Challengers of the Unknown #27

Deep in a fiery underground cavern, the Challengers in their signature purple uniforms scramble desperately as a massive, molten rock creature looms over them — and the cover blurb makes it clear that Red and Prof are trapped by a scientist creating these terrifying volcano creatures in his hidden laboratory. Bob Brown's cover art sells the threat beautifully, pitting the team against a monster that radiates raw, churning heat amid columns of flame. Challengers of the Unknown #27 is a fine example of DC's early-'60s adventure comics at their most imaginative, with Arnold Drake's storytelling talent behind the story titled "The 1,001 Impossible Inventions.