Strange Tales #123

(August 1964)

The Birth of the Beetle! (Table of Contents)

The Human Torch / comic story / 14 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Stan Lee

Pencils:

Carl Burgos

Inks:

Dick Ayers

Colors:

?

Letters:

Sam Rosen

Job Number:

X-717

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Johnny Storm [Human Torch]; Thing [Ben Grimm]; Beetle [Abner Jenkins] (introduction, origin); Alicia Masters; Doris Evans

Synopsis:

Mechanic-inventor Abner Jenkins creates the identity of The Beetle. While taking the Fantasti-Car for a double-date, Johnny & Ben wind up being humiliated by The Beetle. But when he tries to rip off the NY World's Fair, the rematch goes the other way.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• in Marvel Tales (Marvel, 1966 series) #25 (March 1970)
• in I Fantastici Quattro (Editoriale Corno, 1971 series) #24 (22 Febbraio 1972) [as "La nascita del Coleottero!", Italian translation]
• in Essential Human Torch (Marvel, 2003 series) #1 (October 2003) [black & white]
• in Marvel Masterworks: The Human Torch (Marvel, 2006 series) #2

Indexer Notes

Carl Burgos was the creator of the original Human Torch! The Beetle next appears in Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel, 1963 series) #21 (February 1965). Colors credit for Stan Goldberg removed due to lack of attribution.

The Challenge of Loki! (Table of Contents)

Dr. Strange Master of the Mystic Arts! / comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Steve Ditko (plot, un-credited); Stan Lee (script)

Pencils:

Steve Ditko

Inks:

George Roussos [as George Bell]

Colors:

?

Letters:

Art Simek

Job Number:

X-715

Content Information

Genre:

Superhero; Occult

Characters:

Doctor Strange [Stephen Strange]; Loki; Thor [Donald Blake]; Odin (cameo)

Synopsis:

Strange practices the art of levitation. Meanwhile, in faraway Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, Loki, God of Mischief, plots as always. He contacts Strange and tries to convince him that he is a prisoner of Thor, who is evil and deceiving his father. Strange uses a spell to take Thor's hammer, but on examining it, can sense no trace of evil. Realizing he's been had, Strange battle Loki, who later swears vengeance against the mage.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• in Terrific! (IPC Magazines Ltd, 1967 series) #11 (24 June 1967)
• in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics (Marvel, 1965 series) #14 (April 1968)
• in Giant-Size Marvel Triple Action (Marvel, 1975 series) #2 (July 1975)
• in Strange Tales (Marvel, 1973 series) #182 (November 1975)
which is reprinted
• in Capitaine America (Editions Héritage, 1970 series) #88/89 ([Janvier 1979])
• in Doctor Strange Master of the Mystic Arts (Simon and Schuster, 1979 series) #[nn] (1979)
• in Marvel Masterworks (Marvel, 1987 series) #23 ([December] 1992)
• in Essential Dr. Strange (Marvel, 2001 series) #1 (December 2001) [black & white]
• in Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange (Marvel, 2003 series) #1 ([September] 2003)
• in Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange (Marvel, 2010 series) #1 ([December] 2010)
• in Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts (Pocket Books, 1978 series) #nn [1]

Indexer Notes

Loki would seek revenge against Strange the very next month in Journey Into Mystery #108 (September 1964).

Two More Triumphs for Marvel..! (Table of Contents)

promo (ad from the publisher) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Pencils:

?

Inks:

?

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Indexer Notes

Advertises Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel, 1963 series) #15 (August 1964) and Fantastic Four (Marvel, 1961 series) #29 (August 1964). Printed between the pages of the Dr. Strange story.

[Strange Mission] (Table of Contents)

text story / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Joe Maneely

Inks:

Joe Maneely

Colors:

?

Letters:

typeset

Job Number:

K-440

Content Information

Genre:

science fiction

Characters:

Alfred Pook; Harold; Dr. Smith

Synopsis:

A man becomes confused over directions to the dentist and as a result accidentally pilots an expedition to claim a new planet.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Mystery Tales (Marvel, 1952 series) #45 (September 1956) [page 2]

Indexer Notes

Text story with illustration. Printed after Dr. Strange story. Continues from last issue.