Challengers of the Unknown 64
October - November 1968

"Invitation To a Hanging!"

Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist: Jack Sparling
Cover art by Joe Kubert - strong lines, somber poses, grand design!
12 pages
12¢

Characters: Ace Morgan, Rocky Davis, Prof Haley, Red Ryan. Judge Bentley, John Evans (both die in this story). Villains: Doc Hemlock, Wolf Dengon, Shark Powell, Snake Saunders (first appearance for all; all die in this story).

Synopsis: The Challengers must face four foes seemingly risen from the grave, and out for revenge.

Story and art © DC Comics.

Much text generously supplied by DarkMark's Comic Indexing Domain!

The Challengers saw the bad guys hang, dead as doornails. And Doc Hemlock, who promised to bring them back to life, killed himself with a poison pill while the Challs watched.

But there's a problem. One of the dead men, Wolf, glowing like a lantern, comes back and kills a judge. He appears in the back of the judge's car, grabs the wheel, and send the car crashing. Wolf jumps free. "YOU pronounced the death sentences on US, Judge - looks like you draw the same sentence yourself!"

Shark pulls the same on the District Attorney, popping up while the guy is swimming, and dragging him down.

The Challs figure they're next.

The Challs decide to check the villains' graves - and get found!

They awaken in the lair of Doc Hemlock (talk about a name full of foreboding!) The doctor faked his death and now wants the Challengers' lives.

The Challs battle the villains and discover - they should have guessed! - the "dead men" are robots!

With the place on fire, the Challengers want to split. But Ace is determined to bring in Doc Hemlock, and makes a spectacular leap. The doc steps wrong and ends up hanged, as he should be. The Challs dash away, glad to survive another brush with death.

The second story was a reprint, the first half of Showcase 6, the Challs' first appearance. A box trumpets the response to fans' demands.

Comment

The dark occult trend is creeping in. Note how the story takes place entirely at night. Still, it's a gorgeously-drawn, exciting, and punchy adventure, short and sweet. And the Jack Sparling art jumps off the page!