CATALOG RECORD

Tales to Astonish #81

Marvel · Series began 1959 · July 1966

first appearance of Boomerang

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

Boomerang (Fred Myers) — introduction

Dates

Cover date: July 1966
On sale: April 5, 1966
Pages: 36

Editions and covers (2)

Copies of #81 are not all the same book. Here is how to tell each one apart.

Original edition12¢ cover
Source ↗
UK pence edition10d [0-0-10 GBP] cover

British

Printed cover price 10d [0-0-10 GBP].
This edition’s page

Creators

pencils: Jack Kirby, Gene Colan, Bill Everett, Marie Severininks: Bill Everett, Dick Ayers, Marie Severinscript: Stan Leeletters: Sam Rosen

Stories

When a Monarch Goes Mad! · 12 pages
Namor is driven mad by the betrayal of Lady Dorma. (She agreed to marry Krang last ish in order to protect the Sub-Mariner from the monstrous Behemoth.) Dorma and Krang turn their skin to flesh color and head to the surface world to hide out.
The Stage Is Set! · 10 pages
The Secret Empire hires Boomerang to obtain the plans for the Orion missile and the new bad guy on the block heads for gamma base. As Rick, Betty and Glenn are returned to the surface from the underground subterranean kingdom, Boomerang captures Betty to use as a bargaining chip for the missile. Banner frantically makes his way through a pitched battle between the forces of the Mole Man and Tyrannus, trying to find a way to return to the surface and help his friends but it is only when he once again becomes the Hulk that he accidentally stumbles on the right machine that accomplishes the task.

Characters

Bruce BannerHulkNamorSub-MarinerRick JonesThaddeus "Thunderbolt" RossBetty RossJames BondHarvey ElderMole ManGlenn TalbotFred MyersBoomerangDormaKrangTyrannusRomulus AugustulusVashtiNeptune

Reprinted in

Marvel Super-Heroes (1967), Smash! (1966), Terrific! (1967), The Mighty World of Marvel (1972), Essential Hulk (1999), Marvel Masterworks: The Sub-Mariner (2002), Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk (2003), The Incredible Hulk Omnibus (2008), Essential Sub-Mariner (2009), Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk (2009), Marvel Masterworks: The Sub-Mariner (2011), Incredible Hulk Epic Collection (2015), Mighty Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk (2021), Namor the Sub-Mariner Omnibus (2025)