Strange Tales 1951 #123 - 4.5 - $27.00

Mechanic-inventor Abner Jenkins creates the identity of The Beetle. While taking the Fantasti-Car for a double-date, Johnny & Ben wind up being humiliated by The Beetle. But when he tries to rip off the NY World's Fair, the rematch goes the other way.

Strange practices the art of levitation. Meanwhile, in faraway Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, Loki, God of Mischief, plots as always. He contacts Strange and tries to convince him that he is a prisoner of Thor, who is evil and deceiving his father. Strange uses a spell to take Thor's hammer, but on examining it, can sense no trace of evil. Realizing he's been had, Strange battle Loki, who later swears vengeance against the mage.

A man becomes confused over directions to the dentist and as a result accidentally pilots an expedition to claim a new planet.

Includes 10 pages of paid advertisements. On-sale date from 1964 Periodicals, Copyright Office, Library of Congress.

• The Beetle!; Loki! - Inks credit per Nick Caputo (26 July 2005); previous indexer credited George Roussos.
• The Birth of the Beetle! - Carl Burgos was the creator of the original Human Torch! The Beetle next appears in Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel, 1963 series) #21 (February 1965).
• The Challenge of Loki! - Loki would seek revenge against Strange the very next month in Journey Into Mystery #108 (September 1964).
• Two More Triumphs for Marvel..! - promos for Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel, 1963 series) #15 (August 1964) and Fantastic Four (Marvel, 1961 series) #29 (August 1964) include cover repros. Printed between the pages of the Dr. Strange story.
• Strange Mission - Text story with illustration. Printed after Dr. Strange story. Continues from last issue but with no indication that it is a continued story.