Challengers of the Unknown recall "ULTIVAC is Loose!"

Cover: Jack Kirby & George Tuska

Frame Page credits:
Script: Unknown
Art: George Tuska

ULTIVAC credits:
Editor: Jack Schiff
Writer: Dave Wood
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inkers: Roz Kirby & Marvin Stein

26 pages
15¢
Story and art © DC Comics

Characters: In the frame page, Ace Morgan, Rocky Davis, Red Ryan, Prof Haley, Corinna Stark. In the ULTIVAC story, June Robbins, ULTIVAC, various.

Synopsis: On a rain-swept night, the Challengers recount to Corinna the story of ULTIVAC.

Last appearance of the Silver Age Challengers in their own title. Last appearance of Corinna Stark until after the disaster (COTU V2 3).

And so the Challengers go into reruns.

George Tuska provides a one-page frame where...

On a rain-swept night in a high hotel room...

(Although it's a hotel, we believe it's Ace's standing apartment. See HQ for more discussion.)

... the Challs huddle by the fire.

Rocky hangs up his "duds" in case they need them, even on vacation. Prof has been recuperating so long "I'm beginning to feel like a senior citizen!"

Red counters, "Nothin's wrong with your noggin, and that's what counts!"

Ace arrives with Corinna, who gushes, "I just had to see you boys!"

What to talk about? Rocky, mooning over Corinna, offers to show her barbell tricks. Nix.

Ace decides to tell a story that has "a girl involved too! Remember June Robbins - and the frightening menace that was ULTIVAC?"

And so "the boys" tell Corinna Stark tales from their glory days. As if sensing their time has passed...

The rest of the book recounts the ULTIVAC adventure (SHOWCASE 7).

No real letters, just two "How I Cheated Death" stories. Is it coincidence that the letters page logo is blood red?

Comment

The end of an era. How bittersweet, this issue.