Synopsis
Recorder 417 returns to his makers the Colonizers of Rigel and reports on
his mission to record the exploits of the exiled Hercules. After a review of
the previous issues, Recorder settles on Herc’s celebration of his recent
victory on Ciegrim-7, the distiller’s planet where they really know how to
party. Out of their gratitude, they present Herc with a vial of the most potent
liquor in the galaxy. But then, Galactus’ herald Nova (Frankie Raye) arrives on
the planet to learn why it wasn’t made ready for her master to feast on. Herc
and Nova have an epic destructive battle which ends abruptly when she finds out
that her foe is the real Earth Hercules and they go off together. Hearing
nothing from his herald, Galactus orbits the world and puts his
matter-converter in place. So Herc and Recorder take the Sun-Chariot out to
Galactus’ ship to confront the World-Devourer; Herc tries to fight but finds he
can do nothing to stop Galactus from his preparations to devour the
planet—until Herc has an idea. He invites Galactus to drink with him, then
spikes the big guy’s cup with the potent liquor given him by the inhabitants of
Ciegrim-7. Galactus mellows out, even removing his helmet (he’s got a scary
black widow’s peak), and informs Herc that he knows what the demigod was plotting
and pretended to go along with his charade because he finds Herc to be an
amusing buffoon. In gratitude, G decides to spare the planet and find another,
returning Herc and Recorder to the planet. However, the Rigelians have arrived
and want to discuss with Hercules the enormous bill run up on Recorder’s charge
account. The grateful citizens of Ciegrim agree to pay it off but the
Rigellians take back Recorder anyway. And Hercules? He returns to his romantic
interlude with Nova….