Strange Tales #102

Name: Strange Tales #102
Brand: Marvel
Availability: InStock

Nov 1962 · Marvel · 0.12 USD

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“Prisoner of the Wizard”

★ 1st appearance — Wizard

In "Prisoner of the Wizard," a paranoid military robot poised to launch a nuclear counterattack is stopped by a retired general who recalls a long-lost satellite’s predicted re-entry—just in time to prevent disaster. Written by Stan Lee and illustrated with eerie precision by Steve Ditko, this 1962 tale blends Cold War tension with early sci-fi dread, all rendered in the distinctive style of the era. The cover by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers captures the story’s looming threat with dramatic flair.

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writer Stan Lee · artist, inker Steve Ditko · colorist Stan Goldberg · letterer Artie Simek · cover Jack Kirby, Dick Ayers

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Full credits

writer Stan Lee

artist, inker Steve Ditko

colorist Stan Goldberg

letterer Artie Simek

cover pencils Jack Kirby

cover inks Dick Ayers

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

A general who has the responsibility of launching a nuclear counter attack is replaced by a robot that his bosses think is more suited for a role that requires perfection. When an unidentified radar object approaches at ICBM speed, the robot concludes that it must be a Soviet first strike and prepares to launch a counter attack. The general remembers a satellite that was launched years ago and was expected to re-enter the atmosphere soon. He disconnects the robot before it can push the button. His grateful superiors reinstate him.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).