Title - Sanctuary!
Issue - 143
Writer - Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich
Art - Dick Ayers and John Severin
Summary:
Doom rescues Bruce Banner from the streets as he tries to evade capture from the army. Safe under Latverian diplomatic immunity, Doom hides him in his embassy. As military forces led by Thunderbolt Ross demand that they hand Banner over to them, the Hulk breaks free from the embassy and is seemingly destroyed by their weapons. Unknown to them, Doom released a robotic Hulk in order to fake his death. With the Hulk free from the threat of the army, Doom transports an unwilling Bruce Banner to Latveria. In his castle, Doom uses a machine to reprogram Banner to make both he and the Hulk his slave.
Notes:
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Banner/Hulk isn't the first hero that Doom has picked up off the streets and taken into his embassy. Namor has also had that honor, see Sub-Mariner #20
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The name of Doom's driver is Igor.
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Doom states he has ruled Latveria for more than "half a decade." The issue was published in 1971, nine years after his debut in 1962. So we can assume that Marvel is still moving in 'real' time at this point.
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Collected in Essential Incredible Hulk Vol. 4
Title - The Monster and the Madman
Issue - 144
Writer - Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich
Art - Dick Ayers and John Severin
Summary:
Doom uses a machine to reprogram Banner into a loyal Latverian scientist working on creating another Gamma bomb. He also tries to convince his childhood love, Valeria that he is not the evil man he appears to be. She is however dismayed that Doom is using Banner to create a gamma bomb. Secretly Doom plans to deliver the bomb into a neighboring nation which threatens to invade Latveria. Aware of his deception, Valeria aids Banner to reprogram the Hulk to take the bomb to a deserted area where it can be detonated safely. Doom is stunned by her blatant betrayal but then the Hulk returns and engages Doom in battle. Hulk ultimately defeats Doom who would rather die than surrender. However Hulk knows that he won and promptly leaves when the image of Valeria tending to a wounded Doom recalls memories of Betty doing the same for Doc Samson.
Notes:
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Goof: The editor's notes state that Valeria was introduced in Marvel Super-Heroes #19, it was actually #20.
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Collected in Essential Incredible Hulk Vol. 4
Comments:
Valeria returns after her role in Doom’s origin made its debut in Marvel Super-Heroes #20. Here she once again struggles to find the man she loves behind the armor of Doctor Doom. All is for naught unfortunately and I find myself strangely feeling as though this issue might have been Star Wars Episode III before the was even a Star Wars. Those fans that are looking for evidence that Darth Vader was heavily influenced by Doom need look no further than here. I mean the issue even has a green colored bad ass. Can the parallels get any stronger? The basic premise of Doom using the Hulk against an invading force is cool to say the least. Fans of Doom’s villainy will find no shortage here as Doom is planning on using a Gamma bomb on a neighboring country! Over all Doom’s portrayal here is characteristic of the classic period but in my view lays ground work for some character advancement with the inclusion of Valeria. The fight(s) between Doom and Hulk are classic on their own.
Bottom Line: * * * * out of 5