Strange Tales #123
The Birth of the Beetle!
On the way to take the girls out to an event at the World's Fair grounds, the Thing and Human Torch soon find themselves dealing with a new costumed villain known as the Beetle: A disenfranchised inventor who wishes to make it rich the easy way. Thwarting the Beetle's thefts, and battling him on the World's Fair playground, the two heroes eventually defeat the Beetle and turn him over to the authorities.
Recurring Characters
Human Torch, Thing, Doris Evans, Alicia Masters, Beetle, Stan Lee, Carl Burgos
Continuity Notes
The battle between the Torch, Thing, and the Beetle is referenced in Marvels #2.
This story states that it takes place during the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This should be considered a topical reference per the sliding timescale of Earth-616. Modern readers should view this as the Thing and Torch taking their dates to an event at the World’s Fair grounds, not the actual 64 Fair.
On the other hand, the appearances of Stan Lee and Carl Burgos in this story are not topical. Marvel creators are not affected by the Sliding Timescale. They exist in the modern age as though they are in their relative prime.
The Challenge of Loki!
In order to get control of Thor's hammer, Loki tricks Doctor Strange into believing that Loki is a helpless prisoner of the "evil" Thor, and the only way to free him is by gaining control of Thor's hammer. Using a spell to draw Thor's hammer to him, Loki reveals his ruse before the hammer can get to them. Cancelling the spell and having Thor track its path to his Sanctum, Doctor Strange attempts to fight off Loki. Loki proves to be more adept at magic than Strange; however, Loki is forced to retreat when he sees that Thor is on his way. With Loki gone, Thor continues on his merry way, unaware of the plot against him that almost succeeded.
Recurring Characters
Doctor Strange, Thor, Loki, Odin
Continuity Notes
Doctor Strange threatens to trap Loki in the Purple Dimension, which Strange first visited in Strange Tales #119.
