([January] 2018)

DC, 2017 Series
Published in English (United States) United States
 
Price
29.99 USD; 39.99 CAD
Pages
324
On-sale Date
2017-11-22
Indicia / Colophon Publisher
DC Comics
Brand
DC [circle and serifs]
ISBN
978-1-4012-7719-2 Search at WorldCat
Barcode
9781401277192 52999
Editing
Jack Schiff (editor - original series); Jeb Woodard (group editor - collected editions); Scott Nybakken (editor - collected edition)
Color
Color
Dimensions
Standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock
Card stock covers; matte paper interiors
Binding
Trade paperback
Publishing Format
Collected edition

Issue Notes

Collects Showcase (DC, 1956 series) #6, 7, 11, 12, and Challengers of the Unknown (DC, 1958 series) #1-8.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents)

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

Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Keywords
robot

Indexer Notes

Cover illustration taken from Challengers of the Unknown #8.

[Title Page] (Table of Contents: 1)

credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
?

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

Indexer Notes

Title page with illustration taken from the cover of Challengers of the Unknown #4.

[Title and Credits] (Table of Contents: 2)

credits, title page / 2 pages (report information)

Pencils
Jack Kirby; Bruce Timm
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?; Bruce Timm
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley]; ULTIVAC; Jack Kirby

Indexer Notes

Title and credits, includes illustrations from Showcase #7 cover and story. Also includes a Jack Kirby icon by Bruce Timm.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 3)

credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Jack Kirby; Bruce Timm
Inks
Bruce Timm; ?
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Characters
Jack Kirby

Indexer Notes

Indicia and publisher information with illustration. Also includes a Jack Kirby icon by Bruce Timm superimposed on the illustration.

Table of Contents (Table of Contents: 4)

table of contents / 2 pages (report information)

Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?; Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Characters
stone giant; June Robbins; Charles Agar

Indexer Notes

Table of contents with illustrations from Showcase #6 and Challengers of the Unknown #6

Introduction (Table of Contents: 5)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 3 pages (report information)

Script
Paul Kupperberg
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
?
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Characters
Ace Morgan
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Foreword by Paul Kupperberg, dated 2003, reprinted from Challengers of the Unknown Archives Volume 1. Includes illustration of Ace Morgan.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 6)

illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Bruce Timm
Inks
Bruce Timm
Colors
?

Characters
Jack Kirby

Indexer Notes

Page filled with a repeating pattern of icons of Jack Kirby by Bruce Timm.

[Showcase #6] (Table of Contents: 7)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?
Colors
?
Letters
?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Prof Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprints

The Secrets of the Sorcerer's Box! [Chapter 1] (Table of Contents: 8)

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

Script
Jack Kirby ?; Joe Simon ? (plot, script); Dave Wood ? (script)
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Ben Oda

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Prof Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis] (introduction for all, origin); un-named sailors; un-named citizens; Mr. Morelian (villain, introduction, death)
Synopsis
Four heroes are being flown to appear on the radio show "Heroes" when their jet crashes in a storm. Miraculously, all four survive unharmed, even down to a working watch. Since they are "living on borrowed time", they vow to make the best use of it, taking risks to benefit others, challenging the unknown. In their first official case, they are summoned by Morelian, a descendant of Merlin, to open four chambers of a dangerous alchemist's box and "witness things not seen on this Earth since the dawn of Man!"
Reprints

Indexer Notes

First appearance of the Challengers of the Unknown.

Chapter Two: Dragon Seed! (Table of Contents: 9)

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

Script
Jack Kirby ?; Joe Simon ? (plot, script); Dave Wood ? (script)
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Ben Oda

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
The Challs relocate the box to a tropical island and draw straws. The first chamber releases a "Dragon's Egg" that hatches a stone giant of legend. It wreaks havoc on ships, even resisting an atom bomb. What to do? While back on the island, Rocky's ready to crack the next chamber.
Reprints

Chapter Three: The Freezing Sun! (Table of Contents: 10)

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

Script
Jack Kirby ?; Joe Simon ? (plot, script); Dave Wood ? (script)
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Ben Oda

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
Picked up by sailors, Red returns to the island to find the second chamber open and Rocky frozen stiff. The menace is a sentient freezing sun from parts unknown that sucks up all heat, freezing people. Alone, Red cobbles a vacuum chamber and lures the sun inside, trapping it. Meanwhile, out on the water, Prof realizes that, since the Dragon Seed Giant can't be harmed by anything, it must be a thought, so he "thinks" it out of existence. All the while, Morelian flies overhead, watching.
Reprints

Chapter Four: The Whirling Weaver! (Table of Contents: 11)

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

Script
Jack Kirby ?; Joe Simon ? (plot, script); Dave Wood ? (script)
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Ben Oda

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
The third menace is a tube that releases a whirling weaver. Out of control, it spins ribbons that snarl entire cities. The Challs pursue, then discover a dial on the weaver's tube and slow it to a halt. Returning to the island, they find Morelian has opened the fourth chamber for his own selfish reasons. He got a diamond ring of immortality: he'll live forever. Except the inscription on the box is vague, "contained in me, find immortality". Morelian flies off, but his plane stalls and crashes, killing himself and destroying the box. The box granted immortality: the ring was certain death.
Reprints

[Showcase #7] (Table of Contents: 12)

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

Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp ?

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

ULTIVAC Is Loose! (Table of Contents: 13)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Stan Starkman ?

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)
Synopsis
Felix Hesse, a German scientist, comes pleading to the Challengers to save him from ULTIVAC, "a creature of my own making... but now out of control!" He explains. Interned as a war criminal, he met Floyd Barker, a bank robber. Released, they team to build a giant machine - Suddenly a giant robot hand crashes through the window and seizes Hesse. Spouting propellers, it flies off with Hesse. The Challengers have their next job, "Track down ULTIVAC!"
Reprints

Indexer Notes

The name ULTIVAC is derived from UNIVAC, considered the first computer.

Chapter Two: A Challenger Must Die! (Table of Contents: 14)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Stan Starkman ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Director June Robbins, a computer expert
Synopsis
The Challengers consult Director June Robbins, computer expert. She deduces radioactive materials have given ULTIVAC super-intelligence. She runs a computation to find their odds, and the card reads, "ULTIVAC WILL FALL WHEN A CHALLENGER DIES!" Meanwhile, Hesse watches ULTIVAC build robot-duplicates of Hesse to fetch supplies. Red and June respond to a lead, sneak onto Hesse's copter, and enter ULTIVAC's lab. But the robot can "DETECT YOUR THOUGHTS!" ULTIVAC senses June is not afraid, and they talk. Until Red smashes a power unit and they flee in the confusion.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

The robot-duplicates are similar to Life Model Decoys (LMDs) used by S.H.I.E.L.D. in Marvel comics also drawn by Jack Kirby.

Chapter Three: The Fearful Millions (Table of Contents: 15)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Stan Starkman ?

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
Hesse shoots ULTIVAC with a ray gun. The robot falls. Now Hesse and Barker can "make millions". ULTIVAC is clamped and displayed in Yankee Stadium in New York before thousands. But ULTIVAC sends a mental signal to June. The robot breaks free and carries June off. Ace, flying a jet, takes command to "talk terms", but ULTIVAC's vibration beam shatters the plane. The robot dives under the sea with June inside his dome. Prof, master diver, dives, but is slammed by a vibro-beam and captured.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

ULTIVAC's chains, display, and escape with a girl echo King Kong.

Chapter Four: The Fatal Prediction! (Table of Contents: 16)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Stan Starkman ?

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
June argues "ULTIVAC is a scientific marvel". The robot swims out. Ashore, Red shoots while Rocky attaches a magnetic bomb that destroys ULTIVAC. Not. ULTIVAC sent out a decoy. June convinces him "Wars never solve anything!" and ULTIVAC agrees to a televised public hearing, and pledges to help humanity. Hesse blasts ULTIVAC and Rocky - who dies on the operating table, as foretold. June offers to take Rocky's place, and the Challs agree, until Rocky miraculously revives. ULTIVAC ends up a stationary calculating machine, his spark gone, yet "still contributing to man's knowledge".
Reprints

[Showcase #11] (Table of Contents: 17)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp ?

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

The Day the Earth Blew Up (Table of Contents: 18)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; Carl Jackson; Warren Moss; Commander Lockwood; Colonel Price; General Tolek (villain); Garnat (villain); other Tyrans (villains)
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, Rocky, and Red fly off, picking 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

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits Bruno Premiani for inks.

Chapter Two: The Tyrans (Table of Contents: 19)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
Two captured Challengers are dropped down a miles-deep airlift. Ace and Rocky find an airshaft and search for miles. They reach a underground city of aliens with an army preparing 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 intending to enslave the human race. Prof realizes the undersea volcano was a test. The Challengers plan to attack when the aliens are at rest.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits Bruno Premiani for inks.

Chapter Three: The Thing That Came Out of the Sea (Table of Contents: 20)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

Genre
adventure
Synopsis
The Challengers hypnotize an alien who leads them to a gravity control room. The team crank the gravity high, pinning the aliens to the ground. Ace and Rocky try to destroy the main detonator. Prof and Red teleport to Washington and alert the military who bring their forces to the battle. Prof is given a wearable minisub and attempts to dismantle the bomb. Underground Ace, Rocky and the two scientists flee a gas attack and gun-cars. Cranking a valve brings raging heat that crisps aliens and slags the bomb detonator. In the Pacific, a claw-machine erupts from the ocean to attack the Navy.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits Bruno Premiani for inks.

Chapter Four: One Minute to Doom (Table of Contents: 21)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

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

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits Bruno Premiani for inks.

[Showcase #12] (Table of Contents: 22)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby; Rosalind Kirby (blacks)
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprints
Keywords
giant octopi; speed boats

The Menace of the Ancient Vials! Chapter 1 (Table of Contents: 23)

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

Script
Dave Wood
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Leonard Starr ?
Colors
?
Letters
Artie Simek

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Amos Hunter; VILLAINS: Brommer; Gortz; Karnak; Kraken
Synopsis
Karnak and his men land on an island while trying to escape from the Challengers. There they find Amos Hunter and 5 mysterious vials. The first vial makes two members of the gang into giants.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits George Klein for inks.

Chapter Two: The Fire Being! (Table of Contents: 24)

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

Script
Dave Wood
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Leonard Starr ?
Colors
?
Letters
Artie Simek

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Synopsis
The next vial releases a fiery salamander that begins to burn down the island.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits George Klein for inks.

Chapter 3: The Demon from the Depths (Table of Contents: 25)

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

Script
Dave Wood
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Leonard Starr ?
Colors
?
Letters
Artie Simek

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Synopsis
The fiery salamander is defeated but the third vial releases a giant octopus creature.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits George Klein for inks.

Chapter 4: The Deadly Duplicates! (Table of Contents: 26)

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

Script
Dave Wood
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Leonard Starr ?
Colors
?
Letters
Artie Simek

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Synopsis
The fourth vial turns Karnak into 50 copies of himself.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits George Klein for inks.

[Challengers of the Unknown #1] (Table of Contents: 27)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprints

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 28)

Challengers of the Unknown / foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 1 page (report information)

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
?

First Line of Dialogue or Text
These are men of reckless courage...
Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown
Reprints

The Man Who Tampered with Infinity (Table of Contents: 29)

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

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

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

The Human Pets (Table of Contents: 30)

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

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprints

[Challengers of the Unknown #2] (Table of Contents: 31)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Ink credits per GCD index for original issue. Table of Contents for this collection credits Marvin Stein for inks.

The Traitorous Challenger (Table of Contents: 32)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

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

The Monster Maker (Table of Contents: 33)

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

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

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

[Challengers of the Unknown #3] (Table of Contents: 34)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby; Rosalind Kirby (blacks)
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins
Reprints

The Secret of the Sorcerer's Mirror (Table of Contents: 35)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Kregon the Sorcerer; a genie; Hillary Mycroft; Mycroft's gang
Synopsis
A mirror and chart have been stolen from a museum by Hillary Mycroft and his gang. The mirror was fashioned by Kregon the Sorcerer to show where "the ancients" hid their most potent secrets. The chart shows where the secrets are hidden. The Challengers break into Mycroft's hideout but he escapes in a plane. The mirror reveals three destinations: the sea bottom, a stone needle, and Sinbad's Island. The team split up and face an array of threats. Mycroft finally acquires the globes that, when assembled will summon a genie but Red secretly extracted a rod causing the globes destruction.
Reprints

The Menace of the Invincible Challenger (Table of Contents: 36)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script
Dave Wood ?; Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
Pat Gordon ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; June Robbins (called June Walker); Professor Curtis; Chopper; Roxie
Synopsis
Summoned to a lab, the Challs observe a monkey with super abilities. It was given a pill derived from a meteorite, then boosted into space. Rocky is chosen to take the pill and rockets into space unaware the monkey has lapsed into a coma. The rocket crashes and Rocky emerges with super powers, including freeze rays, super strength, and invisibility, but he becomes irrational. A crook takes Rocky in hoping to use him to rob banks. Rocky's decency wins out and when the Challengers and June appear Rocky shocks the crooks. Grazed by a bullet Rocky recovers his memory and his powers wear off.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Rocky's being shot into space, crashing, and exhibiting super-strength, invisibility and fire powers has similarities to Kirby's later co-creations of Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Sue Storm, and Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four #1.

[Challengers of the Unknown #4] (Table of Contents: 37)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; Darius Tiko
Reprints

The Wizard of Time, Chapter 1 (Table of Contents: 38)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 5.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; Professor Harlan Fuller; Darius Tiko
Synopsis
When a group of men dressed as ancient Greek soldiers attempts to steal a plane, one is captured. The Challengers are brought in to investigate and find that the captured soldier only wishes to return to the "Island of the Wizard." The soldier leads the Challs to this island where they meet Darius Tiko, who experiments with time travel. Confronted, the scientist disappears in a time cube but the Challs and the soldier follow in another cube, to track down Tiko and recover his stolen technology.
Reprints

Chapter II: The Men Who Rode Across the Sun (Table of Contents: 39)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 4.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; an oracle
Synopsis
Having split up, Ace and Rocky are looking for Tiko and his stolen technology in ancient Greece where they are accused by an oracle of being messengers of ill omen. They run from the Greeks, find Tiko's stolen plane, and crash it near where they hope Prof and Red will return with their time cube.
Reprints

Chapter III: The Sorcerer's Sect (Table of Contents: 40)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; Rhamis
Synopsis
In Egypt, Prof and Red destroy Tiko's stolen telescope, reunite with Rocky and Ace, and head to the 15th century to find Nostradamus and Tiko, but Tiko has already met the seer and gone.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

The splash page is very reminiscent of a panel in Fantastic Four #19 with Rama-Tut.

Chapter IV: The Mechanical Judge (Table of Contents: 41)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 6.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; Darius Tiko; The United Earth Police
Synopsis
The Challs find Tiko in the future, but all are arrested and submitted to the judgment of a machine, which dismisses all charges and sends them back to their own time (in one cube) for Tiko to face justice.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

The fate of the second time cube is revealed in Adventures of Superman #508.

[Challengers of the Unknown #5] (Table of Contents: 42)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; June Robbins; Vreedl
Reprints

The Riddle of the Star-Stone, Chapter One (Table of Contents: 43)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 7.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Wally Wood ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; June Robbins; Professor Brandon; Vreedl
Synopsis
Professor Brandon's assistant Vreedl has stolen the Star-Stone, a device created by an ancient sorcerer, and is stealing gems to place in the stone and give himself powers. The first gem makes Vreedl into a flame man and allows him to start a stampede and delay the Challs while he secures a second gem.
Reprints

Chapter Two: The Birdman of Djiizari! (Table of Contents: 44)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 7.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Wally Wood ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; June Robbins; Vreedl
Synopsis
The second gem turns Vreedl into the "Birdman of Djiizari" and with that flying power he escapes the Challs.
Reprints

Chapter Three: The Challenge of the Super Creature! (Table of Contents: 45)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 8.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Wally Wood ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Rocky Davis; Professor Haley; Red Ryan]; June Robbins; Vreedl
Synopsis
With another gem, Vreedl becomes a fish man and again evades the Challs. Finally, with the fourth gem, Vreedl becomes invincible until Ace points out that anyone could become like him through possession of the stone, so Vreedl destroys it, transforming himself back into an ordinary man.
Reprints

[Challengers of the Unknown #6] (Table of Contents: 46)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins
Reprints

Captives of the Space Circus (Table of Contents: 47)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 14.67 pages (report information)

Script
Dave Wood; Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
John Duffy ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; captive aliens; Tartan the Ringmaster; the Stupendous Interplanetary Circus
Synopsis
The Challengers answer a shipwreck distress call, but find it's a trap. They're pulled through space on a light beam and made captives of a rocket ship space circus. The heroes are prodded through cages and catapulted into a tank to fight Quadro, the Four-Finned Demons. Other alien performers are also captives. As the Challengers prepare for a last stand, Prof learns the atmosphere gives them super-strength. They bombard the circus guards with boulders and disable the ships. The aliens are surprised to learn the circus owners are criminals and promise to send all the captives home.
Reprints

The Sorceress of Forbidden Valley (Table of Contents: 48)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 9.67 pages (report information)

Script
Ed Herron; Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Ray Holloway ?

Genre
adventure; superhero
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; Charles Agar; the Shong; residents of Forbidden Valley
Synopsis
June Robbins crash-lands on an uncharted island and finds an Aladdin's lamp in a cave. Lighting it creates fumes that overpower her. The Challengers track June down, discovering a hidden valley where they are attacked. They find June under a spell and with magical powers, controlled by Charles Agar, a criminal from the states.
Reprints
Keywords
Hero Team

[Challengers of the Unknown #7] (Table of Contents: 49)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprints

The Beasts from Planet 9 (Table of Contents: 50)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 12.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby; Ed Herron
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Alien visitors
Synopsis
Alerted by a friend to the discovery of a crashed spaceship, the Challengers investigate and find three alien creatures that had been held captive in that ship. The Challengers see if they have enough borrowed time to get the creatures back in their cages.
Reprints

The Isle of No Return (Table of Contents: 51)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 11.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby; Ed Herron
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins
Synopsis
After hearing a television report about a burglar with the ability to walk through walls, the Challengers patrol the city with honorary member June Robbins accompanying them. They arrive too late to stop another robbery but pursue the thief, Anton Zammer, to his hideout, an abandoned laboratory owned by the late Prof. Macon, who left behind a number of inventions Zammer intends to use for his own gain. Zammer uses a shrinking ray to capture and cage the Challs, but June escapes the same fate, assisting the team in returning to their normal size and capturing Zammer.
Reprints

[Challengers of the Unknown #8] (Table of Contents: 52)

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

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Ira Schnapp

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Juhl
Reprints

The Man Who Stole the Future (Table of Contents: 53)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 11.67 pages (report information)

Script
Dave Wood; Jack Kirby
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; Marie; Drabny
Synopsis
June's friend Marie comes to meet the Challengers to ask them to investigate weird events in her home country of Mordania. There they meet and fight the evil Drabny, whose scientific inventions have enabled him to take over Mordania.
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Introduction of Drabny, later a member of the Challenger Haters.

The Prisoners of Robot Planet (Table of Contents: 54)

Challengers of the Unknown / comic story / 12.67 pages (report information)

Script
Jack Kirby ?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Wally Wood
Colors
?
Letters
Joe Letterese ?

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Juhl; Kra
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Introduction of Kra, later a member of the Challenger Haters.

Afterword (Table of Contents: 55)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 2 pages (report information)

Script
John Morrow
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
?
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Characters
Professor Haley
Reprints

Indexer Notes

Foreword by John Morrow, dated 2004, reprinted from Challengers of the Unknown Archives Volume 2. Includes illustration of Professor Haley.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 56)

illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby
Colors
?

Indexer Notes

Enlarged image from the cover of Showcase #12.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 57)

illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils
Bruce Timm
Inks
Bruce Timm
Colors
?

Characters
Jack Kirby

Indexer Notes

Page filled with a repeating pattern of icons of Jack Kirby by Bruce Timm.

What's Out There? (Table of Contents: 58)

Challengers of the Unknown / illustration / 1 page (report information)

Script
?
Pencils
Jack Kirby
Inks
Jack Kirby ?; Rosalind Kirby ? (blacks); Marvin Stein ?
Colors
?
Letters
typeset

Genre
adventure
Characters
Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Felix Hesse; ULTIVAC

Indexer Notes

Back cover with text on contents of collection, with illustration from Showcase #7.

Editing
Related Scans
Table of Contents
  1. 0. [no title indexed]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  2. 1. [Title Page]
  3. 2. [Title and Credits]
  4. 3. [no title indexed]
  5. 4. Table of Contents
  6. 5. Introduction
  7. 6. [no title indexed]
  8. 7. [Showcase #6]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  9. 8. The Secrets of the Sorcerer's Box! [Chapter 1]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  10. 9. Chapter Two: Dragon Seed!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  11. 10. Chapter Three: The Freezing Sun!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  12. 11. Chapter Four: The Whirling Weaver!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  13. 12. [Showcase #7]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  14. 13. ULTIVAC Is Loose!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  15. 14. Chapter Two: A Challenger Must Die!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  16. 15. Chapter Three: The Fearful Millions
    Challengers of the Unknown
  17. 16. Chapter Four: The Fatal Prediction!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  18. 17. [Showcase #11]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  19. 18. The Day the Earth Blew Up
    Challengers of the Unknown
  20. 19. Chapter Two: The Tyrans
    Challengers of the Unknown
  21. 20. Chapter Three: The Thing That Came Out of the Sea
    Challengers of the Unknown
  22. 21. Chapter Four: One Minute to Doom
    Challengers of the Unknown
  23. 22. [Showcase #12]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  24. 23. The Menace of the Ancient Vials! Chapter 1
    Challengers of the Unknown
  25. 24. Chapter Two: The Fire Being!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  26. 25. Chapter 3: The Demon from the Depths
    Challengers of the Unknown
  27. 26. Chapter 4: The Deadly Duplicates!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  28. 27. [Challengers of the Unknown #1]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  29. 28. ["These are men of reckless courage..."]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  30. 29. The Man Who Tampered with Infinity
    Challengers of the Unknown
  31. 30. The Human Pets
    Challengers of the Unknown
  32. 31. [Challengers of the Unknown #2]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  33. 32. The Traitorous Challenger
    Challengers of the Unknown
  34. 33. The Monster Maker
    Challengers of the Unknown
  35. 34. [Challengers of the Unknown #3]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  36. 35. The Secret of the Sorcerer's Mirror
    Challengers of the Unknown
  37. 36. The Menace of the Invincible Challenger
    Challengers of the Unknown
  38. 37. [Challengers of the Unknown #4]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  39. 38. The Wizard of Time, Chapter 1
    Challengers of the Unknown
  40. 39. Chapter II: The Men Who Rode Across the Sun
    Challengers of the Unknown
  41. 40. Chapter III: The Sorcerer's Sect
    Challengers of the Unknown
  42. 41. Chapter IV: The Mechanical Judge
    Challengers of the Unknown
  43. 42. [Challengers of the Unknown #5]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  44. 43. The Riddle of the Star-Stone, Chapter One
    Challengers of the Unknown
  45. 44. Chapter Two: The Birdman of Djiizari!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  46. 45. Chapter Three: The Challenge of the Super Creature!
    Challengers of the Unknown
  47. 46. [Challengers of the Unknown #6]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  48. 47. Captives of the Space Circus
    Challengers of the Unknown
  49. 48. The Sorceress of Forbidden Valley
    Challengers of the Unknown
  50. 49. [Challengers of the Unknown #7]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  51. 50. The Beasts from Planet 9
    Challengers of the Unknown
  52. 51. The Isle of No Return
    Challengers of the Unknown
  53. 52. [Challengers of the Unknown #8]
    Challengers of the Unknown
  54. 53. The Man Who Stole the Future
    Challengers of the Unknown
  55. 54. The Prisoners of Robot Planet
    Challengers of the Unknown
  56. 55. Afterword
  57. 56. [no title indexed]
  58. 57. [no title indexed]
  59. 58. What's Out There?
    Challengers of the Unknown
This issue was modified by
  • Boris Ammerlaan
  • Juan Gonzalez
  • John Monagle
  • Jim Stangas
  • Jim Van Dore