Tales to Astonish #88
A Stranger Strikes From Space!
Attuma and his army of barbarians attack Atlantis once more in the hopes of taking over the land, leading to a clash with the Sub-Mariner. As Lord Vashti orders the Atlantean army to hold back as their leader clashes with Attuma alone, Namor easily defeats Attuma in battle sending the barbarian and his minions fleeing back to their base.
There Attuma fumes at his current failed attempt to take over Atlantis, land that he believes that should be his by rite of conquest and vows that no matter the cost, Namor must be destroyed. As fate would have it, an alien ship passing by the Earth on course for the 36th Nebular accidentally drops it's Navigo-Robot onto Earth orbit where it crashes into the ocean. Attuma's devices would pick up the robots landing in his territory and goes out with his minions to investigate the strange object.
As Attuma and his minions attack the robot to determine how powerful it is, Namor and Lord Vashti pick up the battle on one of their remote viewers. Vashti warns Namor against another battle against Attuma so soon while repairs from the last attack are still being made. Namor fears that this robot might pose a threat to Atlantis and after assuaging Dorma's fears for his safety, he resumes monitoring Attuma's progress.
Attuma and his minions have meanwhile brought their Nutro-Ray to the robot and fire upon it. When the device has no effect, Attuma believes that the robot is indestructible and orders his men to take it down. Opening up its chest panel, Attuma rigs up the robot to answer his verbal commands. With the robot now under his control he orders it to head to Atlantis and destroy the Sub-Mariner.
Recurring Characters
Sub-Mariner, Lady Dorma, Vashti, Attuma
Boomerang and the Brute!
As the Hulk comes to and is hailed as a hero, the President okays a plan to try and cure Bruce Banner from changing into the Hulk. However, all the media attention upsets the Hulk, who bounds away. Just before anything can be done, General Ross gets a memo charging him with the duty of granting the Hulk amnesty once he is confident that the Hulk is no longer a menace.
Meanwhile, Boomerang, having watched everything, follows the Hulk and attacks hoping to get his revenge on the Hulk. Their battle takes them to a dam, which Boomerang destroys part of, causing the water to flow out of control. With both at risk of drowning, Boomerang asks for the Hulk to take him to safety. As the Hulk jumps to a safe place, he changes back into Bruce Banner. Unable to hold Boomerang's weight, he is forced to drop Boomerang, who seemingly dies.
Recurring Characters
Hulk, Betty Ross, Rick Jones, General Ross, Major Talbot, Boomerang
Continuity Notes
The President of the United States is depicted as Lyndon B. Johnson in this story. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.
