> Hulk Masterworks Volume 2
 
 

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From the Mouths of the Marvels:

"No one but you must ever know my secret! Think what would happen if the world learned of it! Hostile nations would stop at nothing to capture me - - and to learn the secret of my transformation! Think what would happen if others could be created - - others like the Hulk!”

-- Bruce Banner, to Rick Jones, pg. 3

The Hulk takes on a bunch of plastic!

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The Incredible Hulk
from Tales to Astonish #64
February 1965 • 10 pages

Script: Stan Lee • Letters: Artie Simek
Pencils: Steve Ditko
Inks: George Roussos (credited as George Bell)

Title: "The Horde of Humanoids!"

Villain: The Leader, Humanoids

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

Cameo: The Chameleon

Innovations: Astra Isle

Gadgets & Technology: Absorbatron

Letters Page: Page One

House Ads: Page One • Page Two

Story Synopsis: As General Ross and Major Talbot stand over Banner in his jail cell, held for alleged espionage, the meek scientist asks for tranquilizer pills. He takes them in order to keep his Hulk form at bay. Meanwhile, Talbot is trying to convince Betty Brant that Banner is a spy, in order to win her love from him. And the Leader receives a communique from the Chameleon, who is still on the base and spying on his behalf. He tells the Leader that Banner is under arrest and the Pentagon still intends to go through with the nuclear test of Banner's device. The Leader decides to send his Humanoids out to attack at the nuclear test, so he can learn more of Banner's inventions.

Rick Jones shows up to give Banner some moral support, then has an inspiration to help him. Rick takes off to the White House and speaks with the President, getting access to him with his Avengers ID card. He tells the President about Banner's secret, and how he's stuck in a compromising position but is one of the most loyal Americans he knows of. The President intercedes on Banner's behalf, demanding he is released from his cell. Major Talbot is stunned at this development, but can do nothing about it.

Banner is scurried off to Astra Isle, under Talbot's watchful supervision, to oversee the test of his invention: the Absorbatron, a device which is able to absorb the impact of a nuclear bomb. As Banner tries to prepare the Absorbatron from the test, Talbot stands over him and harries him about his connection with the Hulk, who always seems to appear nearby Banner himself. This sets Banner off, making him nervous, and he starts to change into the Hulk. He races out of the room so Talbot cannot see the transformation. Around the corner and out of Talbot's view, he becomes the Hulk and races back towards Talbot, who closes the thick, steel door to the shelter that houses the Absorbatron so the Hulk can't get in.

The Leader is monitoring his small army of Humanoids, who have made their way to Astra Isle. He sees the Hulk and realizes how lucky he is to be able to knock out two birds with one stone. He sends his Humanoids to tackle the Hulk, and the green-skinned giant does his best to take his assailants out. Talbot takes steps to secure the Absorbatron from harm while the battle between the Humanoids and his resilient and slippery attackers ensues outside. Little realizing that both sides of his identity are under attack- Banner, from Talbot and General Ross, and the Hulk, from the Leader- the Hulk rages on against the tireless Humanoids.

--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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