Weird Science #1
In "Lost in the Microcosm," Harvey Kurtzman’s bold, satirical vision unfolds as Professor Harlow tests his theory on the origins of war by orchestrating a devastating fake Martian invasion. Using a staged atomic attack on Middleburg and manipulating the United Nations into a global retaliation, he forces peace through manufactured fear—only to face an unexpected consequence when Mars responds in kind. With art and lettering by Kurtzman and a striking cover by Al Feldstein, this 1980 issue stands as a chilling, thought-provoking commentary on conflict and perception.
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Professor Harlow explains to his assistant, Arthur, his theory of how wars begin and how they escalate. Utilizing his theory to bring about an end to war on Earth, he fakes an attack on Earth from Mars by destroying the town of Middleburg with an atom bomb, killing 300 people. Claiming the rocket came from Mars, he convinces the United Nations to retaliate with hundreds of super rockets. With all countries united against a common enemy, all wars on Earth come to an end. The attack on Mars is successful, until Mars sends its own "rain of rocket bombs."
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).