Journey into Unknown Worlds #39
In "Escape to Nowhere," a 1955 Marvel tale, scientists in a 60-cent comic conclude that space disintegrates living matter after two rocket launches return empty—unaware that the monkeys aboard were captured by aliens who mistake Earth's technology for a sign of overwhelming power. With art by Joe Sinnott and a cover by Carl Burgos, this issue blends early sci-fi curiosity with a twist that redefines what it means to be "advanced."
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
Scientists send up monkeys into space twice and both times the rocket comes back empty. The scientists draw the erroneous conclusion that space disintegrates physiological matter and give up on space travel, but what actually happened was that the monkeys were taken prisoner by hostile aliens who plan to invade until they realize the monkeys are of limited intelligence. If such creatures could build and pilot a rocket, they reason, the Earth men must have many advanced weapons and so they call off the invasion.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).