The Sandman Strikes! The Origin Of Dr. Strange! * Zero Time! STORY 1: Summoned by Reed Richards to the Baxter Building, the Human Torch is informed that his next mission is to stop the Sandman who has just escaped from prison. Finding the crook, the Torch is told that Sandman will only face Spider-Man, as Spider-Man is the hero who had put him behind bars. The Torch then disguises himself as Spider-Man issues a challenge to the villain to fight him one on one, however, the Sandman gets the drop on "Spider-Man" and attacks him from behind. The Torch flames on, burning his imitation Spider-Man suit in the process, and tries to fight Sandman again, and even when doused in water and unable to use his flame powers, the Torch manages to gain the upper hand and defeat Sandman, turning him over to the authorities. The real Spider-Man, who had been making his way towards the scene of the battle does not arrive until the fight is over. Spider-Man expresses relief that the Torch is okay, but he is also worried that the Torch may be a more successful teenage superhero than he is.
* STORY 2: Origin of DR. STRANGE: Doctor Stephen Strange is a famous surgeon who works only for money, not caring for his patients nor interested in medical research. An auto accident damages the nerves in his hands severely and he can never perform an operation again. The proud Strange refuses to work for others and ends up on the street. He learns about the healing powers of the Ancient One and travels to his sanctuary in India. The Ancient One refuses to heal Strange because of his selfish motives, however, sudden snow forces Strange to remain in the sanctuary until the snow thaws. Here he witnesses the Ancient One's pupil, Baron Mordo, launch magical attacks upon his master. Mordo casts a spell upon Strange to stop him from warning the Ancient One of the attacks' origins. Strange, therefore, resolves to learn the secrets of black magics to defeat Mordo himself. The Ancient One accepts Strange as his disciple and dispels Mordo's spell which he had known about all along.