Incredible Hulk #2

July 1962
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby

"The Terror of the Toad Men"

Our story begins with a rampaging hulk who is calmed by Rick Jones (something that may reoccur once or twice in the ensuing decades).

The villains of this piece are (you guessed it) Toad Men.  And they will not be the last villains from outer space that Hulk battles in this six-issue series.  In fact, the majority of the Hulk opponents in this series would not be described as super-villains.  It's my opinion that Stan and Jack were intent to keep the Hulk away from anything resembling a hero.  As such, his adversaries were not typical super-villains.  For those, look to Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and the X-Men.

This issue also introduces the underground prison for the Hulk.  This prison was designed by Banner and, every night, he would lock himself inside in order to keep the Hulk from wreaking havoc when he emerged at night.  Unfortunately, before he can lock himself inside, the Toad Men arrive to capture the brilliant Banner, whom they refer to as the "greatest mind on Earth".  Their plans go awry when their space ship passes from sunlight to darkness and the Hulk is unleashed.

The Hulk, displaying intelligence, decides to take control of the ship and vent his frustrations at the US army.  Before he can accomplish this task, the army shoots him down.  Banner himself emerges from the ship (back to daylight after all) and is taken into custody.

The remainder of the Toad armada arrives at roughly the moment of dusk.  Hulk breaks free from the prison and seeks out his enemy General Thunderbolt Ross, instead finding his lovely daughter Betty.   After a brief battle with some troops, Rick helps calm things down (naturally).  The following day, the brilliant scientist Dr. Banner devises a way to defeat the Toad Men.  Unfortunately, this does little to help Banner in the eyes of General Ross, who alternately thinks Banner a weakling or a communist spy.

Similar to last issue, this was a fun lengthy read with dynamic pencils from Jack Kirby.

The teetering between hero-book and fantasy-book is one that Stan continues throughout this series.  I have to admit, I think I would prefer one or the other.