Editorial note: TtA is now a split book, with both Namor and Hulk using serialized storytelling, making it impossible to cover both halves of the issues in the same posts. Stories begin an end in different issue numbers. So, for the Hulk side of this book, look for the separate post.
Sub-Mariner, now King of Atlantis, encounters Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, who are offshore drilling and causing earthquakes in Atlantis. We appear to be heading for a Sub-Mariner vs. Giant Man and Wasp story, but in issue #78 it veers off sharply into a “Namor possessed by Puppet Master” tale that continues on for several issues. Puppet Master has been monitoring the sea-station, expecting it to provoke Namor, and takes the opportunity to mind-control him. He orders Sub-Mariner to bring him riches, but instead…
…Namor brings bonds. Puppet Master is not about the long-term investments.
And what is going on with his costume? Is that a voodoo doll on his chest. I kinda like that. I also like how Gene Colan (still drawing as “Adam Austin”) turns P.M. into a creepy little ghoul. Awesome.
After a bunch of “Namor fighting surface people” pages, he shakes off Puppet Master’s spell. But meanwhile, Krang figured out what was going on and he forces Puppet Master to build him a new doll that enables him to control a sea monster, which he sics on Namor and, using the threat of the monster killing Sub-Mariner, tries to force Dorma to marry him.
That is a form of rape, of course. Namor finds out about it at the end of issue #80, which introduces the next arc: Go git yer girl.
He starts off his search in #81, but not much happens in that issue other than a “super tantrum.” It’s the first post I’ve tagged as a tantrum issue that wasn’t Thor throwing a fit.
On the Hulk side, we start with a fight with Executioner in another dimension.
After last arc, Hulk was believed to be dead. Rick Jones is tortured by keeping Hulk’s identity as Bruce Banner secret, especially now that he believes he is dead. Major Talbot plays amateur psychiatrist to encourage Rick to disclose the secret.
They’re in the cave nearby where Hulk was snatched away by Executioner, and when Hulk’s battle is done, returns to that same place. But the army was ready for him, and they trap him.
By the time Hulk returns, Rick has already ratted him out to Talbot and now he’s revealing the secret to Betty Ross, Bruce Banner’s true love.
And, captured, Hulk brings all three characters together–and seems to drive Betty into Talbot’s arms.
On the Hulk side, the stories are basically becoming the fight of the month. In #77, he takes on Asgard’s Executioner, which could have been cool if it didn’t literally fizzle out right in the middle. The only important thing about any of these issues is that Rick Jones can’t keep a secret, and tattles to Major Talbot that Hulk and Bruce Banner are the same guy. But to be fair to Rick, he thinks they’re dead.
In the next two issues he fights Hercules, and Everett’s art is way too cartoony for all of it.
Then in #80, it’s Tyrranus the underground sorcerer who is still locked in battle with Mole Man.
And Betty is sad.
Created by Stan Lee and “Adam Austin” (Gene Colan’s pseudonym)-Sub Mariner.
Stan Lee (scripts) with Jack Kirby (layouts) and John Romita, Sr. (#77), Bill Everett (#78-80)-Hulk
Grades: B- (Sub Mariner); F (Hulk)
I noticed that it was around this series of Sub-Mariner stories that Namor’s head goes from the traditional flat to completely round. I wonder if this was Gene Colan’s idea or Stan Lee’s?