Fantastic Annual #1970

In "The Mark of the Monster," Frankenstein's Monster—revealed to be an alien android built as a peace ambassador—awakens from a frozen tomb and clashes with the X-Men, drawn to them by their vibrant costumes. Though he overpowers them, the battle isn't over when Iceman encases him in ice, triggering a dramatic explosion. The story unfolds with a twist that redefines the creature’s origins, leaving behind a mystery as haunting as it is unexpected.

In "The Haunted House!" from Fantastic Annual #1970, two friends wager over whether ghosts haunt an old, crumbling mansion—only for the doubter to realize too late that the house itself is the true specter. Written with a creeping sense of dread, the story turns the familiar trope of haunted dwellings on its head, leaving one man to confront a presence that’s far older and more insidious than any ghost.

In "The Evil of Loki," the mischievous god of lies escapes his chains by magically diverting Thor’s hammer, setting off a deadly game of wits and power on Asgard. With Thor returning to reclaim his weapon and Loki laying magical traps in his path, the clash between brother and foe unfolds in a tense battle of strength and cunning.

In "Suspected of Murder!", Tony Stark is trapped in his Iron Man armor, his life dependent on its power after a recent injury. With Happy and Pepper convinced Iron Man is behind Stark’s disappearance, the police are called, forcing the armored hero to flee—only to return when Hawkeye attacks the factory and kidnaps Pepper. As tensions rise and the Black Widow is taken back to Russia, Pepper begins to question her assumptions, ultimately urging the police to stand down.

In "The March of the Steelmen," Professor Haddon and his nephew Tom shrink to explore a hidden microscopic realm, where they encounter King Voldo, a ruler desperate to save his people from a shrinking world by invading Earth. When the duo return to normal size, they’re pursued by an army of steel men—Voldo’s forces grown to monstrous scale using Haddon’s own technology—and must find a way to stop the unstoppable march before it’s too late.

In a futuristic showdown that pits science against sorcery, Matt Marvel faces off against the vengeful Doctor Merlin, returned from exile with a grudge. The clash of wits and power leads to a surprising twist, as Marvel outmaneuvers his foe—turning the once-feared sorcerer into a mouse, a move that ensures Merlin can never again threaten the galaxy.