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Issue: Challengers of the Unknown Archives #2
Publication Date: July 2004
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Issues: #2 of 2 Issues (3 Printings)
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: DC Archive EditionsView Brand Images
Indicia Publisher: DC Comics
On Sale Date: 05/26/2004
Volume: 2
Pages: 176
ISBN: 1401201539
UPC/EAN: 76194123693300211
Price: $61.95 CAD
$39.95 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 21 (10 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Dale Crain (senior editor - collected edition)
Disclose Notes: A second thrilling Archive Edition featuring the adventures of the Challengers of the Unknown, with art by Jack Kirby & Wally Wood! This volume collects CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #3-8, circa 1958-1959.

This volume is highlighted by a host of '50s science-fiction oddities, including a mysterious "star stone" that bestows super-powers, a space circus, monsters from space, a planet populated by robots, and more! Plus, an introduction by John Morrow, editor/publisher of The Kirby Collector. Black-and-white reconstruction on selected interior pages by Rick Keene. Series design by Alex Jay/Studio J. Publication design by Peter Hamboussi. Special thanks to John Morrow for source material.
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Disclose Format
Publication Type: Hardcover
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: glossy interiors
Binding: hardcover; dustjacket
Publishing Format: collected editions
Format Notes:  
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There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted anywhere.
Disclose Reprinted From20
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
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Disclose Content Items (21 total)
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: A second thrilling Archive Edition featuring the adventures of the Challengers of the Unknown, with art by Jack Kirby & Wally Wood! This volume collects CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #3-8, circa 1958-1959, and is offered at a special low price!

This volume is highlighted by a host of '50s science-fiction oddities, including a mysterious "star stone" that bestows super-powers, a space circus, monsters from space, a planet populated by robots, and more! Plus, an introduction by John Morrow, editor/publisher of The Kirby Collector.
Disclose
Table of Contents

Table of Contents  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): typeset
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose
Foreword

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): John Morrow
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 4
Disclose Notes: Introduction by John Morrow
Disclose
[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #3]; The Invincible Challenger!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby; Roz Kirby (blacks)
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #3 published August 1958
was The Invincible Challenger! [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The Secret of the Sorcerer's Mirror

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Kregon the Sorcerer; a genie; Hillary Mycroft and his gang
Synopsis: The Challengers are summoned to a museum. A mirror and chart have been stolen by Hillary Mycroft and his gang. The mirror was fashioned by Kregon the Sorcerer to show where "the ancients" hid their most potent secrets. The chart shows where the secrets are hidden. The Challengers break into Mycroft's hideout, but Mycroft gets away in a plane. Prof tests the mirror and reveals three destinations: the sea bottom, a stone needle, and Sinbad's Island. The boys split up. Prof dives in the sea and finds Mycroft's thugs stealing the prize: a gold ball with rods stuck through it. A sea serpent attacks. Prof jiggles a rod. Gaseous hands hurl the serpent away. Meanwhile, Red climbs the dangerous needle prominence and finds the second gold ball with rods. In a dream, a genie warns him to descend through hidden caves. Red meets Mycroft's thugs, who steal the ball - but Red keeps one rod. Rocky and Ace fly to Sinbad's Island and find Mycroft and the gold ball, when they're seized by a roc: a giant bird! Ace jiggles a rod. A gaseous armored torso appears. The roc flies off and the boys float to safety. Mycroft explains: the three balls hooked together will summon a genie! Mycroft assembles the globes, but they explode! Red, unseen, pulled a single rod and bollixed the assembly!
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #3 published August 1958
was The Secret of the Sorcerer's Mirror [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose
The Menace of the Invincible Challenger

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Dave Wood?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby?; Roz Kirby (blacks)
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins (called June Walker); Professor Curtis; Chopper; Roxie
Synopsis: The Challengers and June have been summoned to a lab. A monkey shows super abilities. It was given a pill derived from a meteorite, then boosted into space. The Challengers draw straws. Rocky takes the pill and rockets into space - unaware the monkey has lapsed into a coma. The rocket crashes. Rocky emerges with super powers, but is insane! He brushes off his fellows with freeze rays, super strength, and invisibility. The Challengers broadcast a warning that Rocky is dangerous. A crook named Chopper takes Rocky in: with his super-help, they can rob banks. But Chopper's lies can't overcome Rocky's basic decency. He refuses to kill a nearby hunter. When the Challengers and June appear, and crooks would shoot, Rocky shocks them. He's grazed by a bullet as the Challengers pound the thugs. Rocky recovers his memory, and his powers have faded. "This assignment was one big headache."
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #3 published August 1958
was The Menace of the Invincible Challenger [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose Notes: This story is considered a dry run for Fantastic Four #1. Rocky is shot into space, crashes, then exhibits super-strength, invisibility, fire powers, and giant growth.
Disclose
[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #4]; The Wizard of Time!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Darius Tiko
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #4 published October 1958
was The Wizard of Time! [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
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The Wizard of Time

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Roz Kirby; Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Professor Harlan Fuller; Rhamis; Nostradamus; Darius Tiko; A Greek oracle; The Sorceror's Sect; The United Earth Police
Synopsis: An airplane is stolen by ancient Greek soldiers. One is captured and the Challengers brought in. He's from Ancient Greece and wants to return to the Island of the Wizard. The Challengers fly there and meet an opportunist named Darius Tiko who experiments with time travel. He disappears in a time cube. The Challengers follow in a smaller model. To ancient Greece. A fight proves fruitless. Rocky smokes a cigar and terrifies the warriors. Ace and Rocky grab a chariot and barrel away to the missing plane. They fly, but the plane leaks oil and they crash in flames - giving birth to the legend of Phaeton who rode across the sun! Meanwhile, Prof and Red went in Ancient Egypt, and end up slaves building a pyramid. They buffalo the locals, escape, and rescue Ace and Rocky from an army of Greeks. Ace deduces Tiko visited oracles to predict the future. Time-tripping to the 15th Century, the Challengers interview Nostradamus. Yes, Tiko took notes and set his time cube for 3,000 AD! Journeying to the future, the Challengers catch Tiko loading up on futuristic weapons and inventions. Tiko plans to conquer the 20th Century! All get nailed by the United Earth Police, who take them to "the judge", a robot mind-reader that pronounces the Challengers innocent and Tiko guilty. Deported to the past, (with one side trip: see Notes), the Challengers and Tiko escape the island just as the booby-trapped time cube explodes in a fireball!
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #4 published October 1958
was The Wizard of Time, Chapter 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 25
Disclose Notes: The splash on page 12 is very reminiscent of a panel in Fantastic Four #19 with Rama-Tut. Tiko sabotages the final return so the time cube crashes in 1994 Metropolis: see The Adventures of Superman 508.
Disclose
[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #5]; Riddle of the Star-Stone!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; Vreedl
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #5 published December 1958
was Riddle of the Star-Stone! [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
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The Riddle of the Star-Stone

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; Professor Brandon; Vreedl; Vreedl's gang
Synopsis: An archaeology assistant, Vreedl, steals the Star-Stone created by an ancient sorcerer. By turn he's a flame man, bird man, fish man, stealing as he goes. The Challengers pursue Vreedl through South America, India, and the Bay of Sharks. When Vreedl finds the fourth stone, he becomes super and invincible. Whipped, Ace notes his powers derive from the Star-Stone: someone else could become super. Vreedl smashes the stone - and his powers evaporate!
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #5 published December 1958
was The Riddle of the Star-Stone, Chapter One [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 25
Disclose
[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #6]; The Sorcerors of Forbidden Valley!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #6 published February 1959
was The Sorcerers of Forbidden Valley! [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Captives of the Space Circus

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby; Dave Wood
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; captive aliens; Tartan the Ringmaster; the Stupendous Interplanetary Circus
Synopsis: The Challengers answer a shipwreck distress call, but find it's a mirage and a trap. They're pulled through space on a light beam and made captives of a rocket ship space circus. The heroes are prodded through cages and catapulted into a tank to fight Quadro, the Four-Finned Demons. Other alien performers are also captives. Ace coordinates an attack. Round cannonball-men fired from catapults pelt the guards while flying-men swoop on them. The Challengers battle and some captives escape. The heroes gain the cockpit and pilot the rocket to an asteroid made of glittering diamonds. As the Challengers prepare for a last stand, Prof learns the atmosphere gives them super-strength. They bombard the circus guards with boulders and disable the ships. The alien audience is surprised to learn the circus owners are criminals, and promise to send all the captives home. Ace says, "That's one flight it'll be a pleasure to make!"
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #6 published February 1959
was Captives of the Space Circus [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 15
Disclose
The Sorceress of Forbidden Valley

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby; Ed Herron
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; Charles Agar; the Shong; residents of Forbidden Valley
Synopsis: Flying over the Pacific, June Robbins crash-lands on an uncharted island and finds an Aladdin's lamp in a cave. Lighting it makes fumes that overpower her... The Challengers pinpointed June's radio call and land on the island. They find a hidden valley and Shangri-La city. Men in robes attack and the Challengers fight back. But June appears (in a daze) and gestures. A magical torrent washes the Challengers away. June, shadowed by a creep in green, then turns Rocky and Red into stone, then un-stones them. The creep is Agar, a U.S. criminal shipwrecked here. He became second-in-command to the Shong, the shaman. He keeps June mesmerized with the magic lamp - and she's reviving now. Ace and Prof crash the room, free their friends, and battle guards for the lamp. Grabbing June and Agar, they run for the pass. Rocky and Ace pull bullets apart for the gunpowder. "The sorceress is on our side now!" June gestures, the gunpowder ignites, and the roar scares off the guards. The Challengers take off in their jet - and drop the magic lamp into the ocean.
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #6 published February 1959
was The Sorceress of Forbidden Valley [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Disclose
[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #7]; The Isle of No Return!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #7 published April 1959
was The Isle of No Return! [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The Beasts from Planet Nine

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby; Ed Herron
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Alien visitors
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #7 published April 1959
was The Beasts from Planet 9 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 13
Disclose
The Isle of No Return

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby; Ed Herron
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #7 published April 1959
was The Isle of No Return [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose
[Cover - Challengers of the Unknown #8]; Prisoners of Robot Planet!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Juhl
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #8 published June 1959
was Prisoners of Robot Planet! [Illustration on Cover, Front]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The Man Who Stole the Future

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby; Dave Wood
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; June Robbins; Marie; Drabney
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #8 published June 1959
was The Man Who Stole the Future [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose Notes: Introduction of Drabny, later a member of the Challenger Haters.
Disclose
The Prisoners of the Robot Planet

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Jack Kirby
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]; Juhl; Kra
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #8 published June 1959
was The Prisoners of Robot Planet [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 13
Disclose Notes: Introduction of Kra, later a member of the Challenger Haters.
Disclose
Biographies

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: informational
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose Notes: Biographies for Jack Kirby, Roz Kirby, France (Ed) Herron, Marvin Stein, Dave Wood and Wally Wood.
Disclose
Backcover

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Jack Kirby
Inker(s): Jack Kirby; Wally Wood
Colorist(s): Jamison (color reconstruction)
Letterer(s): ?
Editor(s): Jack Schiff (original editor)
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Challengers of the Unknown
Character(s): Challengers of the Unknown [Ace Morgan; Professor Haley; Red Ryan; Rocky Davis]
Reprinting
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #3 published August 1958
was The Invincible Challenger! [Illustration on Cover, Front]cover
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #5 published December 1958
was Riddle of the Star-Stone! [Illustration on Cover, Front]cover
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #7 published April 1959
was The Isle of No Return! [Illustration on Cover, Front]cover
From Content Item: FlagChallengers of the Unknown #8 published June 1959
was Prisoners of Robot Planet! [Illustration on Cover, Front]cover
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Reprints covers from CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN (DC, 1958 series) #3, 5, 7, 8.

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