| Characters |
Watcher; Thing [Ben Grimm]; Human Torch [Johnny Storm]; Kang; Merlin; Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards] (cameo); Invisible Girl [Sue Storm] (cameo) |
| Synopsis |
Though he is not permitted to interfere, The Watcher tells Ben & Johnny of how Kang time-travelled to the days of King Arthur, imprisoned Merlin, and took over the country. In order for the timestream to remain intact, The Watcher sends the pair back in time to defeat Kang. After a hard battle, they send Kang packing, and The Watcher returns them to the present. Later, relaxing after a hard day's fighting, Reed & Sue accuse them of being "loafers." |
| Genre |
Super-hero |
| Script |
Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue); Bob Powell (co-plot) |
| Pencils |
Bob Powell |
| Inks |
Wally Wood |
| Colors |
Stan Goldberg |
| Letters |
Art Simek |
| Notes |
Kang's previous appearance in THE AVENGERS #11 (December 1964); next appearance in THE AVENGERS #23 (December 1965). The Watcher's own series, where he sometimes acted merely as narrator, ran in TALES OF SUSPENSE #49-58 (January-October 1964); previous appearance apart from that in FANTASTIC FOUR #29 (August 1964); next appearance in FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3 (November 1965). Last episode of the series. Next issue, "The Human Torch & The Ever-Lovin' Thing" would be replaced with "Nick Fury, Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D." Torch's next "solo" series (of sorts) would be in MARVEL TEAM-UP #1 (March 1972), though he would be confined to occasional issues. The Thing, however, would fare better, getting his own (team-up) series in MARVEL FEATURE #11-12 (September-November 1973), then MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #1 (January 1974). Eventually, Ben would get a "solo" series in THE THING #1 (July 1983). |
| Reprinted |
in Essential Human Torch (Marvel, 2003 series) #1 (2003) [black & white]; in Marvel Masterworks: The Human Torch (Marvel, 2006 series) #2 |
| Characters |
Dr. Strange; Hamir (unnamed); The Ancient One; Baron Mordo; Dormammu; Clea (unnamed); Mindless Ones |
| Synopsis |
Strange returns to our plane, in NYC, takes a room in a cheap motel and then uses his ectoplasmic form to check up on The Ancient One in Tibet. He then goes to his master's home to look thru the library, but forgets to drop the spell of visibility that allowed the hermit to see him and therefore Mordo's spirits are after him again! To distract Dormammu (who's feeding Mordo endless power), Clea uses a device that weakens the barrier holding back The Mindless Ones, and they attack, causing Dormammu to leave Mordo as he battles them. Strange flies into space and straight into the sun, the spirits fleeing and Mordo worried that it might spell his doom. Strange returns to The Ancient One, who in his weakened, delirious condition, speaks of "Eternity." Dormammu secures his domain, but wonders if someone has betrayed him. Clea fears she may be found out. Strange begins to search for "Eternity." |
| Genre |
Occult |
| Script |
Steve Ditko (plot); Stan Lee (dialogue) |
| Pencils |
Steve Ditko |
| Inks |
Steve Ditko |
| Colors |
Stan Goldberg |
| Letters |
Artie Simek |
| Notes |
Part 5 of 17. First mention of Eternity. Strange would finally find it in STRANGE TALES #138 (November 1965). This episode (and the next one) inexplicably NOT reprinted in MARVEL COLLECTORS' ITEM CLASSICS in 1970. |
| Reprinted |
in Strange Tales (Marvel, 1973 series) #185 (May 1976); in Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts (Pocket Books, 1978 series) #2; in Doctor Strange Classics Starring Doctor Strange (Marvel, 1984 series) #2 (April 1984); 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); in Incroyable Hulk, L' (Editions Héritage, 1968 series) #67; in Incroyable Hulk, L' (Editions Héritage, 1968 series) #88/89 |