> Hulk Masterworks Volume 2
 
 

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From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"Even though the Hulk now has Bruce Banner's brain, he's changed! He's colder, fiercer, more violent than Dr. Banner ever was!”

-- Rick Jones, pg. 6

The Leader comes to make a pact with the Hulk.

(Click panels for larger images.)

 

The Incredible Hulk
from Tales to Astonish #71
September 1965 • 10 pages

Script: Stan Lee • Letters: Artie Simek
Layouts: Jack Kirby
Pencils/Inks: Mike Esposito (credited as Mickey Demeo)

Title: "Like A Beast At Bay!"

Villain: The Leader, Super Humanoid

Death: Super Humanoid

Guest Appearance: Glen Talbot, General "Thunderbolt" Ross, Rick Jones

Gadgets & Technology: Projecto-Ray

Letters Page: Page One

House Ads: Page One • Page Two

Story Synopsis: The Hulk grabs Rick Jones and leaps out of the way of the Sunday Punch missile, barely making it out past the mushroom cloud. The shock wave from the blast pushes them far off into the distance. The Humanoid is down for the count after taking the blast, but as soon as Ross sends his men in to study the massive form, the Leader destroys the Humanoid so his technology cannot fall into their hands.

After making a hard landing on a desert mesa, the Hulk tries to revive Rick Jones from unconsciousness, giving him a mighty, Hulk-style resuscitation. As they head back to the hidden cave, Rick and Hulk discuss his next move, and Rick fears that the Hulk, despite taking on Banner's intellect, has also developed a real mean streak in him. Ross spots the Hulk bounding across the horizon and they put together some firepower to chase him down. Just as soon as they get to the cave, they are set upon by artillery fire. Talbot bellows into the cave with a megaphone that the Hulk must come out and surrender. The Hulk fights back by tossing giant boulders at them, but it can only delay the inevitable. Ross threatens the Hulk with a nuclear warhead, and the Hulk decides he has nothing to lose but to make a last stand. He pushes Rick Jones out of the cave to safety, and readies himself for what comes next.

But from out of nowhere comes the "projecto-image" of the Leader. He explains to the Hulk that since they are both gamma ray creations- the only green-skinned people on Earth- that they are natural allies. He offers the Hulk transport from the cave to safety, if only the Hulk will offer his allegiance to him.

--synopsis and panel images by Gormuu

--letters page and house ads provided by Justin Fairfax

Issues Reprinted
Giant-Man from Tales to Astonish #59
& Incredible Hulk from Tales to Astonish #60-79

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.

 
TTA #59 TTA #60 TTA #61 TTA #62 TTA #63 TTA #64 TTA #65
TTA #66 TTA #67 TTA #68 TTA #69 TTA #70 TTA #71 TTA #72
TTA #73 TTA #74 TTA #75 TTA #76 TTA #77 TTA #78 TTA #79

 

All cover images are courtesy of the Silver Age Marvel Comics Cover Gallery.

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