Issue Contents:
Ultivac is Loose! (1)
"Trust me, Ultivac!"
Credits
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Jack Kirby
- Letters: Ira Schnapp (uncertain)
Story Notes
Inside front cover.
Ultivac is Loose! [Chapter 1]
Storyline
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!"
Characters
- Rocky Davis
- Prof Haley
- Ace Morgan
- Red Ryan
- Ultivac
- Felix Hesse (first appearance)
- Floyd Barker (in flashback, first appearance)
Credits
- Script: Dave Wood (uncertain)
- Script: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Rosalind Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Marvin Stein (uncertain)
- Letters: Stan Starkman (uncertain)
Story Notes
Possible Stein inks per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. Although Stein had conversations with Greg Theakston denying he inked any Challengers stories it's possible Stein forgot he worked on them. It also looks like Kirby inked a few pages on his own. Possible Wood script and Kirby revisions per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. The name Ultivac is derived from UNIVAC (1951), or from Isaac Asimov's Multivac (1955), or from both.
Chapter Two: A Challenger Must Die!
Storyline
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.
Characters
- Rocky Davis
- Prof Haley
- Ace Morgan
- Director June Robbins
- Red Ryan
- Felix Hesse
- Floyd Barker
- Felix Hesse robots
Credits
- Script: Dave Wood (uncertain)
- Script: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Rosalind Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Marvin Stein (uncertain)
- Letters: Stan Starkman (uncertain)
Story Notes
Possible Stein inks per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. Although Stein had conversations with Greg Theakston denying he inked any Challengers stories it's possible Stein forgot he worked on them. It also looks like Kirby inked a few pages on his own. Possible Wood script and Kirby revisions per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. 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.
Dead or Alive?
Storyline
In 1892, in Samoa, Robert Louis Stevenson dreamed he died, became a ghost, and was revived by a doctor fetched by his wife.
Characters
- Robert Louis Stevenson
Chapter Three: The Fearful Millions
Storyline
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.
Characters
- Rocky Davis
- Prof Haley
- Ace Morgan
- Director June Robbins
- Red Ryan
- Ultivac
- Felix Hesse
- Floyd Barker
Credits
- Script: Dave Wood (uncertain)
- Script: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Rosalind Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Marvin Stein (uncertain)
- Letters: Stan Starkman (uncertain)
Story Notes
Possible Stein inks per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. Although Stein had conversations with Greg Theakston denying he inked any Challengers stories it's possible Stein forgot he worked on them. It also looks like Kirby inked a few pages on his own. Possible Wood script and Kirby revisions per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. Ultivac's chains, display, and escape with a girl echo King Kong.
Story Notes
Sold by Josely Company.
"Here comes the new tattooed man!"
Storyline
Moolah the Mystic meets the new tattooed man, who's "sponsored".
Characters
- Moolah the Mystic
- tattooed man
Credits
- Script: Henry Boltinoff
- Pencils: Henry Boltinoff
- Inks: Henry Boltinoff
- Letters: Henry Boltinoff
Supernatural Sleuths
Storyline
"Ju-Ju" detectives & the Man with the "Radar Brain" are among those who exploit superstition to make men confess."
Credits
- Script: George Kashdan
Story Notes
Includes a small banner "Fight Infantile Paralysis (polio)" from the March of Dimes.
Story Notes
Owner is "National Comics Publications". Does not include circulation numbers.
Chapter Four: The Fatal Prediction!
Storyline
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".
Characters
- Rocky Davis
- Prof Haley
- Ace Morgan
- Director June Robbins
- Red Ryan
- Ultivac
- Felix Hesse
- Floyd Barker
- Ultivac decoy robot
Credits
- Script: Dave Wood (uncertain)
- Script: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Pencils: Jack Kirby
- Inks: Jack Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Rosalind Kirby (uncertain)
- Inks: Marvin Stein (uncertain)
- Letters: Stan Starkman (uncertain)
Story Notes
Possible Stein inks per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo. Although Stein had conversations with Greg Theakston denying he inked any Challengers stories it's possible Stein forgot he worked on them. It also looks like Kirby inked a few pages on his own. Possible Wood script and Kirby revisions per Mark Evanier and Nick Caputo.
Jim and Betty Solve the "Flying Saucer" Mystery!
Credits
- Pencils: Ray Thompson
- Inks: Ray Thompson
Story Notes
Sold by Wilson Chemical Co. Inside back cover.
Mickey Mantle Goes to Bat for "Billy Bikeless"
Story Notes
Back cover.