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Tales to Astonish #77

Mar 1966

Stan Lee, John Romita

Story Name:

Bruce Banner Is The Hulk

Synopsis

Tales to Astonish #77 synopsis by Julio Molina-Muscara

Rating:

The Hulk fights the immortal Executioner while his army attacks the city. After trading heavy blows, Hulk defeats his foe and destroys his combat ships.

Instead of thanking the Hulk, King Arrkam sends forces to attack him! Suddenly, the Hulk vanishes in mid air, returning to the 20th century.

Believing Banner was dead, Rick Jones reveals Banner's secret identity to Glenn Talbot ("Banner is the Hulk") to clear Banner's name, thought to be a traitor.

Review / Commentaries

Tales to Astonish #77 Review by Librarian (March 20, 2024)

Reviews by Peter Silvestro: Wahooo! Hulk battles a Norse god for the bulk of the issue and, after that warm-up, he takes on Skurge’s army! Only the T-Ray saves the rest of the future world from Hulk. But the biggest, most world-changing event is quietly kept hidden and is only revealed on the last page—assuming you didn’t see the cover. [Smiley face] Bruce Banner’s secret is announced to the world (actually only to Glenn Talbot but he’ll spread the word quickly), giving him a public identity. It had to happen, Stan Lee couldn’t keep writing these stories and pretending everyone was too dumb to figure it out. And now Bruce has a new class of headaches to deal with so it’s a good thing everyone thinks he’s dead. For now….

Meanwhile, the new Subby arc gets off to a nice start, having introduced us to Earth tremors last time. Namor decides to travel alone to the surface world for unclear reasons, as well as not making it clear where he would be going (it’s usually New York, perhaps for the United Nations). He finds the massive drill right away and messes with it, bringing him to the attention of Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne a/k/a Ant-Man and Wasp. His plans may be a bit vague so he relies on arrogance and attitude to achieve his goals. It may be reckless but it’s his modus operandi, part of why Namor makes such an offbeat—and popular—hero.

Comments: Hulk story by Julio Molina-Muscara: First Tales to Astonish cover depicting just the Hulk. First Hulk comic by John Romita as inker. He also participated as a penciler in the cover. And Hulk is knocked down for the first time.

Subby story by Peter Silvestro: Part one of four parts. This is Hank and Janet’s first appearance since their own series ended in issue #69 though Hank had a cameo in AVENGERS #22. First (brief) appearance of the Behemoth. Penciler Gene Colan credited under his real name for the first time, though he would go back to Adam Austin for two more issues.

> Tales to Astonish comic book info and issue index

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This comic is in the following collection:

Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK (1962) #1-6, TALES TO ASTONISH (1959) #100, INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #102, and material from TALES TO ASTONISH (1959) #59-99 and #101.

Excelsioring your collection:

Statue Hulk (Battle of New York) 1/10 - Infinity Saga - BDS Art Scale - Iron Studios

Holy smokes, Batman!
(The Boy Wonder)

Main/1st Story Full Credits

Stan Lee

John Romita

Unknown

Jack Kirby (Cover Penciler)
John Romita (Cover Inker)
Stan Goldberg (Cover Colorist)

Additional Credits

Layouts: Jack Kirby. Letterer: Sam Rosen.

All stories. Listed in alphabetical order.

Betty Ross
(Elizabeth Ross)

Executioner
(Skurge)

Glenn Talbot

Henry Pym

Hulk
(Robert Bruce Banner)

Lady Dorma

Lord Vashti

Rick Jones

Sub-Mariner
(Namor McKenzie)

Thunderbolt Ross
(Thaddeus Ross)

Wasp
(Janet Van Dyne)

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