Amazing Adventures (1970 series) #24

Killraven and his Freemen are being led through the catacombs beneath the White House by Mint Julep back to their Dyna-Gliders when they are attacked by huge bats. Carmilla is seized by one but M’Shulla kills it with a remarkable shot from his crossbow. Mint finds a doorway to one of the hidden archives and suggests they all rest inside before continuing their journey. Carmilla points out that it is New Year’s Eve and they decide to hold a limited celebration, a token return to old Earth’s customs….

At the White House, the Martian High Overlord contacts Abraxas to tell him sensors indicate a group of humans in the catacombs beneath the White House and, deducing it must be Killraven and his group, he wants him taken alive. Abraxas dispatches Sabre and his Cavaliers….

In the archive room, Killraven annoys Carmilla Frost by calling her, “Woman” and he switches to “Frost.” They discover some ancient reel-to-reel tapes and decide they are from a previous era when politicians and people trusted one another but now useless, they make for great streamers….

Elsewhere in the catacombs, Rattack mourns his slain rodents then assembles his remaining swarm to hunt down Killraven and exact revenge….

Back in the archives, the solemn group sees 2018 out and ushers 2019 in, Hawk suggests they stay in DC and hurt the Martians where they are encamped. Carmilla confides in M’Shulla the tortures she and her father went through at the hands of the Martians. Then Sabre enters and fires his laser pistol to get their attention. Killraven draws his sword so Sabre shoots him in the shoulder. Sabre notes the similarities between them and says the victory leaves him with a sour taste. But he and his Cavaliers march the hero off (and maybe all of the Freemen along with Mint Julep and her group, it’s not clear….

And Rattack and his rat swarm pursue the smell of Killraven’s blood….

At the Lincoln Memorial, the High Overlord presides over Killraven’s second execution. Rebuking him for failing to die submissively but they are interrupted by rats. Abraxas seizes Rattack in his tentacles. Killraven escapes his captors as the Overlord tries to fry him with blasts from his fingers. Killraven recovers his sword and stands defiantly before the statue of Abraham Lincoln before launching himself against the Cavaliers. Sabre decides to turn against the Martians, feeling a kinship to Killraven and he fires his laser gun at the Overlord; the laser beam does not harm the Martina leader but the ray deflects away to knock down a column which starts a chain reaction, all of the columns collapsing and bringing down the roof. The other heroes arrive, not clear if they have been there all the time; if so, where did they get their weapons? Rattack, his skin flayed open by Abraxas’ tentacles, falls prey to his own hungry rats. Abraxas states his intention to rebuild—just before the Lincoln statue topples over on him and kills him. Killraven is joined by his Freemen and they depart, M’Shulla having inscribed his name on the wreckage to spread his legend….

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Story #2

The Painting

Writer: Stan Lee.
Penciler/Inker: Steve Ditko.

Synopsis

Crooked art dealer Simon Squeed makes his living by cheating poor artists out of their art. Squeed follows a lead to Bessarabia where he encounters a big Gypsy with a painting of a village square. When the Gypsy refuses to sell it, Squeed accuses him of trying to pick his pocket and the Gypsy is thrown in jail. Squeed takes the painting back to his room in the inn….

The next day, the Gypsy is released because Squeed has vanished. The Gypsy goes to his room and finds that Squeed has now become a character in the enchanted painting!