Astonishing #40

In "The Deep Freeze," Jo stumbles upon a chilling surprise in a frozen dessert—literally—when he finds a man encased in ice. Rushing to the warehouse, he confronts the manager, whose true nature emerges only when the cold gives way to warmth. Written by an unknown hand and illustrated by an unknown artist, this 1955 sci-fi tale delivers a slow-burn chill that lingers long after the last page.

In "Xplam for Sale!" from Astonishing #40 (1955), a curious sidewalk vendor offers something for just twenty-five cents—nothing at all. When a skeptic takes the bait and receives a wish that instantly materializes a five-course meal, he’s left chasing a vanishing salesman who may hold the key to more than just magic.

In "Fair Exchange," a pair of spacemen believe they’ve struck a bargain when they trade their rations for mineral rights to a uranium-rich planet—only to realize too late that the aliens they’re dealing with are just passing through. Written by an unknown author and illustrated by an unknown artist, this 1955 science fiction tale unfolds with quiet tension, turning a simple trade into a moment of cosmic misunderstanding.