House of Mystery #165 is an issue of the series House of Mystery (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1967. It was published on January 5, 1967.
Synopsis for Dial 'H' for HERO: "The Freak Super-Heroes"
In the interests of protecting his operations from the plague of superheroes in their town, a gangster hires out the services of a Dr. Rigoro Mortis, who's invented a powerful robot named Super-Hood he's sure can handle any meddling hero. While playing badminton, Robby Reed overhears a bulletin about Super-Hood robbing a bank and feigns twisting his ankle to be able to slip away and use his H-Dial. To Robby's surprise, he turns into a strange ball-like being named Whoozis. He bounces to the bank but is frozen solid by Super-Hood, only managing to escape by changing back to Robby.
To go after them Robby uses his dial again, but changes into Whatsis, a being like a giant boomerang with arms and legs. He flies to stop the gang from robbing a visiting sultan, but it turns out to be a trap with the sultan actually being Super-Hood in disguise. Again, the robot easily overwhelms him, and throws him down an elevator shaft. Although Whatsis' shape makes gliding safely to the bottom easy, Robby tries to change to another hero hoping to gain a more useful form this time. The next hero Robby becomes is Howzis, a robot resembling an ambulatory pinball machine. By concentrating he's able to control where the balls land in his body and thus which powers they activate, which finally gives him something that can stand up to Super-Hood. Howzis tracks the gang to their hideout with his radar, then shrinks Super-Hood into a harmless toy with a size-changing ray.
Back at home, Robby hears about a "freak electrical storm" in space, and figures that's what made the heroes he became turn out so bizarre.
Appearing in Dial 'H' for HERO: "The Freak Super-Heroes"
Featured Characters:
- Robby Reed
- Whoozis
- Whatsis
- Howzis
Supporting Characters:
- Gramps
- Miss Millie
Antagonists:
- Georgie Craft (Single appearance)
- Dr. Rigoro Mortis (First appearance)
- Super-Hood (Single appearance)
- Archie (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Littleville
- Central City
Items:
Synopsis for Martian Manhunter: "The Deadly Martian"
Prof. Arnold Hugo appears once again and stymies the Manhunter with a weapon that turns his body radioactive.
Appearing in Martian Manhunter: "The Deadly Martian"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Arnold Hugo (Final appearance)
- two henchman (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Spiros Lasser (Single appearance)
Locations:
- France
- Belois Woods
Items:
- Radium Spray-Gun (Destroyed)
Notes
- "The Freak Super-Heroes" was reprinted in Showcase Presents: Dial H for Hero Vol. 1.
- "The Deadly Martian" was reprinted in Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2.
- This issue contains a pin-up of Robby Reed featuring all the heroes he's become so far.
- The letters page includes another letter from Irene Vartanoff.
See Also