Challengers of the Unknown #3
In "The Secret of the Sorcerer's Mirror," the Challengers of the Unknown are drawn into a bizarre experiment when a monkey infused with meteorite-derived serum gains superpowers and rockets into space—only for Rocky to take the same pill and crash-land with newfound abilities. Written by Dave Wood and Jack Kirby, with art by Jack Kirby and inks by Marvin Stein, this 1958 issue sees Rocky gain freeze rays, super strength, and invisibility, but his mind begins to unravel. Cover by Jack Kirby and Roz Kirby, the story unfolds as a crook tries to exploit Rocky’s powers—until a chance encounter with the Challengers and June sparks a moment of clarity.
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Summoned to a lab, the Challs observe a monkey with super abilities. It was given a pill derived from a meteorite, then boosted into space. Rocky is chosen to take the pill and rockets into space unaware the monkey has lapsed into a coma. The rocket crashes and Rocky emerges with super powers, including freeze rays, super strength, and invisibility, but he becomes irrational. A crook takes Rocky in hoping to use him to rob banks. Rocky's decency wins out and when the Challengers and June appear Rocky shocks the crooks. Grazed by a bullet Rocky recovers his memory and his powers wear off.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).