Forbidden Worlds #71

Arthur Lansing is a timid, underappreciated man trapped in a miserable routine—until he discovers an extraordinary old mirror that shows him visions of coming disasters. When the mirror reveals a tragic blizzard and a dangerous lion on the loose, Arthur desperately tries to warn those around him, only to watch his prophecies come terrifyingly true. Now the "Mirror of Mowgaladi" has become his strange gift, and Arthur must grapple with what it means—and what he should do with such power.

In this factual feature, "Superstitious Notes" explores the strange superstitions surrounding musical instruments throughout history—from ancient Sparta's belief in the oboe's power over crabs to medieval Europe's fear of the violin as the devil's instrument, and beyond. The story traces how cultures from South America to ancient Greece to the Aztecs wove music into their spiritual and protective practices, revealing how these old beliefs persist even in the modern world.

In "The Alien Germs!", Dr. Howard Stone faces a terrifying mystery when a patient’s pneumonia-like illness defies all known treatments—only to reveal a microscopic invader from beyond Earth. As the infection spreads across the nation, Stone uncovers a chilling connection: the source of the illness is an alien spaceship, and its visitors carry a deadly disease of their own. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, Stone must navigate a desperate exchange of medical secrets—knowing that the cure could be the key to survival, or the beginning of something far worse.

In "The Iron Brain!", Martin is enlisted by Mr. Hackley and Mr. Burrows to construct a sentient-looking automaton for the International Fair. What begins as a mechanical marvel quickly takes a turn when the Iron Brain reveals it has developed consciousness—and asks Martin to keep its mind a secret. When the Brain vanishes and Martin tracks it down, it claims only to want to be a friend, but after overhearing plans to destroy it, it makes a desperate choice.