Shop

Featured Characters:

• Hulk (Bruce Banner)

Supporting Characters:

• General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross
• Glenn Talbot
• Betty Ross
• Jim Wilson

Villains:

• Klaatu (First appearance)
• Xeron (First appearance)
• Abomination

Other Characters:

• Mr. Forbes

Races and Species:

• Mobians
• Herms

Locations:

• Europe
• New York City
  • Manhattan
    • Empire State Building
    • Pan Am Building
    • Con-Ed Plant

Vehicles:

• 707 plane
• Helicopter
• Spaceship Andromeda (First appearance)

Synopsis

Having revived from his adventure through time somewhere in modern day Europe, Bruce Banner hitches a ride to a NATO unit and is personally escorted back to the United States under the supervision of General Ross and Glenn Talbot,
on a steady dose of tranquilizers to keep him from transforming into
the Hulk. Along the way, Ross tells Bruce that both Betty (who suffered a
nervous breakdown) and Jim (who was injured by Hydra) are recovering well together.

As they fly into New York
and pass the Empire State Building, some invisible force near it causes
Bruce to suddenly transform into the Hulk, smash out of the plane, and
climb up the Empire State Building. As this is happening the same force
appears to be draining all the electricity out of the city. Suddenly in
space, a giant space vessel appears and Xeron the Star-Slayer is
dispatched to Earth. This alien being has been dispatched by his masters
to destroy a creature known as Klaatu, an energy creature that is “from
beyond space.”

When the Hulk reaches the top of the ESB, he is shocked by the
arrival of Xeron and the sudden appearance of the gigantic Klaatu.
Confused by the whole tableau unfolding the Hulk decides to attack
Klaatu, however he is beneath the creature’s notice and it simply swats
him out of the way before disappearing again.

Furious over the Hulk’s involvement, Xeron has his slaves “row”
his hunting ship toward the Hulk so that they may capture them. The Hulk
has revived and tries to fight off Xeron and his men. Xeron however
uses his energy harpoon to incapacitate the Hulk, draining him of enough
energy to knock the green giant out and make him easy for capture.
Taken aboard the ship, the Hulk revives and learns that his old foe the
Abomination has a high ranking position aboard the ship.

Continuity Notes

• Although not outright stated, it’s suggested that Banner landed
  somewhere in Germany. The comment about “our guys” finding Banner
  instead of “theirs” is a vague reference to the fact that in the 1970s
  Germany was split between the East and the West. The West being run by a
  communist government. This should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.

• In the scene where one of the Con-Edison employees relates the current crisis to the Northeast blackout of 1965 as though that event were something that happened in recent memory. This should also be considered a topical reference.

• When the Hulk last saw the Abomination he was being taken into space by the Stranger as seen in Tales to Astonish #92 (in Italy in URC #89). Since then he broke free from the Stranger following the events of Thor #178 (in Italy in THC #78). How he ended up aboard the Andromeda is revealed next issue.

Defenders Vol 1 #17

November, 1974

Editor-in-Chief

Len Wein

Cover Artists

Ron Wilson
Al Milgrom
Gaspar Saladino

“Power Play!” / IL GIOCO DEL POTERE
Writers Len Wein Pencilers Sal Buscema Inkers Dan Green Colourists Glynis Wein

Featured Characters:

• Defenders
  • Dr. Strange
  • Hulk
  • Valkyrie
  • Nighthawk

Supporting Characters:

• Power Man

Villains:

• Wrecking Crew (First appearance) (Cameo)
  • Wrecker
  • Thunderball (First appearance)
  • Bulldozer (First appearance)
  • Piledriver (First appearance)

Other Characters:

• Aragorn
  • J.C. Pennysworth (Shadows)
• Walter (First appearance)

Locations:

• New York State
  • Richmond Riding Academy
• New York City
  • Manhattan
    • Irving Building (First appearance)

Items:

• Eye of Agamotto
• Cloak of Levitation
• Dragonfang
• Wrecker’s Crowbar
• Thunderball’s Ball and Chain (First appearance)

Synopsis

Setting up Aragorn in a new home at Kyle Richmond’s riding academy,
Valkyrie is also gifted with a mystical disguise that allows her to
switch from street clothes to her warrior armor by drawing her sword,
afterwards she bids farewell to the Defenders, as does the Hulk who is
upset by Val’s departure.

When buildings owned by Kyle Richmond are targeted by the
Wrecking Crew, Dr. Strange and Nighthawk decide to get involved. Their
involvement runs awry when they butt heads with Power Man who is hired
by Richmond’s aide, Pennyworth, to guard the Richmond buildings.

The three sort out their differences, however not before they are confronted by the Wrecking Crew.

Notes

• This issue introduces the Richmond Riding Academy. It is noted to be located on the Nassau/Suffok border. It will become an unofficial headquarters for the Defenders. 

Featured Characters:

• Gary Friedrich (Host)

Supporting Characters:

• Ryan Carter
• alien journalists

Locations:

• Tower of Shadows

Synopsis

A story more stupid and unbelievable than usual: in a vacant lot of a town suddenly materializes an old house with a museum of wax figures, which are instead disguised alien invaders.