Strange Tales #146

(July 1966)

When the Unliving Strike! (Table of Contents)

Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby (plot); Stan Lee (dialogue)

Pencils:

Jack Kirby (layouts); Don Heck

Inks:

Mike Esposito [as Mickey Demeo]

Colors:

Stan Goldberg

Letters:

Sam Rosen

Content Information

Genre:

Spy

Characters:

Nick Fury; Jasper Sitwell; Dum Dum Dugan; Count Bornag Royale (Ambassador for A.I.M. / Advanced Idea Mechanics); "THEM"

Synopsis:

Using a huge "swamp buggy", Fury & his men have tracked the "THEM" vehicle (seen in TALES OF SUSPENSE #78) to a "murky, insect-infested swamp". They ward off an attack by a squad of amphibian androids. Meanwhile, aboard the Heli-Carrier, Count Bornag Royale, the "top representative" of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics), a "society of the greatest intellects on Earth", is offended by the heavy-handed security treatment he's given by Fury's men. In the underwater lab, the hooded scientists speak of being "geniuses", and being worthy of "THEM". Fury uses a "sonic vibrator" to blast into the base, but is trapped between 2 walls of "electric energy waves". He tells the baddies he's set "pint-sized fission bombs" to blow up the base, causing a stalemate, as the hooded types feel they are "too valueable" to "THEM" to sacrifice themselves. But a group of "hammer-hand androids" have gotten loose because of the vibrations, and stampede the evil scientists to death, smashing the electric barrier in the process. Royale tells the SHIELD board of directors he's come to offer them their services and technology, but feels he cannot do so while being answerable to men with such a "lack of intelligence" and "over-inflated ego" as Nick Fury. Fury & his men polish off the androids. Surveying the lab, Fury realizes they're "no penny-ante outfit", and compares them to the Nazis, as well as HYDRA. He also realizes, because of the "geniuses", that he's heard of another group of scientists who create & sell ideas-- Advanced Idea Mechanics!

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• in SHIELD [Nick Fury and His Agents of SHIELD] (Marvel, 1973 series) #1 (February 1973) [minus 1 page]
• in Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel, 2007 series) #1 ([October] 2007)

Indexer Notes

Part 2 of 5. Story continues from TALES OF SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966), and presumably the flashback in STRANGE TALES #160-161 (September-October 1967), which was "too secret" for anyone to talk about. The android-growing tanks appear to pay tribute to THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). 1st published appearance of Count Royale; based on the dialogue it actually takes place after his appearance in this month's TALES OF SUSPENSE #79 (July 1966), as the readers are left unsure as to his motives in this episode (while his guilt is made clear in the Captain America episode). Tony Stark's problems with the Senate in TALES OF SUSPENSE #72-84 (December 1965-December 1966) are mentioned; his plant being forcibly shut down in SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966) presumably gave A.I.M. an "in" to peddle their technology to SHIELD.

The End --at Last! (Table of Contents)

Dr. Strange / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Steve Ditko (plot); Denny O'Neil (dialogue)

Pencils:

Steve Ditko

Inks:

Steve Ditko

Colors:

Stan Goldberg

Letters:

Artie Simek

Content Information

Genre:

Occult

Characters:

Dormammu; Eternity; Dr. Strange; The Ancient One; Baron Mordo; Clea

Synopsis:

Unable to contain his rage any longer, Dormammu erects a barrier to blind the sleeping Eternity to his actions. He then lures Strange into another dimension using the voice of the girl who helped him twice earlier. Dormammu challenges Strange; but before their battle can go very far, Eternity breaks free, telling the dark one he has "tampered with that which is sacred". Rather than be humbled again, Dormammu does the unthinkable-- and attacks Eternity himself! A cataclysm erupts, Dormammu is smashed between 2 colliding spheres, Eternity vanishes, and Strange is hurled between dimensions-- but is rescued by The Ancient One. With his foe finally gone, Strange releases all those who were banished by him-- which includes Baron Mordo-- and Clea! The Ancient One charges Strange with the task of cleansing the world of the remnants of Dormammu's evil, and those freed to help. As Strange returns to Earth, both he & Clea's thoughts are of each other.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• in Marvel Treasury Edition (Marvel, 1974 series) #6 (1975)
• in Essential Dr. Strange (Marvel, 2001 series) #1 (December 2001)
• in Marvel Visionaries: Steve Ditko (Marvel, 2005 series) #[nn] (2005)
• in Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange (Marvel, 2003 series) #2 [Regular Edition] ([September] 2005)

Indexer Notes

Part 17 of 17. Second appearance of Eternity. Previous appearance in STRANGE TALES #138 (November 1965). Next appearance in DR. STRANGE #180 (May 1969). Dormammu returns in DR. STRANGE #172 (September 1968). Clea's name finally revealed in this episode! Steve Ditko's last issue.

["Dear Stan, In Strange Tales #142, S.H.I.E.L.D. was fantastic..."] (Table of Contents)

Strange Mails / letters page / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

Stan Lee ?

Letters:

typeset

Indexer Notes

Letters of comment from Mickey Schwaberow; John LaForgia; Chuck Elliot; Don Gardner; and Mrs. James R. Gordon. Also includes Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon.