Magnus, Robot Fighter #5
In "The Immortal One," Magnus, Robot Fighter #5 (1964), the crew of an Earth-bound ship makes an emergency landing on an asteroid after meteor damage cripples their stabilizers. With strange, glowing crystals descending from the sky and the translator interpreting their signals as threats, Zarz chooses diplomacy over force—uniting his alien allies in a mind-force barrier to hold them at bay. As the ship prepares to leave, a quiet, uncertain question lingers in the silence: "Fffriendsssss?" Written by Robert Schaefer and Eric Freiwald, with art and inks by Russ Manning, and featuring a cover by Russ Manning, this issue captures a rare moment of connection in a world of mechanical war.
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
The Earth-bound ship is hit by meteors, and the stabilizers are damaged. The ship lands on an asteroid to make repairs. But eerie flying crystals swoop down, and the translator thinks their message is dangerous. Rather than shoot, Zarz gathers his Aliens to project a barrier of mind-force. The crystals are held at bay and repairs made. Zarz is glad to avoid force: "After all, we are invaders on their world." As the ship soars away, the crystals begin to understand. "Ffffriendsssss?"
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).