatens him, "You know how I detest men who think with their fists."

Banner takes a last look at the bomb with binoculars. He notices a teenage boy in a car, tells Igor to halt the countdown, and hurries after the boy in a jeep. Igor, who supposedly defected to the U.S. from the Soviet Union, is a spy and decides not to stop the countdown so that America will lose its greatest nuclear physicist. Banner gets the boy into a trench, but, before he can jump in himself, the G-Bomb explodes! Gamma rays saturate Banner's body.

Birth of the Hulk

Birth of the Hulk

Hours later, Banner regains his senses. The boy, Rick Jones, who drove onto the base on a dare, brought him back to base. Banner waits for some kind of symptoms to appear. When night falls, Jones turns on a "radio," actually a Geiger counter. Its clicking increases, and Banner changes into a huge grey figure. "Get out of my way, insect," says the figure, shoving Jones aside. He pushes through the wall, wrecks a jeep full of soldiers when it hits him, and wanders off to hide. Jones follows.

Part 2: The Hulk Strikes!

Bruce Banner (Earth-616) from Incredible Hulk Vol 1 1 003

The thing that was once Banner, with Jones trailing him, sneaks past the soldiers trying to find him and finds Banner's cabin. Inside, Igor is trying to find Banner's notes. He shoots at the Hulk, without effect. The Hulk takes away his gun and crumples it with one hand. He picks up Igor and slams him down on a lab bench. Jones notices a folder taped to the bottom of a large beaker, labeled "Top Secret: Report on Gamma Ray Bomb," and takes it. The Hulk picks up a photo of Banner and says, "I - I know that face!! But it is weak - soft!! I hate it! Take it away!" Jones reminds him that he is Banner. The Hulk briefly remembers what happened, then says, "I don't need you! I don't need anybody! With my strength - my power - the world is mine! As for you - you are the only one who knows who I really am!" He advances on Jones. The sun comes up at that moment, and the Hulk changes back into Banner.

Part 3: The Search for the Hulk

The MPs storm in, arrest Igor, ask Banner about the Hulk, take the folder, and leave. Betty comes to apologize for her father's outburst and tells him he should get medical attention. Banner says he'll call her and shows her out. He tells Jones that he's afraid he will change again at sunset.

Part 4: Enter... the Gargoyle!

In his cell, Igor uses a transmitter overlaid on his thumbnail. The message finds its way to the Gargoyle, a deformed Soviet scientist and secret agent, who travels by submarine and short-range missile to the desert. Banner and Jones take a jeep out into the desert before night falls, in case he changes again. He does change, and the Hulk wrecks the jeep. He recognizes the area near Ross's house and decides to visit Betty. At the same time, Betty decides to take a walk. She encounters the Hulk and faints in his arms. The Gargoyle appears.

Part 5: The Hulk Triumphant!

The Gargoyle shoots the Hulk and Jones with drug-filled bullets, making them like robots. They follow him to a truck, whose driver also gets shot. Ross finds Betty, who was frightened by her encounter but says, "In spite of everything, there was something... something sad about him!! Almost as though he was seeking... help!" Ross says, "If it takes an eternity, I'll find that monster!"

The Gargoyle and his captives reach a sub on the coast and get into a jet. As they streak towards the USSR, the sun rises on the Hulk, who changes back into Banner. Upon landing, the Gargoyle is astounded to find a man instead of a monster. He begins to cry, because he wants to be normal too. Banner treats him with radiation, which makes him look normal but takes away his super intelligence. The man who was once the Gargoyle realizes how the state has used him, so he puts Banner and Jones on a jet for home and blows up his base along with himself.

Appearing in "The Light That Failed!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Avengers #35

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Synopsis for "The Light That Failed!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Avengers #35

Goliath arrives to save Hawkeye and Captain America from the Living Laser's trap.

With the Wasp as his prisoner, the Living Laser flees to South America. In Costa Verde, he creates a powerful laser cannon and uses it to save the country from dictatorship, although he's really motivated by the expectation of fame and reward money.

The Avengers attack the Living Laser but they are defeated by his cannon and captured. Goliath escapes by willing himself to shrink, even though it is dangerous for him. He overcomes his size limit and sabotages the Laser's cannon, causing it to explode and defeating the Living Laser.

At the end of the issue, Captain America is alone in Avenger's Mansion when an unknown person reaches out to him. Cap is shocked to see... (Story continued into the next issue.)

Appearing in "If This Planet You Would Save!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Strange Tales #160

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Synopsis for "If This Planet You Would Save!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Strange Tales #160
Confronted by his arch-nemesis, Baron Mordo, leader of the Circle Sinister, Doctor Strange tries to appeal for Mordo's aid in saving the Earth. Mordo refuses to believe Strange at first, setting his minions upon Strange and fighting him one-on-one. However, Strange is able to fight off all of his attackers and convince Mordo to help collect all the evil mystical essence via a rite of Exorcism. In order to collect all the fragments together, they must be contained in a human host, a role which Mordo agrees to take. After the exorcism is complete and all the evil power unleashed by Zom is collected into Mordo's body, Mordo turns on Strange, striking him down.

Appearing in "Mekano Lives!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
X-Men #36

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  • Professor X's Private Jet
  • Professor Xavier's Rolls Royce

Synopsis for "Mekano Lives!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
X-Men #36

Continued from last issue...

Burglars have broken into Professor Xavier's mansion and find that they have gotten more than they bargained for when the Beast jumps them from the shadows easily defeating them. As Hank fights off the intruders, the other X-Men are in the lower levels of the mansion trying to figure out a plan on how to get to Europe and face Factor Three and rescue the Professor. When Hank joins them with the unconscious crooks, they hook them up to Cerebro and have all of their memories of the X-Men being at the mansion erased and send them off to confess their crimes to the police.

With the immediate problem solved, the X-Men have Warren call his parents to try and get them the money they need to fly to Europe, but find that the Worthington's have gone on a Caribbean Cruise. Checking the X-Plane, they find that their primary source of transport doesn't have enough fuel to take them to Europe. Changing to their civilian guises, the X-Men attempt to get the money through a Welfare organization; however this too turns up blank.

With no other choice, the X-Men decide that they should try using their mutant powers to earn them the money they need to plan the trip. Changing into their costumes, Marvel Girl, Cyclops and Angel then approach the foreman of a construction site and give him a demonstration on how their powers can be a benefit to his construction project. However, the foreman is forced to decline their offer when it turns out that they are not unionized and therefore cannot legally work on the site.

Adding insult to injury, when the X-Men change back to their civilian guises they find that the Professor's Royals Royce has been towed, and they haven't enough money to meet up with Hank and Bobby who have been trying to find a source of money in Greenwich Village. Overhearing their plight is student Tom Regal, who goes to college in the area and offers them a lift to the Village. There, Scott, Jean and Warren find that Iceman and Beast are entertaining people with their powers hoping to collect donations afterward. Departing from Tom, the X-Men cannot help but note that Tom has spent their encounter bemoaning being underprivileged in spite of the fact that he is wearing brand new clothing and driving a brand new vehicle.

Beast and Iceman's show is interrupted when Tom appears moments later, in a high tech exo-suit. Calling himself Mekano, he tells all gathered that he intends to demolish the New Memorial Library and implicates Beast and Iceman by telling all gathered that they are working with him. While Bobby is apprehended by the police (and having expended too much energy to free himself from the handcuffs), Beast attempts to attack Mekano straight on and is easily knocked out with a single blow.

Mekano arrives at the library and begins trashing the place when Cyclops, Marvel Girl and Angel arrive on the scene to try and stop him. When the police try to arrest them as well, Marvel Girl easily subdues them with her telekinetic powers, leaving Cyclops and Angel to deal with Mekano. Mekano easily overpowers the X-Men and continues his rampage. However, when the X-Men prove to be persistent adversaries, he attempts to flee by jumping from one rooftop to another. However, the novice villain underestimates his jump, and just barely manages to grab the ledge of the building. However, his weight of the armor causes the ledge to break off. Before he can fall to his death, Mekano is saved by Jean's telekinetic powers.

Upon planting his feet on the ground, Mekano is approached not only by the police and the X-Men, but also his father Andrew Regal, who reveals Mekano to be his son. When wondering why his son would go on such a rampage, Tom explains that his father’s philanthropy work had left him neglected and he was sick of being known as the son of a known philanthropist. Andrew Regal realizes the errors in raising his son, and agrees to pay for all the damage done by his son and return the stolen exo-suit. Satisfied by this response, the police allow Tom to be released into his father’s custody.

In thanks, Mr. Regal offers the X-Men an award for their help in stopping his son's rampage. The X-Men decline, however accept a loan of the $1,500.00 they need to fly to Europe. With their money in hand, the X-Men take a flight to Europe in their civilian guises unaware that the commander of Factor Three has been watching their every step.

This story is continued next issue....

Appearing in "The Verdict of Zeus!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Thor #129

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  • Hermes' Flying Chariot

Events

Synopsis for "The Verdict of Zeus!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Thor #129

Continued from last issue...

Thor returns to New York City where a crowd of people ask him questions about his going feud with Hercules. Thor finds the crowd's questions to be meaningless and is given an escape when a taxi driver offers to get him out of the scene. As Thor has the driver take him to the apartment building where Jane Foster lives, the cab driver gets philosophical with him.

Meanwhile, in far off Olympus, Zeus is being entertained when Pluto suddenly arrives to hand over the signed Olympian Pact, making Hercules ruler of Hades. This is meant to free Pluto from ruling over Hades. When Zeus believes this to be a trick, Pluto shows him the signed document and presses the ruler of the Olympian Gods to follow the rule of the pact. Elsewhere, Hercules has arrive in Olympus to seek his fathers aid, his travels are slowed when he must fight off a Titan that gets in his way. When Hercules finally reaches Olympus, he finds that he is too late and Zeus demands that he honor the pact and go to Hades and rule. Zeus gives Hercules an opportunity to get out of his bind, all he needs to do is find someone who is willing to fight for him.

Back on Earth, Thor arrives at Jane Foster's apartment and meets her new roommate Tana Nile, whom Thor finds very strange. Tana admits that she is from a far away place, however doesn't explain her origins. When Thor presses Jane for more information she unfortunately doesn't know much else about her new roommate either. Thor once more pledges his love with Jane, and expresses his interest in marrying her. Since a God cannot marry a mortal, Thor decides to go to Asgard one last time and demand his father take away his godly heritage so that they may wed. Jane is happy with this, but concerned regardless. The couple are unaware that the whole time Tana has been secretly listening in on their conversation and has plans for Thor, which require his godly might and she plots to insure that Thor does not return to Earth.

Thor meanwhile, travels back to Asgard where he finds Balder waiting for him. Balder explains to Thor that something has Odin disturbed and he has been sent out to find Thor as quickly as possible. Odin, not allowing Thor to explain his intended plans, tells the Thunder God that he must travel to the realm of Limbo to prepare through the Doorway of All Worlds, as a prophecy that will effect three worlds is about to pass. Thor has no choice but to agree and allows Odin to transport him to Limbo to wait until he is needed.

Back in Olympus, Hercules attempts to get aid from his fellow Gods to fight for him. Hercules attempts to get the aid of his enemy Ares to fight on his behalf, to which the God of War refuses. When his time to find someone runs out, Pluto appears to gloat as his minions rise out of Hades to take Hercules to his new realm. However, it's at this moment that Odin dispatches Thor from Limbo, having him appear in Olympus. Thor arrives believing that Odin wishes him to battle Hercules, however when the Thunder God witness the Prince of Power being dragged into Hades by the minions of Pluto, Thor realizes what he must do, and challenges Pluto and fight on Hercules' behalf.

This story is continued next issue...

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