Giant-Size Defenders #1
Giant-Size Defenders #1 (1974) kicks off with "The Way They Were! [Prologue]," a standout story written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby, with inks by Dick Ayers and colors by Petra Goldberg. Set in a pivotal moment for the Hulk, the tale follows Rick as he manipulates the military into launching the Hulk into space—only to discover too late that General Ross has used him as a pawn. The cover, a dynamic collaboration by Gil Kane, John Romita, and Frank Giacoia, captures the tension of a moment that reshapes the Hulk’s fate.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Cast · 18 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
The military captures Rick and Ross convinces him that they need the Hulk to test a new experimental rocket for national security. Rick tricks the jade giant into the capsule but once it is shot into space, he realizes that Ross deceived him to get rid of his foe. Rick overrides the programming and returns the rocket to earth but not before Banner (he transformed back to his human form when the rocket came into view of the sun) is doused with further radiation. The Hulk is now unable to revert to his human form and is under Rick's control but only while Rick remains awake.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).