In
Tunnelworld, Doctor Strange returns to his physical body hidden in the palace
sewers and returns to the throne room to rescue his captive wizard pal Xhoohx.
Alas, he discovers his friend is dead, slain by Ytitnedion after the failed
rescue last issue. Strange takes the body and finds Sub-Mariner and Aeroika to
show them why they must keep fighting for freedom. The following day, the
heroes make the announcement to the public that Ytitnedion has been overthrown
and they are free. The reaction of the crowd is mixed, some rejoicing, others
believe that a change of ruler will not make any difference in their lives. Dr.
Strange blames this attitude on the real evil, the Unnameable….
Meanwhile,
in New York, the US Intelligence Services are cutting a deal with the captive
Mutant Force members, offering amnesty for their agreeing to work for the
Feds….
Patsy
(Hellcat) Walker and Valkyrie go out for a day’s shopping; while enjoying a
soda at a yogurt bar, they become aware of a bank robbery outside. The two
swing into action, Val destroying the getaway car’s motor with her sword and
Hellcat taking down the hoods with some acrobatic moves. They return to the
shop to discover their packages have been stolen….
At
his lawyer’s office, Kyle Richmond expresses outrage at his arrest for donning
his Nighthawk costume and helping his friends; Milton Rosenblum explains how he
is lucky that this hasn’t made the news….
Back
in Tunnelworld, the Defenders and company are at the frozen extremity of this
world, where the Unnameable is at his strongest. Dr. Strange deems this the
appropriate place to bury Xhoohx so they do, with a brief ceremony. A blizzard
arises, Ytitnedion murders his guard and tries to escape. Strange casts a spell
that makes the Orb of Ommennon expand until they are all enclosed in it. Strange
battles the villain, Aerokia discovers he can fly, Hulk, still controlled by
the Unnameable, helps Ytitnedion get away from the good guys by flying away on
his Nillfim-Bird. Strange and Namor see a giant image of Hulk’s face grow
before them; small Hulk and his bird fly through the pupil of a giant eye so
the heroes follow. Inside is the Hulk’s mindscape where Strange, Namor, and Aeroika
battle memory images of Rhino, Absorbing Man, Harpy, the Leader, and many other
Hulk foes. They are victorious in single combat but eventually overwhelmed, Dr.
Strange conjures up a massive deluge to wash the baddies away. Hulk attacks
Namor, the giant bird fights Aeroika, Ytitnedion takes on Strange. Dr. Strange,
though, realizes that the Unnameable depends on illusion to rob others of their
identities. He casts a spell to see only the reality of Hulk’s brain and so
performs surgery to remove the villain’s name from that brain. Things return to
normal, Hulk is himself again, the Unnameable defeated. Ytitnedion, unable to
remember his master’s name, jumps into the void. The others all prepare to go
home again….