Issue(s): Hulk #172
Published Date: Feb 74
Title: "And canst thou slay... the Juggernaut?"
Credits:
Tony Isabella - Script
Steve Englehart - Plot
Herb Trimpe - Penciler
Jack Abel - Inker
Roy Thomas - Editor

Review/plot:
Roy Thomas is listed as the plotter of this issue in the credits, but the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Credits says that according to Englehart, the plot was actually his.

The plot relies on past elements in the life of the Juggernaut, which were written by both Thomas and Englehart. In Dr. Strange #182, by Thomas, the Juggernaut was seen imprisoned in another dimension. In Amazing Adventures #16, by Englehart, the Juggernaut briefly escaped that dimension to fight the Beast.

Now the Juggernaut is released again as the military attempts to banish the Hulk into another dimension, and they accidentally swap the two. From the Juggernaut's point of view, a mystical entity, considering him a nuisance, agreed to restore the Juggernaut's youth (lost in his fight with the Beast) and send him back to Earth in exchange for the Juggernaut's newfound mystical abilities.

The dimensional transporter malfunctions due to the Juggernaut's interference, and then the Hulk is returned to Earth as well (or maybe the same guy that sent the Juggernaut home didn't want the Hulk around either). The two Team-Up and rampage around the army base.

After leaving the base they split up. The Hulk wants to find his friends: "Dumb magician, fish-man, girl-on-horse, silver one, and purple-man. Hulk has lots of friends." Good for Hulk. But before he can go find them, he sees the Juggernaut picking on an innocent family. (Purple-man is Hawkeye, btw, who was a Defender until recently.)

Then we get a big enjoyable Hulk/Juggernaut fight.

    

It even ends with a nice physics diagram showing the Juggernaut's flight path and probable point of impact (and some nice sound effects: BLAMM! and CARROOMMM!).

My only problem is that once again the Juggernaut is physically defeated when his helmet is removed, but we'll chalk that up to the fact that Professor X, along with Cyclops and Marvel Girl, are hanging out in the background.

They're in the area because they're trying to recruit Havok and Polaris to find Angel.

From a 'justification for reading my comics in chronological order perspective' this book has two arguments in my favor. First of course is the appearance of the Juggernaut, which relies on knowledge of the fact that he's been hanging out in alternate dimensions. Second is this missing Angel story, which starts in the Avengers and wraps up in the upcoming Captain America: Secret Empire story. It's fun to see these plot elements appearing is different books, reinforcings the concept of a unified Marvel Universe.

The art and story aren't great, but it's made up for with enthusiasm.

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 3 - Juggernaut returns to Earth.

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• We learned about Peter Corbeau in Hulk #148
  
• Every prior appearance of the Juggernaut is touched on: Uncanny X-Men #12-13, Uncanncy X-Men #67, Uncanny X-Men #81, Dr. Strange #182, and Amazing Adventures #16.
  
• The Hulkbuster base was still under repair from an attack by the Abomination and the Rhino from Hulk #171 (last issue), and the Juggernaut and the Hulk went and smashed it all over again.
  
• Angel went missing in Avengers #111.
  

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: N/A