Astonishing Tales #19

In Astonishing Tales #19, a 20-cent Marvel gem from 1973, the enigmatic Victorius takes Bobbi Morse hostage and retreats to his AIM fortress. With Nick Fury deploying Ka-Zar after him, the jungle hero is given the super-soldier serum—only to discard it before confronting Victorius’s henchmen. Written by Mike Friedrich and illustrated by Dan Adkins and Jim Starlin, with inks by Jack Abel and colors by David Hunt, the issue builds tension as Ka-Zar battles Gemini and Lord Plunder, leading to a climactic standstill with Victorius while Bobbi searches for the serum outside. The cover, by John Romita, captures the moment with striking dynamism.