—Unnamed NarratorYou will warn the east YOU are the third force and you will join the west unless they immediately disarm and end their reign of terror... And you are sure they will listen, as you once again board your Earth-bound flying saucer from Mars...
Appearing in "The Polka-Dot Man"
Featured Characters:
- Ben Morgan (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Helen Morgan (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Polka-Dot Man (Mentioned)
- Dr. Zorko
Other Characters:
- Unidentified Police Department
- Unnamed Police Officer
- Unnamed Motorist (First appearance; dies)
- John
- Numerous unnamed citizens
Races and Species:
Locations:
Synopsis for "The Polka-Dot Man"
A desperate man named Ben Morgan runs down the street covered in polka dots. He encounters a policeman who tries to question him but as the policeman is talking he too becomes covered with mysterious polka dots. The strange phenomenon spreads amongst a crowd of people and Morgan flees back to his house. Once he arrives, he finds a strange letter slipped underneath his doorstep. The letter instructs Morgan to get into a waiting car and he will be delivered to Dr Zorko who claims he can cure him of his malady. Morgan follows the instructions and he soon finds himself in the presence of Zorko. He begins talking to Zorko and his polka dots instantly disappear however hey are replaced by stripes. Zorko explains that he is from another planet and he is on earth to recruit humans to fight against the polka dot people. Morgan is told that the polka dot people are his enemies and he is to slay them on sight. Morgan panics and runs away from Zorkos house. He eventually arrives back at his own home and falls asleep. When he awakens he hears his wife call out to him. She apparently had a bad dream and Morgan immediately sees that she is covered in polka dots. Morgan cannot believe that she is “one of them”.
Appearing in "The Treasure!"
Featured Characters:
- Burton's Buttons Inc. (First appearance)
- Harold Burton (First appearance; dies) (Becomes a cursed ghost of Cranaghel Castle)
Supporting Characters:
- Mr. MacGregor
Antagonists:
- Murdoch Campbell (First appearance) (Ghost, soul or spirit)
Other Characters:
- Mrs. MacGregor
- Four of Murdoch Campbell's unnamed sons (Mentioned in narration or thoughts) (Deceased)
- Robert the Bruce (Mentioned)
- Five unnamed ghosts
Races and Species:
Locations:
Synopsis for "The Treasure!"
- Synopsis not yet written
Appearing in "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall!"
Featured Characters:
- Dan Maley (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Winters
Races and Species:
Locations:
Items:
- Magic Mirror
Synopsis for "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall!"
A thief demands to know of the most valuable item in a pawn keeper's shop, and the frightened owner tells him that it is a mirror painted over with black since it has the power to restore life. The angry robber hits him and he falls, striking his head, killing him. The robber panics and leaves, but then has second thoughts about the mirror thinking perhaps there is something valuable under the paint. He returns, and is surprised to see the body is gone. As he uncovers more and more of the paint off the mirror he is shocked to see, not his reflection, but the store owner. Suddenly, the store owner seizes him and pulls him into the mirror. From the inside of the mirror looking out, the thief views the store owner painting the mirror with black paint.
Appearing in "Hate!"
Featured Characters:
- Dr. Jonas (First appearance; dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Mr. Kant
Antagonists:
- Miss Long
- Mr. Bow
- Mr. Gaines
Other Characters:
- Numerous unnamed orderlies
Races and Species:
Locations:
Synopsis for "Hate!"
A psychologist is revealed to be the actual object of three patient's different compulsions. They throw him through the window and are cured.
Appearing in "The Time Is Now"
Featured Characters:
- Unnamed Martian (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Unnamed United States President (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Soviet Armed Forces (First appearance)
- Numerous unnamed military personnel
- Unnamed Russian Delegate
Other Characters:
- United States Navy (First appearance)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earth-Unknown (First appearance)
- Sol (First appearance)
- Earth (First appearance)
- Europe (First appearance)
- Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (First appearance)
- Germany (First appearance)
- Berlin (First appearance)
- Switzerland (First appearance)
- Geneva (First appearance)
- Asia (First appearance)
- Gulf of Thailand (First appearance)
- Gulf of Tonkin (First appearance)
- South China Sea (First appearance)
- North America (First appearance)
- United States of America (First appearance)
- Europe (First appearance)
- Mars (First appearance)
- Earth (First appearance)
- Sol (First appearance)
Events:
Synopsis for "The Time Is Now"
A Martian contemplates entering the cold war in order to force the east to come to peace.
Appearing in "Werewolf Beware"
Featured Characters:
- Hugo von Stahl (First appearance; dies)
Supporting Characters:
- Erika Ludvig (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Otto (First appearance; dies)
Races and Species:
Locations:
Synopsis for "Werewolf Beware"
A werewolf commits suicide in order to avoid venting his bloodlust upon the girl he loves.
Notes
Publication Notes[]
- "The Polka-Dot Man" is reprinted as "The Deadly Plague" in Beware #6.
- "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall" is reprinted in Beware #6.
- "Hate!" is reprinted in Crypt of Shadows #13.
- "Werewolf Beware" is reprinted in Dead of Night #4.