Story #2The History of Subterranea
Writer:
Peter Sanderson.Penciler:
Jeff Moore. Inker:
Bud LaRosa. Colorist:
Kevin Tinsley. Letterer:
Rick Parker.
Synopsis
The Watcher presents the history of the underground realms, starting with the Celestials’ creation of the Deviants. The Deviants then built an empire, enslaving the humans, leading to war. The Celestials returned, destroyed the Deviant cities, and left. The Deviants then created their own slave race, the Gortokians who revolted and gained independence; some Gortokians were turned into the Lava Men by the demon Cha’Sa’Dra. The Deviants created more slaves which degenerated over time.
Romulus Agustilus, the last Emperor of Rome, rebelled against King Arthur, was defeated by the Black Knight and banished to the underworld where he subdued some orange subterraneans and took the name Tyrannus. He discovered the Fountain of Youth and became forever young.
Misfit Harvey Elder abandoned the surface world, subdued the yellow subterraneans, and called himself the Mole Man, going on to fight the Fantastic Four.
Tyrannus’ scheme of conquest was halted by the Hulk, Queen Kala of the Netherworld kidnapped Tony Stark and was defeated by Iron Man. The Lava Men battled the Avengers. The surface people tested a nuclear weapon underground and devastated the Gortokians; their prince became the warrior Grotesk and fought the X-Men. Mole Man, Tyrannus, and Kala fought among themselves. Grotesk battled Ms. Marvel, and Tyrannus faced Dr. Strange. The Deviants tried to conquer the surface world again. And here we are….
Story continues in INCREDIBLE HULK ANNUAL #17.
CharactersGood (or All)Plus: Black Knight (
Sir Percy of Scandia).
EnemiesPlus: Deviants, Grotesk (
Gor-Tok), Kala.
Story #3Burning Vision
Writer:
Eric Fein. Penciler/Inker:
Mike Bair. Colorist:
Greg Wright. Letterer:
Yug.
Synopsis
The Vision arrives at the scene of firefighters trying to control a fire in an abandoned factory. When he learns there is a kid named Tommy Rivera trapped on an upper floor, he enters and locates the boy. Tommy is terrified at the appearance of the Vision, believing he is the Fire Demon which his grandmother warned would be after him if he didn’t stop playing with matches. Vision allows the ceiling to collapse on him, forcing Tommy to choose to rescue him. They make it outside unharmed, Tommy is reunited with his worried grandmother, and the Vision moves on, his job done.
Story #4A Wing and a Prayer
Writer:
Michael Higgins.Penciler:
Ed Murr. Inker:
Mike Bair. Colorist:
Steve Buccellato. Letterer:
Michael Higgins.
Synopsis
A boy named Jeffrey Crane prays to God not to let his father die of cancer. He spies Thor flying past his home and dashes to Avengers Mansion to see Thor but Jarvis turns the boy away. Jeffrey breaks into the Mansion and is seized by the automatic security system. Thor frees him and they go outside where Jeff makes his request. Thor explains he can’t do that but he calls on Odin; the All-Father also tells him that this is a human matter that can be resolved only by humans. At this moment, a vengeful Absorbing Man jumps out of hiding and attacks Thor. As they fight, Jeffrey’s father arrives, summoned by a note from his son. Seeing his boy in danger, Mr. Crane attacks Creel who laughingly absorbs the man’s powers—and his cancer. Creel, realizing what has just happened, panics and turns into air to escape….
Some time later, Dad gives Jeffrey the news that his cancer is in remission and they feel like someone is watching over them….
