Issue(s): Astonishing #4, Astonishing #6
Cover Date: Jun-Oct 51
Title: "Screaming tomb!" / "Murder by magic"
Credits:
Bill Everett - Writer
Bill Everett - Penciler
Bill Everett - Inker

Review/plot:
The UHBMCC doesn't list Bill Everett as the writer but i think it's a safe bet.

Here are two more Marvel Boy stories reprinted in the back of an issue of the Marvel Boy: The Uranian mini-series.

The first, from Astonishing #4, has Marvel Boy helping a friend on an archeological expedition with her father. They delved into the Rosetti Catacombs and found themselves facing an undead horde lead by Madame La Morte.

Marvel Boy's wrist-light is as effective as sunlight in fighting the undead.

Marvel Boy doesn't show any mercy.

    

In the story from Astonishing #6, Marvel Boy teams up with a magician named Pasha who magically decapitates his mobster opponents.

Marvel Boy is a bit shocked at first over the lethal force used, but he isn't too concerned when Pasha teleports away from the police.

Marvel Boy is barely in costume for this story; just a brief panel where he's leaving his rocket with "Joe" for service.

Based on the title of the fact that this series touts its stories as "Astonishing Tales of Science Fiction", and the fact that Marvel Boy is meant to be a sort of science ambassador from an advanced civilization, i was really expecting him to use his advanced science to reveal that these mystical threats were actually grounded in reality, but i was apparently taking things too literally.

Quality Rating: D+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• I was pretty surprised to see an actual footnote reference in Astonishing #4. Marvel Boy's friend, Starr Ryder, appeared previously in an earlier issue. Marvel Boy even references the story title ("Haven't seen you since the 'Blast of Doom' episode!"). One slight incongruity: the footnote says "Astonishing, February 1951", but the title of the series was actually Marvel Boy at that point.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Marvel Boy: The Uranian #2