Detective Comics #411

Detective Comics #411 (On Sale: March 30, 1971), has a Batman cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with Batman in "Into the Den of the Death-Dealers" by Denny O'Neil, Bob Brown, and Dick Giordano. Batman meets an informant atop the Statue of Liberty, who offers Batman information on Dr. Darrk in exchange for protection. That protection is short-lived as members of the League of Assassins strike and kill the man. Before dying he gives Batman the location of Dr. Darrk.

Batman travels to the orient where he finds Dr. Darrk on the Soom Express. Darrk has prepared a trap and captures Batman. The Caped Crusader is taken to a temple where he and we are introduced to Talia, the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, a business associate of Darrk's. She is also a prisoner. Batman rescues Talia and captures Darrk. However, when Darrk tries to escape, Talia shoots and kills him. This story has been reprinted in Saga of Ra's Al Ghul #1 (1988), Batman: Tales of the Demon TPB (1991), Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6 TPB (2016), and Batman: Tales of the Demon HC (2020).

The backup Batgirl story, "Cut... and Run" continues from the previous issue and is by Frank Robbins, Don Heck, and Dick Giordano. Batgirl is caught by crooks plotting to murder Mamie Acheson. She escapes the trap and follows the crooks to the Riviera where the murder is to take place. Batgirl saves Mamie who then develops a line of fashion based on Batgirl's costume. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1 TPB (2007) and Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2018).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Adventure Comics #406

Adventure Comics #406 (On Sale: March 30, 1971), has a nice Supergirl cover by Mike Sekowsky and Dick Giordano. Interesting that we had two covers in a row, Action #400 and this, that have characters split in two.

This issue features Supergirl in "Suspicion" written and penciled by Mike Sekowsky and inked by Jack Abel. The graduation ceremony of Linda Danvers at Stanhope College is interrupted by a demonstration by a group of radicals. During the proceedings, Nasty witnesses Supergirl enter Linda's dorm room. This arouses her suspicions that Linda is Supergirl.

After graduation, Linda has a hard time landing a job. She asks Clark Kent for help. He directs her to a TV station in San Francisco. Nasty who has followed Linda also takes a job at the station. Nasty is looking to prove her suspicions.

When Linda, Nasty, and reporter Johnny Drew are witnesses at a building fire, Linda slips away to rescue people trapped inside as Supergirl. Linda's disappearance is an opportunity for Nasty to get proof. Supergirl sees Nasty and switches back to Linda. The fire crews believe Linda was inside the building and take her to the hospital for treatment. Continued next issue.

Edited by Mike Sekowsky.

Action Comics #400

Action Comics #400 (On Sale: March 30, 1971), has a nice Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in  "My Son... Is He Man or Beast?" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman attends the funeral of scientist Jan Nagy. Superman once prevented a disaster caused by Nagy's experiments with metamorphon, an artificial element. However, Nagy's son Gregor was accidentally exposed. Gregor now transforms into beasts uncontrollably. Gregor hates Superman for his affliction and is further disturbed when his father's will appoints Superman as his guardian.

Superman attempts to help Gregor use his abilities for good. However, the boy's contempt for the Man of Steel remains. When showing Gregor his Fortress, Superman is forced to leave to repair a satellite. An emergency call is received moments later and Gregor leaves to help a damaged submarine. However, his transformation does not last long enough and he is soon exposed to the crushing pressure of the ocean depths. As Superman carries the dying boy ashore, Gregor reconciles and makes peace with his guardian.

The backup is Superman in "Duel of Doom" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Two Kandorian students Arvor and Yllura compete during their final examinations to make a great discovery. Yllura discovers a hidden cavern in the Crystal Hills carved by a prehistoric cult known as the Torgs. Arvor creates an infra-scope that provides him with x-ray vision. 

However, an accident causes Arvor to become lost in the caverns. Yllura's presence has triggered a booby trap. Working together, Arvor and Yllura avoid the traps and escape the tunnel. Their success and teamwork are awarded at a graduation ceremony attended by Superman and Supergirl. Reprinted in Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies HC (1971).

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #110

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #110 (On Sale: March 25, 1971), has a nice cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with Lois Lane in "Indian Death Charge" by Robert Kanigher, Werner Roth, and Vince Colletta. Lois Lane is among the onlookers who await a group of Native Americans who are scheduled to perform a rain dance. When their leader, Johnny Lone Eagle, announces that there will be no dance, the crowd is furious. Superman is forced to break up the scuffle.

Lois returns to the Native village with Johnny. She meets Singing Rain, a young mother and Johnny's sister. The Natives explain that construction workers have built a dam that will flood their village. The Natives refuse to go quietly and a confrontation ensues. Once again Superman steps in. He moves the dam to a neutral location which saves the village but satisfies the dam builders.

Later, Singing Rain is fatally injured. Her dying wish is that Lois raises her baby Little Moon. Lois returns home with the child and performs the duties of a foster mother. When she is in a car accident, she is willing to save the child at the cost of her own life. However, a man rescues Lois. He is Joseph Bright Wing, Little Moon's father. He takes custody of the child, but Lois is given an award for her role as a foster mother.

The backup story is the Rose and the Thorn in "The Face of Fate" by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, and Michael Esposito. The Thorn rescues Danny Stone from a group of thugs working for the 100. Stone is concerned for his sister Laura, who has fallen under the influence of Albert Talbot, one of the 100's heads. Thorn recognizes Talbot as the man responsible for the death of Selena Mason, the ghost haunting her. 

Thorn tracks down Talbot and rescues Laura. Talbot is disfigured in a fire resulting from the melee. Thorn turns him over to Stone for arrest. Selena finally has justice and disappears.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Strange Adventures #230

Strange Adventures #230 (On Sale: March 25, 1971), has a cover by Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "Secret of the Moon Sphinx!" by Otto Binder, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Mystery in Space #36 (1957).

Next is the Atomic Knights in "Threat of the Witch-Woman" by John Broome and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Strange Adventures #156 (1963). The Atomic Knights help Fred Dromer and his mother from the nearby town of Harrow. The people of Harrow have chosen to live without technology and have now branded Fred's mother a witch. Henrietta Dromer is really suffering from a hallucination sickness that spawns two-dimensional energy creatures. 

The Knights stop the creatures and protect Henrietta from them and the townspeople. With the help of the New Orleans medical school, Henrietta is cured. The people of Harrow decide to give up their hatred and fear of science.

That is followed by "Search for a Lost World!" by Edmond Hamilton, Sid Greene, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Strange Adventures #67 (1956).

Next, we have "The Life Battery!" by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Strange Adventures #78 (1957).

Next up is "Prisoner of Two Worlds!" by Bill Finger and Sy Barry and reprinted from Strange Adventures #58 (1955).

That is followed by "Riddle of the Runaway Earth!" by Otto Binder, Sid Greene, and John Giunta and reprinted from Mystery in Space #40 (1957).

We end with Adam Strange in "Vengeance of the Dust Devil!" by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Mystery in Space #70 (1961). Adam Strange returns to Rann, unknowingly carrying Jakarta, the last surviving Dust Devil. It found a way to avoid being turned into glass like the rest of his race and, seeking revenge, he attacks Ranangar. 

When the pair return to Earth near Melbourne, Australia, Adam accidentally discovers that static electricity can freeze Jakarta, traps him with a Wimshurst Machine (a machine that discharges electricity), and then turns the Dust Devil over to Australian authorities where he is immobilized and kept in a prison laboratory.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Girls' Love Stories #159

Girls' Love Stories #159 (On Sale: March 25, 1971), has a cover by, I am going to guess, Werner Roth and Vince Colletta.

We begin with "Someone to Love!" by Robert Kanigher, Werner Roth, and Vince Colletta. Angela and Celia worry because they don't have boyfriends but eventually they find themselves in relationships. When the guys start to lose interest, each girl helps the other to bring her beau back in line.

Next is "I Loved the Wrong Man!" drawn by John Romita and reprinted from Girls' Romances #62 (1959). Abbe is determined to catch a rich suitor when she goes to an exclusive resort, but she winds up in love with the sailing instructor. 

We end this time with "Sweet ... and Simple!" by Jack Oleck, Artie Saaf, and Vince Colletta. Phil wants a girl who's not too smart or independent, and thinks Sharon is a perfect match, but he gets a surprise when he accidentally overhears her on the phone.

Edited by Dorothy Woolfolk.

World's Finest Comics #202

World's Finest Comics #202 (On Sale: March 23, 1971), has a cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

This issue features Superman and Batman in "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing" by Denny O'Neil, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella. Lois Lane is assignment in the desert with Dr. Harkley, an archaeologist who has uncovered the tomb of King Malis. Desert raiders led by Bedouin Brakh attack the camp. The raiders are aided by a malfunctioning Superman robot. Batman hears the news and comes to the aid of the expedition. He is captured and enslaved by the robot. 

When the real Superman learns what happened, he heads for the tomb and disables the robot. However, the tomb is opened. King Malis emerges. His head is a glowing orb with the power of a red sun which robs Superman of his powers. Despite the weakness, Superman teams with Batman to ultimately defeat Malis, who is also revealed to be a robot. Reprinted in Best of DC #20 (1982) and Showcase Presents: World's Finest Vol. 4 TPB (2013).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Date with Debbi #15

Date with Debbi #15 (On Sale: March 23, 1971), has a cover by Stan Goldberg and Henry Scarpelli.

We begin with Debbi in "Take It Off" by John Albano, Stan Goldberg, and Henry Scarpelli. Debbi helps Lylia lose weight. Reprinted in Best of DC #39 (1983).

Next is Debbi in "You Never Take Me Anywhere."

The next story is Debbi in "Spots and Flowers" by John Albano, Doug Crane, and Henry Scarpelli. This story was reprinted in Best of DC #53 (1984).

That is followed by Debbi in "It's a Small, Small World" by John Albano, Doug Crane, and Henry Scarpelli. Debbi drives over Mr. Krunch's foot, twice! Reprinted in Best of DC #45 (1984).

Next we have Debbi in "The Truth Can Hurt." Mr. Blooper hands out demerits.

The next story is Debbi in "Housework, Yeech."

As a change of pace, we have Benedict in "The Slow Learner." Debbi tries to teach Benedict some manners.

We end with Debbi in "The Loud Mouth of Debbi."

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Three Mouseketeers #7

Three Mouseketeers #7 (On Sale: March 18, 1971), has a cover by Sheldon Mayer.

Editor Dick Giordano is gone, but he really did not have much effect on this book. This is the last issue and it begins with the Three Mouseketeers in "Hold the Phone" by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman and reprinted from Three Mouseketeers #7 (1957).

Next are Dodo and the Frog in "Balloon Baloney" drawn by Otto Feuer and reprinted from Dodo and the Frog #81 (1954).

That is followed by the Three Mouseketeers in "Plane and Fancy" by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman and reprinted from Three Mouseketeers #23 (1959).

Next, we have Dizzy Dog in  (Duel) by Sheldon Mayer and reprinted from Comic Cavalcade #63 (1954). Ferrence wants to duel with somebody and doesn't much care who.

Our next story is Dodo and the Frog in an untitled tale drawn by Otto Feuer and reprinted from Funny Stuff #42 (1949).

Our next Three Mouseketeers' tale is "The War Against the Big-Feets People" by Sheldon Mayer and reprinted from Three Mouseketeers #8 (1957).

We have an untitled Bo Bunny story by Sheldon Mayer next, which is reprinted from Funny Stuff #77 (1954). J. P. Penguin searches for an honest man.

Another Three Mouseketeers tale is next: "Upsa-Daisy" is by Sy Reit and Rube Grossman and reprinted from Three Mouseketeers #15 (1958).

Next, we have Doodles Duck in (Petty Problems) drawn by Sheldon Mayer and reprinted from Comic Cavalcade #60 (1953)

We end the last issue with the Three Mouseketeers in "Quiet Snooze" by Sheldon Mayer and reprinted from Three Mouseketeers #5 (1956).

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Teen Titans #33

Teen Titans #33 (On Sale: March 18, 1971), has a cover by Nick Cardy.

This issue features "Less Than Human?" by Bob Haney, George Tuska, and Nick Cardy. Continuing from the last issue, Kid Flash and Mal remain trapped in an alternate timeline. The sorcerer Jupiterius has offered to help if the Titans can pass two tests, Kid Flash successfully passes the first. Mal then must overcome his own fears to pass the second. When he successfully completes the test, Jupiterius sends the Titans back in time to the moment they changed history.

Mal and Kid Flash once again face an attack by an angry caveman. This time, they don't accidentally kill him. The Titans are then returned to their own time period, but the caveman comes with them. The Titans cage the caveman, dubbed Gnarrk, the only word he speaks. The team then works tirelessly to civilize the caveman and teach him to trust and communicate.

Lilith forms a special bond with Gnarrk. During a trip into the city, Gnarrk becomes separated from the Titans. Lilith finds him and brings him back, but while on his own, Gnarrk witnessed a criminal deal involving a city councilman. The Titans then work with Gnarrk to ensure his testimony will stand up in court. Gnarrk successfully testifies, and the councilman is convicted. This is not a great issue of TT. The story is lame, really lame and the artwork by Tuska and Cardy is a step below the pure Cardy of recent issues. The removal of Dick Giordano as editor is really taking its toll.  Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Teen Titans Vol. 2 TPB (2007).

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Falling in Love #123

Falling in Love #123 (On Sale: March 18, 1971), has a nice cover by Jay Scott Pike.

We begin with "The Right Man for Me!" drawn by Lee Elias. Elaine is engaged to marry Preston, who can give her everything she never had, but a month before the wedding she meets Randy, who's just as poor as she is, and falls in love with him.

Next is "Trip to Paradise!" which is perhaps penciled by Werner Roth and reprinted from Falling in Love #50 (1962).  Kit falls in love with tour guide Les while on a trip to Europe, but she wonders if he is already in love with his business partner Evelyn.

We end this issue with "Not Worth Loving" drawn by George Tuska and Vince Colletta. When Lynn is in the hospital with pneumonia, she confesses to her boyfriend Matt that she was nearly unfaithful to him with Steve, and then wonders if Matt will ever forgive her.

Edited for the first time by Dorothy Woolfolk.

Superman #237

Superman #237 (On Sale: March 16, 1971), has a nice cover by Neal Adams.

This issue features "Enemy of Earth" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Continuing the Kryptonite Nevermore story-line, Superman rescues a test pilot only to find that the man has contracted a terrible disease that turns his skin green. While Clark Kent is reporting the story, the sand creature approaches and saps energy from Superman. The Man of Steel confronts the creature which results in an explosion. People near to Superman also contract the disease making Superman believe he caused it.

Lois calls for help while stranded on assignment in South America. Superman is afraid to help fearing he will pass on the plague. When he sees the sand creature again, he approaches which triggers an even larger explosion. Although weakened, Superman is no a danger to those around him. He rescues Lois. Then he meets the sand creature again. It can now speak. It tells Superman that he is a being created from him. He fears that one of them may not survive. Reprinted in Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Phantom Stranger #13

Phantom Stranger #13 (On Sale: March 16, 1971), has a cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with the Phantom Stranger in "A Child of Death" by Robert Kanigher and Jim Aparo. Albert Anson, the head of the science project Thunderhead dies mysteriously while working on the project. His grandson Freddy, who carries a toy gun, is present at the time of his death, which is ruled to be of natural causes. When another scientist on the project dies in similar circumstances with Freddy also present, the Phantom Stranger intervenes.

Freddy's adoptive father Dr. Forsyte takes over the project. The Phantom Stranger then acts to prevent his death at Freddy's hand. Freddy is actually a hyper-mutant from a race that lives underground. Recent nuclear tests have forced the hyper-mutants, who look like children, to the surface. They intend to disrupt nuclear test projects. The Phantom Stranger also learns that Tala is observing the project disguised as one of the scientists. The Stranger tries to convince Freddy that the tests are force defensive purposes only. Freddy is then killed in a blast resulting from the latest test. 

Our back-up features Doctor 13 in "The Devil's Timepiece" by Robert Kanigher and Tony DeZuniga. Dr. Thirteen attends a midnight auction of supposed occult items with his friend Bentley Ames. Bentley purchases a grandfather clock with a miniature devil hanging from the pendulum. The clock is delivered to Ames. The first time he winds it, the devil springs forth from the clock and kills him.

Dr. Thirteen arrives a short time later and discovers his dead friend. He winds the clock also. The devil springs forth again. Dr. Thirteen is able to fight off the devil who falls upon his own pitchfork and dies. The devil is actually the auctioneer, who wanted revenge on Ames for testifying in court against his father. Dr. Thirteen successfully debunks the devil's clock, but two men are now dead.

The entire issue is reprinted in Showcase Presents Phantom Stranger Vol. 1 TPB (2006).

Edited by Joe Orlando

Mister Miracle #2

Mister Miracle #2 (On Sale: March 16, 1971), has a cover by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.

This issue features "X-Pit" written and penciled by Jack Kirby and inked by Vince Colletta. This is the first appearance of Granny Goodness, the cruel mistress of the Apokolips institution from which Scott Free once escaped. She returns to try to destroy Mr. Miracle with the help of her soldiers and a mysterious, powerful being called Overlord. This story has been reprinted in  Jack Kirby's Mister Miracle TPB (1998), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2007), Jack Kirby's Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 TPB (2012), Mister Miracle by Jack Kirby TPB (2017), and The Fourth World Omnibus by Jack Kirby (2018).

Edited by Jack Kirby.

Young Love #86

Young Love #86 (On Sale: March 11, 1971), has a cover by Don Heck and everyone says Tony DeZuniga, but once again everyone is full of it. Might be Dick Giordano, but the two main characters are not inked very well. This issue also has a new and not improved logo to go along with the new editor Dorothy Woolfolk.

We begin with "The Two Faces of Liza" drawn by Winslow Mortimer and Jack Abel.

Next is "Never Bet on Love" drawn by Jay Scott Pike and Vince Colletta.

We end with "My Sister's Lover" drawn by John Romita and reprinted from Falling in Love #52 (1962). As a little girl, Linda falls in love with Nicky, the older boy next door. Linda's sister, Rita, ridicules Linda and has her own designs on Nicky. As Linda grows up, Nicky tries to discourage her attentions, saying she isn't a little girl anymore. 

Eventually, he leaves town and Linda receives a letter from Nicky, telling her she should forget him. But Nicky is actually in love with Linda and just afraid he is stealing her chance of happiness with someone her own age. He comes back and proposes to Linda.

Edited by Dorothy Woolfolk.

Our Fighting Forces #131

Our Fighting Forces #131 (On Sale: March 11, 1971), has a Losers cover by Joe Kubert.

We begin the issue with the Losers in "Half a Man" by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, and John Severin. This is the first time Severin has inked the Losers and starting the next issue he will take over the full drawing chores for the series. After two incidents involving his wooden leg, Captain Storm feels that he is only half a man. First, a grenade is tossed at him and he slips, so instead of catching it and disposing of it, he accidentally bats it at a child freedom fighter who is killed when it detonates. Second, when the Losers are on leave he meets a pretty flower seller who would like to dance and he does ok with her for a while, but then his wooden leg buckles and he takes a spill. 

He leaves the dance hall because he does not want her pity. She follows him and he sees some stonework about to give way and fall on her, but because of his wooden leg, he is too slow to reach her in time to save her from being crushed. 

The Losers are sent on an assignment to capture a mayor from an area occupied by an elite Nazi outfit. Captain Storm grabs their target and parachutes out the window, but because of the extra weight, his wooden leg shatters upon landing. The mayor tells the Losers that he ought to leave the cripple behind and let him go free. Captain Storm agrees about leaving him and orders the Losers to take the mayor to their pick-up point while he holds off the elite group in some ruins. 

Storm knows that if he opens up with his machine gun, they will finish him off fast and catch up to the Losers, so he attempts to delay them as long as possible by appealing to their fighting pride. The first underling to accept his challenge he readily defeats, but the tough guy boss tells his men to hold their fire while he roughs up Storm. Storm takes quite a beating refusing to tell where the Losers have taken the mayor, but he holds out long enough for the Losers to return and save him. Captain Storm asks them why they didn't just leave half a man behind and they tell it isn't the outside that's important but what's inside that makes a man. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: The Losers Vol. 1 TPB (2012).

Next is a two-page Battle Ablum on the Sherman Tank by Sam Glanzman.

We end with "The New Hand" by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Our Army at War #64 (1957). This is an interesting idea, World War II dogfighting from the point of view of the synchronized watch on the new guy's hand. Not really much more to say about it.

Edited by Joe Kubert.

Batman #231

Batman #231 (On Sale: March 11, 1971), has a nice cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with "Blind Rage of the Ten-Eyed Man" by Frank Robbins Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. Seeking his revenge upon Batman, the Ten-Eyed Man takes a job as an air marshal. He then hijacks a plane and takes it to Vietnam. He issues demands to have Batman meet him there. The Caped Crusader complies and arrives in Vietnam.

The Ten-Eyed Man releases the hostages, then retreats into the jungle. He is familiar with the jungle from his days in the special forces which give him an advantage over Batman. Batman dodges traps set by his foe and despite the terrain favoring Reardon, Batman prevails. He captures the Ten-Eyed Man and brings him home in custody. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6 TPB (2016).

The back-up strip this issue is Robin in "Wiped Out" by Mike Friedrich, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. Dick Grayson considers that his role as Robin has not been received well on the campus of Hudson University. His thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Terri Bergstrom. The couple head to Terri's room which has been ransacked. When they return to Dick's room, they find it has also been broken into.

Dick leaves Terri and investigates the crimes as Robin. He finds the thieves who are connected to Mark Brunner. Robin tracks down Brunner who along with two others had previously assaulted him. Robin stops Brunner and puts an end to the robbery ring before resuming his date with Terri. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1 TPB (2008).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Tomahawk #134

Tomahawk #134 (On Sale: March 9, 1971), has a nice Son of Tomahawk cover by Joe Kubert.

We begin with Hawk, Son of Tomahawk in "The Rusty Ranger" by Robert Kanigher and Frank Thorne. When the townspeople come to Tomahawk's ranch to ask for help fighting a band of thugs that has killed the sheriff and threatening the town, Tomahawk refuses to help, saying his time of fighting for others is over. That night Tomahawk sneaks away and rides into the gang's camp and is surprised to find the gang's leader is his old friend, Cannonball. 

Cannonball explains that after the war ended and Tomahawk left the Rangers, those remaining had a hard time finding work, Cannonball being told he was too old to be of much good. So he gathered a gang of younger men together and they were going to take what no one would give them.

When the two friends become chummy, the gang of young men begins to think Cannonball's loyalties might be changing, so they draw o the older men. The two old men head for the high ground putting the sun behind their backs. As dawn arises and the gang attacks the two old friends, they wipe them out to a man. Cannonball confesses that he had nothing to do with the murder of the sheriff and Tomahawk lets him go and then sneaks back into his house before his family wakes up. The next day, Hawk comes back from town with tales of the town's posse finding the gang murdered and nobody knowing who done it.

Next is a two-page "Wild Frontier" on the Cowboy and his Saddle by Sam Glanzman.

That is followed by Firehair in "Contest" written and drawn by Joe Kubert. When Firehair kills a bison, he brings the meat to a nearby village and shares what he has with the others. Still in need of more meat, Firehair and the village's braves go in search of more bison. When the drunk white men of a nearby town learn the braves are on the move they attack the village and kill the old men left there before having their way with the squaws left behind. 

Hearing gunshots from the village, the braves return and kill the white attackers. He offers to stay and help a little girl, whose mother was killed but is told that won't be necessary and in the morning he leaves the village.

The book ends with a reprint, "Pathway to Doom" drawn by Jim McArdle and reprinted from Tomahawk #27 (1954). When a brave is captured by the Seneca he must prepare to run their gauntlet of braves with hatchets and bows in the morning. That night he prays to a wooden carving for deliverance. In the morning the Seneca are surprised when the brave makes it through the gauntlet unharmed. It is then revealed that he wore the hollowed-out wooden carving as a suit of wooden armor.

Edited by Joe Kubert.

Superboy #174

Superboy #174 (On Sale: March 9, 1971), has a Super-Animals cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "The Colossal Superdog" by Otto Binder and George Papp and reprinted from Adventure Comics #262 (1959). While romping through space, Krypto encounters a Kryptonite meteor fused with another meteor. The radiations of the new meteor cause Krypto to grow to gigantic size and develop super-rabies upon entering Earth’s atmosphere.

As Krypto causes mass destruction, Superboy tries to stop his pet. The rabies eventually paralyzes Krypto. Superboy sets Krypto up as a living statue. He then discovers the meteor and exposes himself to it.

Superboy grows to gigantic size as well. The increased power of Superboy’s X-ray vision cures Krypto. Then he uses lead mirrors to turn the X-rays on himself, which restores the Boy of Steel to normal.

Next up is "The Gorilla with Super-Eyes" by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, and John Fischetti and reprinted from Adventure Comics #219 (1955). Superboy assists Professor Lang in the capture of a giant gorilla named Chandu. They return to Smallville with the gorilla who is put on display. Ex-con Doc Baird sees the gorilla on display and discovers that Chandu possesses X-ray vision.

Baird and his men steal Chandu and use his power for crime. The X-rays are triggered by lightning, so when lightning strikes the crooks are able to melt bank walls and start fires.

Professor Lang believes that Chandu got his powers from a pond in Africa containing Kryptonite. The gorilla's X-ray vision is also Kryptonite based which weakens Superboy. Despite the gorilla's advantage, Superboy overcomes him and the crooks. The effect of the contaminated water soon wears off, restoring Chandu to normal.

That is followed by "The Super-Zoo from Krypton" by Otto Binder and John Sikela and reprinted from Superboy #53 (1956). Professor Lang discovers a rocket containing several alien eggs. Superboy reads the text contained within the rocket and discovers that the eggs are from Krypton. The eggs begin hatching, releasing several unusual Kryptonian animals. 

A crook named Blacky Stone hides Kryptonite in a fake egg. Superboy is exposed to the Kryptonite, but he manages to escape with the aid of one of the Kryptonian creatures. After apprehending Blacky, Superboy takes the animals to an uninhabited world where they can live without endangering anyone.

Next is "The Bird with Super-Powers" by Alvin Schwartz, Curt Swan, and John Fischetti and reprinted from Adventure Comics #225 (1956). Professor Lang brings a talking mynah bird back from Africa. The bird displays amazing intelligence and super powers. The mynah bird escapes and begins aiding an escaped convict in crime. Superboy and Professor Lang determine that the bird's powers originate from a water source in Africa contaminated by Kryptonite. This same water source was responsible for creating a gorilla with X-ray vision.

Superboy and the mynah bird match each other in battle. The bird learns Superboy's secret identity and threatens to expose him. This forces Superboy to use Kryptonite against the bird. The overdose of Kryptonite radiation restores the bird to normal, and his convict partner is apprehended.

We end with "The Superdog That Was Greater Than Krypto" by Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino and reprinted from Superboy #105 (1963). Superboy rescues a dog, Swifty, from his mean master. Swifty follows the Boy of Steel back to Smallville and meets him again. Impressed by Swifty’s intelligence, Superboy uses a serum invented by Roz-Em to give Swifty super-powers. 

Krypto becomes jealous of the new super-dog, but when Swifty’s powers disappear suddenly Krypto comes to the rescue. Superboy tells Krypto that he intended Swifty to be a playmate for Krypto, making the super-dog ashamed of his jealousy.

edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

House of Mystery #192

House of Mystery #192 (On Sale: March 9, 1971), has a nice cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with our cover story, "The Gardener of Eden" by John Albano and Jim Aparo. When Dr. Eden and his new wife move into their new home, it comes with Boris, a deformed workman, who at first scares Eve, Eden's wife. Eve eventually feels sorry for the deformed man and when he begins to get on the Doctor's nerves, Eve makes him the gardener. As the months fly by, the garden is transformed, but the Doctor begins to feel jealous of all the time his wife spends with Boris.

In a fit of rage, Dr. Eden murders Boris with an ax. When his wife proclaims innocence, she only pitied Boris, he repents and makes the body the recipient of the first artificial computer-fed brain. Afterward, Eden falls asleep only to awaken strapped to the operating table.  It turns out the new brain has made the dim-witted gardener into a completely new person with ambitions of conquest. He has already replaced Eve's brain and plans to do the same to the doctor as well in order to begin building a new army of perfect thinkers. As Cain muses about Boris we see him sneaking up on Cain, scalpel in hand.

That is followed by a "Cain's game Room" by Lore Shoberg, later known as Lore Orion, a country music composer mostly associated with Tim McGraw. for whom he not only wrote songs but drew album covers. Shoberg's comic work was signed simply "LORE."

Next, we have  "Image of Darkness" by Robert Kanigher and Gray Morrow. Cain awakens at 11:00 one night to the sound of something breaking in the room of tenant Andrew Foster. He rushes to the room to find his girlfriend, Susan, smashing an ancient mirror in his room and accusing him of cheating on her. When Andrew sees the broken mirror he breaks down.  he explains that before he came to Cain's house, he lived in a different time, in a different body. When he walked the streets, people threw things at him and children taunted him for his misshapen, hunched, and hideous body. But one day going through his basement he found an old mirror and when he cleaned it, it cleaned the ugliness from his body. He left the basement, not as a hideous monster but as a handsome young man.

He emerged into a new time, modern times. He moved into Cain's house and that night he went out dancing and met Susan. He brought her back to his room but at the stroke of midnight his body reverted to its old form and so he ran away from Susan. The next morning he was transformed back into his new body and returned. However, each night at midnight he would have to leave. Susan thought he was seeing someone else and so acted out. Now, with the mirror destroyed, he will transform one last time. 

Susan says she does not believe a lying word he has said, but as the clock strikes midnight, he reverts to his old, ugly self and is sucked back into the mirror and back to his own time. Susan tells Cain that she did not care how he looked on the outside, that he was beautiful inside.

Something must be said about the artwork here. It is not the standard Morrow we expect and I see the hand of another in the pencils, perhaps Howard Chaykin who assisted Morrow at one time.

We end with "Nobody Loves a Lizard" by Virgil North and Don Heck. North is the pseudonym of Mary Skrenes. Little orphan Bobby was always considered a strange kid. His parents were rumored to be witches and he loved to make pets of the lizards and snakes and frogs he found. One day when caught with a new pet lizard, Bobby is put in a closet where he finds a talking lizard caught in a mousetrap. The lizard says he was sent by his parents to help him. Bobby remarks that his parents are dead but the lizard says he will explain everything later. The lizard says that someone is coming to adopt him but that Miss Evans, who locked him in the closet, is going to try and stop it from happening. When she comes to him with some milk (drugged to keep him quiet), Bobby locks her in the closet and presents himself to the couple.

He meets the beautiful Mrs. Green and as he leaves with her we see the long green tail peeking out from the bottom of her dress. This is Mary Skrenes's first professional work and she came to DC Comics under the tutelage of Dick Giordano. Skrenes is best known as co-creator (with Steve Gerber) of Omega the Unknown for Marvel Comics. She worked on other Marvel books such as The Defenders and Guardians of the Galaxy. She was the creator of and inspiration for Beverly Switzler, the companion of Howard the Duck. She wrote a half dozen horror stories for DC under the name Virgil North, and began a long collaboration with Steve Skeates. According to Skeates, a number of his mystery stories were actually co-written with Skrenes, but she insisted on submitting them under Skeates's name alone because of bad blood between her and editor Joe Orlando.

Skrenes wrote several episodes of Jem, GI Joe, and Transformers in the 1980s. In 2004 she reunited with Gerber to write the short-lived comic Hard Time. 

The entire book has been reprinted in Showcase Presents: The House of Mystery #1 (2006) and House of Mystery: The Bronze Age Omnibus #1 (2019).

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Super DC Giant S-24

Super DC Giant S-24 (On Sale: March 4, 1971), featuring Supergirl has a cover by Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson, Mike Sekowsky, and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Girl with the X-Ray Mind" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #295 (1962). Linda Danvers's friend Lena Thorul has ESP powers and wants to join the FBI, but she has no verifiable past and cannot be accepted. Supergirl investigates and finds the reason why: Lena is really the younger sister of Lex Luthor and gained ESP powers through contact with a "space-brain" brought to Earth by Superboy.

Because of the Luthor family disgrace, Lena and her parents were forced to move from Smallville and change their last names to Thorul, though Lena never learned of her brother's criminal past and was told he died in an accident, not long before her parents died in a very real accident.

When the FBI learns the truth, they are adamant about not hiring her. Lena, however, pretends to infiltrate Bank Busters, a gang of bank robbers, and to use her powers on their behalf. When Luthor hears of it, he tells all to Supergirl and pleads with her to keep Lena from a life of crime. However, Lena was only playing along with the crooks to catch them in the act and helps Supergirl and the police capture the Bank Busters. Supergirl promises to tell the FBI about the case, in hopes that they will reconsider hiring her. But she gets nervous when Lena admits that she has Supergirl telepathically linked with Linda Lee Danvers and keeps Lena's family connection secret.

Next, we have "The Girl Who Was Supergirl's Double" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #296 (1963). When Lena Thorul attends a costume ball dressed as Supergirl, a soiree also attended by Dick Malverne and Linda Lee Danvers, Dick is convinced by Lena's resemblance to the Girl of Steel and by the real Supergirl's appearance when thieves attempt a jewel robbery there, that Lena is really Supergirl. 

Other circumstantial evidence, later on, hardens Dick's mistaken belief. Linda becomes jealous when Dick's affections are turned to Lena. Lex Luthor, in the meantime, asks Supergirl to give Lena some diamonds he created from coal lumps, as a secret birthday gift. When Dick sees one of the diamonds fallen into the coal-scuttle at Lena's house, he is finally convinced beyond any doubt that Lena is Supergirl. Lena finally "admits" that she is the Princess of Power, and the real Supergirl, listening in with super-hearing, wonders why Lena has told a lie. This story is continued.

That is followed by the continuation of the story, "The Forbidden Weapons of Krypton" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #297 (1963). Lena Thorul actually told Dick Malverne that she had super-powers because her mind was controlled by a device operated by Lesla-Lar, who has recently broken jail in Kandor. Using her teleport ray, Lesla exchanges places with Lena, and imitated her, convincing Supergirl that a special serum had given her super-powers.

Later, Lesla-Lar used a Phantom Zone Projector to free Jax-Ur, Kru-El, and General Zod from the Zone. The threesome armed themselves with a cache of forbidden Kryptonian weapons and repaid her by destroying her with a disintegrator gun. Since Superman was in another time-era on a mission, the three villains set up a force-field that blocked time-travel, and the people of Kandor were made prisoners of their bottle. 

Both Supergirl and the villains were stalemated when they tried to use their powers on each other, but the weapons gave the villains the edge. Kru-El infected Supergirl with a disease that turned living creatures near her into plants. But, when Supergirl told Lex Luthor that Lena was a prisoner in Kandor, he agreed to help her battle the three Kryptonians. This story is also continued.

We end with the story's final chapter, "The Super-Powers of Lex Luthor" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #298 (1963). The warden of Metropolis prison refuses to believe Lex Luthor when he says that Supergirl wants him as an ally, so Luthor throws in with the Phantom Zone villains. Kru-El gives Luthor super-powers with a ray device, and, later, demonstrates a mind-over-matter helmet to him.

The Zoners, in a private conversation, plan to use Luthor to construct a magnet that will attract Gold Kryptonite to permanently remove Superman's and Supergirl's powers, but they also intend to strip away Luthor's new super-powers as well when they have it. Unknown to them, however, Luthor is listening with his super-hearing, and, once Kru-El drops the force-field so as to lure Superman into their trap, he switches sides again by using a fake Gold K meteor.

Supergirl, Superman, and Luthor triumph sending the Kryptonian villains back to the Phantom Zone destroying the weapons (and thus removing Luthor's powers and Supergirl's plant scourge), releasing Lena Thorul from Kandor, and returning Luthor to prison.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Justice League of America #89

Justice League of America #89 (On Sale: March 4, 1971), has a nice cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. 

This issue features "The Most Dangerous Dreams of All" by Mike Friedrich, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella. A writer named Harlequin Ellis  (gee, I wonder who he is based on) becomes enamored of Black Canary and lapses into a mood of depression when she seems to prefer Green Arrow to him. 

Suddenly gifted with the power to make his story-plots into reality, Ellis creates scenarios in which he is first Superman, then Batman, in futile attempts to impress Black Canary and eliminate his rival for her affection. Unwittingly, he draws the real Black Canary and Green Arrow into his dream worlds. Realizing what is happening, Black Canary goes to Ellis and reconciles their differences, and they part as friends.

The final panel reads, "Many are the things that a writer is forced to do by the crash-pounding of his creative soul. This story was one of them. For in writing of this man, Harlequin Ellis, I am facing the eternal mirror... for who is it that creates our heroes' ever-recurring menaces to their lives, testing every fibre of their being to the limit? Superman, Batman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Aquaman are just as real to me as to Harlequin Ellis-- I believe in them! I must! When Superman bursts through a monstrous boulder, it is I who flex my muscles! When the Batman looks with vengeance in his eyes on someone he hates, it is I who hate! When Aquaman dies from water-thirst, when Green Arrow faces a charging minotaur, when Black Canary looks into the eyes of another human being and sees his soul, it is I! And when Harlequin Ellis cries over the lack of returned love, it is I! Many are the things a writer is forced to do by the crash-pounding of his creative soul. This story was one of them; for there is no escape from the soul-shatter of the nova-awareness that I, in so many ways, am... Harlequin Ellis!"

The story is dedicated to science fiction and television writer Harlan Ellison. According to this issue's letter column, Ellison liked the story and requested that the character based on him have his name rather than the pseudonym that Mike Friedrich chose. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Justice League of America Vol. 5 TPB (2011), Justice League of America Archives Vol. 10 HC (2012), and Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2017).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Flash #206

Flash #206 (On Sale: March 4, 1971), has a nice cover by Neal Adams. 

This issue begins with the Flash in  "24 Hours of Immortality" by Robert Kanigher, Irv Novick, and Murphy Anderson. A plane carrying Susan Logan and her son crashes into a car driven by William Kandel. Susan's son and William's wife are killed. Susan and William's prayers to save their loved ones are answered by two aliens. A bargain is struck. Timmy and Sylvia are restored to life, but Susan and William will die the following day. During that day, both will be immortal.

Kandel next finds himself caught in the crossfire caused by some escaped convicts. He is shot while Flash rounds up the crooks. Flash is amazed that Kandel survived. He then hears the story. He decides to help Kandel complete an important surgery on a patient before the doctor's day is up.

Flash then seeks out Susan, who has entered a daredevil competition. The competition is threatened by a nearby forest fire, but the Flash quenches the blaze. Susan then wins the competition by falling to Earth without opening her parachute.

When their time is up William and Susan meet the aliens again. Flash intervenes on their behalf, hoping to spare their lives. The aliens try to kill the Flash, but his powers keep him alive. The aliens are impressed, so they decide to leave. William and Susan are given a second chance at life.

Our back-up feature is the Elongated Man in "Showdown in Elongated Town" by Cary Bates and Dick Giordano. The Elongated Man finds himself in a western ghost town with no idea how he got there. The town appears to be elongated too. Suddenly a man appears who attempts to shoot Ralph with a ray gun. Ralph escapes and he eventually realizes he is wearing contact lenses which distort his vision. Once the lenses are removed, the town returns to normal. He then deduces the true identity of his foe, the Mirror Master. Elongated Man then captures the rogue and jails him until the proper authorities arrive.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #124

Adventures of Jerry Lewis #124 (On Sale: March 4, 1971), has a cover by Bob Oksner. This is the final issue of the Adventures of Jerry Lewis, which started life and lasted for 40 issues as the Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. I was not a fan, though I did buy the issue with the Flash in it and over the years collected the four issues that Neal Adams drew. 

We begin with our cover-story, "Hot Wheels and Cold Sweat" by Alan Riefe and Bob Oksner. Jerry takes a job moving a grandfather clock to Pier 6 when he sees two guys with a racecar and becomes enamored with it. The two men are looking for someone stupid enough to test drive the car. Being late for the pier, Jerry agrees and shoving the clock in behind him, takes off for the pier. 

The car has some experimental fuel in it and Jerry is unable to control the car, ending up in a race, where he among other things, ends up driving the wrong way down the track (just like the cover shows). In the end, he and the dar are thrown out of the race and he ends up crashing at the pier. There Jerry discovers that killer Tiny Tony was inside the clock and trying to make a getaway. He is captured by the police who offer Jerry any reward he wants and he asks for a newspaper as he now needs to look for a new job.

Next is a one-pager, "From Bed to Nurse" by Henry Boltinoff and Bob Oksner. Jerry works as a hospital orderly and has to come up with a unique solution when he is told to change the linens of a patient in traction.

We have another one-pager, "A Witch Doctor Who Makes Calls" also by Henry Boltinoff and Bob Oksner. When Renfrew gets sick, Uncle Jerry calls on a witch doctor.

Lastly, we have "The Bird with the Million-Dollar Beak" by Murray Boltinoff and Bob Oksner. When Jerry takes Renfrew for a vacation up in the mountains, he complains that he really wanted to go to the beach. That night, a violent rainstorm sweeps their cabin off the mountain and down to the water where it peacefully floats. The next morning a couple comes looking for the cabin and sees it out in the water. Jerry thinks the couple is coming to rescue them, but they are actually after a diamond they stashed in the cabin.

As the cabin sinks the couple makes Jerry swim down looking for the diamond, which has actually been picked up by a seagull. Spotting the gull, they all follow it to shore where the bird puts the diamond in his mouth and then joins a huge flock of other gulls. They spend the entire night searching for the diamond and Jerry eventually finds Renfrew sleeping in a gulls beak. Wow, what a sorry note to end the series on. 

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Wonder Woman #194

Wonder Woman #194 (On Sale: March 2, 1971), has a cover by Mike Sekowsky and Dick Giordano.

This issue features  "The Prisoner" written and penciled by Mike Sekowsky and inked by Dick Giordano. While on vacation in the European country of Daldonia, Diana Prince finds herself the victim of a kidnap attempt, but fights her way free and helps catch the perpetrators. However, she is astonished to find herself treated like royalty and hustled into the state palace. There, Diana soon discovers that she is an exact double for Princess Fabiola, who is to marry Prince Rupert on the next day. If she was abducted or done away with, however, her cousin Frieda would be next in line for the throne. 

General Rudolph asks Diana to stay a few days, feeling she will be needed, and she is: Fabiola is kidnapped that very night. Rudolph manages to persuade Diana to stand in for Fabiola until the princess is found. But when Rupert kisses her, he knows that she is not his intended. Diana and Rudolph secretly explain things to him, and they decide that the wedding must go through, with Diana still secretly substituting for Fabiola. 

As she is being led down the aisle to the altar, Diana is attacked by the kidnappers and fights them off, then trails them to where Fabiola is held. She soon defeats and unmasks the ringleader of the kidnap crew--Fabiola's cousin Frieda. Fabiola is recovered unharmed and goes through with the wedding to Rupert. Frieda and her husband Helmut are banished from Daldonia for life. Diana gains the thanks of Gen. Rudolph and returns home to I-Ching and Cathy Perkins. Reprinted in Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Vol. 3 TPB (2009).

Edited by Mike Sekowsky.

Our Army at War #232

Our Army at War #232 (On Sale: March 2, 1971), has a Sgt. Rock cover by Joe Kubert.

We being with Sgt. Rock in "3 Men in a Tub" by Robert Kanigher and Russ Heath. Sgt. Rock and Easy Company capture three Italian soldiers who claim to be working against the Nazis. Easy takes the prisoners with them and soon discovers that they possess useful skills including shoemaking and cooking. When Rock receives orders to attack Nazi-held Cortina Castle, the Italians claim to know a secret entrance.

Rock allows the Italians to guide him past Nazi patrols. However, the Italians seemingly turn against him and turn Rock over to the Nazis. The betrayal is only a ruse, and the Italians help Rock to invade the castle. They clear a path for the rest of Easy to take control and defeat the Nazis.

The back-up is "Buck Taylor You Can't Fool Me", another tale of the U.S.S. Stevens by Writer/Artist Sam Glanzman. Buck Taylor gets sent home for acting crazy. Or was it really an act? Reprinted in U.S.S. Stevens: The Collected Stories (2016).

Edited by Joe Kubert.

DC Special #12

DC Special #12 (On Sale: March 2, 1971), has a Viking Prince cover by Joe Kubert.

We begin with Viking Prince in "Battle for the Dragon Ship" by  Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #1 (1955). This reprints the first appearance of the Viking Prince. In the year 964 AD, Norwegian fisherman Captain Olaf comes upon a young lad floating on a log at sea. He brings him aboard his vessel, but the youth has no memory of his true name or identity. Olaf and his men bring the youth to shore, where a man named Sardluk the spy watches them from afar. 

Sardluk recognizes the blond-haired lad and reports back to his master Baron Thorvald. Thorvald is animated when he hears the news and orders his men to kill the boy. Sardluk's soldiers raid Captain Olaf's home, but the man fights back, ensnaring the soldiers with Olaf's fishing nets. He then picks up a stray sword and injures Sardluk. The boy has no idea why he is so proficient with a blade. Sardluk and his men run away, but promise to return to finish the job. 

Captain Olaf's daughter Gunnda is so impressed with the boy's bravery that she names him Jon the Viking Prince, after a famed Viking hero. A few days later, Baron Thorvald learns that Olaf's men have put to sea, and orders his dragon ship to give chase. As the dragon ship overtakes Olaf's fishing vessel, Jon has the Captain load him onto a spring-loaded harpoon and fire him across to the other ship. Once onboard, Jon swings across the mast then tears through one of the sails with his sword. He fights valiantly against the Viking warriors, forcing Baron Thorvald to flee by diving off his own ship. Jon is concerned that the Baron had information concerning his true identity and fears that he will never learn the truth about his own mysterious past.

Next is another Viking Prince tale, "The Ice Dragon" by Bill Finger and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #5 (1956). With winter setting in, the men of Olaf's tribe are forced to fish day and night to ensure there will be enough food to last. When a sea serpent attacks their fishing boats, the men are too scared to return to the water. Olaf's daughter Gunnda goes out by herself to show the men bravery.

Jon follows her and encounters the serpent. When he gets close, he discovers that the serpent is really a disguised iceberg, moved by one of Thorvald's boats. Jon and Gunnda are captured by Thorvald, but he escapes. When Thorvald's men pursue him, he harpoons a whale. The whale becomes enraged and overturns Thorvald's boats, allowing Jon and Gunnda to get away safely.

Our final Viking Prince story is "The Viking and the Mermaid" by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #16 (1958). Jon, the Viking Prince, attempts to claim his throne by completing Thor's twelve tasks. Torgunn, the Claw, who sits on the throne as regent, seeks to thwart Jon. After the Viking Prince defeats Sven the Giant in combat to complete the first task, Torgunn's wife drugs Jon and causes him to temporarily lose his memory.

Accompanied only by a mute bard, Jon is sent to retrieve an ice demon's helm full of fire. The heat of a lava field clears Jon's head and restores his memory. He then battles the ice demons, saves a maiden, and fills one of the demon's helmet with fire.

Jon attempts to take the maiden, Ylla, back to her father, King Harold of Skane. Torgunn then attacks Jon at sea. The maiden falls into the ocean. Jon dives to the bottom of the sea to save her. However, the dive causes Jon to lose his memory yet again. Ylla is returned to her father, while Jon and the bard sail away with the Viking Prince once again seeking his true past.

Next is the origin of the Silent Knight in "Duel in Forest Perilous" by Robert Kanigher and Irv Novick and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #1 (1955). In the 6th century England, a jousting tournament was taking place between two rulers, Sir Oswald Bane and Sir Edwin Kent. When Kent's Lance strikes against Bane's armor, the lance shatters as if made of rotted wood. When he and Bane then duel with swords, Kent's weapon becomes slack, and he is dealt a fatal blow.

Brian Kent, Edwin's son, rushes to his father's side. With his dying breath, Edwin tells him that he will soon come of age that he can rule alongside Sir Oswald, as a just and merciful ruler. Oswald offers his sympathy to young Brian, lamenting that such an accident had to happen. Brian is not sure it was an accident, however. 

He soon becomes apprenticed to the knights and is trained by his father's friend, Sir Grot. Though Brian seems to be excelling in his training, Grot, strangely, keeps informing Bane that he is talent-less and a waste of time. One day, while Grot starts Brian on Hawkery training, Sir Bane's favorite hawk, Slasher, escapes out of the exit, and Brian gives chase. Slasher leads Brian into the Perilous Forest, so named because of the dangers that await within. When he catches up to Slasher, Brian finds him perched on a branch where a marvelous shining suit of armor, sword, and shield hung as if waiting for him. 

Suited in the armor, Brian follows the path back where he sees a young woman and her father being harassed by Oswald's men. Staying silent, so as not to give his identity away, Brian comes to the travelers' aide, fighting off the other knights' attacks, with Slasher assisting with his talons. His refusal to speak earns him the title of Silent Knight by Bane's men. Soon, Brian has warded off all the others and they retreat into the woods. He escorts the girl and her father back to the castle where they will be safe, then Brian returns to the forest, hiding his armor where he found it until he needs it again.

Back at the training camp, Sir Grot complains that while Brian was out cavorting with hawks, the word arrived of a mysterious Silent Knight that has been seen around the kingdom. Brian just shrugs and returns to his duties.

Following that tale is the origin of the  Golden Gladiator, "The Thunder of the Chariots" by France Herron and Russ Heath and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #1 (1955). In ancient Rome, a shepherd named Marcus stares into a fountain. From behind him, a centurion named Cinna ambushes Marcus and brings him before the Praetor Clodius Crassus. He accuses Marcus of trying to assassinate Crassus, even though it was actually Cinna and his men who tried to murder him. Marcus however, proves to be an apt patsy to cover up for Cinna's crimes. 

Praetor Clodius orders Marcus thrown into the slave galley. Aboard the galley, a Nubian lion escapes from his cage and begins attacking the crew. Marcus wrenches his slave chains from their moorings and uses them as a weapon against the lion. The ship's overseer is so impressed with Marcus' fighting prowess that he recommends him for gladiatorial combat. 

Marcus is brought back to Rome where he is forced to fight in the arena. His opponent Caius ensnares Marcus with a net then charges at him with his trident. Marcus is injured but manages to catch the spear and turn it back upon his foe. The Praetor rules to spare Caius' life so that he can "burn with rage" against Marcus. Cinna makes Marcus fight a second time – this time against a charging bull. Cinna deliberately arms him with a faulty spear, hoping that the bull will kill him. The bull indeed breaks Marcus' spear, but the former shepherd still succeeds in conquering the beast. Marcus' next challenge is a chariot race. He races against a fellow gladiator named Cotta and manages to unseat him with a hearty toss from his shield. Marcus manages to win the race and is granted his freedom.

Lastly, we have Robin Hood in "Three Arrows Against Doom" by Bob Haney and Russ Heath and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #9 (1956). Robin Hood, disguised as an old trader, tells the story of three different arrows that saved him from trouble.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.