Tales of the Unexpected #103 is an issue of the series Tales of the Unexpected (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 1967.
Synopsis for "ABC To Disaster"
A scientist named Bruce has created a machine in which he merely spells a word and the object materializes into reality. He uses his Alpha Materializer to spell out the word Jet and it materializes in the sky but it quickly falls apart and disintegrates. He attempts to make the machine work once again this time typing in the word Herd which causes a herd of cattle to appear. The cattle appear on the landscape but only momentarily as they quickly fade away. The scientist works with an assistant named Joel who is actually an alien named Trago. The alien is working with the earth scientist in the hopes of procuring the amazing machine to eliminate civilization and prepare it for alien colonization. Late that night the scientist awakes from his sleep and decides to double the transistor output which would result in increased power to help the materialized objects from indefinitely. He makes the adjustments and uses the machine to create a Haunted House. He explores the house and is amazed that it holds together. As Bruce continues to explore he runs into a ghost which pursues him until he almost falls through a trap door. Bruce runs out of the house to escape and notices that someone is using his machine to spell out the word Bike. He then notices that the word changes to HBOM and fears that someone is trying to create a destructive weapon. Bruce then spots his assistant Joel in the horizon as he changes into his alien form. The alien reveals his plans to destroy civilization even if it means that he too will perish in his suicide mission. Bruce and the alien struggle with each other in a fight to the death. Bruce runs into the haunted house with the alien in pursuit. He runs into the hallway and tricks the alien into falling through the trap door that he almost fell into earlier. As the alien falls into the bottomless pit, Bruce notices that someone is using his machine once more. The word HBOMB appears in the sky and the scientist races to his laboratory to stop the user from blowing up the earth. He is surprised to find a little boy at the controls. The boy reveals that he was merely spelling out his name Howard Bombar as the scientist destroys the machine declaring that the world is not ready for it.
Appearing in "ABC To Disaster"
- Appearances not yet listed
Synopsis for Green Glob: "The Unlucky Mr Lucky"
Photographer David Atkinson goes about his day as a mysterious Green Glob enters his body and generates incredibly good luck. The good fortune starts when one of his many stories gets purchased by a publication and he receives a check. He then heads over to Joe’s diner for coffee where he tries to convince a beautiful waitress named Sally to go out on a date. After getting rejected, he leaves the diner on his way to the airport with a business acquaintance named Eddie and almost has a near accident when a boy runs out in front of their car. As luck would have it the car has a tire blowout which veers the vehicle out of the way and the boy escapes unharmed. Atkinson reaches the airport in time to catch his flight. They take off on tie but the small plane suddenly dives towards the Earth due to a powerful down draft. The plane is about to smash into the ground when it suddenly shoot back up into the sky. Atkinson cannot believe his incredible luck. He reaches his destination where he is to shoot pictures of a gem show. While he is there he suddenly decides to use his good luck to steal a gem. He spots a gem on the floor and picks it up only to find a security guard and a museum official standing above him. Atkinson has no choice but to pretend that he had found the gem and was about to return it. He then decides to share his good luck with the pretty waitress but upon returning to Joes Diner, he finds that Sally has suddenly become engaged. Atkinson cannot believe how his luck has changed. The green glob leaves his body and Atkinson decides that his good luck was destroyed by greed.
Appearing in Green Glob: "The Unlucky Mr Lucky"
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Synopsis for "The Guardian of the Past"
An archeologist name Haver explores the newly discovered tomb of Khardis III. The tomb features a huge statue of an Egyptian god with emeralds in place of the eyes. An expedition member by the name of Gamel steals the jeweled eyes for himself and flees through a mysterious door in the tomb. Haver notices the theft and follows after Gamel through the door. The two men suddenly find themselves back in time in ancient Egypt. A group of guards starts to chase Gamel for stealing the jeweled eyes. He is imprisoned but Haver is determined not to return back to the present without trying to help Gamel. He befriends a black cat that accompanies him back to Gamels jail cell. Haver uses his pistol to break into the cell and frees Gamel. The loud sound summons the prison guards that suddenly appear. Haver and Gamel are not sure where to run but they notice that the black cat wants them to follow it. The cat leads the two men through a maze of tunnels that lead back to the present. Haver then returns the jewel emeralds back to the god statue which happens to be a cat god. The men surmise that perhaps the black cat assisted them knowing that the jeweled eyes would be returned back to the cat god statue. They also discover an inscription written at the base of the statue declaring doom to whoever violates the tomb. It reveals that the statue is an eternal guardian of the past.
Appearing in "The Guardian of the Past"
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Notes
- First issue for Murray Boltinoff as Editor, replacing Jack Schiff.
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