House of Mystery #156
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeHouse of Mystery #156 marks the debut of 'Dial H for Hero,' one of DC's most inventive Silver Age concepts: a teenager who dials H-E-R-O on a mysterious alien device to transform into a random superhero each time he uses it. The concept was durable enough to be revived three more times across decades, spawning new series in the 1980s, 2003, and 2012. The issue also represents a major editorial shift for the title, as the new feature displaced the Martian Manhunter from the headline slot he had held since issue #143, demoting J'onn J'onzz to backup status for the remainder of the run through issue #173. Together, the two co-features — Robby Reed's whimsical shape-shifting heroics and J'onn J'onzz's grim battle against the monsters of the Idol Head of Diabolu — encapsulate the range of Silver Age DC storytelling in a single pamphlet.
"Dial H for Hero" introduces teen genius Robby Reed and his extraordinary discovery: a mysterious dial that lets him transform into different superheroes by dialing "H-E-R-O." With art by Jim Mooney and lettering by Stan Starkman, this 1966 House of Mystery #156 delivers a fresh take on the superhero trope, as Robby takes on the Thunderbolt Gang—only to see their leader, Mr. Thunder, slip away. The cover by Jim Mooney captures the moment’s electric tension, setting the stage for what’s to come.
When teen genius Robby Reed stumbles upon a strange dial that lets him become any hero by dialing "H-E-R-O," he's thrust into a whirlwind of action—using his new powers to take on the notorious Thunderbolt Gang. But when their enigmatic leader, Mr. Thunder, slips away, Robby realizes his new abilities come with more than just a flashy transformation.
When the Manhunter, Jo, faces a new monster born from the Idol-Head, a prophecy from the Book of Diabolu warns that touching it will cause him to vanish—leaving only questions in his wake.
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The issue carries a cover date of January 1966 and was published on November 18, 1965, under editor Jack Schiff. Writer Dave Wood scripted both the lead 'Dial H for Hero' story (14 pages) and the Martian Manhunter backup, with Jim Mooney providing pencils and the cover illustration. The 'Dial H for Hero' title itself is an explicit nod to the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock film 'Dial M for Murder,' a playful pop-cultural wink typical of the era. The entire original run of 18 Robby Reed stories through issue #173 was later collected in DC's black-and-white Showcase Presents: Dial H for Hero (April 2010).
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance and origin of Robby Reed (Dial H for Hero), a teenager from Littleville, Colorado, who discovers an alien rotary-dial device in a cavern that transforms him into a different superhero each time he dials H-E-R-O.
- First appearance of Robby's supporting cast: grandfather 'Gramps' Reed and housekeeper Miss Millie.
- First appearance of villain Mr. Thunder (Erick Bolton), leader of the criminal Thunderbolt Gang; his real name is not revealed until issue #168.
- In this debut story, Robby transforms into three hero identities for the first time: Giantboy, Cometeer, and the Mole.
- First appearance and origin of the Mole as a Dial H hero-form (drill-fingered subterranean hero); Giantboy and Cometeer also debut here as hero-forms.
- The Martian Manhunter backup (written by Dave Wood, art by Joe Certa/Jack Miller) continues the Idol Head of Diabolu storyline, featuring J'onn J'onzz and Zook battling a cobra-beast whose prophecy warns that any alien who touches it will be absorbed into it.
- Issue #156 marks the editorial transition of House of Mystery: 'Dial H for Hero' takes over as the headline feature, pushing J'onn J'onzz to backup status — a position he would hold until the series' superhero era ended with #173.
- The entire Robby Reed run from this issue through #173 was reprinted in Showcase Presents: Dial H for Hero Vol. 1 (DC, April 2010), written primarily by Dave Wood with art by Jim Mooney, Frank Springer, and Sal Trapani.
Cast · 19 characters
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Reprints
Reprinted in Cuentos de Misterio #85 (1966), Superboy #184 (1972), Aventures Fiction #26 (1972), Green Lantern #29 (1979), Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter #2 (2009), Showcase Presents: Dial H for Hero #[nn] (2010)
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