Cover: Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia

Challengers of the Unknown #86

Apr 1978 · DC · 0.35 USD

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In "The War at Time's End," the Challengers of the Unknown—Rocky, Ace, June, Swamp Thing, and Deadman—find themselves in a future where Rip Hunter and his team have fallen under the control of the tyrannical Sunset Lords. Trapped in a battle they don’t understand, the group is overpowered and captured, setting the stage for a desperate struggle across time and fate. Written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Keith Giffen, with inks by John Celardo and colors by Gene D'Angelo, the issue’s cover by Rich Buckler and Frank Giacoia captures the urgency of the moment.

Contains 5 stories

The War at Time's End

2 pp · Adventure

Prof Haley

In "The War at Time's End," the Challengers of the Unknown, joined by the Creature of the Marshes and Deadman, investigate a massive box that appears in Toronto. When they trace it to a future date 12 million years ahead, they uncover a dire threat: Rip Hunter and his team are enslaved by the Lords of Dusk, and only Deadman’s possession of Hunter may hold the key to stopping them—before time itself unravels.

Chapter One: The Way It Began

3 pp · Adventure

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProf HaleyRocky DavisRed RyanJune Robbins]Deadman

In "Chapter One: The Way It Began," a massive mysterious box appears in Toronto, drawing the Challengers of the Unknown, the Creature of the Marshes, and Deadman into a mystery that spans time. As they follow the box’s origin to a seemingly abandoned Rip Hunter lab, they use the Time Sphere to journey far into the distant future—only to find Rip and his team trapped under the control of the Lords of Dusk. With danger closing in from both past and future, the heroes must act fast before time itself unravels.

Chapter Two: If This Is Tomorrow, You Must Be Rip Hunter!

5 pp · Adventure

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganProf HaleyRocky DavisRed RyanJune Robbins]Swamp ThingDeadmanRip HunterJeff SmithBonnie BaxterCorky BaxterThe Sunset LordsThe PersuaderLucas Lawspeaker

In a future ruled by the tyrannical Sunset Lords, Rocky, Ace, June, Swamp Thing, and Deadman stumble upon Rip Hunter—only to find him and his crew enslaved by the oppressive regime. With no time to question, the team is quickly overpowered and taken captive, thrust into a mystery far darker than any they’ve faced before.

Chapter Three: Time Times Terror

4 pp · Adventure

Red RyanDeadmanThe Sunset LordsRip Hunter

In "Chapter Three: Time Times Terror," the Challengers of the Unknown team up with the Creature of the Marshes and Deadman when a massive box materializes in Toronto. Investigating its mysterious origins, they learn it’s a message from the distant future, leading them to Rip Hunter’s abandoned lab and a desperate journey to 12 million AD. There, they confront the twisted reign of the Lords of Dusk and a mutant lizard that attacks Prof in the present, all while racing against time to stop a future threat.

Chapter 4: A Pit by Any Other Name

3 pp · Adventure

Challengers of the Unknown [Ace MorganRocky DavisJune Robbins]Swamp ThingDeadmanThe Sunset LordsLucas Lawspeaker

In "Chapter 4: A Pit by Any Other Name," the Challengers of the Unknown, joined by the Creature of the Marshes and Deadman, investigate a massive mysterious box that appears in Toronto. When they trace its origins to the distant future, they journey through time to confront a twisted fate where Rip Hunter and his allies are bound by the Lords of Dusk. As the past and future collide, the team faces a mutant lizard from the far future and a desperate mission to reclaim the timeline.