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Tales to Astonish #82: Review

Aug 1966

Roy Thomas, Gene Colan

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Story Name:

The Power of Iron Man!

Review & Comments

Rating:

Tales to Astonish #82 Review by T Vernon (June 11, 2012)

Comments (Sub-Mariner): Story continued from TALES OF SUSPENSE #80. First two pages penciled by Gene Colan who then fell ill; Jack Kirby finished the story.

Review (Sub-Mariner): A whole lot of action this issue by the incomparable Kirby makes this issue truly epic in all of its parts. The one oddity: the story advances the plot from Iron Man’s series but not for that of the Sub-Mariner; whose comic is this anyway?

Additional Review and Comments by Peter Silvestro:

Review: So Hulk shows up just in time to catch up with Boomerang and they fly and jump and goof around, each trying to get the better of the other. Meanwhile, General Ross rakes Talbot over the coals for losing Betty to the baddie. And Hulk comes off a bit silly, struggling against this guy. Look at him: a buglike helmet and a white blouse with red polka dots! Yet he manages to escape Hulk who only has a dim idea of what he’s doing. And yet, it’s thrilling as happens with a lot of early Marvel.

Comments: Hulk story: Part one of two parts; we’ll count the introduction of Boomerang and the Secret Empire last issue as a prologue. It is revealed in STRANGE TALES #149 that Agent Nine of the Secret Empire was SHIELD Agent Gabe Jones, working undercover to stop the baddies. Biggest mystery: How does Hulk already know what a boomerang is?

Subby story: Part three of eight parts, though it can be omitted without affecting the overall arc. Story continued from TALES OF SUSPENSE #80, the first title crossover in Marvel history. First two pages penciled by Gene Colan who then fell ill; Jack Kirby finished the story.

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Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Tales to Astonish #82 Synopsis by T Vernon

This story continues from TALES OF SUSPENSE #80

As Iron Man stands with the police outside the Stark factory on Long Island, the Sub-Mariner returns ready to resume their epic battle.

The two antagonists are now at full power, and the resulting fight is apocalyptic in its fury. The two lay waste much of the Stark plant until Subby sees the police breaking out their most powerful weapons.

Enraged, he turns on the cops, but Iron Man tries to restrain him. Spotting Krang’s flagship off the coast, Namor breaks away and dives into the river to pursue his revenge.

Iron Man, unwilling to answer police questions, takes off as well.

Story #2

The Battle Cry Of The Boomerang

Writer: Stan Lee. Layouts: Jack Kirby. Penciler: Bill Everett. Inker: Bill Everett.

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

By Julio Molina-Muscara

After escaping from a missile test, the Hulk finds Boomerang holding Betty Ross prissoner. With Hulk on his tail, the villain decides to let Betty go for his own sake, and flees away on a Secret Empire helicopter.

Hulk takes care of Betty, while Thunderbolt Ross, his men, and Rick Jones go to their location.