My Rating
“Magicman: Brainwashed!“
Somewhere along the eastern seaboard of the United States, several hundred blips begin to display on television screens tied to the U.S. Army’s super long distance radar system. The incoming targets are not from some Earthbound enemy, rather the threat comes from the darkness of outer space! A network of telephones light up as calls are made throughout the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Something is inbound and it looks grim.
Meanwhile inside a local magic shop near Midtown Manhattan, a jolly twenty-something known as Kilkenny is looking for a new trick to impress his friend. Kilkenny chuckles as he purchases some of the novelties and returns to his apartment building. Will the superhero known as Magicman be enthralled by the gadgets? Only one way to find out.
Not long after Kilkenny and Magicman sit down for a hardy lunch, then air raid sirens begin to wail. The noise rings throughout the city streets leaving every man, woman, and child in a full blown panic. An invasion of Earth has begun!
Rocket ships of the Kruzian armada land in full force across the globe. The weapons of this highly advanced race make quick work of Earth’s military forces. Can Magicman help defeat the enemy before there is no Earth left?
“Curse of the Warlock!“
Mada the hunter stood proudly over the body of a dying grizzly bear. Moments beforehand the huge beast was charging in for the kill, but Mada’s arrow found its mark. If the well placed shot would have wavered even a millimeter the bear’s teeth would have ripped the hunter from limb to limb.
As Mada moves in to retrieve his arrow, human words begin to spew forth from the bear’s maul. Mada is shaken for a moment. Did the animal just speak to him? Before he could answer his own question, the body of the bear begins to change form.
In mere seconds an elderly man’s body lies where the animal once was. “You have killed me! Now you shall be cursed!” the old man gurgles. “You shall have two children. One will be an angel, the other filled with the evil of Satan himself!” With that the man expires.
Later on during his trek home, Mada the hunter becomes consumed by his thoughts. What did that old man intend with his threats? Would Mada have children? If so, would one of them truly be Satan’s avatar on Earth? The hunter begins to travel at a faster pace. He must return and consult his wife before his thoughts drive him mad.
“Everyone’s paralyzed…but me!“
Eddie was a daydreamer. He spent every bit of his free time doing so. In fact he enjoyed it so much his friends, teachers, and fellow classmates all began to notice. Then one day Eddie became the local joke.
Kids started picking on him, even going as far as to bully poor Eddie outside the view of adults. It got so bad that Sally, Eddie’s girlfriend, refused to deal with him until he stood up for himself. That was a tall order to fill. There had to be an easy way of dealing with the situation. What could it be?
During recess one day Eddie began to daydream under a large oak tree located near the playground. A voice spoke to him from high above. Eddie looked up and sitting on a branch was an odd looking little man dressed in a tuxedo. The man tipped his top hat while twirling a cane. “I am Mr. Destiny, and I make it my hobby to help young lads who are in trouble” the man said. “I can make you king for a day, if you would have it!”
Eddie hastily agreed. With a snap of his fingers, Mr. Destiny cast some type of spell and then quickly disappeared. Nothing seemed to have happened. Or did it? The young boy turned around to face the playing children. In shock Eddie discovered every living thing had frozen into place. Even the adults inside the school house stood like statues. How could this be? Who cares! Time to have the time of his life. Will being king for a day help Eddie learn to deal with his real life problems? Collect the series to find out.
Reviewer Notes
I found this comic in the dollar bin at a local thrift store. I don’t own any ACG comic books, and since this issue was printed in 1966, I thought I would check it out. There are some good and bad things about the book, but overall, for the era it was entertaining.
This comic was clearly written for a younger audience. I’m guessing grade school level children or younger. There are three stories in this issue, each with a different moral to teach. For a hard-core collector I don’t see much value in this book. If you are looking for an oddball superhero to follow, Magicman and Kilkenny will fill the role. I will give this issue three beta-rays out of five.
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