Strange Tales #164

(January 1968)

Nightmare! (Table of Contents)

Dr. Strange / comic story / 11 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dan Adkins (co-plot); Jim Lawrence (co-plot, dialogue)

Pencils:

Dan Adkins

Inks:

Dan Adkins

Colors:

?

Letters:

Al Kurzrok

Content Information

Genre:

Occult; Science fiction

Characters:

Dr. Strange; Yandroth [Scientist Supreme]; Victoria Bentley (cameo)

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...

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• in Giant-Size Doctor Strange (Marvel, 1975 series) #1 (1975) [1 page edited out]
• in Essential Dr. Strange (Marvel, 2001 series) #1 (December 2001)
• in Marvel Masterworks: Doctor Strange (Marvel, 2003 series) #2 [Regular Edition] ([September] 2005)

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.

When Comes... Black Noon! (Table of Contents)

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

Credits

Script:

Jim Steranko

Pencils:

Jim Steranko

Inks:

Bill Everett

Colors:

Jim Steranko ?

Letters:

Artie Simek

Content Information

Genre:

Spy

Characters:

The Yellow Claw; Nick Fury; Suwan; Fritz Von Voltzmann; Clipper Charlie: (SHIELD barber); Slim (SHIELD barber); James Bond 007 (cameo); Val [Contessa Valentina Allegro de Fontaine]

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...and 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 on board "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!

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• in Capitaine America (Editions Héritage, 1970 series) #57 ([Mai 1976])
• in Captain Britain (Marvel UK, 1976 series) #11 (December 22, 1976) [pages 1-6], #12 (December 29, 1976) [pages 7-12]
• in Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel, 2000 series) #[nn] (May 2000)
• in Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel, 2007 series) #2 ([December] 2009)

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 Stavro Blofeld would use a laser to destroy satellites in orbit in the 007 film, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971). In the introduction to Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury Agent of Shield Volume 2 Steranko says he took over the color chores with Strange Tales # 165.

["Dear Stan, Stupendous! Colossal! Magnificent!"] (Table of Contents)

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

Credits

Script:

?

Letters:

typeset

Indexer Notes

Letters of comment from Loren MacGregor; John Hoecker; Chuck Turnbull; and Mike Cahlin. Also includes Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon.