Strange Tales 1951 #146 - 6.5 - $35.00

• First app: A.I.M.
• Early app: Eternity (2nd appearance)
• First cover: Eternity
• Key event: Identity of Clea revealed

Aboard the Heli-Carrier Count Royale, a representative of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) a society of the world's greatest intellects, is offended by SHIELD's security measures. Fury uses a sonic vibrator to blast into an underwater base but is trapped between electric energy waves. A stalemate occurs when Fury reveals he has fission bombs that would blow up the base. A group of androids escape and trample AIM's hordes. Royale tells SHIELD's directors he cannot offer AIM's services and technology under their current leader. Defeating the androids Fury suspects A.I.M behind the operation.

Using his mystic powers to temporarily bind the sleeping Eternity, Dormammu lures Strange to another dimension and challenges him, but as they begin their mystical combat Eternity breaks free. He tells Dormammu to end the violence, but instead he attacks Eternity. Their encounter is brief and destructive as Dormammu is smashed between two colliding spheres. Eternity vanishes while Strange is hurled between dimensions and rescued by the Ancient One. Strange releases all those who were banished by him, including Baron Mordo and Clea, whom he affectionately bids farewell to for the time being.

Probable arrival date based on front cover stamp of indexer's copy. Catalog of Copyright Entries, 1966 Periodicals, page 336, states 1966-04-12 is the publication date.

• The End at Last! - First full DR. STRANGE cover; alternates with SHIELD until end of run in STRANGE TALES #168 (May 1968). Images taken from interior Dr. Strange story.
• When the Unliving Strike! - Part 2 of 5. Story continues from TALES OF SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966), and presumably the flashback in STRANGE TALES #160-161 (Sept-Oct 1967) which was "too secret" for anyone to talk about. The android-growing tanks appear to pay tribute to THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951). 1st published appearance of Count Royale; based on the dialogue the story takes place after his appearance in this month's TALES OF SUSPENSE #79 (July 1966) since his motivations in this story are questionable (his guilt is confirmed in the Captain America episode). Stark's problems with the Senate in TALES OF SUSPENSE #72-84 (December 1965-December 1966) are mentioned; his plant is forcibly shut down in SUSPENSE #78 (June 1966) presumably allowing A.I.M. to offer their technology to SHIELD.
• Incredible, Indubitable, Interminable Items to Startle Your Sense and Soothe Your Soul! - Bulletins; The Mighty Marvel Checklist; Let's Meet 26 More M.M.M.S. Members!
• The End -- At Last! - Part 17 of 17. Second appearance of Eternity. Previous appearance in STRANGE TALES #138 (November 1965). Next appearance in DR. STRANGE #180 (May 1969). Dormammu returns in DR. STRANGE #172 (September 1968). Clea's name revealed in this episode. Steve Ditko's last issue.
• - Letters of comment from Mickey Schwaberow; John LaForgia; Chuck Elliot; Don Gardner; and Mrs. James R. Gordon. Also includes Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon.