Prince
Namor, the Sub-Mariner, takes his fellow Defenders, Hulk, Hellcat, and
Nighthawk, to Atlantis where a banquet is held in their honor. But Namor
impatiently cuts it short to address the important matter before them.
Atlantean scientists explain that radiation leakage from a Soviet nuclear test
has contaminated part of the Kingdom. Namor plans an expedition there with the
Defenders….
In
Russia, the scientific genius known as Codename: Sergei explains to his bride,
the hypnotized Red Guardian, that he is ready to find personal fulfilment in
their nuclear transmogrification planned for the next day….
Back
in New York, Clea advises Valkyrie to try registering at Empire State
University again. Val heads to the school via subway where the crowding makes
her uncomfortable enough to shout at the others to give her room. At her stop,
she departs and arrives at her destination where she sees the mystery maniac
called Lunatik fleeing the campus cops; she trips him, he looks at her with
something resembling recognition, smiles, and takes off again….
As
the Atlantean ship enters the rift in the rocks, attempting to locate the
source of the radiation leak, Codename: Sergei detonates his nuclear bomb to
begin the transmogrification process. Boiling water rushes through the undersea
crevasse, wrecking the Atlantean ship and scattering the heroes and the crew as
the explosion sends a killer earthquake through Europe—and Sergei is
transformed into the Presence with power….
“Clea,
the Mystery Maiden!”
Writer:
Naomi Basner. Pencils: Sandy Plunkett. Inks: Tony Salmons. Colors: Marie
Severin. Letters: Joe Rosen.
Synopsis:
In Central Park one night, Clea is approached by a knife-wielding mugger who
demands her money; she responds with a magic blast. He draws a gun and she
blasts him again, walking off. But then the mugger responds with a magic blast
of his own, rendering her unconscious. She awakens a prisoner in an abandoned
church; the mugger introduces himself as Nicodemus, who shows her a machine
designed to transfer all of her mystic abilities to him. He is planning to steal
the powers of other magicians until he has enough power to defeat Dr. Strange.
He runs his machine and drains all of her power, becoming much stronger. Then
he makes some sexual advances and she clouts him in the head with a small
statue and telephones Strange to come get her….