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Appearing in "The Way They Were!"

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Synopsis for "The Way They Were!"

Curious about her teammates past heroics, Val is given a glimpse of their pasts via a spell cast by Clea. Little knowing that with each view into the past, each hero is transported to a limbo dimension where they relive the past adventure viewed. While Hulk deals with a mystical confinement, Namor must battle phantom Nazi airships and Strange battle a phantom Mr. Rasputin. Freeing themselves, Dr. Strange manages to break the spell and warn Clea against using the spell ever again. This story reprints the following stories:
Hulk's temporary mental bonding to Rick Jones from Incredible Hulk Vol 1 3, Sub-Mariner's youthful battle against Nazi airplanes in Sub-Mariner Comics Vol 1 41, and Dr. Strange's battle against Mr. Rasputin from Strange Tales Vol 1 145.

Appearing in "Banished to Outer Space"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Incredible Hulk #3

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  • US Missile

Synopsis for "Banished to Outer Space"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Incredible Hulk #3

While the Hulk spends the night time hours locked inside of his alter ego Bruce Banner's fortified cave, Rick Jones is summoned to the office of General "Thunderbolt" Ross. Ross tells Rick that they need to test fly an experimental rocket ship and that only the Hulk has a chance of withstanding the titanic g-forces. Knowing that Jones is closely connected to the Hulk, he punctuates his request with the knowledge that the Hulk will be contributing to the country's national security.

Rick feels that he owes it to his country to do what he can, though he regrets that the cost of such patriotism is the betrayal of the Hulk. Rick releases the Hulk from the sanctuary cave, and the Hulk begins chasing him. He lures the Hulk to the launchpad of the rocket ship and begins scaling the gangplank. He tricks the Hulk into entering the capsule, and General Ross launches it into outer space. As he returns to the army base, Rick overhears Ross celebrating the fact that they are now rid of the Hulk forever. It was all a trick. Frustrated beyond measure, Rick begins randomly activating knobs and switches on the rocket's control panel.

In outer space, the rocket passes through a radiation storm, and the Hulk is bathed in a massive dose of powerful celestial energy. The power surge arcs back downward towards Earth, striking Rick Jones. Rick appears to be fine but cannot explain the sudden surge of energy. As night turns to day, the space capsule detaches from the fuselage of the ship and plummets back towards Earth. Rick races out to the impact sight, fearful that the crash may have killed Bruce Banner. It is not Banner who emerges from the ship, however, but the incredible Hulk. Rick doesn't understand how Banner is still the Hulk even though it is now daytime. The Hulk begins chasing Rick Jones, seeking to avenge himself against Rick's betrayal. Rick runs and, in a desperate bid to save his own life, orders the Hulk to stop. Miraculously, the Hulk obeys his commands. Rick now realizes that the energy surge he felt back at the desert base somehow created a connection between himself and the Hulk. He orders the Hulk to bring him back to his cabin and watch over him so he can get some sleep.

While Rick is asleep however, he loses his control over the Hulk. The Hulk breaks through the wall of the cabin and goes on a rampage in a nearby town. Rick catches up to him and orders him to take him to the sanctuary cave. There, Rick instructs the Hulk to enter the steel cell and secures the door behind him. Tired, Rick slumps to the floor on the other side of the door. He refuses to fall asleep however, lest the Hulk go berserk and break free.

Appearing in "Bird of Prey"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Sub-Mariner Comics #41

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Synopsis for "Bird of Prey"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Sub-Mariner Comics #41

At the age of 17, Namor was out flying in the air, showing off to his young friends until they get fed up of his boasting and leave. Suddenly, Namor flies into what he thinks is a large bird, but turns out to be a Nazi war plane. The plane attempts to attack Namor, but he is impervious to its weapons and causes it to crash. However the resulting explosion knocks Namor out and when he wakes up he finds himself in his room at the palace with his mother who has preserved the tail of the plane as a trophy commemorating Namor's first victory over the surface world.

Appearing in "To Catch a Magician!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Strange Tales #145

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Synopsis for "To Catch a Magician!"

Reprint of the 2nd story from
Strange Tales #145

A new criminal named Mr. Rasputin, a descendant of Grigori Rasputin has appeared on the criminal scene, using his mystical powers for his own personal gains. One night Doctor Strange detects an evil menace, and thinking it's his old foe Baron Mordo, tracks it to the home of Mr. Rasputin. The two mystics then battle, however Strange is still weak from his battle against Tazza, and when Rasputin has him on the defensive. Rasputin then pulls out a gun and shoots Doctor Strange.

Escaping and seeking treatment in the hospital, Doctor Strange sends out his astral form to attack Rasputin, unaware that Rasputin had hired a gunman to kill Doctor Strange in the hospital. Battling Rasputin, the villain tries to banish Strange to another dimension, however using his mental control over the Cloak of Levitation and the Eye of Agamotto, Doctor Strange is able to knock his foe unconscious and bring him back to the hospital. There Strange arrives just in time to stop the gunman as well. He then hypnotizes them into confessing their crimes and erases Rasputin's mystic knowledge.

Notes

  • Cover art: Silver Surfer figure by Romita.

Trivia

  • This issue's framing story takes place in the morning of the same day as Defenders #13, immediately after the team's return from their adventure in Vol 1 12.

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