Secrets of the Unknown #225
In "I Don't Believe in.... Ghosts!", a tyrant’s desperate bid to avoid assassination backfires when his scientist creates a duplicate—only to find the copy too eager to take over. As the original dictator tries to destroy the machine, he discovers it’s been churning out endless duplicates, each with their own ambitions. Written by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber, with dynamic art by Jack Kirby and inks by Dick Ayers, this 1984 Alan Class tale blends political intrigue and sci-fi absurdity. The cover, penciled by Kirby and inked by Ayers, captures the moment of chaos perfectly.
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
A dictator forces a scientist to use his duplicator machine on him so that he can have a substitute appear in public places to avoid assassination attempts. The duplicate is too much like the original, however, and refuses to expose himself to danger when he can seize power to rule the country. The dictator returns to the machine with the intent of destroying it only to find it has continually been producing duplicates. While the duplicates are arguing among themselves, a revolution occurs, and the new democratic regime deports all versions of the former dictator.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).