After
Shanzar (in
Namor’s body) has carried off Namor (in
Rick Jones’ body), the
Silver Surfer arrives to offer his help to the
incredible Hulk and
Doctor Strange. After filling him in on the story thus far, the reunited
Defenders try to discover their kidnapped partner’s whereabouts. Strange and the Surfer are at a loss, until Hulk suggests
Delphi, who is able to locate Shanzar. The heroes head to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where an energy dome is sitting on the ocean floor. Shanzar opens a portal for the heroes to enter and orders his demons to attack. The three Defenders battle the demons, unaware that they have been manipulated all along by the villain: they were duped into bringing the Surfer to Shanzar’s lair, their actions are forming part of the spell to summon an Elder God known as the
Wild One from his dimensional prison, and the Surfer’s energy is being drained to power the sacrificial knife that plays the final part in the ceremony. When the knife is fully powered, Shanzar uses it to stab the Silver Surfer, whose spilled blood is the final ingredient needed for the Dark God’s resurrection. As the ground quakes, the heroes and villains flee to the surface, where Namor/Rick is set free. The newly revived Wild One bursts to the surface, a leather-jacketed hipster driving a red hot rod. The Wild One heads off for some fun in Hawaii and the heroes pursue. The Defenders arrive to see the leering villain seated on the beach of a flaming island and surrounded by demons, welcoming them to his hellish Fantasy Island.
Excelsioring your collection
Story #2The Silver Surfer’s Greatest Foes
Writer:
Ron Marz.
Penciler:
Ron Lim.
Inker:
Jim Sanders III.
Colorist:
Tom Vincent.
Letterer:
Ken Bruzenak.
Synopsis
Trying to impress a woman at a club,
Pip the Troll claims to have been sidekick to the
Silver Surfer and uses the
Infinity Gem to take her on a voyage showcasing SS’s rogues gallery. Counting down: the
Collection Agency, the
Collector,
Champion,
Midnight Sun,
Reptyl Prime, the
Stranger,
Galactus,
Mephisto,
Thanos. But the woman has tricked Pip into teleporting into the presence of the real
Thanos, who has revenge on his mind.
Story #3By Reason of Insanity!
Writer:
Ron Marz.
Penciler:
Karl Altstaetter.
Inker:
Tom Christopher.
Colorist:
Tom Vincent.
Letterer:
Ken Bruzenak.
Synopsis
Firelord persuades Starfox to take
him down into the depths of Titan into the dungeon where Nebula is imprisoned.
He confronts the villainess who is alternately flirtatious and defiant. Firelord
asks why she destroyed the planet Xandar but she doesn’t remember. He reveals
that Xandar was his home planet and she killed everyone he knew. He threatens
her and she mocks him for it, a big man who wants to control everything and
with this he sees visions of the abuse Nebula endured as a child until she
fought back and killed the man. She curls up into the fetal position while
Firestar is stunned at having felt everything she endured. Starfox appears and
informs him that he made Firestar experience Nebula’s pain, to prevent his
desire for revenge from consuming him. So Starfox promises Nebula that she will
not suffer for the abuse she has endured. Firestar assures Starfox that while he
cannot forget or forgive Nebula’s deeds, he will move on. Starfox then suggests
they seek out some feminine companionship on a nearby planet.
Characters: Firelord, Nebula,
Starfox