Creepy Worlds #197

In the dusty frontier town of Tacko, a new terror rises under the guise of the legendary Pancho Valdez, whose supposed survival fuels a wave of fear and recruitment. When the sheriff is gunned down trying to arrest the phantom outlaw, the town turns to Mandrake, a man of mind and mystery, to stop the menace—only to find his powers useless against a foe whose blindness and glasses shield him from hypnosis.

In "The Magic Ivory Cage," the cunning Sambani uses the sacred SOS Drum in a desperate bid to capture the Phantom and seize control of the jungle. Forced to desecrate the drum, Dardo finds a way to ensure the Phantom’s escape, turning Sambani’s trap against him and unraveling his plans.

In "The Doomsday Man," Mandrake, performing in London, is called upon by British Intelligence to track down the missing Dr. Crane. Through hypnosis, Mandrake uncovers that Crane developed a weapon capable of destroying life but not structures—intended as a terrifying demonstration to end war. When Crane’s plan goes awry and he’s captured, Mandrake uses his powers to unravel the situation and create a chance to free him.