Synopsis / Summary / Plot
Jack Norriss sends a videotaped message to the Defenders, announcing that he is going undercover to investigate the Headmens latest plot to conquer the world (while thoughtfully summarizing the last several issues). Dr. Strange proposes that the Defenders follow up several leads to determine whether the Headmen or Nebulon or both are behind the outbreaks of worldwide madness. In Paris, Nighthawk and Red Guardian discover that a major think tank is a front for the Headmen and are captured by Morgan. In India, Valkyrie and Power Man find Arthur Nagan shrinking people and end up shrunken themselves. Meanwhile, Jack Norriss has infiltrated the campaign of feminist Presidential candidate Ruby Thursday and when his cover is blown, he is taken prisoner. In Washington, as the President prepares to endorse Mr. Nebuls spiritual movement, Dr. Strange whisks the President off to another world to warn him that "Nebul" is actually Nebulon the Celestial Man and his "spiritualism" consists of enslaving the minds of the human race. Nebulon reveals himself and battles Strange. On their return to the White House, Strange tries to prevent the President from carrying out Nebulons plan but the Headman appear and capture Strange and Nebulon. The Defenders find themselves miniaturized to serve as guinea pigs in the Headmens domed psychology laboratory, unable to escape. Dr. Strange sends his ethereal form to summon the Hulk, who smashes through the wall in the nick of time and breaks open the dome, freeing the heroes who battle and defeat the Headmen. Dr. Strange gives Nebulon a vision of human history with all its nobility and perversity, and the Celestial Man, disgusted with what he sees, abandons his plans to enslave Earth.