Strange Tales #121 — Nick Peron

Oct 5

Oct 5 Strange Tales #121

Prisoner of the Plantman!

YACReader - Strange Tales #121 (1964).cbr 2019-10-06 00.45.21.png — Credit

While dreaming about his last battle against the Plantman, Johnny is rudely awakened by a bucket of water being thrown on him by the subject of his dream. After locking the soaking wet Torch in his closet, Plantman robs a nearby hotel and escapes before the Torch can get free and stop him. At the hotel, Torch is met by his girlfriend Doris, who is afraid that Plantman might target her father for revenge once more.

While waiting for Plantman's next move, the Torch receives a letter challenging him to a one-on-one duel against Plantman. Battling the villain, the Torch uses weed killer against Plantman's plant attacks. When the Torch finally has Plantman caught, Plantman boasts that he has Doris hostage. The Torch, having guessed Plantman's, informs him that he had put Doris under the protection of the Thing, who would prevent any plants from capturing her. Soon the authorities arrive and Plantman is arrested.

Recurring Characters

Human Torch, Doris Evans, Plantman, Fantastic Four (Invisible Girl, Mister Fantastic, Thing)

Continuity Notes

The Plantman's origins were first revealed in Strange Tales #113. The Planet Man's origins are expanded upon in Namor the Sub-Mariner #24, which explains that Smither's plant growing device was empowered by the extra-dimensional plant creatures known as the H'ylthri.

Witchcraft in the Wax Museum!

Answering a call for help by travelling via his astral form, Doctor Strange finds that it is a hoax. Returning to his Sanctum, Strange discovers that his body has been stolen. Baron Mordo contacts him and explains that he stole the body, hoping that Strange would spend too much time outside his body, and perish.

After battling ectoplastmic warriors summoned by Mordo, Strange tracks Mordo to a wax museum, where Strange's body has been put on display, but shielded from him with a spell. When Mordo attacks in person, Strange possesses one of the wax sculptures and physically takes out his opponent, tying him up. Mordo leaves his body in astral form, where he and Strange battle. Strange conjures a spell, trapping Mordo in a mystical shield preventing him from returning to his body. With Mordo defeated, Strange reverses the spell on his own physical body and returns to it. He puts Mordo's body on display in the wax museum.