A Past Gone Mad!

The mystical being known as the Dark Rider has orchistrated events during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in order to draw out Doctor Doom in order to steal his magical energies. His arrival brings the praises of Cotton Mather, a unwitting dupe of the Dark Rider. Unimpressed with Mather's insane ramblings, Doctor Doom knocks Cotton Mather aside. The Dark Raider recounts the events that lead to the birth of Doctor Doom, Spider-Man and the Vision attempt to attack their foe. In response, the Dark Rider uses his powers to make a cat grow in size. The pair struggle with the massive feline until it is blasted by a hex bolt from the Scarlet Witch, causing the cat to return to normal. The expendature of mystical energy all go to feed the Dark Rider who grows in size.

Meanwhile, not far away in the town of Salem, John Proctor and his followers are being brought to trial as they have been accused of being witches. Before the judge, Proctor swears that he is not a witch, but the young girls who accused him begin raving like they are being hexed by him. These claims are validated when the image of sirens appear over the court. Regarldess of Proctor's insistances that he is not a witch, he and his people are found guilty and ordered to hang. While back in the forest, the battle rages on. As Doctor Doom attempts to fight off the Dark Rider, his only serves to increase his foe's power. As Spider-Man and the Vision watch on, the Scarlet Witch realises that she must help Doctor Doom in order to stop another foe.

During their opening salvo, the Dark Rider is able to fight off both the Vision and Spider-Man. The Scarlet Witch manages to stun the Rider with a hex bolt. However, he soon breaks free and incapacitates Doom and the Witch, leaving none to stand in his way.

Recurring Caracters

Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Cotton Mather, Dark Rider

Continuity Notes

• The Dark Rider recounts Doctor Doom's origins as they were told in Fantastic F our Annual #2.

• The Scarlet Witch refers to herself as a mutant. However, this is not accurate at all. As revealed in Uncanny Avengers (vol. 2) #4-5, she was experimented upon by the High Evolutionary. In order to cover up his work, he made all DNA scans register as such. Scarlet Witch (vol. 2) #1-15 reveals that she is actually a sorceress.