The Hulk and the Leader finally face off for the first time in this gripping issue! After capturing the Hulk, the Leader brings him to his hidden base along with Bruce Banner’s groundbreaking defensive invention, the Absorbatron. The Leader’s ultimate plan is to study the Hulk and turn him into an ally. But the Hulk has other ideas—primarily ensuring the Absorbatron doesn’t fall into the Leader’s hands, even if it means destroying it himself.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military grows increasingly suspicious of Bruce Banner. Major Talbot and General Thunderbolt Ross are convinced he’s a traitor and order him shot on sight. Tragically, they—and even Rick Jones—arrive too late. By the end of the issue, Bruce Banner is found lifeless, prompting Major Talbot’s haunting declaration: “Gentlemen, the traitor is dead!”

Story & Art

This issue is everything I could have hoped for in the buildup to the confrontation between the Hulk and the Leader. The story cleverly safeguards the Hulk’s dual identity, ensuring that even the Leader’s genius can’t connect the dots. The Leader never sees the Hulk as Bruce Banner while inside the base, and by the time the U.S. forces arrive, they find only a seemingly dead Banner, maintaining the secrecy of the Hulk’s identity.

Jack Kirby’s artwork ties it all together with remarkable skill. The Leader’s base is intricately detailed, matching the high-tech brilliance one would expect of the character. But what truly stands out are the expressions. Major Talbot’s face, frozen in horror upon realizing the Absorbatron is gone, is unforgettable. Similarly, the smug satisfaction on the Leader’s face perfectly captures his arrogance and intellect. These moments elevate the tension and drama in an already stellar issue.

Originality & Continuity

This issue feels like the conclusion of several threads, particularly the saga of the Absorbatron and the Leader’s schemes. And yet, despite the seemingly definitive ending—Bruce Banner’s apparent death—we know this is far from over. The story promises more twists in the next issue, keeping readers eager for what’s to come.

As a capstone to the arc that began when the Hulk returned to his own original stories, this issue succeeds brilliantly. It ties together the larger narrative while delivering a satisfying moment of finality, even if we know the Hulk will rise again.

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This is a strong entry in the Tales to Astonish run, with an excellent blend of tension, intrigue, and character work. Kirby and the creative team hit all the right notes, making it a memorable installment in the Hulk’s evolving saga.