- "Bah! All through the ages, witless creatures such as you have dared to challenge me... and all have met the same deadly fate! I shall give you a brief period to reconsider before I summon you to your final battle!"
- ―Dormammu
| "The Mystery Villain!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Strange Tales | |
| Title: | "The Mystery Villain!" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 127 |
| Cover price: | .12 |
| Cover date: | December, 1964 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | Stan Lee |
| Writers: | Stan Lee |
| Pencilers: | Dick Ayers |
| Inkers: | Paul Reinman |
| Cover artists: | Jack Kirby; Steve Ditko |
| Cover inker: | Chic Stone; Steve Ditko |
| Letterers: | Art Simek |
| Editors: | Stan Lee |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Strange Tales #126 |
| Next: | Strange Tales #128 |
"The Mystery Villain!" is the first story featured in issue #127 of the first Strange Tales ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It was written by Stan Lee with artwork by Dick Ayers and inks by Paul Reinman. It was lettered by Art Simek. The story features the Human Torch and The Thing of the Fantastic Four. The second tale stars Doctor Strange in "Duel With the Dread Dormammu!" and is written by Stan Lee with artwork and inks by Steve Ditko, and lettering by Sam Rosen. Both stories were edited by Stan Lee. This issue shipped with a December, 1964 cover date and carries a cover price of .12 cents per copy.
"The Mystery Villain!"[]
After doing a flying exercise in the Fantasticar, Johnny Storm complains about Reed's leadership capabilities. Reed gets irritated with Johnny and tells him that he is too busy to deal with his complaints. Ben Grimm fears that Johnny might be threatening to quit the Fantastic Four again.
Later, Johnny receives a letter from Willie Lumpkin inviting him to take part in a charity racecar race at Bonneville Speedway. Johnny and Ben arrive, and learn that they are the only competitors. A mysterious green-costumed villain appears and throws various obstacles in their path. After jumping through hoops, they learn that the villain is actually Reed Richards, who teaches them a lesson about self-confidence and the strength of character required for strong leadership.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Paste-Pot Pete, Peter Petruski (In flashback only)
- Sub-Mariner, Namor (In flashback only)
- Willie Lumpkin
- Wizard, Bentley Wittman (In flashback only)
Organizations
Races & Animals
- Altered humans
- Atlanteans (In flashback only)
Locations
Items
- Water-gun
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
"Duel With the Dread Dormammu!"[]
| "Duel With the Dread Dormammu!" | |
|---|---|
| No image available | |
| Title: | "Duel With the Dread Dormammu!" |
| Credits | |
| Writers: | Stan Lee |
| Pencilers: | Steve Ditko |
| Inkers: | Steve Ditko |
| Letterers: | Sam Rosen |
| Editors: | Stan Lee |
Doctor Strange arrives in the Dark Dimension to accept Dormammu's challenge as the Ancient One's proxy. Dormammu is insulted at having to fight against a lesser magician, but Strange finds himself aided by a native of the dimension, Clea. Dormammu captures Clea and binds her hands. Afterward, Strange and he engage in mystical combat. During the milieu, the Mindless Ones break down the barrier shield leading into Dormammu's realm. Dormammu is not strong enough to repel them on his own, so Doctor Strange adds his own magic to Dormammu's to drive the invaders back. Dormammu is enraged that he required Strange's assistance against these foes. Clea is freed and Doctor Strange returns to the Temple of the Ancient One. The Ancient One rewards strange with the Cloak of Levitation and the Eye of Agamotto.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
- Eye of Agamotto (1st appearance)
- Barrier shield
- Cloak of Levitation (1st appearance)
- Flames of Regency
- Flames of the Faltine
- Shields of the Seraphim
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Fantastic Four were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. They first appeared in Fantastic Four, Volume 1 #1 in November, 1961. By and large, the roster of the Fantastic Four has remained the same over the years, consisting of Reed Richards as Mister Fantastic, Susan Storm as the Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm as the Human Torch and Ben Grimm as the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. Occasional transitory members of the FF have included Crystal Amaquelin, Luke Cage, Scott Lang, and T'Challa.
- Doctor Stephen Strange was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in the third story from Strange Tales, Volume 1 #110 in July, 1963 titled "Dr. Strange - Master of Black Magic".
- This issue shipped to retailers on September 8th, 1964.
- This issue includes the "Strange Mails" letters column. Letter submissions by Rick Paul, Clyde Smith, Kristin Barrett, Chris Clark, and Rita Hoard.
- The Doctor Strange inset illustration on the cover is actually taken from a panel from "Duel With the Dread Dormammu!"
- This issue includes a pin-up page of The Thing.
- Susan Storm is the only member of the Fantastic Four who does not appear in this issue, though she is referenced.
- "The Mystery Villain!" includes a flashback to when the Human Torch fought the Wizard back in Strange Tales #118.
- "The Mystery Villain!" includes a flashback of when the Human Torch fought Paste-Pot Pete in Strange Tales #124.
- "The Mystery Villain!" includes a flashback of when the Human Torch teamed up with the Thing to fight the Sub-Mariner in Strange Tales #125.
- This is the first appearance of the true Cloak of Levitation, which Doctor Strange will utilize throughout his career. It replaces the blue cloak that he had worn previously.