Amazing Stories of Suspense #94
In "And Now It Begins...", Stan Lee and Steve Ditko deliver a tense, thought-provoking tale of cold war anxiety and human fallibility, set against the high-stakes backdrop of nuclear deterrence. When a general is replaced by a robot deemed more precise for launching a counterattack, a mysterious radar blip triggers a cascade of decisions that test the line between logic and instinct. The story's chilling premise is brought to life by Ditko’s distinctive art and lettering, while Jim Steranko’s striking cover captures the moment’s dread with sharp, dynamic flair.
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A general who has the responsibility of launching a nuclear counter attack is replaced by a robot that his bosses think is more suited for a role that requires perfection. When an unidentified radar object approaches at ICBM speed, the robot concludes that it must be a Soviet first strike and prepares to launch a counter attack. The general remembers a satellite that was launched years ago and was expected to re-enter the atmosphere soon. He disconnects the robot before it can push the button. His grateful superiors reinstate him.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).