House of Secrets #18 is an issue of the series House of Secrets (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1959.
Synopsis for "Prisoner of the Sorcerer-Stone!"
Archeologist Thaddeus Watkins uncovers an ancient chest containing a mysterious inscribed stone. The stone relates the story of a sorcerer named Rondell who was charged with the task of turning base metals into gold. The gold is needed to raise funds for mercenaries to protect the kingdom from invading forces. After numerous attempts, Rondell finds that he has failed to produce any gold but he then discovers that he has created a power stone that gives him incredible magical abilities. He controls storms in the ocean and eliminates the threat of an invading army. He has tremendous power and eventually overthrows the king to take control of the kingdom for himself. His power is unmatched until he is found dead one day. The power stone is then sealed in a chest and dumped into the ocean for fear of its incredible power. Watkins finishes the story but is skeptical as to its validity. He decides to test the power of the stone for himself and uses it to tear off the peak of a nearby mountain. He restores the peak and contemplates at all the things he could do with the stone and its power. In the end Watkins destroys the stone once he realizes that he is becoming obsessed with power just like Rondell.
Appearing in "Prisoner of the Sorcerer-Stone!"
Featured Characters:
- Thaddeus Watkins (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- King Walthrup (Flashback only) (Single appearance)
- Parno (Flashback only) (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Rondell (Dies in flashback) (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Old castle
Items:
- Sorcerer's Stone, a magic tablet (Destroyed)
Synopsis for "The Criminal Who Couldn't Be Caught!"
Appearing in "The Criminal Who Couldn't Be Caught!"
Featured Characters:
- Sgt. Mike Warner (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Plutonians
- Chief Raa (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Mr. Quicksilver (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Garner (Single appearance)
- Mac (Single appearance)
- Police Chief (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
Locations:
- An undisclosed city
Items:
- Ice-Foam Spray
Vehicles:
- Squad car
- Space Cycles
Synopsis for "The Creatures in Orbit"
Appearing in "The Creatures in Orbit"
Featured Characters:
- Donald Lee (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Joe (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Kirk (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mr. Bajli (Single appearance)
- Old wise man (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
Locations:
- United States of America
- Orbit Advertising Agency
- Irastan
- Temple of Hoda
Items:
- King Kola neon sign
Vehicles:
- Rocket
Synopsis for "The Fantastic Typewriter"
Appearing in "The Fantastic Typewriter"
Featured Characters:
- An author (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Jay Manson (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Hannibal's Horde
Locations:
- Jay Manson's estate
- Old Wizard's Cave
Items:
- Typewriter
Notes
- "Prisoner of the Sorcerer-Stone!" is reprinted in The Unexpected #158, where it's retitled as "Prisoner of the Power-Stone!".
- Other features appearing in this issue of House of Secrets include:
- "The Family Favorite!", a PSA written by Jack Schiff, with art by Bernard Baily, and lettering Ira Schnapp.
- "Peter Puptent, Explorer" by Henry Boltinoff.
- "Vengeance of the Sacred Tiger" by George Kashdan.
See Also