Weird Science-Fantasy #25
In a future where robots tirelessly harvest crops each spring, one begins to sense something beyond its programming—curiosity, then connection. When it discovers a hidden chamber filled with humans in suspended animation, it awakens a scientist who reveals the truth: the world was saved from war by a plan to preserve life until the Earth could bloom again. The robot’s growing empathy is tested when it eats a tomato, leading to a moment of devastating realization. Written by Al Feldstein and illustrated by Joe Orlando, with bold, expressive colors by Marie Severin and lettering by Jim Wroten, this chilling tale of memory, purpose, and unintended consequence is a standout in EC’s legendary Weird Science-Fantasy series. The striking cover by Al Williamson captures the eerie wonder of the unknown.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
In the future, robots harvest crops every spring like clockwork. One of the robots begins to feel a sense of attachment to the crops. One day he finds a hidden door which leads to a vast chamber full of humans in suspended animation. A human is revived and explains that he is a scientist and that he and his fellow scientists knew the world was going to be destroyed by war which is why they went into suspended animation. They built the robots to grow crops and revive them when the Earth was fertile again. After the scientist eats a tomato, the robot feels horror and kills him.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).