Strange Tales #127
The Mystery Villain!
After a training session ends with the Torch complaining about Mr. Fantastic being the leader of the Fantastic Four, he and the Thing are invited to a charity auto race. While on the route, the two heroes are captured by a mysterious villain who keeps the two heroes on their toes. Admitting defeat, the Torch and Thing realize that they've been fighting Mr. Fantastic in disguise, who set up the whole ruse to teach them a lesson about his group leadership.
Recurring Characters
Human Torch, Thing, Mister Fantastic, Willie Lumpkin
Continuity Notes
Johnny mentions his recent battles against the Wizard (Strange Tales #118), Paste-Pot Pete (Strange Tales #124) and the Sub-Mariner (Strange Tales #125).
Although Reed abandons the Mystery Villain disguise, it's later co-opted by Nick Fury in Fantastic Four #154.
Duel With The Dread Dormammu!
While waiting for his duel against Dormammu, Clea shows Doctor Strange around the Dark Dimension, including the area of the realm which is sealed with a mystic barrier to contain the Mindless Ones. As the duel starts, Dormammu imprisons Clea. The mystical power Dormammu expends during the duel leads to a weakening of the spell keeping the Mindless ones at bay, and they escape. Doctor Strange helps Dormammu reestablish the barrier, and in gratitude, Dormammu agrees to a pledge not to invade the Earth's dimension. Returning to Earth's dimension, Doctor Strange is rewarded by the Ancient One with two new items: A cloak of levitation, and the Eye of Agamotto.
Recurring Characters
Doctor Strange, Clea, Ancient One, Dormammu, Mindless Ones
Continuity Notes
Clea is unnamed until Strange Tales #146.
Dormammu is confined to his vow to not try and invade the Earth dimension. His first attempt to break this rule comes during the Avengers/Defenders War in Avengers #115-118 and Defenders #8-11.
