Appearing in "The Way They Were!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Wong
- Rick Jones (Main story and flashback)
- General Ross (Main story and flashback)
- Fen (Main story and flashback)
- Mister Rasputin (Main story and flashback)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Way They Were!"
Curious about her teammates past heroics, Val is given a glimpse of their pasts via a spell cast by Clea. Little knowing that with each view into the past, each hero is transported to a limbo dimension where they relive the past adventure viewed. While Hulk deals with a mystical confinement, Namor must battle phantom Nazi airships and Strange battle a phantom Mr. Rasputin. Freeing themselves, Dr. Strange manages to break the spell and warn Clea against using the spell ever again.
This story reprints the following stories:
Hulk's temporary mental bonding to Rick Jones from Incredible Hulk #3, Sub-Mariner's youthful battle against Nazi airplanes in Sub-Mariner Comics #41, and Dr. Strange's battle against Mr. Rasputin from Strange Tales #145.
Appearing in "Banished to Outer Space"
Incredible Hulk #3
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Races and Species:
Locations:
Vehicles:
- US Missile
Synopsis for "Banished to Outer Space"
Incredible Hulk #3
While the Hulk spends the night time hours locked inside of his alter ego Bruce Banner's fortified cave, Rick Jones is summoned to the office of General "Thunderbolt" Ross. Ross tells Rick that they need to test fly an experimental rocket ship and that only the Hulk has a chance of withstanding the titanic g-forces. Knowing that Jones is closely connected to the Hulk, he punctuates his request with the knowledge that the Hulk will be contributing to the country's national security.
Rick feels that he owes it to his country to do what he can, though he regrets that the cost of such patriotism is the betrayal of the Hulk. Rick releases the Hulk from the sanctuary cave, and the Hulk begins chasing him. He lures the Hulk to the launchpad of the rocket ship and begins scaling the gangplank. He tricks the Hulk into entering the capsule, and General Ross launches it into outer space. As he returns to the army base, Rick overhears Ross celebrating the fact that they are now rid of the Hulk forever. It was all a trick. Frustrated beyond measure, Rick begins randomly activating knobs and switches on the rocket's control panel.
In outer space, the rocket passes through a radiation storm, and the Hulk is bathed in a massive dose of powerful celestial energy. The power surge arcs back downward towards Earth, striking Rick Jones. Rick appears to be fine but cannot explain the sudden surge of energy. As night turns to day, the space capsule detaches from the fuselage of the ship and plummets back towards Earth. Rick races out to the impact sight, fearful that the crash may have killed Bruce Banner. It is not Banner who emerges from the ship, however, but the incredible Hulk. Rick doesn't understand how Banner is still the Hulk even though it is now daytime. The Hulk begins chasing Rick Jones, seeking to avenge himself against Rick's betrayal. Rick runs and, in a desperate bid to save his own life, orders the Hulk to stop. Miraculously, the Hulk obeys his commands. Rick now realizes that the energy surge he felt back at the desert base somehow created a connection between himself and the Hulk. He orders the Hulk to bring him back to his cabin and watch over him so he can get some sleep.
While Rick is asleep however, he loses his control over the Hulk. The Hulk breaks through the wall of the cabin and goes on a rampage in a nearby town. Rick catches up to him and orders him to take him to the sanctuary cave. There, Rick instructs the Hulk to enter the steel cell and secures the door behind him. Tired, Rick slumps to the floor on the other side of the door. He refuses to fall asleep however, lest the Hulk go berserk and break free.
Appearing in "The Peerless Power of the Silver Surfer"
Fantastic Four Annual #5
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Harry the hunter (First appearance)
Races and Species:
- Zenn-Lavians (unnamed)
- Humans
Locations:
Items:
- Power Cosmic (unnamed)
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Peerless Power of the Silver Surfer"
Fantastic Four Annual #5
Brief Summary:
Quasimodo asks for the Silver Surfer's help in escaping his machine prison. The Surfer uses his powers to make him human. However, he's forced to turn him into a statue in order to stop him from attacking the city.
Detailed Summary:
While flying with a flock of ducks, the Silver Surfer is surprised by a volley of gunfire around him. Thinking he's being attacked, he quickly fires a cosmic blast at the hunters causing them to run for cover. Realizing that the meant no harm, the Surfer continues his flight to New York City.
As he flies through the city, he senses many different emotions from the people below. Suddenly, he senses such intense anguish that it causes him to investigate from where it is emanating.
His search leads him to an abandoned laboratory, where he finds Quasimodo entrapped in a machine. The computer begs the Surfer to use his power to make him human. Using his cosmic energy, the Surfer changes Quasimodo into a living being. The misshapen creature then goes on a rampage, attacking Surfer and the city. The Surfer fights back and turns Quasimodo into a stone statue in order to stop his murderous riot.
Notes
- Cover art: Silver Surfer figure by Romita.
Trivia
- This issue's framing story takes place in the morning of the same day as Defenders #13, immediately after the team's return from their adventure in #12.