Out of This World #13
In "The Test of Character," a quiet bookkeeper named Horace Whickle faces an unexpected trial when a mysterious Vision grants him the power to influence men—only to test his integrity when he's tempted by unchecked authority. Written by Joe Gill and brought to life by Bill Molno’s art with inks by Vince Alascia, this 1959 Charlton classic explores the weight of power through a single, surreal night. The cover by Bill Molno and Rocco Mastroserio captures the story’s eerie, dreamlike tone.
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Horace Whickle has worked as a bookkeeper for 22 years. Dunston calls Horace into his office and tells him to work late to find a wrong figure in an account. Later at home a Vision appears to Horace and tells him he has the power to control men and to use it for good. Horace quickly makes Dunston bankrupt and then takes over every company in the country. The Vision appears again and tells him he has become vain and to do good. Horace becomes the most powerful man in the world and declares himself Emperor of the World. Then the alarm clock wakes him up and he goes in to work as normal.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).