| Characters |
Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]; Human Torch [Johnny Storm]; Thing [Ben Grimm]; Wizard (flashback); Paste-Pot Pete (flashback); Sub-Mariner (flashback); Willie Lumpkin (mailman, cameo) |
| Synopsis |
Following a race, Ben & Johnny complain to Reed that they've done pretty good on their own, and he tells them the FF "isn't a prison." They reply to an invitation to take part in a high-speed race, but discover on arrival that they're the only 2 contestants! On the salt flats, they suddenly find out their cars are running out of control, and it looks like someone's suckered them in for a big fall. However, they find themselves in an underground cavern, facing an unknown villain with a question mark on his mask! Before it's over, they're ready to admit they're happy Reed is on their side. |
| Genre |
Super-hero |
| Script |
Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue); Dick Ayers (co-plot) |
| Pencils |
Dick Ayers |
| Inks |
Paul Reinman |
| Colors |
Stan Goldberg |
| Letters |
Art Simek |
| Notes |
The "Mystery Villain" (or someone wearing the same costume) turns up in FANTASTIC FOUR #154 (January 1975). |
| Reprinted |
in Marvel's Greatest Comics (Marvel, 1969 Series) #30 (March 1971); in Fantastic Four (Marvel, 1961 series) #154 (January 1975) [edited]; in Essential Human Torch (Marvel, 2003 series) #1 (2003) [black & white]; in Marvel Masterworks: The Human Torch (Marvel, 2006 series) #2; in Fantastici Quattro, I (Editoriale Corno, 1971 series) #28 |
| Characters |
Dr. Strange; Dormammu; Clea (unnamed); The Mindless Ones; The Ancient One |
| Synopsis |
Dormamu says he no longer derives pleasure from beating weak opponents, and gives Strange an hour to reconsider the challenge. As Strange ponders Dormammu's overwhelming confidence, the mysterious girl appears again and takes him to The Mindless Ones-- a horde of aggressive, destructive creatures, who are only held back from killing all in their paths by the will-power of Dormammu! Still, his first duty is to Earth. Strange finds the girl imprisoned for "betraying" Dormammu-- and the battle begins! They seem almost evenly matched, until, with Dormammu's focus entirely on the battle, the barrier holding back The Mindless Ones collapses, and they rampage forward. As they're about to kill the girl, Dormammu turns and holds them back-- but they're too many coming too fast-- until Strange adds his power to Dormammu's! His domain safe once more, Dormammu is enraged that he should be in debt to a human! Strange extracts a vow that no harm shall come to the girl-- and that Dormammu must never set foot on Earth. He agrees-- but vows he will never rest until he has avenged this indignity. As Strange departs, the girl tells him she must stay, for it's her home-- "No matter where my heart shall be." On his return, The Ancient One gives Strange a new cape, and a "more wondrous" amulet. His mentor reminds Strange that one day, when he's gone, it will be Strange who will become "The Master". |
| Genre |
Occult |
| Script |
Steve Ditko (plot); Stan Lee (dialogue) |
| Pencils |
Steve Ditko |
| Inks |
Steve Ditko |
| Colors |
Stan Goldberg |
| Letters |
Sam Rosen |
| Notes |
Episode #16. Part 2 of 2. First appearance of The Mindless Ones. First appearance of Strange's "Cloak of Levitation." The origin of Strange's new amulet would be revealed in STRANGE TALES #138 (November 1965). Dormammu would find a way to strike back at Strange without breaking his vow in STRANGE TALES #130 (March 1965). |
| Reprinted |
in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics (Marvel, 1965 series) #18 (December 1968); in Doctor Strange (Marvel, 1974 series) #3 (September 1974) [edited]; in Bring on the Bad Guys: Origins of Marvel Comics Villains (Simon and Schuster, 1976 series) #nn; in Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts (Pocket Books, 1978 series) #nn [1]; in Marvel Masterworks (Marvel, 1987 series) #23 (1992); in Essential Dr. Strange (Marvel, 2001 series) #1 (December 2001) [black & white]; in Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange (Marvel, 2003 series) #1 (2003) |