 |
|
June 1997 |
The Amalgam line was a just-for-fun series that "amalgamated" the DC and Marvel Universes. Writers and artists mooshed together like characters from the two venues and ran them through parallel adventures, even footnoting comics that never existed. This title combined the Challengers of the Unknown and the Fantastic Four. A natural blend, since Jack Kirby created both. The first page mimics the classic intro for the Challs. |
 |
A two-page spread recounts their origin. They went flying in space to test that future missions were safe from cosmic mutation. Rocky notes when they land they'll be "plastered over the globe live on that blasted "Heroes" TV show!" But Victor Von Doom sabotages their mission. Their shuttle crashes, but the four survive. Sue says, "We've been given a second chance at life. Why not use it to better mankind... by challenging the fantastic!" They cross hands. Red chirps, "Hey, doesn't this look almost like an hourglass?" (It doesn't.) Rocky answers, "Why not, Red? We gotta be livin' on borrowed time!" |
Senator Ben Grimm negotiates a treaty between the Bronze Tiger's Wakanda and apes of Gorilla City. But his beeper summons him to Fantastic Mountain.  Fantastic Mountain, north of NYC, is the headquarters for the CADMUS DNA Project and the Challengers of the Fantastic. Prof Richards studies a new dimension. Red Storm plays video games and moons over his girl, Dream Crystal of the Un-People. Sitting on his shoulder is Stormtrooper, a miniature clone of himself. Rocky asks, "What in the name of Uncle Cosmo" is the emergency? Uatu the Guardian has a warning: Galactiac is coming! |
 Doomsday (Doctor Doom + Doomsday) Uatu the Guardian (Uatu the Watcher + the Guardians of the Universe) |
Galactiac - the ultimate mind + machine - drains the lifeblood of planets. The Challs consult their resident robo-expert, June Masters (June Robbins + Alicia Masters).  Prof trusts June, who once cured him of the evil DNA that infected his body. Ace Storm worries. June Masters is the daughter of their arch-enemy, Multi-Masters. June is blind, and Rocky considers it his fault. He failed to protect her against Diablo, the Volcano Man. |
 Ultivac the Multi-Robot (Ultivac + Multi-Woman) See this link for more on the Challenger Haters of Evil. The authors give more background courtesy of Karl Kesel and editor Tom Brevoort. |
June runs a computer projection. The result? "Galactiac will fall when a Challenger dies." Living on borrowed time, the Challengers don't hesitate. They fly the Fantastiwagon to the Baxter Building. They find Doctor Octavius and Spider-Boy's staff out cold. The Silver Racer defended himself when attacked. But there's no time for recriminations. "Death waits above!" On the roof, Galactiac sets up an infernal machine. Prof tries reason, but Galactiac is an elemental force, and not interested. He plans to miniaturize NYC to study, then drain the Earth's life force. Ace can't call in a SHIELD strike because her comm link is blocked. Uatu the Guardian whisks Red away for a special mission. Rocky takes a direct approach. He rips loose a cable - and earns the wrath of Galactiac, who eye-zaps him. Rocky's changed into... |
The Four-Armed Thing attacks Ace and Prof, who try to stay alive. Red, meanwhile, floats through an arcade-game world. On his back is a Nullifier as he rushes toward a huge floating computer. "Got a high score yet?" In the Baxter Building, Ace taunts the Thing. The monster can't crush her with a car because she wears a force-field belt she picked up in the lab. Prof picked up gear too: four octopus arms from Doctor Octavius. He whisks Ace out of danger - for the moment. In another place, Johnny blasts the computer with a nullifier - - as the Silver Racer attacks Galactiac. A FRA-ZHAMM blinds everyone. Rocky has returned to human form. Galactiac is immobile, but his head blasts off in retreat. And Red's back, out of a trance. Rocky is glad no one bought it. "Guess again." Uatu the Guardian sent the tiny Stormtrooper into Red's MIND so he could avoid the death traps. The little man died "the biggest hero of all" - the Challenger predicted to fall. As for the Silver Racer, he gets ambushed by Doomsday, who steals his power - and soars to destroy the Challengers! Next: Ace fights alone in... The Killer Skies! (Not really. That issue doesn't exist.) |
Comment A fun issue. It looks more FF and Chall, but that's because the characters resemble the FF. I suspect all these Amalgam titles were more fun for the creators than the readers, but what the heck. And the letters page logo is cute: Challengers' Mountain o' Mail.  |