Challengers of the Unknown Archives #1

([July] 2003)

Table of Contents (Table of Contents)

table of contents / 2 pages (report information)

Credits

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

typeset

Content Information

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley]

Foreword (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 4 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Paul Kupperberg

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

typeset

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Indexer Notes

Introduction by Paul Kupperberg

[Cover - Showcase #6] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6 (January-February 1957)

Indexer Notes

First appearance of the Challengers of the Unknown. According to Joe Simon and Jack Kirby historians, Jack Kirby brought the proposal for the Challengers to DC. DC bought the concept and folded it into Showcase. Yet the DC Archive cites Dave Wood as the writer. So did Dave Wood rewrite Jack Kirby's dialogue?

The Secret of the Sorcerer's Box [Chapter 1] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby (plot, script); Dave Wood (script rewrite)

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

Ben Oda

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis] (first appearance; origin); VILLAIN: Mr. Morelian (first appearance; dies)

Synopsis:

Origin and introduction of the Challengers of the Unknown.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6 (January-February 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories. Letters credit from Rodrigo Baeza via the editor e-mail list on March 5, 2007.

Dragon Seed [Chapter 2] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby (plot, script); Dave Wood (script rewrite)

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

Ben Oda

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6 (January-February 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories. Letters credit from Rodrigo Baeza via the editor e-mail list on March 5, 2007.

The Freezing Sun [Chapter 3] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby (plot, script); Dave Wood (script rewrite)

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

Ben Oda

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6 (January-February 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories. Letters credit from Rodrigo Baeza via the editor e-mail list on March 5, 2007.

The Whirling Weaver [Chapter 4] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby (plot, script); Dave Wood (script rewrite)

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

Ben Oda

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6 (January-February 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories. Letters credit from Rodrigo Baeza via the editor e-mail list on March 5, 2007.

[Cover - Showcase #7]; ULTIVAC is Loose! (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; ULTIVAC

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #7 (March-April 1957)

ULTIVAC Is Loose! [Chapter 1] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins (first appearance); Felix Hesse (first appearance); ULTIVAC (first appearance)

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #7 (March-April 1957)

Indexer Notes

The name ULTIVAC is derived from UNIVAC, considered the first computer. Marvin Stien listed as inker in DC Archive, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

Chapter 2: A Challenger Must Die! (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #7 (March-April 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

Chapter 3: The Fearful Millions (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #7 (March-April 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

Chapter 4: The Fatal Prediction (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #7 (March-April 1957)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

[Cover - Showcase #11]; The Day the Earth Blew Up! (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; General Tolek

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #11 (November-December 1957)

The Day the Earth Blew Up [Chapter 1] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Bruno Premiani

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professpr Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Carl Jackson; Warren Moss; Commander Lockwood; Colonel Price. VILLAINS: General Tolek; Garnat; other Tyrans

Synopsis:

At the Pentagon, Navy officers and scientists are stumped. Two scientists mysteriously disappeared in Antarctica. They call in "men capable of handling the unknown". Ace takes the call. He, Rocky, and Red fly. They'll pick up Prof along the way. Off New Guinea, Prof is astounded to find a volcano rising from the sea bed. In the Antarctic, the Challengers snow-tractor toward the mystery spot. The tractor bogs in a snowstorm and needs repairs. Ace and Rocky explore and fall through thin ice! They land on a futuristic bridge. Above, Prof and Red are captured by skinny orange aliens in bubble-suits.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #11 (November-December 1957)

The Tyrans [Chapter 2] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Bruno Premiani

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Synopsis:

Prisoners, two Challengers are dropped down a miles-deep airlift. Ace and Rocky find an airshaft and search for miles. The gravity is lighter and they half-float. Finally they reach a vast underground super-city of aliens - with an army ready for invasion! Ace tries to capture a sentry, but the alien anticipates his every move with its computer-like mind. All four Challs are imprisoned with the missing scientists. The aliens are planting charges all over the world to blow away chunks and reduce Earth's mass, so they can live comfortably among enslaved humans. They've conquered whole galaxies this way. Prof realizes the undersea volcano was a test. The Challengers think frantically. How to outwit the aliens? Their super-brains must need rest. Catch one half-asleep and...

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #11 (November-December 1957)

The Thing That Came Out of the Sea [Chapter 3] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Bruno Premiani

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Synopsis:

The Challengers summon an alien during the night and succeed in hypnotizing them. The docile alien leads them out a secret panel to a gravity control room. The Challengers crank the gravity high, pinning the aliens to the ground. How to escape? The aliens use "electronic transmission". Ace and Rocky will try to destroy the main detonator from this end. Prof and Red teleport to Washington to alert the military. Prof is given a wearable minisub and torpedo-dives to dismantle one planet-cracking bomb. The Air Force and Navy arrive off Antarctica and shell the hell out of the Tyrans' invasion force. Underground, Ace and Rocky and the two scientists flee a gas attack and gun-cars. One scientist remembers the power comes from a core tap. Cranking a valve brings raging heat that crisps aliens and slags the bomb detonator. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, a wild claw-machine erupts from the ocean to attack the Navy.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #11 (November-December 1957)

One Minute to Doom [Chapter 4] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 5 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Bruno Premiani

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Synopsis:

On the Pacific island, Red sprays a new secret chemical weapon, a corrosive gas that eats the machine. Soon Ace leads a fleet of bombers to pound what's left of the alien base, and the menace is over. Their only casualty is Prof, who caught a cold diving off the South Pole!

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #11 (November-December 1957)

[Cover - Showcase #12]; Menace of the Ancient Vials (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #12 (January-February 1958)

Menace of the Ancient Vials [Chapter 1] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

George Klein

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Amos Hunter; VILLAINS: Brommer; Gortz; Karnak

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #12 (January-February 1958)

The Fire Being [Chapter 2] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

George Klein

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #12 (January-February 1958)

Demon from the Depths [Chapter 3] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

George Klein

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #12 (January-February 1958)

The Deadly Duplicators [Chapter 4] (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Dave Wood

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

George Klein

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #12 (January-February 1958)

[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #1]; The Human Pets! (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #1 (April-May 1958)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

Challengers of the Unknown (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby ?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #1 (April-May 1958)

Indexer Notes

One page origin of the Challengers of the Unknown.

The Man Who Tampered With Infinity (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 14 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins (called June Walker); Olan Tagorian

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #1 (April-May 1958)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

The Human Pets (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Synopsis:

An alien boys captures the Challengers and treats them like pets.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #1 (April-May 1958)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #2]; The Monster Maker! (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby ?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #2 (June-July 1958)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

The Traitorous Challenger (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins (called June Walker); Digger Bill; An atomic beast.

Synopsis:

A prospector uncovers a monster, an indestructible one-eyed walking box that tramples villages. The Challengers's weapons don't make a dent. And June mysteriously sabotages their efforts! Prof finally guesses the monster's one eye is solar-powered. Pursued until sunset, the monster expires. June had run a computer program that predicted the Challengers would die, hence her sabotage. But her efforts changed the equation, so she saved the day!

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #2 (June-July 1958)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

The Monster Maker (Table of Contents)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 14 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jack Kirby

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original)

Content Information

Genre:

Adventure

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Dr. Hascomb; Roc

Synopsis:

The Challengers pursue Roc, a would-be conqueror. Using "mind over matter", Roc runs them off by mentally conjuring a giant ape and missile. Fighting fire with fire, the scientist who created the mind-over-matter machine gives Ace similar powers. They battle with a conjured dragon, knight, giant vacuum cleaner, mirrors, and more. Finally Ace uses spinning circles to hypnotize and capture Roc.

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #2 (June-July 1958)

Indexer Notes

Marvin Stein listed as inker in DC Archive credits, but per Stein's conversations with Greg Theakston, he did not ink any Challengers stories.

Biographies (Table of Contents)

text article / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Letters:

typeset

Content Information

Genre:

biography

Indexer Notes

Biographies for Jack Kirby, Roz Kirby, George Klein, Bruno Premiani, Marvin Stein and Dave Wood.

[Backcover] (Table of Contents)

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

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

Jack Kirby

Inks:

Jack Kirby

Colors:

Jamison (color reconstruction)

Letters:

?

Editing:

Jack Schiff (original editor)

Content Information

Genre:

Superhero

Characters:

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; ULTIVAC

Reprints: show reprint note before migration

• from Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6 (January-February 1957) [cover], #7 (March-April 1957) [cover], #11 (November-December 1957) [cover]
• from Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #1 (April-May 1958) [cover]

Indexer Notes

Reprints covers from SHOWCASE (DC, 1956 series) #6, 7, 11; CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN (DC, 1958 series) #1