The
Human Torch remains outside the facility and absorbs all the excess heat given off by the gamma core, dispersing it as best he can.
Inside,
Thing is returned to his teammates after being launched into the air by an unsuspecting god of thunder. Thing breaks the news to
Iron Man that the
Hulk is actually
Bruce Banner.
Iron Man and
Mr. Fantastic decide that the best course of action is to rechannel the energy from the gamma reactor so that it is directed toward the Earth's core. While
Captain America keeps the reactor doors open, Thing and
Thor make their way inside to seal the reactor as best they can.
Eventually the radiation is too much for them and the Thing collapses. With their plan in danger of failing, Iron Man pleads with the Hulk to help them. Despite his protests, Hulk agrees to help them close the final seal. After Iron Man retrieves his weakened comrades, Hulk moves inside and turns the giant seal with his bare hands. This display of strength impresses even Thor.
Despite Iron Man's protests, they are forced to seal the Hulk inside the chamber or else risk exposing everyone else to additional gamma radiation. While the reactor descends to the core of the planet, the
Avengers and
Fantastic Four make their way to the surface.
While everyone else thinks that this event marks the end of the Avengers, Iron Man has other ideas.
(Continued in
CAPTAIN AMERICA Vol. 2 #6)
Give that special marvelite a timely gift