Professor H Reads Comics: January 1968

(Continued from Captain Mar-Vell, Pt.1)

Another stretch devoid of reviews, except for 1 issue I indexed at the GCD.

STRANGE TALES 164
cover by DAN ADKINS

"NIGHTMARE!"

Synopsis:
Hurling thru the void of space, Strange sees a vision of Victoria Bentley, surrounded by machinery. So he's taken back when he lands on a jungle planet inhabited by savage, monstrous creatures. He thinks of Clea, who he fears he may never see again. Then, he finds an underground cavern, and inside it, an elaborate machine, from which emits a mental challenge. Yandroth, "Scientist Supreme", claims to have unlocked the "inner-most secrets of the cosmos", and intends to make Victoria his queen-- to rule many planets, including, eventually, Earth. Strange refuses to depart, and realizes a challenge of science vs. magic awaits him...

Indexer notes:
Part 18 of 22; part 1 of Yandroth sequence. Story title misleading; Strange's longtime foe Nightmare does not appear, refers to the "Land Of Nightmares" (as mentioned in previous issue's coming atrractions) or "Nightmare Planet" (on this episode's last page). 1st appearance of Yandroth, "Scientist Supreme"; continues the trend of science-fiction themes in Dan Adkins' stories. Beginning this issue, lead stories alternate to match alternating covers.
(2007)

"WHEN COMES... BLACK NOON!"

Synopsis:
At the instant the Claw fired The Ultimate Annihilator at Fury, Suwan teleports him thru "Hyper-Dimensional Space" to the underground lair. She then teleports him to the SHIELD barber shop, where he collapses. In his lair, The Claw tests the Ultimate Annihilator by destroying a satellite in orbit. Mad with power, he plots "the dawn of a new age...an age of vengeance...of darkness and death". SHIELD medics give Fury the once-over in a "Revive Chamber", then warn him that any further stimulation could cause blackouts, blindness or death! Telling them to keep it confidential, Fury follows a tip, using the transparent car and a "Spectre-Suit" (to make him invisible) to trail a Claw agent. During a faked traffic accident, Fury sneaks into the trunk of the agent's car, getting out at their destination and getting the drop on The Claw & Von Voltzmann. But he discovers he's onboard "The Sky Dragon", a huge airship miles above the city! Captured, Fury is tied underneath the Ultimate Annihilator, as The Claw prepares to use it to destroy New York City!

Indexer notes:
Part 6 of 9. The "Revive Chamber" is strikingly similar to the one used to heal Luke Skywalker in the film THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980). Ernst Stravo Blofeld would use a laser to destroy satellites in orbit in the 007 film, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971).
(2007)

FANTASTIC FOUR 70
cover by Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott