Astronomer Paul Ramsey is on court, accused of murdering his colleague John Carter. Ramsey claims guilty.
While the jury prepares the verdict, he recalls when Carter and he met Torr, a mighty extraterrestrial creature who wanted to make the world a colony of his own, slavering humanity. Torr asked Ramsey to take him to New York City to study men. And he possessed the body of Carter to go unnoticed. Torr placed a wrist device on Ramsey to prevent him from revealing the truth to the others.
Desperate to stop the alien monster, Ramsey grabbed a pistol from a police officer and shot Torr dead. Everyone thought he had killed Carter instead.
Just as the jury was ready to give their verdict, Ramsey unexpectedly entered the courtroom unharmed and shared his story. Carter’s body slowly healed as the spirit of Torr departed. Ramsey’s wrist gadget vanished.
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Story #2Midnight in the Wax Museum
Writer:
Stan Lee. Penciler/Inker:
Steve Ditko.
Synopsis
A criminal called Pierre La Roc hides from the police in a wax museum. Surprisingly, the wax statues move toward him. La Roc escapes in a panic and begs the police to imprison him for good, to stay safe from them. A man in top hat reflexes how a man’s imagination can alter his perceptions. He then enters the museum and locks in place as a statue. Their secret? Safe.
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Story #3I Am the Fantastic Dr. Droom!
Writer:
Larry Lieber. Penciler:
Jack Kirby. Inker:
Steve Ditko.
Synopsis
Dr. Anthony Droom flies to the Himalayas, responding to the call of a sick Tibetan lama nobody else cared to address. When he reached the lama’s castle, the servant explained there would be no monetary compensation for his services. Regardless, Droom insisted on curing the man.
Surprisingly, fiery coal covered the floor of the hallway to the patient’s bedroom. To avoid injuries, they suggested Droom should gaze at an emerald stone while walking. He did as told, and passed to the other side, unharmed.
Then, he stumbled upon a half-gorilla, half-lion beast (a “gorlion”). There were escape doors to the sides, but Droom was determined to heal the lama. He snitched the monster and reached safety on the second floor of the palace thanks to a moving, magical rope.
Droom finally met the lama, but he was not ill. He was dying because of age. And the “wise one” man was in search of a worthy candidate to replace him. Droom proved to be just that. The lama explained he has used his mystical knowledge to fight diabolical forces that endanger humanity. But he could no longer. And asked Droom if he would continue his task.
Droom accepted with a handshake. Suddenly, his face altered, his eyes becoming slanted. And he grew a slim moustache. As the lama passed away, his servant promised Droom to teach him everything his former master knew about the occult.
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