Comics:Incredible Hulk Vol 1 125

From Marvel Database

March, 1970

"And Now, the Absorbing Man"
Writers Roy Thomas Pencilers Herb Trimpe Inkers Herb Trimpe Letterers Sam Rosen Editors Stan Lee

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Incredible Hulk #124

Incredible Hulk #126

I can absorb the strength of livin' things... as easily as metal or rock! That means I can add your might... to my own!

-- Absorbing Man

Appearing in "And Now, the Absorbing Man"

Featured Characters:

Hulk (Bruce Banner)

Supporting Characters:

Villains:

Absorbing Man

Other Characters:

General Morris
Harvey
Jack van Nyborg (behind the scenes)

Locations:

California

Items:

Absorbing Man's ball and chain

Vehicles:

X-890 Rocket

Synopsis for "And Now, the Absorbing Man"

As the Hulk wanders, he tries to remember what he was doing and has vague recollections how his alter ego almost married Betty Ross, however the memories cause him great emotional pain and the Hulk goes on a rampage, scaring off a bunch of beach goers before he passes out and reverts back into Bruce Banner while sleeping.

Meanwhile, at a California military base, Glenn Talbot is called in and receives word that a highly radioactive comet is heading toward Earth which threatens to destroy the Earth. He goes to report this news to General Ross who is recuperating in the hospital after his injury from the Hulk. Glenn tells both General Ross and his daughter Betty of the impending danger, Ross tells Glenn to call in all available troops to death with this crisis.

While miles away, Bruce revives and overhears on a radio left behind of the danger and rushes to the military base. There he surrenders to the military and offers his aid, and Talbot, deciding not to tell Bruce about his recent activities as the Hulk agrees to let him pilot the new X-890 nuclear warhead to try and destroy the comet. Bruce succeeds in doing so, however he takes aboard an unknown stowaway: The Absorbing Man who was exiled to that comet some time ago after his last battle against Thor. As the rocket returns to Earth, the Absorbing Man tries to attack Bruce in the cockpit of the rocket. Bruce however, sees the Absorbing Man's reflection in one of the panels and this upsets him enough to transform him into the Hulk. The two fight on the rocket until it crashes into the Earth.

The crash doesn't phase the two combatants who continue their fight, the Absorbing Man relying on his powers to best the Hulk in combat. During the fight, the Absorbing Man continues to absorb the Hulk's strength and begins besting his foe. Knocking the Hulk out, the Absorbing Man is about to crush the beast with a portion of mountainside, however when the Hulk reverts back to Bruce banner it also causes the Absorbing Man to absorb Banner's lesser strength level. Unable to support the weight, the stone begins to crumble on him. As Banner gets away the huge stone. In a bid to save himself the Absorbing Man absorbs the property of the stone, but it's weight is too great for him and he breaks into pieces.

The shock waves resulting from the crash also ends up knocking Bruce Banner unconscious once more, however he is safe from any danger, at least for the time being. This story is continued next issue....

Notes

This issue is reprinted in Essential Hulk, Volume 3 and Marvel Super-Heroes (Volume 1) #77.

The Absorbing Man appeared last in Thor (Volume 1) Annual #2. He appears next in Thor (Volume 1) #206.

Trivia

This issue was adapted into the 1978 Incredible Hulk Viewmaster reel (J 26) by Gaf.

Links and References