Sockamagee! A Girl! (House of Mystery 166)

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Are you ready? Yeah. Are you with it? [00:00:02] Speaker B: Yeah. Okay, let's go. [00:00:04] Speaker A: You know what to do. [00:00:05] Speaker B: The whole world's watching and counting on you. And all you people listening out there. Everybody everywhere. Hang on, hang on, hang on. Welcome to Checkered Past, a loving postmodern examination of the. Go. Go. Check. Branded comic magazines published by DC Comics between February 1966 and August 1967. I'm Dr. Bob, and each week I'll be your guide on this trippy tour through 535 mid century masterpieces of graphic noveldom. This week, House of Mystery 166. Cover date April 1967. Cover price $0.12. Cover artists Jim Mooney and Murphy Anderson. Edited by Jack Schiff. Featuring the King of the Curses written by Dave Wood. Art by Jim Mooney. And Vulture's Crime Goliaths written by Jack Miller. Art by Joe Serta. Are you ready? Are you with it? Then away we go. Go. Open up your eyes Take a look [00:01:16] Speaker A: at the world around you don't you [00:01:18] Speaker B: want to lend a helping hand? [00:01:22] Speaker A: Try it on for size Give me [00:01:25] Speaker B: like a feeling about you Come along and join in with the ban. During a folklore field trip, Robbie Reed learns the legend of the Cougar Man. When the legend mysteriously comes to life, Robby becomes Yankee Doodle Kid. Using his H dial, the Cougar man appears impervious to Robby's powers. But Robby is able to lure him back through a time warp through which the creature appeared. Meanwhile, Vulture has created a weapon that can temporarily turn men into invulnerable giants. However, the effects don't last long. Mr. V hires Mark Xavier, secretly the Martian Manhunter, to bring a device to America that can enhance the ray and make it last permanently. Confused? Don't worry. I'll be right back with doctor Husband to explain everything. Ghost Sakama G Where have you been all day? [00:02:30] Speaker A: I've been at Commencement. All day? Well, not all day. All afternoon and evening. [00:02:36] Speaker B: How did it go? [00:02:38] Speaker A: Oh, just fine. [00:02:39] Speaker B: Did all our little charges get away safely? [00:02:42] Speaker A: Yes, they did. Those graphics. [00:02:44] Speaker B: Found home for all my Kikuyu. [00:02:48] Speaker A: Yes. [00:02:49] Speaker B: Yeah, well, I had a great day too. [00:02:51] Speaker A: Good. [00:02:53] Speaker B: I took my bicycle to the shop. Did you? Yes. [00:02:57] Speaker A: What'd they tell you? Is it hopeless? [00:02:59] Speaker B: Well, no. They called me, actually, and left a message. I have to call them back. They said they couldn't find any leak in the tire whatsoever. [00:03:05] Speaker A: Oh, well, what did you say? Change the valve or change the tube or what? [00:03:09] Speaker B: They didn't change anything. They left the old tube in there. But I'm not Gonna call them back. I'm gonna wait till tomorrow and go in there when the tire will surely be flat. By tomorrow? [00:03:18] Speaker A: Yes. [00:03:20] Speaker B: Then I was gonna go to the grocery and I thought, well, wouldn't it be fun to get out of the house? I'll just drive up into Maryland, go to the grocery there. So I went up there, went to Walmart, not remembering that you can't buy wine in Walmart in Maryland. Oh, no. So I had to make another trip. I did a big full circle back down into West Virginia and go to the grocery where you can buy normal things like an adult human being. [00:03:45] Speaker A: Right, right, right. Yeah. Well, I got up very, very early this morning. [00:03:52] Speaker B: I know you did because you turned on an episode of Love Boat and what do you think we saw? [00:03:58] Speaker A: Twins who weren't twins. [00:04:00] Speaker B: Diana Canova. Yes. What do you mean? Who were twins? They were twins. [00:04:04] Speaker A: Well, she was one. It was one. Then Ray Bulger. [00:04:09] Speaker B: Ray Bulger and Harriet Nelson. And then that, that guy, David Hedison. You don't like him? [00:04:16] Speaker A: I don't like him. [00:04:17] Speaker B: You're missing the headlines. [00:04:19] Speaker A: What? [00:04:19] Speaker B: Written by Mark Evanier. [00:04:20] Speaker A: Oh, Evanier. Yes, yes, yes. [00:04:22] Speaker B: Comics writer. [00:04:23] Speaker A: Yeah. Comics writer. [00:04:24] Speaker B: Yeah. As you know, listener, we are preparing to launch a Love Boat podcast. Now that I've discovered Dr. Husband knows everything about the Love Boat. So. [00:04:34] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:04:34] Speaker B: Doing some research. We watch one episode a day. [00:04:37] Speaker A: Well, I had such plans for today, I really did. But then when I get up early like that, I can't, I'm so out of sorts, I can't get things motivated. I did go and get some exercise in, which was one of the two things that I wanted to do before commencement exercises. [00:04:49] Speaker B: Sure. [00:04:50] Speaker A: But then I had planned to sit down and do some writing and on this, this chapter that I'm writing, and I did not get anything done on that. On that chapter. I'm sorry, I'm. I, I gotta get some noticeable traction on this. [00:05:04] Speaker B: Yes, yes. [00:05:06] Speaker A: So I. Then I laid down to take a nap and I probably slept for about 25min. I'm just, I ended up dozing off during the commencement speech, which is something I've never done before. [00:05:17] Speaker B: However, it's very easy to do. [00:05:19] Speaker A: It is. [00:05:20] Speaker B: Who is the speaker? Anyone famous? [00:05:21] Speaker A: Yeah. Tyson Bagent. [00:05:23] Speaker B: I don't know who that is. [00:05:24] Speaker A: He's a graduate of my university and he plays for the Chicago Bears. [00:05:28] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [00:05:29] Speaker A: He just graduated a few years ago. [00:05:31] Speaker B: Okay. [00:05:31] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. So it's very special thing. [00:05:34] Speaker B: Well, I'm haunted by a dream I had while I was sleeping after the Love Boat. [00:05:39] Speaker A: Tell Me? Well, yes. [00:05:41] Speaker B: We were living in a high rise apartment. We had a live in maid. Who was the actress? Julie Walters. Apparently she'd fallen on hard times. She had to be live in maid. And I love that we had a maid. All of a sudden a cat comes up to me and he had like blue gray fur and he started rubbing his face against my face and I said, oh my gosh. I all of a sudden remember we have two other cats that I didn't remember we had. And is anybody feeding them? Because I never remembered that we have them. I haven't been feeding them. And of course, Julie Walters has been feeding them regularly. [00:06:21] Speaker A: Okay, what was his name? [00:06:22] Speaker B: His name was Hercules. Aw, that's so cute. [00:06:28] Speaker A: You having a dream about cats, you who refused to let me have a cat for 30 years. [00:06:31] Speaker B: I know. Well, I asked chatgpt about it, and apparently I've got some kind of hidden calm strength that I've been keeping from the world. [00:06:43] Speaker A: Some latent calm strength. [00:06:44] Speaker B: Yes. [00:06:45] Speaker A: Well, I would say that's correct, that I. [00:06:47] Speaker B: Well, it's some, some aspect of myself that I haven't not been accessing, but it's ready to come out now and come out of the basement and be fed regularly. [00:06:58] Speaker A: Well, honestly, the day's been kind of just. I mean, it's always like that on commencement day because it's a. It's a very, very big sort of. We don't really do anything. We're just part of the ceremony, you know, as faculty, and it's. It's an important thing. [00:07:12] Speaker B: Yes. [00:07:13] Speaker A: I'm not trivializing it at all, but we don't really do anything and it's several hours long. [00:07:17] Speaker B: Yes. [00:07:18] Speaker A: So, you know, you sort of. You participate. And I'm happy for the students, of course. Very happy for the students, sure. But like, you know, let's say you've got, I don't know, 700 graduates. [00:07:29] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:07:31] Speaker A: Or 500 graduates. [00:07:32] Speaker B: Sure. [00:07:33] Speaker A: I personally know six or seven of them, if I'm lucky. So the rest of them just sitting there going, yay. You know, and so it can be. It can be hard. [00:07:42] Speaker B: Sure. Would you like a pick me up? Because I've got a surprise for you. [00:07:46] Speaker A: You do? [00:07:47] Speaker B: Listener, if you haven't heard last week's episode Stop the tape, go back to listen to that so you'll get the reference. Everybody ready? [00:08:01] Speaker A: Not very smart, not very quick. Not nearly as wise as our friend Moby Dick. Brontosaurus means thunder lizard. So big and slow that our land soon grew tired. Doesn't eat meat. Doesn't eat Fish, leaves and plants are her favorite dish. Yay. [00:08:26] Speaker B: That is brontosaurus from the 1978 album Our Dinosaur Friends by Wayne Parker and Art Bardoon, referenced on last week's episode. [00:08:39] Speaker A: I love that. I was 7 years old when that was released. Yeah. [00:08:43] Speaker B: It's such a modern cover art. Have you seen the COVID art? It's just lovely. Okay. I wonder how you ever came to have that album. [00:08:53] Speaker A: It. I didn't. It was something that was played in school. [00:08:56] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. In public school. Okay. [00:08:59] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:09:00] Speaker B: Well, the more you learn. [00:09:02] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:09:04] Speaker B: What else is new? [00:09:06] Speaker A: I'm going camping tomorrow. [00:09:09] Speaker B: Okay. [00:09:10] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:09:12] Speaker B: By yourself? [00:09:13] Speaker A: No, I'm going with Chuck's wife. [00:09:16] Speaker B: Okay. [00:09:17] Speaker A: Yeah. I invited them to go with me. [00:09:19] Speaker B: Yes. [00:09:20] Speaker A: And he can't take time off from work, so she's going with me. [00:09:24] Speaker B: Okay. [00:09:24] Speaker A: Yeah. So we're gonna go. [00:09:27] Speaker B: Well, have fun. [00:09:28] Speaker A: She's doing something called car camping. [00:09:31] Speaker B: I imagine that involves sleeping. Sleeping in the car. [00:09:34] Speaker A: Yeah. I'll be in my tent. [00:09:35] Speaker B: Yes. [00:09:36] Speaker A: But we've got all of our things we're bringing. And we're gonna go. I booked a tent site at a brewery. A campsite at a brewery in Maryland. [00:09:46] Speaker B: I like the sound of that. [00:09:47] Speaker A: And my. My stipulation was because I haven't camped in many years. Must have flushing toilets available and a hot shower, both of which are available at this place. So I'm very excited about that. [00:09:59] Speaker B: Okay. [00:10:00] Speaker A: Yeah. So I'll do that tomorrow. [00:10:01] Speaker B: Yep. [00:10:02] Speaker A: Got a little bit of a busy. No, I don't have a busy week. I'm so used to saying that. I don't have a busy week. Just lots of writing that needs to get done. Because my. My May is a busy month for me. And then June and July are less busy, so. But I've got some big projects that I gotta clear away in May, so. Yeah, that's about it, I think. I'm not sure when we're gonna cut the grass. It needs to be. [00:10:27] Speaker B: Don't worry about it. I can hire a boy while you're camping. [00:10:30] Speaker A: Okay. All right. I'm only going away for one night, so. [00:10:34] Speaker B: Yeah, Maybe I'll just do it while you're away. Surprise you. [00:10:36] Speaker A: Oh, don't bother with that. [00:10:38] Speaker B: Okay, if you insist. [00:10:39] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. [00:10:41] Speaker B: Speaking of bothered. [00:10:43] Speaker A: Yes. [00:10:44] Speaker B: Apparently we've had some budget cuts in Littleville. [00:10:47] Speaker A: Why is that? [00:10:48] Speaker B: Because normally we get three superheroes from Dial Age for Hero, and now this issue, we only get two. [00:10:54] Speaker A: Two? That's correct. Yeah. [00:10:56] Speaker B: I mean, I guess we did have to take up some story time with Robbie Reed entering puberty. [00:11:01] Speaker A: Yes. Didn't we? [00:11:03] Speaker B: Yes. [00:11:04] Speaker A: Yes. [00:11:05] Speaker B: Robbie Reed, the boy who can change into 1000 superheroes. He's the most original character in comic history. Is he, though? Well, maybe at the time he was. [00:11:17] Speaker A: Okay. [00:11:19] Speaker B: And what a spot he's in. He's doomed before he can even tackle the King of the Curses. It's House of mystery number 166. Are you ready? [00:11:33] Speaker A: Yeah. Are you gonna start with a splash page? [00:11:35] Speaker B: I am. [00:11:36] Speaker A: Okay. [00:11:39] Speaker B: Legends tales embellished by word of mouth and the passage of time over the years. So thought Robbie Reed until he found himself spinning his amazing H dial again. To become superheroes with powers to battle the legendary creatures spawned by the King of the Curses. We see there on the splash page that Robbie Reed is dressed in stereotypical American Indian garb. So that should go great. [00:12:12] Speaker A: Actually, it's not so bad. [00:12:14] Speaker B: Well, except for the repeated word Injun. [00:12:19] Speaker A: Yeah, there's that. Yes. [00:12:21] Speaker B: Returning home from school one day, Robbie Reed's heart skips a beat. [00:12:25] Speaker A: Who does he see? [00:12:27] Speaker B: Susie. Susie. Susie and her folks moving to Littleville. And just a few houses from me. This is gonna be swell. [00:12:38] Speaker A: So he says hi to her, and she says that they're gonna be neighbors. So anyway, he's very excited. They'll be seeing a lot more of each other in town. So here we have. He's entering puberty, I suppose. [00:12:48] Speaker B: Yes. Gosh, Susie just a few doors away. Even as a superhero, I couldn't have swung a stroke of luck like this. Better start making plans to see her soon. [00:12:58] Speaker A: But destiny has already prearranged the next meeting between the teenagers for the next day at school. [00:13:04] Speaker B: Susie in my history class and taking the folklore field trip with us. This is real super. [00:13:11] Speaker A: Yep. And so they take a bus ride for an hour. And they make their first stop. The first stop on our folklore field trip here is the Cougar county. Is in Cougar county, where the legend of the vengeance of the Cougar man was spawned. As you students know, many legends are based on an element of fact. Over a century ago, the people in these parts took drastic action against a local thief and troublemaker. They said. They took this character named Justine Mudd. Justine Mudd. [00:13:43] Speaker B: Justine Mudd is a male. [00:13:44] Speaker A: Is a male. Right. [00:13:46] Speaker B: I've been to the hills with you, Justine Mudd. [00:13:49] Speaker A: They ran him off with flames and pitchforks. [00:13:51] Speaker B: You've pilfered and robbed the good folks of Cougar county for the last. [00:13:56] Speaker A: So he says. A curse on you all for this. And I vow that one day I will return from the wilderness and revenge Myself. So the legend has it that years later, Mud did return in the form of a being they called Cougarman Maroo [00:14:13] Speaker B: Justine Mudd will have his vengeance. [00:14:16] Speaker A: It's him. Mud come back as a Cougarman helpfully. [00:14:21] Speaker B: He's got bikini shorts and a belt on, so he doesn't scare the villagers. [00:14:26] Speaker A: Not at all. He looks like a man. [00:14:30] Speaker B: And a cougar attacks a group of [00:14:32] Speaker A: picnickers with a tail. [00:14:34] Speaker B: He smashes the township bridge. And as Mud's vow of vengeance passed from mouth to mouth over the years, it became embellished with each telling. Until we have the ominous legend we're discussing today. But there is no evidence to authenticate this eerie piece of folklore. SUSIE SCREAMS Eek. [00:14:57] Speaker A: Robby. It's him. The Cougarman. [00:14:59] Speaker B: Indeed it is Cougarman. He's busting out of some kind of time warp. Time warp? Robby thinks that's the legendary man creature all right. Seems to have appeared out of some kind of time warp. I just said that. Robbie got to slip off dial into a superhero and fast. That cave nearby. [00:15:19] Speaker A: So he dashes into the mouth of a cave, unseen by anyone else. He spins into action and dials. [00:15:26] Speaker B: H E R O SAKIMA G He's still a teenager, but decked out in a red, white and blue uniform. Shades of Uncle Sam. This time I've become the Yankee Doodle Kid. Yankee Doodle Kid is wearing a red leotard, blue and white striped shorts and a blue and white stripe. Well, it looks like he has knickers on, doesn't it? Revolutionary War era short pants with stockings. Blue and white. They're stocking. [00:15:58] Speaker A: I mean, they're all short pants. Would say that there's some sort of billowy ness to it. There isn't. It's all tight fitting. [00:16:05] Speaker B: Yeah, but I say that because of the shoes, because it looks like those [00:16:09] Speaker A: kind of pilgrimy shoes. [00:16:11] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:16:11] Speaker A: Yes. He also had little knee pads. [00:16:14] Speaker B: Little knee pads. Well, that's why I couldn't figure if it was supposed to be boots or if it was pantaloons of some kind. Also, he has an eagle on his head. [00:16:22] Speaker A: Yeah, the eagle thing. I didn't mind the costume. Except for the eaglet on his head. It's a small eagle perched on top of his head like it's nesting on a scalp. [00:16:31] Speaker B: Yeah. So Cougarman is ripping up trees, just [00:16:36] Speaker A: as he did in the legend, to [00:16:38] Speaker B: attack Robbie's school pals. So the patriotically dressed young superhero focuses his eyes and a split second later, a pair of super skyrocket Blasts burst forth from his eyes. [00:16:51] Speaker A: So it's basically fireworks. [00:16:52] Speaker B: Ye. Yeah. It should knock the Cougarman cold. But it doesn't. It bounces right off him. So this young superhero also has cherry bombs on his person, which he throws at the trees that Cougarman is just thrown at the school children. [00:17:12] Speaker A: And he blows up the trees before they hit the school children. I would think that there would be like lots of wood shrapnel from that. [00:17:17] Speaker B: That seems dangerous. Why don't these children go get back in their bus? [00:17:21] Speaker A: First of all. Yes. [00:17:23] Speaker B: All right. Cougarman disappears. Now, he theorizes that this creature of folklore is duplicating his legendary actions. So he is probably going towards the township bridge. So Yankee Doodle Kid takes off like a rocket, finds Cougarman and lands on the ground where his foot promptly gets trapped by a bear trap. Bear trap. [00:17:51] Speaker A: What a terrible thing. [00:17:52] Speaker B: Well, yeah, that would take his foot off, wouldn't it? [00:17:55] Speaker A: Horrible. Well, if it doesn't take us to it definitely cuts into the bone. Yeah. [00:18:00] Speaker B: Cougarman is bearing down upon him. These skyrocket missiles didn't work before, but now maybe at close range it'll work better. [00:18:11] Speaker A: So he tries it again. [00:18:12] Speaker B: Does not work. [00:18:13] Speaker A: No. [00:18:15] Speaker B: The desperate superhero turns his attention and his powers to the trap and fires his skyrocket blasts from his eyes. [00:18:24] Speaker A: It's like heat vision. [00:18:26] Speaker B: Yeah. Hopefully heat intense enough to melt the trap, which works. He makes it free with just a whisker to spare. And then he throws some other kind of sparkler missiles. Sparklers to dazzle him. The blinding brilliance does indeed make Cougarman turn tail. But he's still on the prowl and immune to most of Yankee Doodle Kid superpowers. [00:18:52] Speaker A: So Yankee Doodle Kid does something unique and that. He creates little sparkling swirl things like saw blades out of sparklers and cuts two trees down, which then pins in Cougarman. And then he creates [00:19:09] Speaker B: a fireworks. [00:19:10] Speaker A: Yankee Doodle Kid creates a fireworks dragon. [00:19:14] Speaker B: Yes. [00:19:15] Speaker A: Which then does actually scare Cougarman. And then as Cougarman is fleeing, Star Spangled Kid goes after him with sparkler Star firecracker. [00:19:27] Speaker B: He creates a firecracker fence which guide him right back towards the time warp. [00:19:31] Speaker A: Right. And then, well, the time warp is closing. [00:19:35] Speaker B: It's closing rapidly. [00:19:37] Speaker A: So Star Spangled Kid uses a cherry [00:19:39] Speaker B: bomb, a super cherry bomb to basically [00:19:42] Speaker A: blast Cougarman in the ass through. [00:19:45] Speaker B: No. [00:19:46] Speaker A: Doesn't he? [00:19:46] Speaker B: Yes. [00:19:47] Speaker A: Yeah, Right through the time warp. And that's it. Then he dials H in reverse. Right in reverse. And flags down the bus. [00:19:59] Speaker B: Yes. [00:20:01] Speaker A: And his abrupt appearance from the woods startles the teacher in the class. [00:20:05] Speaker B: Yes. [00:20:06] Speaker A: And they said, you know, where were you? How did you get here? And he says, well, when I ran off after the Krugerman appeared, I must have taken the shortcut through the woods. So he managed to cover his tracks there. [00:20:16] Speaker B: Yes. Now Susie is all agog of this Yankee Doodle Kid, and Robbie wishes she would admire him as Robbie Reed as much as she does. Those superheroes I secretly become. [00:20:30] Speaker A: Sounds like something Lois Lane and Clark Kent would say. [00:20:35] Speaker B: I'm sure we've seen Susie before, but I can't remember where she lived before. Maybe Big Town or Capital City. Meanwhile, that evening, in an underworld haunt on the seedy west side of Capital [00:20:49] Speaker A: City, we meet a couple new characters, Madden and Burke. [00:20:53] Speaker B: They're eating at the local dive. Steaks Chops. [00:20:57] Speaker A: Steaks Chops. So unnamed man says to. Says to. No, Madden. I guess madness. [00:21:06] Speaker B: Madden says. Madden says two unnamed. [00:21:08] Speaker A: If you only knew that the Cougar Man. This Cougar man before that superhero drove him back into the time warp, we could have captured the cat and trained him. So they're reading about this in the paper. [00:21:17] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:21:18] Speaker A: Right. So the. The guy in the blue jacket who is. Goes unnamed. He says, yeah, man, with that animal on our team, we'd have a super gang. [00:21:26] Speaker B: Well, now we have an eavesdropper in Steak's chops. [00:21:30] Speaker A: Yes. His name is Burke. [00:21:32] Speaker B: He says there are other legendary creatures that might help you if you gentlemen are interested. My name's Burke. [00:21:40] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:21:41] Speaker B: They get him to keep talking and he tells them that his boss, Professor Morgan, has invented a machine that brings legends to life. And once here in the present, the creatures of folklore duplicate their legendary actions. [00:22:00] Speaker A: Now, so these are stories of creatures in the past. [00:22:04] Speaker B: Yes. [00:22:04] Speaker A: That are then somehow that's programmed into some machine. [00:22:08] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:22:08] Speaker A: Then they appear from a time warp as solid, real creatures. [00:22:13] Speaker B: Yes. [00:22:14] Speaker A: That carry out their legendary actions. [00:22:16] Speaker B: Yes. [00:22:16] Speaker A: Okay. [00:22:18] Speaker B: A little bit like Kid Eternity, who was a dead kid that was given powers to summon any figure from history, folklore or legend to fight crime with. And it turns out he's the long lost brother of Freddy Freeman, who's Captain Marvel Jr. [00:22:43] Speaker A: I know Freddy Jr. [00:22:47] Speaker B: Now, if you and your boys were to know when and where the next legendary creature would appear, think of the edge you'd have in pulling off a crime sweep. Madden. [00:22:58] Speaker A: That's right. And this is where they get the idea. [00:23:01] Speaker B: So Madden figures he could station the gang right on the scene, and during the panic, they could plunder at will. And he could become the King of the curses. So off they go to see Professor Morgan. How did Professor Morgan. He must be foreign. What? Demonstrate my legend. Computer. Impossible, you know. It isn't perfected as yet. Burke, show your friends out. [00:23:29] Speaker A: Professor Morgan, these men are scholars, and as such, they've sworn themselves to secrecy. [00:23:35] Speaker B: Someone in the outside world must be made aware of your achievement. For the record, please. [00:23:40] Speaker A: Scholars, eh? And sworn to secrecy. Well, as long as they are here. The lab's this way. [00:23:46] Speaker B: Do do, do, do, do, do. Professor Morgan, it should be noted, lives on a hilltop mansion right on the [00:23:52] Speaker A: edge of a cliff. [00:23:53] Speaker B: Right on the edge of a cliff. Because, as all professors are, he's very wealthy, Right? All right. Burke has brought along a copy of the Curse of the awesome Albatross legend. Let's use this for the demonstration. Yes, but first, let's tell the legend. It's about a pirate captain's pet bird that he used to place a curse on the town of Southport. The pirate ship had anchored in Southport harbor, but the local citizens cut the anchor so the outgoing tide would sweep the pirates into the midst of the searching king's fleet. Later, Southport citizens raised the anchor for a monument to commemorate the occasion. But soon after, the pirate's curse comes true. A giant albatross. Albatrosses are albatrossi. They are famously not black, unlike this giant bird that's descending upon Southport. [00:24:58] Speaker A: Famously. They can fly for very, very long periods of time, stay aloft for very long. But they're clumsy birds on land. [00:25:07] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:25:07] Speaker A: And they also don't have talons. [00:25:10] Speaker B: Right. [00:25:10] Speaker A: To go snatching anchors and lines. They just don't. [00:25:18] Speaker B: Well, we see in flashback that the pirate does say, in a day henceforth. No, he's a pirate. ARR. In a day henceforth, my pet albatross will return a monster to curse your town. So the albatross has been turned into a monster. However, in the flashback, the albatross is also jet black. Unlike actual albatross. [00:25:45] Speaker A: Unlike actual albatross. [00:25:51] Speaker B: So when the creature attacked Southport seeking the pirate ship's lost anchor, the townspeople fired a cannon blast and knocked the anchor and chained from the creature's grasp. And it was recovered and set up on display as a memento of the curse that the town was living under. [00:26:15] Speaker A: Did you see memento? [00:26:16] Speaker B: Yes. [00:26:16] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:26:18] Speaker B: Minutes later, Professor Morgan programs the legend into his complex machine. And then the seemingly impossible occurs. Observe on the screen, gentlemen, a picture of the monster albatross as it appeared all those years ago. Now, what Professor Morgan doesn't know is that this is actually happening. In real life, in Southport. The monster is coming to Southport to attack again. Steal that anchor. Soon the airwaves crackle with a shocking report, one that reaches the ears of Robbie Reed in his lab shack. And the giant bird was last reported winging in the direction of Southport. It appears hostile. All citizens are urged to take cover. [00:27:01] Speaker A: An albatross that appears hostile. [00:27:04] Speaker B: It's not clumsy at all. Also, it's black, unlike actual albatri. Please take cover. So Robbie dials his H. Dial. [00:27:17] Speaker A: Yes. And this time he becomes Chief Mighty [00:27:21] Speaker B: Arrow, a Native American gentleman with a flying horse. That she calls with a flying horse. [00:27:26] Speaker A: Wingy. [00:27:27] Speaker B: Wingy. Well, we call it a flying horse. Robbie unfortunately calls it a winged Injun pony. [00:27:35] Speaker A: Oh, yeah. [00:27:38] Speaker B: So the horse Wingy takes off into the sky, and they come upon this albatross attacking a jetliner. A passenger jet. So Chief Mighty Arrow's got to gallop into action with Wingy. He sweeps into firing range. His bowstring twangs. He fires off a flame arrow, which singes the albatross's wings. And then he fires an explosion arrow. [00:28:10] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:12] Speaker B: Which does nothing. Yeah. Also, why not just call it a bomb arrow or a grenade? Nobody's looped in Green Arrow on this. [00:28:23] Speaker A: No. So Robbie says it's a giant albatross, like the one in the south in the Southport legend. Yeah. So next. So he knows that in the Southport legend, the giant albatross is after the Anchor. [00:28:39] Speaker B: Yes. [00:28:40] Speaker A: Right. But he says no, but the Anchor Monument has been removed to the museum. An orphanage now stands at that original site. That bird beasts will tear it to pieces. Gotta I fest. So now he's gonna save the orphans. [00:28:51] Speaker B: Yes. [00:28:51] Speaker A: From the bird beast. [00:28:52] Speaker B: Yes. Now we see that the museum is directly across the street from the orphanage. I'd like to speak to the Southport city planners, because if they were going to move this anchor to the museum, which is directly across the street from where it originally sat, why not just build the museum around the Anchor and put the orphanage there on the nice corner where the museum is? [00:29:20] Speaker A: Who knows? [00:29:22] Speaker B: That's not very good urban planning. All right. Robbie wings into the museum to steal the Anchor, startling the populace. They think he's a common thief and try to stop him, but he doesn't have time to explain. He's got to save those orphan kids who are all spilling out onto the street. [00:29:49] Speaker A: So then the albatross takes the Anchor. Right. [00:29:55] Speaker B: Yes. [00:29:56] Speaker A: In midair. [00:29:57] Speaker B: And fastens it, wraps it around Chief Mighty Arrow. [00:30:00] Speaker A: Chief Mighty Arrow. Which allows him. Which prohibits him from using his bow and arrow. [00:30:05] Speaker B: Yes. Yes, the Super Chief. By the way, there actually is a DC superhero called Super Chief. But this is not Super Chief. This is Chief Mighty Arrow. Just so there's no confusion, Listener. [00:30:20] Speaker A: So the Albatross has the Super Chief all tied up in chains and it's going to fly him back through the time warp. [00:30:28] Speaker B: I'll be trapped in the legendary past forever. Double Sakima G. Now he does get inside the warp and he gets an idea. It's a long shot, but maybe my jet propelled headdress feathers will tickle his underbelly. And a good bird laugh might turn the tide. And indeed it does. Now he has been transported into the past, but he is free. And he doesn't think he's ever going to make it back to the time warp before it clamps shut. But here to the rescue. Wingy. [00:31:09] Speaker A: Yay. [00:31:11] Speaker B: Wingy picks him up and flies straight at that time warp at double speed. And he's saved. [00:31:20] Speaker A: Yes. [00:31:20] Speaker B: You made it, Wingy. With just a horse's hair to spare. [00:31:24] Speaker A: And then as he's flying above the ground, he sees the gang. [00:31:29] Speaker B: Yeah. Wait, let's see. [00:31:32] Speaker A: So the gang would be. Would be in Southport just when the Albatross appeared. [00:31:36] Speaker B: Yeah. So the gang had planted themselves at Southport. [00:31:39] Speaker A: And he sees a dust raising sedan behind it at high speed. And he assumes this is the gang. So then he takes. [00:31:47] Speaker B: And we should mention that the gangsters robbed the town clean. Banks, supermarkets, jewelry stores and. [00:31:53] Speaker A: All right, so he throws a gimmick tomahawk. Yeah, that is enlarged. Like as he throws it, it gets enlarged and it is larger than the car. The tomahawk hits the ground and stops the car in its tracks. [00:32:07] Speaker B: Yes. [00:32:07] Speaker A: Right. And then what? [00:32:10] Speaker B: At the point of an arrow, the dazed hoodlums respond quickly and spill all. They tell all about Boss Madden. Tell where Chief Mighty Arrow can find him. At a mountain lab just south of Route 2. Just then, the police arrive to take over and Captain Mighty Arrow shows up at Professor Morgan's lab. [00:32:35] Speaker A: Lab? [00:32:35] Speaker B: Yes, where he lassoes Burke and the gentleman. The other one goes unnamed from Steaks Chops. [00:32:44] Speaker A: Oh, well, there was Burke and Madden. [00:32:49] Speaker B: Professor Morgan is dumbfounded. An Indian chief gunplay. What's this all about? [00:32:54] Speaker A: Yeah, because the professor doesn't know. [00:32:56] Speaker B: No. [00:32:56] Speaker A: He learns that both Mighty Arrow and Professor Morgan are amazed as the truth spills from the mouths of the captured criminals. So he says. Chief Mighty Arrow says. A machine capable of making legends come to life. And Madden tried to take advantage of it. [00:33:14] Speaker B: Imagine I knew nothing about this. I thought I was simply bringing legendary Scenes from the past to the present on this screen. Imagine if Professor Morgan had had access to AI he could have made these little movies to his heart's content. He wouldn't have to invent a new machine at all. This invention can bring no good to mankind, only evil. It must be destroyed. Destroyed. He destroys. [00:33:40] Speaker A: He destroys. A machine capable of creating matter from stories. [00:33:45] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:33:46] Speaker A: That's amazing. [00:33:48] Speaker B: Well, it can only bring evil, Rob, and no profit to Professor Morgan, who is a professor so clearly doesn't need [00:33:55] Speaker A: any more money, of course, because everybody knows that all professors are filthy rich. [00:34:00] Speaker B: Well, he is certainly tenured and a full professor at his age. [00:34:05] Speaker A: And he probably has some very important inventions that have made him patents. [00:34:09] Speaker B: Yes. I mean, this could have been one of them. But as you say, it's only going to bring evil. And Chief Mighty Arrow promises that his treacherous assistant Burke and the others will pay heap big for their crimes. Next day in school. Gosh, Robbie, these superheroes are becoming almost legendary themselves. [00:34:36] Speaker A: He thinks if she only knew the real truth behind them. [00:34:39] Speaker B: Do, do, do, do, do, do. That's it. That's it. That's it for Robbie Reed. But not for this issue. [00:34:47] Speaker A: No. [00:34:49] Speaker B: But first. Yes. Little thing we like to call Time Machine Mailbag. [00:34:55] Speaker A: Oh, yay. [00:34:58] Speaker B: Time Machine Mailbag. Where we read letters from the past and answer them today. Time Machine Mailbag. Better late than never is what mother used to say. [00:35:08] Speaker A: Dear Dr. Bob, what's a girl to do when she likes two boys very much and one asks her to be his girl and she says yes, but the other one is also going to ask her the same thing. Should she stay with the first one when the other one asks her? Or should she go with the second one and turn the first boy down even though she's already said yes to him? Both boys are 13, and I will be 13 by the end of this month. This is my problem, and I must have your advice. As well as two other persons I've written to. What? As well as two other persons I have written to. [00:35:40] Speaker B: Huh? [00:35:41] Speaker A: Signed, I need. In need of advice. [00:35:45] Speaker B: Need. You don't need to write to people. You only need to consult the 1987 debut album by Ms. Debbie Gibson, where she advises young ladies to play the field. You gotta look around. I don't remember the words, but play the field. Play the field, girl. [00:36:10] Speaker A: Okay. [00:36:10] Speaker B: You're 13. YOLO. Am I right? [00:36:12] Speaker A: Right. You'll never be 13 again, that's for sure. [00:36:16] Speaker B: Dear Dr. Husband. Yes, I am very much in love with a boy who tells me he feels the same Way about me. I have given up all my other boyfriends on account of him. But he has not done the same thing about his girlfriends. He hasn't told me so, but I happen to know that he is secretly seeing several of them. What should I do? Sign. Wondering. [00:36:38] Speaker A: Wondering. Just like we told the last girl, I would say play the field. Play the field. I would. Girl, I was just wondering. I would just say, you know what? You were willing to give up your boyfriends for him, and he's not willing to do the same thing for you. He is not worth it. Girl. You need to just go on and apparently, if you had other boyfriends, you have nothing to worry about. Find a boy that honors you for you and treats you wholly and certainly like the woman that you deserve to be treated. And accept no substitutions. [00:37:16] Speaker B: Yeah, right. After all, if I found one, anybody [00:37:20] Speaker A: can cast him to the side, girl. [00:37:23] Speaker B: Dear Dr. Husband. [00:37:25] Speaker A: Oh, is it not my turn? Oh, go ahead, go ahead. [00:37:30] Speaker B: Oh, wait. It is. Sorry. [00:37:33] Speaker A: Dear Dr. Bob, I cannot understand my boyfriend. I know he loves me, not only because he says he does, but in many other ways as well. He is constantly bringing me beautiful surprises and gifts, and some of them are so expensive, I have to scold him about spending so much money. I know also that he definitely isn't seeing other girls. But now comes my problem. When we are in the company of other couples, he starts to ride me. You mean like, literally ride you like a horse? [00:38:03] Speaker B: No, no. [00:38:04] Speaker A: And some of the things he calls me are really insulting. I've spoken to him time and time again, and he wants to become. And he seems to become very sorry and apologetic about them. So we have a big reunion and. And by the next time we're. We're out, he starts all over again. He kids me about the things I wear, about the things I say about my family, et cetera, et cetera. Now, I could really kid him back if I really wanted to. For one thing, he's far more vulnerable than I am. And I mean this quite seriously. I am cleverer than he is and can say far more cutting things. That is, if I wanted to. But of course, I don't want to hurt him. What should I do? Signed, puzzled. [00:38:51] Speaker B: Puzzled. Do it. Sell tickets. I will buy the first bunch of them, cut him to shreds and don't look back. [00:39:02] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:39:03] Speaker B: And get together with these other gals. And all three of you just go play the field. [00:39:09] Speaker A: Yes. [00:39:09] Speaker B: Go out for drinks. I mean, you're probably not old enough to drink, but. [00:39:12] Speaker A: Sounds like he needs a lot who's [00:39:13] Speaker B: IDing anybody in the 60s? [00:39:15] Speaker A: He needs to learn. [00:39:16] Speaker B: He needs to learn a lesson. And he needs to not have a girlfriend because he sounds terrible. [00:39:20] Speaker A: He does sound terrible, doesn't he? [00:39:22] Speaker B: Yes. [00:39:22] Speaker A: You shouldn't make fun of your spouse or. Excuse me, or your significant other or your love interest, unless you know they can take it and are game for it. And if you're not clever enough to know that, then you shouldn't be involved with that person. [00:39:35] Speaker B: Right. Unless it's been worked down in advance for the entertainment of the people around you. Yes, but that doesn't sound like it's the case. Hell, no. He should be in prison. [00:39:46] Speaker A: Frankly, he should be in prison. [00:39:48] Speaker B: Time machine mail bag. Where we read letters from the past and answer them today. Time machine mail bag. Better late than never is what mother used to say. Speaking of prison. [00:39:59] Speaker A: Yes? [00:39:59] Speaker B: I wonder where Zook's been all this time. Would you believe Dr. That's right. [00:40:07] Speaker A: I didn't remember Zook when I read about Zook in the story. [00:40:09] Speaker B: You didn't? No, I do. [00:40:11] Speaker A: I mean, I remembered that there was a Zook, but I. Like, I was like, where the fuck did he come from? Right. I know he's from another dimension, but why does he. Why does Jon Jones need a sidekick anyway? [00:40:23] Speaker B: Why does anybody. Nobody needs a sidekick. Batman doesn't need Robin. [00:40:28] Speaker A: Or Batman and Xana don't need Gleek. [00:40:31] Speaker B: Well, who's gonna carry the bucket? [00:40:34] Speaker A: You're right. [00:40:36] Speaker B: Would you believe a fantastic ray that transforms ordinary men into individuals? [00:40:41] Speaker A: Like I said, Jen and Zaina. It's Zan and Jaina. [00:40:44] Speaker B: Zan and Jaina. Yes. Very good. [00:40:46] Speaker A: Yes. [00:40:47] Speaker B: Would you believe, Dr. Husband, a fantastic ray that transforms ordinary men into indestructible giants? If you do, then you'll dig the desperate efforts of Manhunter to locate the main US Headquarters of an international syndicate and destroy Vultures. Crime Goliaths. As you recall, John Jones, the Manhunter from Mars, has gone undercover as Marco Xavier, international playboy. [00:41:19] Speaker A: Yes. To try to infiltrate Vulture, which is [00:41:22] Speaker B: a criminal organization run by Mr. V. Marco Xavier, the real Marco Xavier was secretly working for Vulture. [00:41:33] Speaker A: Yes. [00:41:33] Speaker B: But he's dead, Apparently. [00:41:35] Speaker A: But he is dead. Also. [00:41:36] Speaker B: Martian Manhunter has taken over his identity. Traffic is normal on US highway number three west until. Yow. A giant man with hairy shoulders gets an armored car and just roughs it up, grabs it off the road, grabs [00:41:57] Speaker A: it while it's driving by, picks it up, rips it open and steals cash bags of money from inside. They're shooting at him and he is completely impervious. To the bullets. [00:42:08] Speaker B: Next day, 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, Marco Xavier, secretly the Manhunter from Mars, responds to an urgent summons from a local Vulture unit. I seem to recall that Marco Xavier lives in Nice or someplace. Toulouse. Yeah, all right. Also, Mr. V, it should be recalled, wears a potato sack over his head, [00:42:32] Speaker A: so when he talks, he sounds like this. [00:42:34] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:42:35] Speaker A: Perhaps you heard of the so called monster man that cracked open the armored truck in the USA as if it were a tender pee er? [00:42:45] Speaker B: Yes, I heard it on the radio. As if in response to Manhunter's unspoken query of what Mr. V has to do with all of this, the amplified sound of Mr. V's voice echoes all ominously in the room. [00:43:02] Speaker A: My molecular ray, assembled in my branch headquarters in the usa, produced that indestructible creature from an ordinary man. Unfortunately, the ray produces only temporary effects. But once that cylinder is inserted into the machine, the effects will last indefinitely until I reverse it. Okay, so when I first read this, I thought the cylinder had to be inserted into the man. And I was like, oh, I know where this is going. Which made me laugh when I read it. And then I had to be back up and go. Cause the cylinder is inserted into the machine, not into the actual man. [00:43:39] Speaker B: Sure, sure, sure. So Mr. V wants to produce a veritable army of monster men, all of them doing his bidding. And I defy even Manhunter to stop me then, yeah. So Marco Xavier wants to know how he fits into the picture. [00:43:57] Speaker A: I am coming to that. Alas, there has been a leak, and the American police are already alerted to be on the lookout for any of my agents who might try to slip the cylinder into that country. But you, dear Xavier, can do it. You are an international playboy. You could come and go from country to country. No one will suspect you. For this small mission, I shall pay you $50,000. American or French? [00:44:31] Speaker B: American. [00:44:32] Speaker A: Okay, well, that makes sense, because otherwise [00:44:33] Speaker B: it would have said francs. [00:44:35] Speaker A: It doesn't say dollars. It has a dollar sign. I suppose. Yes, you're right. It is Dollarscape. In that envelope you will find explicit instructions as to whom to contact in the usa. [00:44:47] Speaker B: Do not fail me, Xavier. Well, of course Xavier wants to fail him. Of course he can help it. [00:44:53] Speaker A: Yes. [00:44:54] Speaker B: Next day, a speedy jet deposits Marco Xavier at the. At an American airport. Not the American airport. [00:45:01] Speaker A: It's the 1 airport in America. [00:45:03] Speaker B: Well, here's your headline. Every member of the press who's gathered around on the tarmac. Mystery playboy greeted on his arrival by some typical friends, girls, pretty ladies. Margot, darling, we've Been dying to see you again. That goes double for me, sweethearts. But business before pleasure, you know, I don't know why Marco Xavier belched in the middle of saying that. And of course, there's been drinking on the plane all the way over. [00:45:30] Speaker A: Every Cordy says, what business, Mr. Xavier. [00:45:32] Speaker B: Save your breath, pal. Nobody ever finds out anything about Marco Xavier's affairs. [00:45:39] Speaker A: I love our little voices. [00:45:40] Speaker B: Later in the large hotel. It's not. It says a large hotel. All right? His appointment with the Vulture agent is still an hour away, so he may as well relax for a while. [00:45:54] Speaker A: Well, good luck with that, Martian Manhunter, or whatever your name is, because you're not going to get to Marco Xavier, Marsha. Marco Xavier. Because across from your hotel and out the window are two painters who are standing on a scaffold. And it breaks. And they fall to their. They are falling to their death. [00:46:16] Speaker B: Instantly, an amazing transformation takes place as the playboy becomes the Manhunter from Mars. Next moment, a solitary figure hurdles at supersonic speed toward the doomed men, just in the nick of time. So Manhunter is spotted in public for the first time in a while. Apparently because the news hits the airways, and in a secret mountain hideaway, Manhunter's little other dimensional ally, Zook, reacts excitedly. If you recall, Zook sounds exactly like our First Lady, Melania Trump. Eek. Manhunter back in the state. I must go find him. [00:47:04] Speaker A: Now, I want him to believe that he's doing one of two things in this panel. [00:47:08] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:47:09] Speaker A: Either running in a very small circle. [00:47:11] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:47:11] Speaker A: Or expelling gas and lifting himself off the ground and going in circles from gas. [00:47:19] Speaker B: Why not both? Why make the choice? [00:47:23] Speaker A: Okay. [00:47:24] Speaker B: Meanwhile, Marco Xavier speeds toward his rendezvous in a hired car. According to my instructions, I should be reaching Vulture's US Headquarters in a few minutes. No sign of any buildings around here, though. [00:47:38] Speaker A: But after another turn of the road, he comes to an old railroad station from an abandoned truck line. [00:47:45] Speaker B: Pretty smart choice for a secret headquarters, I must admit. [00:47:49] Speaker A: Yes. And then inside, he finds, of course, the Beast. [00:47:52] Speaker B: I don't know if that is because wouldn't a railway station be close to the town? [00:48:00] Speaker A: Well, I don't. I mean, what about Duffields? [00:48:05] Speaker B: Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah, I suppose you're right. Minutes later, Xavier deposits these. This canister. And this hoodlum says that you will get your money soon. And the henchman. While Marco overhears the henchman talking to this big ape that robbed the armored car. Once this cylinder is inserted in your. In the molecular ray, you'll be given a permanent treatment. [00:48:45] Speaker A: So of Course. [00:48:46] Speaker B: But he didn't see the ray. The ray is nowhere near. [00:48:48] Speaker A: No, no, that's not where it is. It's. They've met at a different location. So Marco Xavier drives. Drives off for a quarter of a mile. And then after another swift transformation, he becomes the Martian Manhunter. [00:49:01] Speaker B: And back he goes to this railway station, [00:49:05] Speaker A: breaks down the wall. [00:49:06] Speaker B: Breaks down the wall, breaks up this little party and starts wailing on this big guy, where he hears, well, Manhunter then overhears the henchman saying, we can't take the chance of delivering the cylinder to the main headquarters. Now, Manhunter might be able to follow us there. [00:49:26] Speaker A: So I love this. At the bottom of the panel there, he says, oh, so this place isn't Vulture's headquarters after all. I pulled a real boner. I love. [00:49:37] Speaker B: Well, so did Robbie Reed in the verse story, when Susie came to us. What? [00:49:39] Speaker A: Susie came? Yeah, we don't use these terms anymore in the same way. But I love it. From the 1967 comics. Just you see. Oh, somebody pulled a real boner, I think. [00:49:49] Speaker B: Coming up, isn't there? Unless we've already covered it. There's a whole issue of Batman or Detective with the Joker talking about the Joker's boners. Batman's big boners. Like. Like the word is repeated in every panel. I hope it is coming. [00:50:09] Speaker A: God, I hope that's soon. [00:50:12] Speaker B: Now, maybe Manhunter can make up for his goof by playing it smart. He leaves himself wide open for a left hook and pretends to be knocked out. [00:50:22] Speaker A: Yes. [00:50:24] Speaker B: Now these other hoods hightail it to the roundhouse before he wakes up. [00:50:29] Speaker A: So everybody think. I mean, if everything had stayed exactly as it is right now, things would have moved forward just fine. Yes, but what happens? [00:50:38] Speaker B: Well, Zook, at this very moment, fate plays an ironic trick on the Martian Manhunter. Zookeeper enters the scene. How did Zook find him? Because Zook possesses built in directional antennae, which, like radar, enable him to track electronically any person he has known or seen previously. Manhunter is in trouble. It's a good thing I use my antennae to find him. Zook uses one of his amazing dimensional powers and maybe I cool you off. [00:51:15] Speaker A: First he turns. He turns this body to 100 degrees below zero and then freezes the other two. Is that would kill them just. [00:51:22] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. [00:51:23] Speaker A: But he doesn't freeze them to 100 degrees below zero. Right? And then the fisticuffs guy, the monster. What is he called? [00:51:32] Speaker B: The monster Monster Man. [00:51:34] Speaker A: Monster Man. He goes after Zook, grabs him, and then Manhunter, of course, who has Been playing possum. Comes to life and goes after the big guy. The monster guy. Yeah, and knocks him right out. [00:51:49] Speaker B: Knocks him out. And he reverts to his normal human form. [00:51:53] Speaker A: Yes. [00:51:54] Speaker B: Eek. Look, Manhunter. He changing to ordinary man. But he sure must have been mighty powerful to knock great Manhunter out. That's like a combination of Charo and Lawrence Welk. I'm so sorry. [00:52:12] Speaker A: Your accent. I love it. Okay, then. As Manhunter explains his mission to the US and relates what has happened thus far. [00:52:19] Speaker B: Golly wally. Then I spoil everything by barging in. [00:52:23] Speaker A: You meant well, little fellow. You thought you were saving me. Okay, so here we go. [00:52:28] Speaker B: So there were four henchmen, but only three are laying there on the floor. Which means one of them must have slipped out during the fight and gone to Vulture Headquarters with cylinder. You got no clue where headquarters are? No clue at all. No. [00:52:47] Speaker A: But wait. One of the agents called headquarters the roundhouse. You didn't pass a roundhouse on your way here, did you, Zook? [00:52:54] Speaker B: Sorry, Manhunter, but I just keep pretty close to abandoned railroad tracks, that's all. It's too bad my antennae cannot track electronically any person I have known or seen previously. Oh, wait, yes, it can. But I guess I forgot that bit of information which was detailed by the editor six panels ago. [00:53:19] Speaker A: Well, luckily, Martian Manhunter says railroad tracks. Of course. The Roundhouse was what they used to call the building where the Ray repaired locomotives. It must be somewhere along the way. So, of course, he goes. That's it. Let me go find it. Yes, shortly in the abandoned roundhouse. [00:53:33] Speaker B: I like this. [00:53:34] Speaker A: Six shirtless, muscular men are all lined up to receive a blast. [00:53:38] Speaker B: Yes, well, you know, when you start with good materials, you're going to get a good monster man. [00:53:44] Speaker A: Of course. [00:53:44] Speaker B: These gentlemen are all fit as fiddles. [00:53:47] Speaker A: But what does Martian Manhunter do? He does an amazing thing. He flies in at flashing speed and uses his one fist to fly in front of all the men and knock them out with a right hook. Yeah. [00:54:03] Speaker B: Then, as the remaining two agents stand helplessly by, they watch Manhunter destroy the ray machine. [00:54:11] Speaker A: That's right. [00:54:13] Speaker B: He stands victoriously amidst the rubble. And the image of Mr. V appears on the Lexoscope. [00:54:21] Speaker A: You again, Manhunter? If you had arrived only seconds later, the cylinder would have provided me with at least a small army of permanent monster men. [00:54:32] Speaker B: I can't tell you the truth, Faceless, without destroying Marko Xavier's usefulness, but you're wrong. That cylinder I handed over was a fool fake duplicate. Your ray wouldn't have worked in any case. Ha ha. [00:54:45] Speaker A: And so, after the US Vulture agents are handed over to the police, a final brief reunion takes place. [00:54:50] Speaker B: I miss you so much, Manhunter. You'll be coming back soon? [00:54:55] Speaker A: Soon as I hunt down and destroy Vulture. Zook, I hope it's real soon, because I miss you too. [00:55:03] Speaker B: But while I'm gone, why don't you play the field? I met some girls a while ago in the letter column. Be right up your alley. Now, one last thing. If you will turn to the inside back cover where we learn that you can win a full size Gemini spacecraft. [00:55:30] Speaker A: Really? I see that. [00:55:32] Speaker B: Do you think anybody ever won it? Uh, yes, is the answer. [00:55:37] Speaker A: Okay. [00:55:38] Speaker B: A 13 year old boy scout named Robbie Allen Hanschoe from Portland, Oregon won the grand prize and later donated it to the Oregon Museum of Science Industry, where it still sits today. We have to go there immediately. Wow. [00:55:57] Speaker A: It's in Portland, Oregon. [00:55:59] Speaker B: Portland, Oregon. Yes. Well, that's all I wanted to tell you. [00:56:07] Speaker A: Did they have to pay money to enter? [00:56:10] Speaker B: Uh, hang on. All you have to do is send in the end panel or reasonable facsimile from any Ravel model kit to Ravel with your name and address on the reverse side. Enter as many times as you wish. It's that simple. So do it now. The Gemini Sweepstakes officially closes on May 15, 1967. Get with it. [00:56:31] Speaker A: Wow. [00:56:31] Speaker B: Winners will be selected after June 1, 1967. All entries become the property of Revelle Incorporated and none can be returned. Judge's decision. Final contests subject to local, state and federal laws and void where prohibited. Apparently not. Void in Portland, Oregon. It's a full size Gemini spacecraft. [00:56:51] Speaker A: Wow. [00:56:52] Speaker B: And Robbie Allen one. [00:56:56] Speaker A: That's amazing. I'm glad you looked that up. [00:56:59] Speaker B: Well, I'd always wondered. Yeah, I was trying to see if could find anything about Mr. Ho. Oh, wait. Robert Hanshu in Damascus, Oregon, age 71. Huh. [00:57:21] Speaker A: Still alive. [00:57:22] Speaker B: Still alive. As far as I can tell, the astrological sign on the Western zodiac calendar for Robert is virgo. That's from fastbackgroundcheck.com. who cares about that? Not me. I've got other things to think about. You can find us on social media, ogocheckpod. You can rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts from. You can find us on our sister podcast, Nerdorchestra. And you can find us right back here next week with a comedy explosion. [00:57:55] Speaker A: Really? [00:57:56] Speaker B: Well, comedy should be in quotes. Sugar and Spike and Stanley and his monster. [00:58:02] Speaker A: Cool. I'm ready for it. [00:58:06] Speaker B: What have you done with Dr. [00:58:07] Speaker A: Husband whatever. Why fight the inevitable? [00:58:11] Speaker B: Bye, [00:58:16] Speaker A: Sleeping, living in the dark Stand [00:58:18] Speaker B: up wondering why Wondering why so we're kicking up the head Looking for the word. Used to be Looking at you like leaving it all behind. It. Out the hate Looking for the world.