Strange Tales #163 - 7.0 - $26.00

first Clay Quartermain

As Fury escapes the monster octopus The Yellow Claw spies on A.I.M. Torn by her conscience Suwan contacts Jimmy Woo who tells Fury of the Claw's plans to steal The Ultimate Annihilator from A.I.M. Fury meets Clay Quartermain who joins him on his mission to tackle an A.I.M. squad. They retrieve a dragon statue which the Claw steals, unaware it was only a duplicate. The real statue speaks the names of 4 scientists when struck but Fury is too late to save the first 3. Impersonating the 4th, Fury confronts the Claw but is overcome by his hypnotic powers and shot with the Ultimate Annihilator.

The Living Tribunal learns that Nebulos' staff is a force of evil which he must destroy. As the Tribunal & Nebulos battle, Strange fears for the life of the missing Victoria. The Tribunal uses "Cosmic Lightning" to begin destroying Nebulos' home planet! As Nebulos refuses to hand over his staff to the Tribunal, Strange wrests it away as Nebulos is buried under an avalanche. Strange hands the staff to the Tribunal, declaring the "Cosmic Balance" restored! In reward, the Tribunal sends Strange to the world where Nebulos imprisoned Victoria, warning him of the terrible dangers that await him.

• And the Dragon Cried... Death! - In the introduction to Marvel Masterworks: Nick Fury Agent of Shield Volume 2 Steranko says he took over the color chores with Strange Tales # 165 although the earlier checklist in Comic Book Marketplace # 28, October 1995, credits him with coloring beginning with # 157. Part 5 of 9. Clay Quartermain is based on Kirk Douglas. The Dragon, when wrapped up, pays tribute to The Maltese Falcon. A.I.M. fought Captain America in TALES OF SUSPENSE #92-94 (August-October 1967); next appearance against Iron Man in TALES OF SUSPENSE #97-99 (January-March 1968).
• Instant Info, Insanely Inspired by Irrelevant Items of Incredible Inconsequence! - Stan's Soapbox!, Items, The Mighty Marvel Checklist, Let's Meet 26 More M.M.M.S. Members!
• Three Faces of Doom! - Part 17 of 22; part 6 of the Living Tribunal sequence. Several panels based closely on Steve Ditko panels; the effect resembles Ditko pencils inked by Wood.
• - Letters of comment from Steven DeForrest, Michael Pagano, and George John; also includes Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon. Includes illustrations taken from previous issues.