Appearing in "Darkness Encroaching"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Daily Herald Staff
- Mai Ling ⏵ (First appearance)
- Richard
- Daily Herald Publisher (Unidentified)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Darkness Encroaching"
With his scheme to destroy Spider-Man coming to fruition, the Dark Man uses his mystical powers to observe the wall-crawler after his television appearance.[Continuity 1] Spider-Man is signing autographs from his British fans, surprised by the number of people in this country are excited to see him. Suddenly, Spider-Man's spider-sense goes off and he is ambushed by the dragons that he dreamed about the previous evening. Setting up his camera to snap photos, the wall-crawler battles the dragons, saving the life of a child caught in the middle of the bout. Suddenly, the creatures vanish in a puff of smoke as though they were never there. Then the wall-crawler is attacked by the cyborg called Assassin-8. Blaming Spider-Man for the accident that turned him into a cyborg, the mercenary attacks the wall-crawler. As the hero dodges his blasts as well as saving those caught in the crossfire, the wall-crawler plugs Assassin-8's arm blaster with webbing causing it to explode. Knocked out from the blast, Spider-Man takes a look at his attacker, whose mask was knocked open by the explosion, and doesn't recognize who his attacker is.
Recovering his camera, Peter Parker goes to the Daily Herald, the Daily Bugle's British Affiliate. The publisher is impressed by his photos and offers to have Peter cover stories while he is visiting. He is then introduced to the paper's sports reporter, Richard, as well as Mai Ling, who operates the wire press service. Getting to know them, they ask Peter how his trip has gone so far, and he tells them it has been hectic. That evening, Assassin-8's inert body is being guarded by two British soldiers. Suddenly, the cyborg springs to life and kills the two soldiers before fleeing the scene vowing to destroy Spider-Man once he has repaired his damaged weapons system. The following morning, Peter Parker wakes up and discovers that all of the newspaper headlines are praising Spider-Man for his action the day before, much to his surprise. This is a surprising change to Peter, who thinks he could get to like this country. This is being observed by the Dark Man, who gloats as Spider-Man is playing right into his hands.
Appearing in "Prelude Part 2"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Jim Wilson
- Doc Samson
- Clay Quartermain
- Fred Sloan (First appearance)
- Andrew Hawk
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Moe Taylor
- Ilsa
Locations:
- California
- Gilbert
- Gus' Tavern
- Gilbert
- New Mexico
Items:
Synopsis for "Prelude Part 2"
In the early hours in the morning the Hulk wanders into the town of Gilbert, California. He passes a by a local bar, patron Fred Sloan is tossed out by the bar's owner. Confusing the bartender with a soldier, the Hulk attacks the man. Sloan goes back into the bar and tells people to stop messing with him or his friend will deal with them. The sight of the Hulk sends all the patrons of the bar fleeing into the night. When the Hulk tries to wander off, Fred convinces the Hulk that they are friends and offers to let the brute stay the night at his house.
The following day at Gamma Base, the staff greets the arrivals of Senator Eugene Stivak and Senator Andrew Hawk. Hawk is unimpressed with the way that Doc Samson has been running Gamma Base since General Ross had his nervous breakdown. Although Hawk has taken a hard line on shaking things up, Stivak seems more agreeable and willing to work with Samson. During a meeting with Samson, SHIELD officer Clay Quartermain, and Karla Sofen, they discuss the future of Gamma Base. Samson admits that he hasn't done well running the facility so far, but states that he never wanted the job to begin with. During the discussion, Stivak uses key phrases that tip Sofen off that he is a member of the Corporation, the same organization that she works for. She wonders what is going on and what to do.
Meanwhile, it's daytime in California and the Hulk has woken up in the home of Fred Sloan. He is drawn into the kitchen by smell of cooking. There he puts a fright into Fred's girlfriend, her shrieks wake Fred up. Sloan tries to convince her that the Hulk is safe but the woman flees. Soon the authorities are on their way and when Fred hears their sirens wailing, he convinces the Hulk to load up into his van and they flee the scene.
The Hulk's activities soon reach Gamma Base and Jim Wilson inerrupts the the meetings with the Senators to pass it along. While Hawk is unimpressed that a young boy is on the site of the base, they explain that he is a friend of the Hulk and can help them try and contain the monster. Stivak then suggests that he, Sofen and Jim Wilson venture out to California to try and contain the Hulk. Jim is concerned about this idea as he had recently fled California. His fears are confirmed aboard Stivak's jet when he reveals his affiliation with the Corporation, the very people Jim had fled from. When Jim tries to do something he is gassed.
While in California, Fred and the Hulk come upon a police blockaide. Fred tries to convince the Hulk to keep cool and disguises him. However, this fails when an officer tries to search the car. The Hulk loses his cool and trashes the cordon, sending the police fleeing. The Hulk gets back into the car, and they continue onward, fugitives of the law.
This story is continued in Captain America #230...
Appearing in "The Last Starfighter Part 2"
- Appearances not yet listed
Synopsis for "The Last Starfighter Part 2"
- Synopsis not yet written
Notes
Continuity Notes[]
- ↑ Although not named here, this villain is identified as the Dark Man in Marvel Fact File #97.