Challengers of the Unknown (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1973.
Synopsis for "The Day The Earth Blew Up"
This story is reprinted from Showcase #11.
While taking on a mission to investigate weird happenings at an abandoned military outpost in the arctic, the Challengers stumble upon a spaceship controlled by the alien Tyrans who are preparing to use their advanced technology to reverse Earth's gravity and eject all it's people into space to make for a quick takeover. Using hypnosis to get one of the Tyrans to do their bidding, the Challengers escape the alien craft and warn the military of the aliens plot to take over the Earth. With the help of military resources, the Challengers manage to fight off the invasion and destroy the alien ship. Saving the day, the story is covered up so as not to incite public fear, and Professor Haley gets a cold for all his trouble.
Appearing in "The Day The Earth Blew Up"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- The Tyrans (Single appearance)
- General Tolek (Single appearance)
- Garnat (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Colonel Price (Single appearance)
- Carl Jackson (a scientist) (Single appearance)
- Warren Moss (a scientist) (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Washington, D.C.
- Challengers' Headquarters
- Antarctica
Items:
- Tyran Environmental Suits (Single appearance)
- Prof's Computerized Diving Suit (Single appearance)
- Tyran Detonators (Single appearance)
Vehicles:
- Challengers' Plane
- Snow Tractor
- Tyran Ship (Single appearance)
- Mobile Tyran Machine (Single appearance) (Destroyed)
- Tyran Pressurized Cars (Single appearance)
- Military Helicopter
- Long-Range Jet Bombers