Years from now, school children will be taught to remember this date! For it marks the birth of... the supremely powerful beetle! 
Appearing in "The Birth of the Beetle!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Beetle (Abner Jenkins) (First appearance) (See chronology)
Other Characters:
- Beatles (Mentioned in narration)
- Fantastic Four (Mentioned in narration)
- Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards) (Voice only)
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker) (Mentioned)
- Avengers (Mentioned)
- Thor (Odinson) (Mentioned)
- Morris Evans (Mentioned)
- Charlie
- Camp Fire Girls (Mentioned)
- Yancy Street Gang (Mentioned)
- NYPD
- Sam
- Phil
- Unnamed Police Chief
- Numerous unnamed police officer
- Aunt Petunia (Mentioned)
- Snow White (Mentioned)
- Hamlet (Mentioned)
- ⏴ Stan Lee ⏵
- ⏴ Carl Burgos
Races and Species:
- Humans
- Insects (Mentioned)
- Beetles (Mentioned)
- Birds (Mentioned)
- Monkeys (Mentioned)
- Rats (Mentioned)
Locations:
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- New York
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Midtown
- Yancy Street (Mentioned)
- Queens
- Long Island Expressway (First appearance)
- Flushing Meadows–Corona Park
- Manhattan
- New York City
- New York
- United States of America
- North America
Items:
- Beetle Armor MK I (First appearance)
- Fantastic Four Uniforms
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Birth of the Beetle!"
On the way to take the girls out to the World's Fair, the Thing and Human Torch soon find themselves dealing with a new costumed villain known as the Beetle: A disenfranchised inventor who wishes to make it rich the easy way. Thwarting the Beetle's thefts, and battling him on the World's Fair playground, the two heroes eventually defeat the Beetle and turn him over to the authorities.
Appearing in "The Challenge of Loki!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- ⏴ Odin ⏵
- Dormammu (Invoked)
- Vishanti (Invoked)
- Hoggoth (Invoked)
- Ancient One (Mentioned)
- Avengers (Mentioned)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earthspace
- Asgard
- Astral Plane
- Purple Dimension (Mentioned)
Items:
- Amulet of Agamotto
- Mjolnir
- Spells
- Hosts of Hoggoth (Invoked)
- Uru
- Purple Gem
Synopsis for "The Challenge of Loki!"
In order to get control of Thor's hammer, Loki tricks Doctor Strange into believing that Loki is a helpless prisoner of the "evil" Thor, and the only way to free him is by gaining control of Thor's hammer. Using a spell to draw Thor's hammer to him, Loki reveals his ruse before the hammer can get to them. Canceling the spell and having Thor track its path to his Sanctum, Doctor Strange attempts to fight off Loki. Loki proves to be more adept at magic than Strange; however, Loki is forced to retreat when he sees that Thor is on his way. With Loki gone, Thor continues on his merry way, unaware of the plot against him that almost succeeded.
Appearing in "Strange Mission"
Mystery Tales #45
Featured Characters:
- Alfred Pook (First appearance)
Supporting Characters:
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earth-616
- Sol
- Earth
- United States of America
- 108 Main Street
- Dr. Smith's Laboratory
- 10 S Main Street (Mentioned)
- 108 Main Street
- United States of America
- Unidentified Planet
- Earth
- Sol
Synopsis for "Strange Mission"
Mystery Tales #45
Notes
Publisher Notes[]
- "Strange Mission" reprint text story is broken up between this issue and last issue.
Chronology Notes[]
The Birth of the Beetle!
- This story states that it is taking place during the 1964 New York World's Fair; however, this should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.
- This story features cameo appearances by Stan Lee and Carl Burgos. Unlike most real life people, Marvel Comics creators are exempt from the Sliding Timescale and appear in the prime of their lives. This creates some difficult continuity on the sake of Carl Burgos, who last appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #34 as an artist working for Timely Comics in the 1940s. How Burgos could still be depicted in this story as being young and vital in light of the Sliding Timescale rules are not explained.
The Challenge of Loki!
- Doctor Strange is wearing the Amulet of Agamotto in this story. It should not be confused with the Eye of Agamotto which Strange is gifted with in Strange Tales #126.
- Doctor Strange threatens to trap Loki in the Purple Dimension, which Strange first visited in Strange Tales #119.
Chronology Notes[]
The Birth of the Beetle! Events in this story occur behind the scenes that affect the chronology of the following characters:
Human Torch!
- ⏴ Page 1-3 Panel 4 ⏵ - Johnny Storm goes on a double date with the Thing.
- ⏴ Page 3, Page 5-14 ⏵ - The Torch and Thing battle the Beetle.
Thing:
- ⏴ Page 1-3 Panel 4 ⏵ - Johnny Storm goes on a double date with the Thing.
- ⏴ Page 3, Page 5-14 ⏵ - The Torch and Thing battle the Beetle.
Beetle:
- ⏴ Page 1-2 ⏵ - Abner Jenkins builds his Beetle armor.
- ⏴ Page 3, Panel 1 ⏵ - Jenkins builds wiings for his armor.
- ⏴ Page 3, Panel 2 ⏵ - Finishes building his wings.
- ⏴ Page 3, Panels 3-Page 14 ⏵ - The Beetle is defeated by the Thing and Torch.