Strange Tales Vol 1 127

	Published
	December, 1964
"The Mystery Villain!"
	Writer Stan Lee; Penciler Dick Ayers; Inker Paul Reinman; Letterer Artie Simek; Editor Stan Lee;
"Duel With The Dread Dormammu!"
	Writer Stan Lee; Penciler Steve Ditko; Letterer Sam Rosen; Editor Stan Lee;

Doctor Strange

Even though I perish in the attempt, I dare not falter! My life means nothing!

Clea

No! It is not of you I am thinking! If, by some unbelievable miracle you should triumph, it could mean the end of us!

Appearing in "The Mystery Villain!"

Featured Characters:

Antagonists:

Mystery Villain

Other Characters:

William Lumpkin
Wizard (Recap)
Paste-Pot Pete (Recap)
Sub-Mariner (Recap)
Aunt Petunia (Mentioned)

Locations:

New York State
- New York City
- Glenville
Utah
- Salt Flats (First appearance)

Items:

Paste-Gun (Recap)

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "The Mystery Villain!"

After a training session ends with the Torch complaining about Mr. Fantastic being the leader of the FF, he and the Thing are invited to a charity auto race. While on the route, the two heroes are captured by a mysterious villain who keeps the two heroes on their toes. Admitting defeat, the Torch and Thing realize that they've been fighting Mr. Fantastic in disguise, who set up the whole ruse to teach them a lesson about his group leadership.

Appearing in "Duel With The Dread Dormammu!"

Featured Characters:

Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Dormammu

Other Characters:

Hoggoth (Invoked)
Vishanti (Invoked)
Oshtur (Invoked)
Raggadorr (Invoked)
Valtorr (Invoked)

Races and Species:

Mindless Ones (First appearance)

Locations:

Items:

Amulet of Agamotto
Lesser Cloak of Levitation
Flames of Regency
Eye of Agamotto (First appearance)
Cloak of Levitation (First appearance)
Spells
- Hosts of Hoggoth (Invoked)
- Rings of Raggadorr (Invoked)
- Vapors of Valtorr (Invoked)

Vehicles:

Synopsis for "Duel With The Dread Dormammu!"

While waiting for his duel against Dormammu, Clea shows Doctor Strange around the Dark Dimension, including the area of the realm which is sealed with a mystic barrier to contain the Mindless Ones. As the duel starts, Dormammu imprisons Clea. The mystical power Dormammu expends during the duel leads to a weakening of the spell keeping the Mindless ones at bay, and they escape. Doctor Strange helps Dormammu reestablish the barrier, and in gratitude, Dormammu agrees to a pledge not to invade the Earth's dimension. Returning to Earth's dimension, Doctor Strange is rewarded by the Ancient One with two new items: A cloak of levitation, and the Eye of Agamotto.

Notes

Continuity Notes

The Mystery Villain!

Johnny mentions his recent battles against the Wizard (Strange Tales #118), Paste-Pot Pete (Strange Tales #124) and the Sub-Mariner (Strange Tales #125).

Although Reed abandons the Mystery Villain disguise, it's later co-opted by Nick Fury in Fantastic Four #154.

Duel with the Dread Dormammu!

Clea is unnamed until Strange Tales #146.

Dormammu is confined to his vow to not try and invade the Earth dimension. His first attempt to break this rule comes during the Avengers/Defenders War in Avengers #115–118 and Defenders #8–11.

Publication Notes

This story contains a one page pin-up of The Thing: A Marvel Masterwork Pin-up"--Dick Ayers art
Human Torch story is Job # X-788
Doctor Strange story is Job # X-813
Includes letters page: Strange Mails-Letters from Rick Paul, Clyde Smith, Kristen Barrett, Chris Clark and Rita Hoard.
Also includes "Special Announcement Section" and "The Mighty Marvel Checklist"