Little Comic Shop of Horrors - Internet Archive · 2020. 2. 4. · You step inside. The comic shop...

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

Hey!Younevernoticedthatcomicstorebefore.It’skindofdusty—butman,doesithavegreatcomics!

Ifyoucheckoutthebooksonthespinnerrack,you’respunintoacomic-bookuniverse.Whichsuperherodoyouwanttobe?Willthesuper-villainsdestroyyou?Orworse—willyouendupasaninkblot?

IfyoufollowtheHORRORsigntothebasement,lookout!You’llfindhorrordownthere,allright.Butnothorrorcomics…

Thisscaryadventureisallaboutyou.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.Andyoudecidehowterrifyingthescareswillbe!

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.Ifyouchoosewell,you’llmakeithomeagain.Butifyoumakethewrongchoice…BEWARE!

SOTAKEADEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1TOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

Contents

Beware!!

TitlePage

Teaser

AbouttheAuthor

AlsoAvailable

Copyright

“Ithoughtafter-schoolclubsweresupposedtobefun,”yougrumble.Youlovecomicbooks.Andacomicclubsoundedcool.Butit’srunbyHoraceGrumbacher,thedullestkidinschool!

Howcouldsomeonemakeasubjectlikecomicsboring?

Horacemanages.

Heclickshisslideprojectortoapictureofacomicbookcover.“Here’sthefirstissuestarringSuper-Doer,”hedrones.“Today,it’sworthnearlytwohundredthousanddollars.”

Click!“Andhere’sthefirstappearanceofBallisticBug.Thiscomicgoesfornearlytwentythousand.”

Asifanykidinthisclubcanaffordthat,youthink.

Theprojectorclicksagain,andahorrorcomicappearsonthescreen.Excellent!Youlovehorror!

ButHoracecanevenmakehorrordull.“ThisissueofTheCellarofScaryStorieswentforsixteenhundreddollars,”helectures.

Anuglyfacesneersatyoufromthecomiccover.Yuck!Itlookslikearottenpumpkin.Withwarts.

Youturnaway,andnoticetheclassroomclock.Howdiditgetsolate?Yourunoutside—intimetoseeahorriblesight.

“Oh,no!”yougroan.

What’swrong?FindoutonPAGE2.

Theschoolbusisalreadyablockaway.Itleftwithoutyou!

“Thanksalot,Horace,”yougrowl.Becauseofhisboringlecture,nowyouhavetowalkhome!

Ifyoufollowthesamerouteasthebus,youwon’tgethomeforhours.Youdecideyou’dbettertryashortcut.Eventhoughitmeansgoingthroughapartoftownyou’veneverseenbefore.

Youwalkandwalkalongyourshortcut.Witheverystepyoutake,yourbookbaggetsheavier.

Theareayou’recuttingthroughlooksalittleweird.Thebuildingsarealloldanddingy.Thestoreshuddletogetherasifthey’reholdingeachotherup.

Andthestuffinthewindowsisveryweird.YoupassaclothingstorethatseemstobesellingHalloweencostumes—eventhoughHalloweenismonthsaway.Andthosedollsinthattoyshopwindow.Theylooklike…vampires!

You’rerelievedwhenyouspotastoreforvacuumcleaners.That’snormal,youthink.Andnexttoit…

Hey!Acomicshop!

Wanttovisit?GotoPAGE3.

Youstepinside.Thecomicshopisdimlylit.Youcanbarelymakeoutthecomicsonspinningracks.Beyond,indeepershadows,aretableswithrowafterrowofboxes.Thesearethebackissues,wherecollectorslookfortreasures.

Theownerstandsbehindacashregister.Helooksfamiliar,withhisroundfaceandwarts.Butyoucan’tplacehim.

Hegruntswhenheseesyou.“Humph.Kids.”

Well,whodoesheexpecttocomeinandbuycomics?

Asyouwalkpasthim,thestoreownercallsout,“Leaveyourbaguphere!”

Youscowl.Whyishetreatingyoulikeathief?Youthinkaboutleaving.Butyou’dlikearestfromwalking.Andbesides,youreallywanttocheckoutthecomics.

Strollingaroundtheracks,younoticethelatestissueofMajorDisaster.Youboughtitjustaweekago.Thisguyhasastickeronitforhalfprice!

Walkingalittlefaster,youstartpickingupcomicbooks.Doesn’ttheownerknowwhatthesethingsareworth?

Thedeeperintothestoreyougo,thedarkeritgets.Apairofbookcasesblockyourway.Butthere’salittlespacebetweenthem.Youseelightcomingthroughthecrack….

PushthroughtoPAGE4.

Yousqueezebetweenthebookcasesintoanopenarea.Adustylightbulbdanglesfromtheceiling.Initsdimglow,youmakeoutanotherspinningrackfullofcomics.

Asigntapedtothetopoftheracksays:

YOUTHINKTHISISALIBRARY?

LOOK,BUTDON’TTOUCH…ORYOU’LLBESORRY.

Youpeeratthecomicsontherack.Whoa—that’stheissueofBallisticBugfromHorace’sslideshow!Thecomicismarkedfortwobucks!Andupthere,onthetoprack—isthattheincrediblyexpensivecopyofSuper-Doer?

Thenyounoticesomethingelse.Adoorway.Beyondtherack.Metalstairsleaddownward—tothebasement,youguess.Anarrow-shapedsignpointsdownthestairway.Itreads:HORROR.

There’salsoatatteredsignontheopendoor.Youtrytomakeoutthefadedletters.ItseemstosayNOADMITTANCE.TRESPASSERSWILLBEGLOMPFed.

GLOMPFed?What’sthat?

Youdon’treallycare.Allyoucareaboutismakingatoughdecision:Shouldyoutakeacloserlookattherack,orshouldyougodowntothehorrorsection?

Ifyoucheckouttherack,turntoPAGE12.

Ifyougodownstairs,turntoPAGE51.

Awayout?

“Countmein!”youshout.Yourheartstartstothumpinyourchest.Theremightbeawayoutofthismazeofhorrors!

Thenyoustarttowonder.WhyisRusselltreatingitlikeadeep,darksecret?

Russellseesthelookonyourfaceandexplains.

“We’renottakingthewholegroup—onlyafew.Idon’twanttoraisepeople’shopes.Besides,itwillbesaferthisway.”

“Safer?”yougulp.Takingasmallgroupthroughamazefullofkillercreaturesdoesn’tsoundsafetoyou.You’dbehappierinalargegroup—say,anarmy.

WhydoesRussellthinkonlyahandfulofpeoplewouldbebetter?

Whenyouask,Russellreplies,“Idon’twanttodrawattentiontous—eitherfromtheguyupstairs,orfromthemazecreatures.They’dbesuretospotabigcrowdpassingthroughtheirhuntinggrounds.”Russellshakeshishead.“Andthatwouldbebad,becausewherewe’regoingisthemostdangerouspartofthemaze!”

FindmoregoodnewsonPAGE29.

Shuddering,youfollowBob.Theangryhissingofthesnake-creaturefades.Butyoufindyourselfglancingbackeveryfewsteps.Anythingthatsoundslikeascrapefreezesyourblood.Youdon’twanttoseethatthingeveragain!

Alltoosoon,Bobhalts.

“Waithere,”hesays,pointingtoadoorway.“I’llgetRussell.”

“Who’sRussell?”youask.“AndwhydoIhavetowait?”

“Russellisourleader,”Bobreplies.“Hedecideswhetherornotyoucanjoinus.Untilthen,you’renotallowedinourcamp.”

Helooksyouoveragain.“Don’tworry,though.Ithinkyou’rejustwhatweneed.”

Bobgoesoff,leavingyoubythedoorway.

Thisisgreat,youthink.You’relostinamazewheregiantsnake-monstersrule.Andnowyouhavetowait!Alone!

Ordoyou?

IfyoufollowBob,turntoPAGE131.

Ifyouobeyhimandwait,turntoPAGE20.

Youdashouttothestreet,shoutingforhelp.Ablockaway,youfindtwopoliceofficers.Theygiveyoufunnylooksasyoutellthemwhathappened.Buttheyfollowyoutothestore.

“Here’stheplace,”youexclaim,leadingthemtotheComicsDungeon.Hey,that’sweird!Theplaceislockedup.

Throughthewindow,youseeonlyanempty,dustyshop.Itlooksasifit’sbeenvacantformonths!

Aneighboringstoreownerhasthekey.Asearchshowstheplaceisbare.NoMilo.Nocomics.Nocellar!

“Iwasthere!Iwas!”youinsist.

Thepolicedon’tbelieveyou.Butwhenyoustepoutside,youspotJackandCammie,lookingdazed.Oneofficerstares.“Iknowthosekids!Theydisappearedacoupleofweeksago.”

Inthenextfewdays,dozensoflostkidsturnupallovertown.Noneofthemseemtorememberwherethey’vebeen.

Noonebelievesyourstory.Youstarttodoubtityourself.Untilyoufindthecomicyoustuffedinyourpocket.It’sthefirstissueofSuper-Doer.TheonefromHorace’sslideshow.

Okay,sopeopledon’tbelieveyourstory.Buttheyhavetobelievethemansionyouboughtafteryousoldyourrarecomicbookfortonsofmoney….

THEEND

Youreachintoyourpocketandgrabyourkeys.They’rethesharpestthingsyouhaveonyou.

Then,loweringyourhead,youcharge!Youholdyourarmstraightout,withthelongestkeyjuttingoutofyourfist.“Die,monster!”youyell.

Quiveringpurplefleshquakesinfrontofyou.Youramintoitatfullspeed.

ButKingJellyjam’sbodydoesn’tpoplikeaballoon.Itjustgivesway,thenbouncesback.You’resentflying—untilyou’recaughtinagianthand.

“Die?Isthatwhatyousaid?”Milo’svoiceasks.

Thehandbringsyouhighoverthehideouspurpleface.Rubberylipsopentorevealbig,stainedyellowteeth.Twopinktongueswaggleatyouasthehandletsgo.

Fire.MaybeIshouldhavetriedfire,youthinkasyoudropintothehuge,hungrymouth.

THEEND

Allofyouhurryonfearfully.Thesnufflynoisefadesaway.Afterseveralmoretwistsandturns,youfindalong,straighthallway.Attheendarethreeopenings.

“Watchoutfortraps,”Jackwhispers.“I’lltaketheleft.Cammiegetsthemiddle.Youtaketheright.”

Sneakingdownthehall,youpeerthroughyourdoorway.Hey!Thismustbethestoreroomforthecomicshopupstairs.It’spackedwithhundredsofboxesofcomicbooks!

ThenCammiecallsexcitedly,“Inhere—quick!”

YouandJackjoinherinaroomthat’sverydifferentfromtherestofthemaze.Ithaswallpaperandarug.Areadinglampstandsbesideabigarmchair.There’sabedinthecorner.

Andthere’safull-lengthmirrorinanold-fashionedframeagainstonewall.Cammiestepsuptoit—andthemirrorbeginstoglow!Shesticksoutherhand.

Itsinksrightin!

“Amagicmirror!”youcry.“Maybeit’sthewayout!”

Cammiestandsfrozeninfrontofthemirror.Shouldyoulethertrytostepthrough?Orwillyoupushinfirst?

IfyouletCammiego,turntoPAGE118.

Ifyoupushahead,tryPAGE78.

Notimetoworryaboutwhereyou’regoing.Youleapintoatornadooflight.Itwhirlsaroundyou,fasterandfaster.Yourbodystretchesliketaffy….

Then,withaSNAP!you’rebacktonormal.

You’reinsunshine,inthemiddleofastreet.Ahornblaresbehindyouasaschoolbusscreechestoahalt.

Waitaminute.It’snotjustanyschoolbus.It’syourschoolbus.Theoneyoumissedatthestartofthisstrangeadventure!

“Iwould’vestopped,”theannoyedbusdrivertellsyou.“Youdidn’thavetogetyourselfalmostrunover.”

Youclimbaboard,clutchingyourschoolbooks.Wheredidtheycomefrom?Youdon’tknow.AndwhathappenedtoDr.Doof?Certainly,there’snosignofhimhere.

Abreezeblowsapieceofpaperthroughthebuswindow.It’sapagefromacomic.Ithasonlyonelargepanel.

Achillrunsdownyourspinewhenyouseethepicture.ItshowsahorrifiedDr.Doof,frozenintheactofjumpingthroughaholeinspace….

THEEND

Youformaplan.Youjusthopeyou’reright!

Aslimy,purplehandgrabsyou.“Answerme!”Milo’svoicegurglesoutofKingJellyjam’sbody.“AmIscaryenough?”

Tearsrundownyourfacefromhisstench.Youraiseahandtoyourear.“Eh?”youask.“What’sthat,yousay?”

Thecreature’swateryyelloweyesbulgeoutinfury.“AmIscaryenoughforyou?”theawfulvoiceroars.

Thesmellisgrowingevenworse.Youchokeandcough.Butyoumanagetogasp,“You’llhavetospeakup.”

Milosucksinahugebreathtoyellatyou.Snailsrattletothefloorashisbodyswells.Hishandsqueezesyoupainfully.

Thenitloosens.Theyelloweyescross.KingJellyjam’sbodytoppleswithasplat!

Yougotitright!Inthebook,KingJellyjamwassuffocatedbyhisownstink!Youmadeithappen!

ItseemsthattheendofMilomeanstheendofhismagicmaze,too.Thewallsshimmerandmelt,revealingacave.Notfaraway,asetofstairsleadsupward—towardlight.

Youstartclimbing.Youjustwanttogohome.Getsomerest.Recoverfromyourincredibleadventure.

Andtakeabath!Youstink!

THEEND

You’vegottoseeifthattwo-dollarcomicisreallythefamousfirstissueofSuper-Doer.Butwhenyougrabthespinnerrack,itstartstoturn—byitself!Stillworse,themetalrackseemstohaveglueditselftoyourhand.Youcan’tletgo!

Yourjawdropsasthemovingrackyanksyouoffyourfeet.You’redraggedaroundinacircle.Andtherackkeepsspeedingup.

Soon,toyourhorror,youcan’ttouchtheflooranymore.It’slikesomesortofweirdcarnivalride.Therackiswhizzingaround,andyou’reflyingthroughtheair!

“Hey!Hey,mister!”youyelltothestoreowner.Butthewordsaretornfromyourlipsbyascreamingwind.Youfeelasifyou’recaughtinatornado.

Youclenchyourteethtokeepfromgroaning.Yourbodyisstretchedout,likeyou’reawarmpieceoftaffy.Youshiftyourgrip.Onehandtouchesacomicontherack.

Thecomicstartstoglow.Now,suddenly,there’sanewpull.

You’rebeingsuckedintotheglowingcomic!

FlytoPAGE103.

Dr.Doofwagsanarmoredfingeratyou.“Youshouldhavefigureditoutyourself.Whenevermyblast-boltshityourInsecto-ElectricHornet’sSting,there’sabrieftesseractreaction.”

“Awhat?”youask.

“Aholeinspace,”Doofexplains.“Ifwefireateachotheratcloserange,andIheterodynemyblast-bolts—”

“InEnglish,please,”yousayaspolitelyasyoucan.

“Andlittlewords,nodoubt,”Dr.Doofhuffs.“Allright.We’llmakeaholeinspace—andstepthrough.”

Whatever.

“Let’sdoit!”youcry.

Youstandface-to-facewithDr.Doof,readyingyourweapons.“Onthree,”Doofcalls.“One,two…”

BABOOOOOM!

Whenyoureyesfinallyclear,ashimmeringblackholefloatsbetweenyouandDr.Doof.

Dr.Doofsuddenlyleapsintothehole.

“Wait!”youcry.Wheredoeshethinkhe’sgoing?

Andthenyouhearhimscream!

IfyoufollowDr.Doof,turntoPAGE10.

Ifyoulookbeforeyouleap,turntoPAGE90.

You’regoingtofight!EventhoughittakesallyourcouragejusttogazeatMilo’snew,rubberyface.

Youtrytorememberthestoryyouread.ThegirlwhotoldthestorymanagedtodefeatKingJellyjam.Buthow?Terrorhasgotyourmindallmixedup.

DidshepushKingJellyjamintoanoven?No,thatwastheendingtoanoldfairytale.

Thegrosspurplefacesnortsatyou.Yourstomachgurglesatthesourstinkofbadbreath.IsthatwhatdestroyedKingJellyjam?Didhesuffocatefromhisownsmell?

Think!Howwouldyoudestroyahugepurplebody?Onethatlooksjustlikeaslime-filledballoon?DidthegirlinthestorypokeKingJellyjamsohepopped?

Thosebigyelloweyesaregettinganastylook.Timetodecide!

DoyoupokeKingJellyjam?TurntoPAGE8.

Doyoutrytosuffocatethegiantcreature?TurntoPAGE11.

Whenyoushoutthemagicwords,theuniversedoesanotherquickchange.Youspinthroughtheair.Incrediblebrightnessglaresaroundyou.Thenyouthudtothefloor.

Youshakeyourheadtoclearyourbrain.Youseemtobeonastage.Youmustbeinanoldtheater,orsomething.Theblazinglightcomesfromthefistofamanwearingblackarmor,goggles,andametalfacemask.

It’sDr.Doof!Oneofthegreatestmadscientistsincomics!He’salsoBallisticBug’sworstenemy.

Andrightnowhe’saiminghisarmoredfistsatyou.Uh-oh!Thatmeanshe’sgoingtozapyouwithablast-bolt!

Yourbrainisfrozenwithfear,soyourbodytakesoveroninstinct.Thegentlehumyou’vebeennoticinginthebackgroundrisesintoafranticwhine.Thenyoutakeoffinflight!

Hey!How’dyoudothat?

FindoutonPAGE81.

Youjumpbackwithahorrifiedscream.Thesecreaturesaren’thuman!They’re…bugs!

Oddlyenough,whentheyseeyou,thebug-peopleleapback,too.Theyraisesticklikearmsinfrontoftheirfaces.Theirbuzzingsuddenlybecomesveryshrill.

Imustlookasscarytothemastheydotome!yourealize.Fightingbackyourownterror,youmanageafriendlysmile.Whatdogoodalienssayinsci-ficomics?Oh,right.

“Icomeinpeace,”youcall.

Toobadthebug-peopledon’tspeakEnglish.Theirbuzzingrisestoashriekasyouwalktowardthem.Yougrabyourearsattheshrillsoundsofhundredsofalienscreams.It’sworsethanthewhineofadentist’sdrill!

Ouch!GotoPAGE93.

YouturnanxiouslytotherestofY’sGuys.Wolfen-Bean,theFightingVegetable,andStinkyStanleylookconfused.SodoesJeanGreene.You’renotsurewhatherpoweris,butyouknowitinvolvescomingbackfromthedead.

They’reallfiercefighters.Whatwilltheydoiftheydiscoveryou’rethealienProfessorYistalkingabout?

“Canyoutellusmoreaboutthesevisitors?”youask.

“Yeah,Professor,”JeanGreenepipesup.“Howdoweknowthey’reevil?”

“Sure,”Wolfen-Beanchimesin.“Maybethey’rejustlost,orsomething.”

“Thisisn’tsomethingtovoteover,”ProfessorYgrowls.“Mymarvelousmindpowerswarnmeofdanger.”Hecloseshiseyesasthoughhe’slisteningtoatinyvoice.

Thenhiseyesopenwide.“Oneoftheinvadersisinthisveryroom!Hemustbeashape-shifter!”

“Um,Professor,”youbegin.

ProfessorYwhipsaround,pointing.“You’retheone!”

Findoutwhohe’spointingatonPAGE134.

Abiggobofgoofliesfromthecreature’smouth.Itmissesyou,butlandsonthewallbehindyou.Immediately,theplywoodstartstobubbleandhiss!Thething’sspitmustbeacid!Ifithadtouchedyou…

“Run!”Russellshouts.

Aliciadragsyouaroundthecorner.Afteracoupleofminutesofrunning,thegroupslowsdown.“It’sdangerous,butit’snotfast,”Aliciapants.

Ahead,RussellandBobarearguinginwhispers.Russellturnstoallofyou.“TheSpitterisblockingthepathweplannedtotake,”heexplains.“IthinkweshouldcirclearounditeventhoughthatmeansspendingmoretimeintheDangerZone.”Hepointsatadoorwayintheplywoodwall.“ButBobthinkswecancutthroughhere.Theproblemis,noneofushavebeenthroughthispartofthemazebefore.”

Russelllooksatyourlittlegroup.“We’lltakeavote.Whichwaydoyouwanttogo?”

IfyougoalongwithRussell,turntoPAGE24.

IfyouthinkBobhasabetteridea,turntoPAGE128.

IhopeI’mdoingtherightthing,youthink.Wingsbuzzing,youflashtowardtheDoorwaytoAnywhere.

Darknessswallowsyouup.Youfeelaterriblechill.Invisibleforcesseizeyourbodyandhurlyouthroughtheblackness.

Andthen…theblacknessisn’tsototal.Infact,it’smorelikegray.You’reinalarge,shadowyroom.Nearby,youseeaspinnerrackfullofcomics.

TheDoorwaytoAnywherehasdumpedyoubackinthecomicshopwhereitallstarted!

Yourwingsbuzzwithjoy—

Wings?

Hey!You’restillBallisticBug!Youstillhaveyoursuperpowers!

Excellent!

Youflytothefrontoftheshoptoconfronttheweird-lookingguybehindthecounter.Thisishisstore,afterall.Whateverisgoingon,hemustknowaboutit.Andyou’vegotalotofquestionsyouwantanswered!

ChargeonwardtoPAGE76.

Youwaitforalongtime.Justwhenyou’reabouttogiveupandwanderoff,Bobreturnswithanotherolderboy.“ThisisRussell,”hesays.

Thebigbossistallandskinny,withthickglasses.Ashegazesdownatyou,you’reremindedofastorkyouoncesawinazoo.

Russellburstsintoabigsmile.“Perfect,Bob!”heexclaims.“Justtherightsize.”

Youdon’tlikethesoundofthat.YourUncleMelalwayssaysthesamethingabouttheturkeyatThanksgivingdinner.“WhatamIperfectfor?”youdemand.

“Ican’ttellyou—yet,”Russellsaysmysteriously.“Anyway,I’vegottotestyoufirst.”

“Testme?”youcryindisbelief.

“Yes,”Russellgoeson.“Iwantyoutobendyourrightleguptillyoucancatchholdofyouranklewithyourrighthand.”

“Areyouserious?”youdemand.

“Totally,”Russellreplies.“Doit,oryoudon’tgetin.”

YouheardRussell.Standingononeleg,bendyourrightfootbackandtrytocatchyourankle.

Ifyousucceed,turntoPAGE79.

Ifyoufail,turntoPAGE133.

“I’mthere!”youcall,sloshingthroughthepuddle.Themysterygooisbarelyaninchdeep,butitgushesstickilyunderyourshoesasyouwalk.Ugh!

“Let’sbook,”yousaythemomentyoureachyourfriends.

Whew!Okay,you’restilllostintheDangerZone.Butatleastyou’realltogetheragain.

Keepinganeyeoutfortraps,thethreeofyougoonward.You’restartingtowonderaboutthisDangerZone,though.“Sowhat’ssodangerous?”youaskCammieandJack.

Likeananswer,aweirdsnufflingsoundcomesfromthedistance.Youdon’tknowwhatitis.Andyoudon’twanttoknowwhatmakesit.You,Cammie,andJackstartwalkingfaster.

Butthenoisebehindyoucomescloserandcloser.

“Isitsniffingoutourtrail?”youaskworriedly.

Cammiepeersoverhershoulder.“Itdoesn’thaveto!”

Glancingbackthewayyoucame,yougroan.Stretchingbehindyouisatrail…ofbiggooeyblackfootprints!

Thinkingfast,youruntoadoorway,leavingacleartrail.Thenyoukickoffyourshoesandtossthemasfarasyoucan!

“Quick.Gotheotherway!”youwhisper.

RushtoPAGE9!

“Okay,I’mready,”youdeclare.

TexLoudsnore’stesttubecrashesdown.Newpuffsofsmokeexplodearoundyou.You’resurroundedbyarainbow-coloredcloud.

Itfeelsasthoughagianthandhaslandedonthetopofyourhead.Down,downyougo,pushedbythisinvisiblehand.Yourbonesseemtogrindtogether.Yourmusclesfeelasifthey’resnapping.

Everynerveinyourbodyisscreaminginpain!

InevershouldhavetrustedTexLoudsnore!youthinkinhorror.Hejustwhippedupapotiontodestroyme!

Isthistheend?FindoutonPAGE98!

“What’stheDangerZone?”youask.“Andhowcoulditbeworsethanamazefullofmonsters?”

Jackonlyshakeshishead.“Nooneknows,”hereplies.“Nobody’severcomeouttotellus.”

Yikes!Youshiver.“Sohowdowegetout?”

“Ibetwearen’tinityet,”Cammieargues.“Afterall,somebodymarkedthisdoorwaywiththesign.”ShetapsthescratchedD.“ThatmustmeanthatitleadsintotheDangerZone,andweshouldstayaway.”

Jackpeeksaroundthedoorway.“Hey!”heburstsout.“There’samarkontheothersideofthedoor,too.ThatmeansthatthissideleadstotheDangerZone,too.”

JackandCammiebegintoargueagain.

Sighing,youleanbackagainsttheplywoodwalltorestyourfeet.

Butwhenyourshouldershitthewood,thepanelsuddenlygivesunderyourweight!Ittwirlsaroundlikearevolvingdooranddumpsyouontheotherside!

SpinovertoPAGE87.

YoutrustRussell.Afterall,he’stheleader.AliciaandDanagree.Thegroupstartstocirclearound.Butafterthefirstsetofzigzags,Russellstops.“Spiderwebs,”hewhispers.

What’sthebigdeal?youwonder.Spidersaren’tsoscary,comparedtothemazemonsters.

Youpeekaroundthecorner—andgasp.Thewholehallwayisblockedbyagiantspiderweb!Sittinginthemiddle,itseyesgleaming,isaspiderthesizeofaGermanshepherd.

Thegroupsneaksawayandtriesanotherpath.Youwalkandturn,turnandwalk….

Atlastyoucometoaroomthat’sdifferentfromtherest.Thefarwallisn’tplywood—it’sbrick!

RussellclimbsonBob’sshoulders.Hepriesoutafewofthebricks.Hey,there’saholeinthewall.Atunnel!

Highabove,youseeagleamofbrightsunlight.

Everyoneturnstoyou.“It’suptoyou,”Russelltellsyousolemnly.“You’retheonlyonewhocansaveus.”

TurntoPAGE78.

Youfloatintheairinfrontofthemetalmonster’sface.ItsortoflookslikeWally,exceptforthesize—andtheflashingglasseyes,themetalscales,andthegiantteeth.

And,itcertainlysoundslikeWally—onlylouder.

“Ican’tbelievethatthefirsttimeyouswitch,youbecomeahotshotsuperhero,”hewhines.

“GuessI’mjustlucky,”youreply.“Butyoushouldn’tfeeltoobad.Beingamonsterisbetterthanbeingastupidsidekick.”

“True,”Wallyagrees.“Itiscoolbeingagiantmonster.”Ahugehandflashesforwardtopluckyououtoftheair.“Becausethismonstergetstodoyouin.”

“Funny,Wally.”Youlaugh.“Remember,I’mSuper-Doer.”

Youflexyoursupermusclestogetfree.

Nothinghappens.You’restilltrappedintheWally-monster’sgigantichand!

Yikes!TurntoPAGE46!

Youglancearoundthebuildingsite.There’sapileofbricks,there’sacementmixer—andthere’sabunchofthosesteelrodstheyusetostrengthenconcrete!Exactlywhatyouwerelookingfor!

Youpickupaheavybar,flexyourmightymuscles…

Yes!Thesteelbendslikethinwire.

“Hey!”avoiceyells.

Youglanceup.Aguyinahardhatisglaringatyou.“Weweregoingtousethatbar,”hecomplains.“Nowyou’veruinedit!”

Youtrytostraightenitout.Butyoucan’tfixthatlastkink.Thenanideacomestoyou.

“I’lljustheatthisupwithmymagma-vision,”youannounce.Youstareatthebentbarcross-eyed,thewaySuper-Doerdoesinthecomics.Sureenough,themetalgetshot—toohot!Themiddleofthebarmeltsaway!

Whoops!Guessyouneedtopracticewithyourcoolnewpowers.

Theworkmanlooksprettyangry.Butthenhe’sdistractedbyasuddenburstofcrashesandscreams.Anotherguyinahardhatdashesup.“Super-Doer!”hecries.“Somehorriblecreatureistryingtoknockdownourbuilding!”

LeapintoactiononPAGE59.

Bobjumpsagain,andyouhelphimover.

“Getdown!”hewhispers.

Butatthatmoment,thebeastarrives.Youfreezeinterror.

Nowyouknowwhatwasmakingthatweirdrustlingnoise.

Thecreaturehasthebodyofagiantsnake.Butitsheadishuman.

Sortof.

Inplaceofhair,hundredsoftinysnakeswriggleonitsscalp!

Ahandgrabsyourankleandyanksyoudown.Bobdragsyoualonginsilencethroughseveralcorridors.Thenhefinallyspeaksup.“Prettyawful,huh?That’sprobablythemostdangerousmonsterinthemaze.Itwrapsaroundyou,crushingeveryboneinyourbody.Thenitswallowsyou.Whole!”

TurntoPAGE6.

“Idon’twanttogetthisblackgunkonmyshoes,”youdeclare.“Holdonaminute.”

Youcreepalongtheedgeofthebig,blackpuddle.Yourbackisrightagainstthesplinterywoodenwall.

Abouthalfwayaroundthepuddle,younoticebubblesrisingfromtheglueygoo.Astheypop,theyletoutahorriblestink.

P-U!Yousquinchupyoureyesandholdyournose.

Badmove!Youshouldhavekeptaneyeonthepuddle.Whenyoulookagain,alarge,scalyheadisrisingfromtheglop.

Thatpuddlemustbealotdeeperthanyouthought!

Apalegreenforkedtongueflicksoutandwrapsaroundyourankle.Youcan’tpullloose!

Desperately,youclawattheplywoodwall.Butthere’snothingtoholdonto.AndCammieandJackaretoofarawaytohelp.You’redraggedintotheoilyblackgoo.

You’vegotasinkingfeeling.Asyourheadgoesunderthesurface,yourealize:You’relicked!

THEEND

Yougulp.Nowyouwishyouhadn’tbeensoeagertovolunteer.Butit’stoolatetobackout.Bobappearswithtwomorebiggerkids—DanandAlicia.“Let’sgo!”heexclaims.

Thefiveofyousetoff.Theykeepyouinthemiddle.Youfeelhappyaboutthat.Thenyourealizeyournew“friends”haveareasonforkeepingyousafe.You’retheonlyonewho’llfitthroughRussell’swayout.

Youwindthroughthemaze.Bobleads,hisslingshotready.Everybodyglancesnervouslyaround.

Thenyouhearaloudsquishingsound.

“Oh,no!”Russellcries.“It’sfoundus!”

Aroundthecornercomesanotherhorriblecreature.Thisonehasthebodyofaslugandaheadlikeagiantsquid!

Aliciagrabsyouasthethingrearsback—andspits!

TurntoPAGE18.

“Doc!You’vegottolistentome!”youcroak.“I’mnotwhoyouthinkIam!I’mnotBallisticBug!”

“Sure,”Dr.Doofsneers.“You’reactuallytheQueenoftheMay—andI’mtheKingofAlbania!”

“Listen,youidiot!”yourasp.“I’m—urk!”

Thearmoredglovestightenonyourthroat.Toolate,yourealizethiswasn’tthetimetogoinsultingDr.Doof.

Frantically,youwaveyourhands,tryingtogethimtoletgo.Instead,thepressurejustincreases.

There’snotalkingtohim.You’llhavetousethemagicwordsandfindanother,friendlier,madscientist.

Yourlipsformthewords,“Guestshot!”Butyouneverspeakthem.Neitherwords—norair—cangetoutofyou.

Noaircangetin,either!Yourlungsache.Spotsdancebeforeyoureyes.You’relosingconsciousness—fast.

Well,atleast,you’velearnedonelesson.

Madscientistsgetmadvery,veryeasily!

THEEND

Youflutteryourwingsandarrowupintothedarkness.

“Wait!Whereareyougoing?”Dr.Doofcries.

“I’mgoingtoseeifIcangetaway!”youanswer.

Youflyhigher.Youstilldon’tseeanyone.

“Hey!Hey!”youyell.“Ifthere’sanyoneupthere,listen!I’mnotreallyBallisticBug.I’mjustakid!Akidwhogottrappedinamagiccomicshop!”

You’regaspingfromtheeffortofflyingsohighandsofast.Whitespotsformbeforeyoureyes.

Waitaminute—they’renotspots.They’restars!

You’reoutoftime,outofair…andoutofluck.You’realreadyplummetingbacktoEarthasyoublackout.

Nextmonth,thenewissueofBallisticBugisduetohitthestands.ButwhenHoraceGrumbacherarrivesathisfavoritecomicshoptobuythenewcomic,itisn’tthere!

“BallisticBughasgoneoutofprint,”thestoreownerexplains.“Butlisten,kid.I’vegotagreatnewcomicforyou.ThesuperheroiscalledthePowerfulPancake!”

Heholdsupacopyofacomicbookwithasquashed-lookingsuperheroonthefront.Asuperherothatlooksalotlikeyou….

Toobad.Whataflatendingtoyourstory!

THEEND

“O-okay,Igive,”youcroak.“You’rescary.”

ThemutatedMilo-monstergrabsyouwithhugepurplehands.Stinkingslimeoozesoveryouasheholdsyouinfrontofhisface.Hisyelloweyesblaze.

“You’resure?”hedemands.“You’resureI’mscary?”

Youcan’tanswer,becauseyou’reholdingyourbreath.Boy,doeshereek!Thesourstenchwashesoveryou.Youcanfeelitonyourface.Itstings.Likeacid.

Miloshakesyou.“Answerme!”hismonstervoicebooms.

“Yes!”youscream.“Yes,I’msureyou’rescary!”

Nowit’snotonlyyourfacethathurts.Theskinalloveryourbodyseemstobubbleandsag.Sodotheorgansinside.Evenyourbonesseemtobemelting.

“What—what’shappeningtome?”youscream.

Yourthroatfeelscloggedwithslime,andyoureyesgoallblurry….

WillyoubeabletoreadwhathappensonPAGE113?

Thecrowdstillisn’tmoving,andtherobotisonlyacoupleofgiantstepsaway.

“Haveyouusedthesemagicwords?”youask.

Wallynods.“Istartedoutinanothercomic.Iwassomesuperhero’sdopeysidekick.ThenImetAlex,andwecamehere.Allyouhavetodoisthinkofanothercomic,andsaythemagicwords.”

“Okay.Thatgetsyoutoanothercomic.Butisn’tthereawaytogetbackhome?Backtotherealuniverse?”youask.

Wallyglancesatyou.“Ithinkso.Amadscientistcansendyou.Butyouhavetotalkhimintohelpingyou.”

Youcanbarelyhearhim.Peoplearescreamingandbumpingintoyou.“What’rethemagicwords?”youbeg.

Wallycloseshiseyes,thinking.Thenheyells,“Guestshot!”

Andhedisappears!

Youthinkofthetwocomicsyou’dbeenstudyingonthecomicrack.Bothofthemhavemad-scientistvillains.Willthemagicwordstakeyoutothem?

Timetofindout!Youcloseyoureyes.

TovisittheworldofSuper-Doer,gotoPAGE104.

IfyoulikeBallisticBugbetter,turntoPAGE66.

TexLoudsnorecackleswithglee.“Howdoyoulikemynewbatchofcreaturecreator,Super-Doer?Itevenworksonyou!”

Hegrinsevillyupatyou.“Ibelieveyou’remyfinestcreation.You’rethebiggestandscariestofthemall.”

Youtakeoneangry,giantsteptowardLoudsnore.

Themadscientistyells,“Freeze,ugly!”

Yourmusclessuddenlylockup.Youcan’tmoveatall.Infact,younearlyfallonyourhorrible,tuskedface!

TexLoudsnoreputshishandsinhispocketsandbeamsupatyou.“Bestofall,myformulamakesyoumyabsoluteslave.Now,youjuststandthere.Don’tmoveamuscleuntilIdecidewhattodowithyou.”

Youtrydesperatelytomove—butyoucan’t!

Uh-oh!CanyoumoveontoPAGE67?

Yourecognizetheotherhero.It’sStinkyStanley,themutantwhosehorriblebreathishisweapon.

“Theprofessoriswaiting,”StinkyStanleycalls.

ProfessorYvesYaboumisalsoknownasProfessorY.He’sapowerfulmutant,theleaderofY’sGuys…andafamousscientist.

YoufollowStinkyStanleytojointherestofY’sGuys.Thenaflyingchairenterstheroom.SeatedinitisProfessorY!

He’shardtomiss—afterall,he’scoveredcompletelyinbrightredhair.Infact,helookslikeanape,exceptforthoseserious,wiseeyes.

“Y’sGuys!”heexclaimsinadeepvoice.“Mymentalpowershavedetectedadisturbanceinthegreatflowofbeing.Somehow,aliensfrombeyondthisuniversehaveinvaded.”

Yougulp.CouldProfessorYbetalkingaboutyou?

Youhopenot.Especiallywhenyouhearwhatelsehe’sgottosay.

“Wemustdestroytheseinvadersimmediately!”

ToaskProfessorYmoreaboutthesealiens,turntoPAGE17.

Totrytotalktheprofessoroutofhisplannedbattle,turntoPAGE63.

You’llhavetobefast—veryfast—toveerawayfromthebuilding.Andthereareotherbuildingsallaroundyou.You’llhavetoavoidthemtoo!

There’sonlyonedirectiontogo.Tiltingyourbodysoitfacesstraightup,youpouronthespeed.

Up,upyougo.Faster.Faster.Nowyourbodyisamerestreak.Youzoompastthebuilding.Whoa.You’rereallymoving!

Infact,you’removingsofast,youcan’tslowdown.Theairisgettingthin.Theskydarkensuntilyou’reintheblacknessofouterspace.There’snoairatallouthere.Butthat’sallright.Super-Doercanholdhissuperbreath.

Asecondlater,younoticesomethinglargeandgrayinyourpath.Oh,no!It’sthemoon!

Yoursuperskinandmaximusclesmighthavesurvivedacrashintoahouse.Butthemoonisadifferentstory.

“Aaaaaaaah!”youscream.

Nobodyhearsyouinouterspace.Theairsimplygetssuckedoutofyourlungs.Youdon’tevenhavethebreathtoyell,“Guestshot!”beforeyousplatintothemoon.

THEEND

I’llstickwithapowerI’veusedalready,youdecide.

Youstareslightlycross-eyedatthebigvaultdoor,thewaySuper-Doerlookswhenheuseshismagma-vision.

Nothinghappens.

Youtryagain.Andagain.Youstaresohard,yourheadbeginstopound.You’regettingangry.Allyouseeisred.

Butyousmellsomethingodd—scorchingpaper.

Yourememberthetimeyouburnedaholethroughacomicbookbyfocusingsunlightthroughamagnifyingglass.Thepaperturnedbrown,thenitburned.

Suddenly,younoticethattheflat,brightlycoloredworldaroundyouischangingcolor.Everythingisgettingbrown.Thesharp,burningsmellisgrowingstronger.

Finally,ithitsyou.You’reinacomicbooknow!Andsomehow,yourmagma-visionhassetthepaperonfire!

Yousuckinbreathtoyell,“Guestshot.”

Butwhenyouinhale,thesmokesendsyouintoacoughingfit.Youcan’tgetthewordsout!

Flamescrackle.Yourbodymaybesuper,butit’sonlyasstrongasthepaperit’sprintedon.

Isitgettinghotinhere,orisityou?

Actually,it’s

THEEND!

“Whatscript?”yousputter.

“Oh,ha-ha,veryfunny,”Dr.Doofsnaps.Heshiftshisgriponyourthroat.“Thescriptsaysyou’resupposedtobeatmebyshakingthefloortopieceswithyourSuper-SonicBuzz-a-ronicpower.But,no,youhavetomakeagrandstandplaywithyourlittlelightningbolt!Thanksalot!Icouldhavegottenhurt!”

Well…wasn’tthattheidea?

Youblinkinconfusionbehindyourhelmet-mask.Thisistooweird.IsDr.Doofsayingthatallthosegreatcomicbattles—theonesyou’vealwaysloved—arerigged?

Oh,well.Atleastthatexplainshowthesuperheroesalwayswin.

Butyoucan’tthinkaboutthatrightnow.AfuriousDr.Doofishissinginyourear,“Well?Iwantsomeanswers,bug!”

Yougurgleashissteelfingerstightenaroundyourthroat!

TakeadeepbreathandapologizeonPAGE83.

Bobmovesconfidentlythroughthemaze.Insomeareas,though,hemotionsforyoutobequiet.Youtiptoealong.Andyounoticethathekeepshisslingshotready.

“Thismazeisanabandonedsubbasementforthewholeblock,”Bobexplains.“It’sfullofcrazy,mixed-upanimals.Eachhasitsownhuntingground.”

“Andyoufightthemwiththat?”YoupointtoBob’sslingshot.

Bobshrugs.“It’sallwe’vegot,”headmits.“Iwasluckywiththelion-thing.Itjusthatesgettinghitinthenose!”

Soonafter,aweirdnoiseechoesthroughthemaze.SHHHHH!SHHHH!

Bobstops.Hisfaceturnspale.

“What—”youbegin.

Heshakeshishandatyou.“Quiet!”hewhispers.

Bobseemstobelisteningcarefully.Yourealizehe’stryingtofigureoutwherethesoundiscomingfrom.

Atlasthemakesuphismind.“It’llbehereinasecond,”hewhispers.“Comeon.”

Heboostsyouuptothetopofthewall,thenleapshimself.

Andmisses!Hebangsagainsttheplywood.Thenyouhearaloudhissingsound.

GotoPAGE27.

“Why?”youask.“Whydidyoudothistous?”

Milolooksatyouinsurprise.“Youknow,you’retheonlyonewhoeverasked.Thisisthedeal,kid.I’vegotashotatacomeback.OneoftheTVnetworkswantstomakeashowoutofTheCellarofScaryStories.”

Hefrowns.“Butthey’renotsuremystuffisscaryenough.SoIgotmyoldcreaturecrewtogetherandGLOMPFedabunchofyoukidstoseeifwe’vestillgotit.Whatdoyouthink?”

Youremembertheslow-movingFrankenstein,thesnoozingmummy,thetoothlesswerewolf.“Totellyouthetruth,”youanswer,“yourcreaturesseempretty…lame.”

“Lame?”Milogrowls.“LAME?”

Yourprisonerflingsyouoff.

Uh-oh.

“H-hey,guys?”youcalltotheotherkids.“Uh—Icouldusealittlehelp….”

Milomakesamagicalgesture.Alltheotherkidsdisappear!You’realonewithMilotheMutant!

“So.”Miloglaresatyou.“Thegreatestmonstersofalltimearen’tscaryenoughforyou.Youthinkyoucoulddobetter?”

AnswerMiloonPAGE135.

Youtrytorun,butthesnake-thingmovesfast.

Itsscalybodycatchesyouintheshins.Youstumbleandfalltothefloor.Beforeyoucangetup,thethingtwistsaroundyou.

Youcan’tmoveanarmoraleg.Thickcoilsofmusclehaveyoualltiedup.

Thesnake-thing’shumanfacestaresintoyoureyesasitsgripslowlytightens.

Thecreature’slipsstretchinanevilsmile.

“You’ressssossssmall,Ishouldletyougrowabitmore,”ithisses.

“Really?”yousqueak.

Thesnake’ssmilegrowsbiggerandwideruntilitsmouthislargeenoughtoswallowyouwhole.

“Naaaah,”thesnakereplies.“Justkidding!”

THEEND

Dr.Doofwantstoconqueryourworld?Youneverthoughtofthatpossibilitywhenyouaskedforhishelp.

You’vegottostophim!Buthow?

Thenyounoticesomething.Eventhoughyou’rehalfwayintoyourownuniverse,you’vestillgotthecostumeandthewingsofBallisticBug.YoucanstopDr.Doofjustthewaytheherodoesinthecomics!

“Oh,no,youdon’t,Doof!”youcry.YoutrytoleapforwardandgrabDr.Doof.

Butyoucan’tmove.

Theholeintheuniversehasshrunk—andyou’restuck!

Dr.Dooflaughs.“Soontheholewillclosecompletely.It’scurtainsforyou,Bug!”Thenhestrollsofftoterrorizeyourhometown.

“Doof!Comeback!”youshouthelplessly.

Well,atleastyourtophalfmadeithomesafely.Buttheshrinkingholecutsoffyourrear

Looksasifluckisagainstyou!Youfallwayshortoftheboy’sreachinghands.

Instead,youbangintothewall,thencrashtothefloor.

Youliethere,frozen.Thelion-bull-eaglebeastclompscloser.Itgrowlsintriumph.

Thenthebeastleapsbackwardsuddenly,yelpinginpain.Itpawsatitsnose.

Whathappened?Well—maybeluckiswithyouafterall!

Youlookup.Theboyisstillleaningoverthewall.Heholdsaslingshotinhishand.

“Tryagain!”heyells.

Youscrambletoyourfeet.Thepatchworkbeastletsoutafuriousroar.

Zing!Somethingfliespastyourear.Thebeastyelpsagain.Bull’s-eye!Rightinthesnout!

Youleapagain.Ahandcatchesyourwristandhaulsyouup.

Butthelion-creatureisrightbehindyou!

HeadonuptoPAGE129.

Milo’searstwitch.Hebeginstoturnaround.

Heheardyou!

“Everybodyrun!”youyell.

JackandCammietakeoffasifthey’retrainingfortheOlympics.Youtryyourbesttokeepup.Youcan’tletthemoutofyoursight,oryou’llbetotallylost.

Yourlungsareburningbythetimeyournewfriendsstop.“Wherearewe?”Jackasks.

Cammiestares.“Whatdoyoumean?Ithoughtyouwerekeepingtrackofourroute!”

Theybegintoargue.Great!Nowyou’realllost!

Jacksuddenlybreaksoffandstaresatthewall.Hepoints.“Look!”

BothJackandCammieturnpale.

Youglanceatthesymbolscratchedintotheplywoodbesidethedoorway.AcapitalD.

“Whatdoesitmean?”youask.

“Dstandsfordanger,”Cammiewhispers.Shelooksscared.“Itmeanswe’vereachedtheDangerZone!”

FindoutmoreonPAGE23.

Kid?Youpeerdown.

You’renotSuper-Doeranymore.You’reyourself!

Hey!Thisisthevacuumstorethatwasnexttothecomicshop!“Iwastrappedinthecomicshop,”yougasp,pointing.

“Youcouldn’thavebeen,”theoldmandeclares.“Thatplacehasbeenclosedforyears.”

Youdescribethecomicshopowner.Theoldmangivesyouanoddlook.“ThatwasMilo.Hediedthreeyearsago.”

Whoa…haveyoutraveledintime?

Youaskfortoday’sdate.It’sthesamedayaswhenyouleftforschoolthismorning!

Youdashoutside,heartpoundingwildly.Thestoresalllookthesame—exceptone.Thewindowsofthecomicshopareboardedup.Thenailsontheplywoodpanelsareallrusty.Theshophasobviouslybeensealedupforyears.

Youheadforhome,totallycreepedout.

Couldithavebeenadream?Itseemedsoreal….

Onethingiscertain.You’llnevertakeanotherwalkthroughthisneighborhood.Andyouhopeyou’llnever,everfindyourselfinthecomicshopofhorrorsagain.

THEEND

“Wally,”youcry.“Whyareyoudoingthis?We’repals—well,maybenotpals.Butwegotothesameschool!”

“I’msorry,”Wallyreplies.“ButthemonsterformulaalsomakesmeTexLoudsnore’sslave.HetoldmetodestroySuper-Doer.”

Uh-oh.Thingsaredesperate.YougivetheWally-monsterablastofyourmagma-vision.Hisshoulderbeginstomelt.

“Ow!Owww!”heyells.“Ican’ttakethis!I’mgettingoutofhere!Guestshot!”

Butwhenheyellsthemagicwords,Wallydoesn’tvanish.Aripplerunsthroughhisgiantform.Thefingersaroundyoufeelstrangelyrubbery.Hisfacelooksrunny.

He’smelting!

Thenyourealize:Wally’stimehascome.Heusedthemagicwordsoncetoooften.He’sturningintoaninkblot!

Youstraintobreakaway.Youcan’tgetfree!

Holdingupyourhandsinfrontofyourface,youseewithhorrorthatyou’regettingrunny,too.

Bummer!

YourUncleMelalwayscalledyoualittlesquirt.

Butnowyou’veturnedintoabigdrip.

THEEND

Noproblem,youtellyourself.I’llmemorizemyroute!

Tomakeiteasier,youdecidetomakeonlyrightturns.Thatworksforthefirstfourchoicesyouface.Thenyoufindyourselfinaroomwithonlyonedoorway—ontheleft.

Bythetenthchoice,you’remumblingtoyourself,tryingtorememberwhichwayyouwent.Thisplaceisdefinitelyamaze.Andit’sbiggerthanthebasementofthesmallcomicshop.Youfeelasifyou’vebeenwalkingformiles.Howcanthatbe?

ThenextroomyoufindisstackedhighwitholdcopiesofTheCellarofScaryStories.They’reallthesameissuethatHoraceshowedyouaslideof.Theguywiththefacelikeawartypumpkinistheserieshost.HisnameisMilotheMutant.

Hey!Nowyourealizewhythecomicshopownerseemedfamiliar.HelooksjustlikeMilotheMutant!

Thisisstartingtogetcreepy.

Thenyouhearanoiseechoingthroughthemaze.Aslow,scrapingsound—likeafootdraggingonconcrete.

Someone—orsomething—isfollowingyou!

Whatshouldyoudo?

Ifyougobackandseewho’sfollowingyou,turntoPAGE89.

Ifyou’drathergetoutofthere—fast!—turntoPAGE50.

Youspinoutofcontrol,thankstothatshotfromWally.Windblastspastyou,makingyourcapewhipaboutuntilitwrapsaroundyourhead.You’rereadytobarffromallthetumbling.Andyourcapeisblindingyou.

Waitasecond!You’reSuper-Doer.AndSuper-Doercanseethroughthingswithhiscosmic-rayvision!

YoutrythatslightlysquintylookthatSuper-Doergetswhenheusesthispower.

Thegoodnewsisthatyoucannowseewhereyou’regoing.

Thebadnewsisthatyou’reabouttocrashintoabuilding!

Touseyourflyingpowerstoveeraway,turntoPAGE36.

Ifyou’dratherrelyonyoursuperskinandmaximusclestogetyouthroughsafely,turntoPAGE94.

“I—Icouldusearest,”yougasp.

Dr.Doofreleasesyou.“ALLRIGHT!”heyells,glaringintothedarknessoverhead.“We’retakingabreak!Putinanadorsomething.BallisticandIneedtotalk.”

Youstareupward.Who’shetalkingtoupthere?

Whenyouask,themadscientistshrugsinhisarmor.“Whoeverrunsthiscrazyworldmustbeupthere.That’swhereourscriptscomefrom,anyway.”

Abrilliantideaburstsinyourbrain.Maybeyoudon’tneedthehelpofamadscientisttogethome.Maybeyoucantakeyourproblemrighttotheperson—orpeople—inchargeoftheComicBooksUniverse!

IfyoustickwithDr.Doof,turntoPAGE95.

Ifyou’drathergooverhishead,turntoPAGE31.

Youwalkfasterandfaster,untilyoubreakintoarun.Atfirst,thefootstepsfade.Thenyouhearloudclomping.Itsoundsasifthere’saherdofelephantshotonyourheels!

Youglancebackasyougothroughadoorway.“Ow!”youyell.Youbrushagainstjaggedplywood.Atwo-inchsplinterstabyouinthearm!

Grittingyourteeth,youpullthesplinterout.BloodstainsyourT-shirt.Fromseveralturnsbehindyoucomesarumblingroar.Uh-oh.Canwhateverischasingyousmellblood?

Theclompingsoundturnsintoacrashinggallop.

Youtrytorunfaster.Flingingyourselfthroughanotherdoorway,youfindyourselfinalonghall.You’rerunningflatout.Butthestompingfeetarerightbehindyou.

Onelookoveryourshoulder—andyouscream.

Thecreaturechasingyoulooksasifitweresewntogetherfromseveraldifferentanimals.Ithasthebodyofashaggybullandhuge,featheredeaglewings.

Worstofall,ithasthehead—andfangs—ofalion!

RunforyourlifetoPAGE54!

Youheaddownthestairs.Butafteryourfirststep,thewholestairwaybeginstoshake.It’sasifheavymachineryisworkingunderneath.

Thestairtreadsunderyourfeetsuddenlytilt.Theycrashdownwithanechoingmechanicalsound.GLOMPF!

Nowyouknow!

Thestairwayhasturneditselfintoaslide!Yourfeetskidoutfromunderyou,andyoubangyourelbow.You’regoingfaster,andyoucan’tstop!Youclawfranticallyattheslide.Butyoucan’tgetagriponthesmoothmetal.Youdon’tevenslowdown—youjustmakeanoiselikenailsonablackboard.

Itmakesagoodblendwithyourscreamsasyouzoomfasterandfaster,deeperintothedark…

SpeedontoPAGE127.

Evenifyouclimbedononeanother’sshoulders,youwouldn’tmakeituptotheceiling.Butthenyougetanidea….

“Followme!”youcry.Rushingtothestoreroom,youpullonaboxofcomics.“Wecanusethesetobuildastairway!”

JackandCammieleapintoaction.Youshiftboxafterbox,bangingandcrashing.Thesethingsareheavy!

“What’sthatnoise?Whatareyoudoing?”Miloyellsfromhismirror.“AmIgoingtohavetocomedownthere?”

You’retoobusytoanswer.Youpileupastairwayofboxes.JackandCammieholditsteadyasyouscrambleup.

Thepilebeginstoshudder.Asthecartonsfallapart,youleap,clingingtotheedgeofthetrapdoor.Ittakesallyourstrength,butyoupullyourselfthrough.Youmadeit!

“I’llgethelp!”youcalldowntoCammieandJack.

Youpeeraround.You’rebehindthecounterinthecomicshop!Thewholebuildingshakesasboxescrashbelow.Comicsflutterupthroughthehole.Yougraboneinmidairandshoveitinyourpocketasyourunforthedoor.

Below,Miloscreamswildly.“Youcan’tgetaway!”hehowls.“You’llruineverything!”

HurrytoPAGE7.

Staticelectricitycracklesaroundyou.Lightningboltszapfromyourheadtoblastthedeadlyhairballsinmidair.

“Goodshooting,RAY-ge!”JeanGreeneshouts.

TheotherY’sGuysmobtheprofessor.Whenthesmokeclears,allthat’sleftofhimisascorchedspotontherug.Hismentalpowerswereright.Hewasindeadlydanger!

YouturntoWolfen-Bean.“How—?”youbegin.

Thebean-warriorshrugs.“Acoupleofmonthsago,Iwalkedintothisweirdcomicshopandreachedforthisrack…”Wolfen-Beangrins.“It’scool.Ilikebeingasuperhero!”

“Butwhataboutthedanger?”youask.“Youcouldturnintoaninkblot!”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Wolfen-Beandemands.

Youexplain.

“Noway,”Wolfen-Beanscoffs.“We’vegotitmade!Watch.Guestshot!”

“Stop!”youshout.

Toolate.Thebean-man’sbodyshudders.He’smelting!

TherestofY’sGuysglareatyou.

“YOU!”StinkyStanleyshouts.“Thisisallyourfault!”

DefendyourselfonPAGE132.

Hotbreathrufflesyourhair.Thelion’sroardeafensyou.

Whenyourearsstopringing,youhearavoiceyell,“Uphere!”

Youpeeruptofindakidleaningovertheplywoodwallaboveyou.Hestretchesouthisarmstoyou.

“Jump!”heyells.“I’llpullyouover!”

Youdon’tneedanotherinvitation.Youleapashighasyoucan,reachingfortheboy’shands.

Willyoumakeit?Isluckonyourside?

Takealookatthehourhandontheclock.

Ifit’sclosetoanodd-numberedhour—one,three,five,seven,nine,oreleveno’clock—turntoPAGE43.

Ifit’snearaneven-numberedhour—two,four,six,eight,ten,ortwelveo’clock—turntoPAGE80.

Thisiskindoffun,youthink.Atlastyou’regettingthehangofthissuperherothing!

Youbuzzaroundtheroom,throwingpunchesattheair.YouwanttobereadyforDr.Doof’snextattack.

Thenyounoticethattheevildoctorisn’tgettingup.Heliessprawledonthestage,helpless.Notmoving.

Hmm.Thatshockshouldn’thaveknockedallthefightoutofhim,youthink.Infact,hissuper-armorshouldhaveprotectedhimagainstyourInsecto-ElectricHornet’sSting.

Apparently,itdidn’tworkthistime.

Youstarttogetnervous.“Uh—Doc?”youcall.Youhoveroverthedoctor’sflatform.Ishestillbreathing?

Doof’smetal-muscledhandmoveslikeastrikingsnake.Beforeyoucanbuzzoff,hegrabsyoubythethroat!

Ifyoutrytobreakfree,turntoPAGE119.

IfyoutrytoreasonwithDr.Doof,turntoPAGE30.

YoufireyourInsecto-ElectricHornet’sStingatDr.Dooffromacrosstheroom.

Andmiss!Yourshotsmacksintoablast-boltDr.Doofhadaimedatyou.

Thetwoboltsofenergyexplodetogether,throwingoffrainbow-coloredsheetsofflame.Butinthemiddleofthefireworksdisplay,there’sagapingblackhole.

“Behold!”Dr.Doofcriesinaloud,hammyvoice.“Ourbattlehasshearedtheveryfabricoftheuniverse.ThisholecouldbeaDoorwaytoAnywhere!”

Anywhere?youthink.

CoulditbeawayoutofthiscrazyComicBooksUniverse?

Youbuzzforward,readytozipthrough.Thenyouthinkagain.

DoorwaytoAnywhere?Thatsoundskindofrisky.

MaybeyoushouldletDr.Doofgofirst.

IfyougothroughtheDoorwaytoAnywhere,turntoPAGE19.

IfyouletDr.Dooftestitfirst,turntoPAGE100.

YoueyetheWally-Monstersuspiciously.“Whydidn’tyouaskTexLoudsnoretogetusoutoftheComicBooksUniverse?”youdemand.

“Ididn’tgetachance,”Wallyreplies,sulking.“ThesecondIenteredhislab,hegotmewithcreature-creatorjuice.”

Soundslikely.“Goandturnyourselfintothepolice,”youorder.“I’lldealwithTexLoudsnore!”

Leapinghighintothesky,youheadforMountSkull.Inthecomic,Super-Doernevermanagedtofindoutwherehisarchenemy’shideoutwas.But,sinceyoureadthecomics,youknowexactlyhowtogetthere.

MinutesafterleavingBiggCity,youspotamountainshapedlikeaskull.Youflyintothegiantskull’slefteye.It’sacavethatleadsdeepintothemountain.

Twentyfeetinside,yourpathisblockedbyasteeldoor.WithyourSuper-Doerpowers,youknowyoucangetthroughthesteeldoorandtalkwithTexLoudsnore.

Thequestionis,whichpowershouldyouuse?

Ifyoutryyourmagma-visionagain,gotoPAGE37.

Ifyoutestyourstrongbreath,turntoPAGE68.

Youstumbleoutofthecaveandintothebrightsunlightofthiscomic-bookworld.

Atinydotcomeszoomingdownoutofthesky.

Whatnow?youwondermiserably.Amissile?Ameteor?

No,worse.It’sGnatman,Super-Doer’ssuperherobuddy!

“Holditrightthere,monster!”awhinyvoiceroarsoutfromthehero’smouth.

Coulditpossiblybe?

“Wally!”youyell.“You’vegottohelpme!”

Butonceagain,yourwordscomeoutasarushofflames.Gnatmanfluttershisgnatwingsandzipsoutoftheway.

“Oh,youwanttoplayrough,huh?”Wally’svoicesoundsjustlikeagnat’sannoyingbuzz.

Butthenhestartsflittingaroundyou,rainingblowsatsuperinsectspeed.WHAP!KAPOW!BLAM!

It’smorethanannoying.It’sdownrightpainful!

BAP!Youcrumpletotheground.Yourgiantbodyraisesahugecloudofdust.Youstartsneezinguncontrollably.

Andthat’sjustthebeginningofyourtorture.

Oh,bytheway—it’salsothebeginningof

THEEND!

Forasecondyouwonderwhatyou’resupposedtodo.Thenyouremember.You’reasuperhero!It’syourdutytosavethebuilding.

Youleapup—andsuddenlyyou’reflying!Windrufflesyourhair.Yourcapeflapsbehindyouasyousoarhighoverthebuilding.Youlookdown…andyourjawdrops.

Justflyingisincredibleenough.Butyoudidn’texpectthis!

SomethingthesizeandshapeofaTyrannosaurusrexissmashingatthebuildingwithitshandsandtail.Butthething’sscalyskinismadeofshiningmetal.Andyourcosmic-rayvisionshowsthatthere’smachineryinside.

Thecreatureturnsitsglowingglasseyesonyou.Youexpectanattack.

Instead,therobotdinosaursaysinawhinyvoice,“Oh,great!NowI’vegotSuper-Doerafterme.”

Youskidtoastopinmidair.Youknowthatvoice.

“Wally?”youcryindisbelief.

IfyoutrytotalkthingsoutwithWally,gotoPAGE25.

Ifyou’dratherfighthim,gotoPAGE102.

YouleapstraightintotheairandzoompastCammieandJack.Forthenextfewtwistsandturnsthroughthemaze,youleadtheway.Theyfinallycatchupwithyou.

“Takeiteasy,”Jackpants.“OldMenesprobablywentrightbacktosleep.”

“Yeah,”Cammieadds.“Afteracoupleofthousandyears,heneedshisrest.”

“That—that—”yougasp.“Thatreallywasamummy?”

Cammienods.“Themazeisfullofold-timemonsters.That’swhyyouhaveto—”

“Lookout!”Jacksuddenlyyells.

Youturn,justintimetoseeafigureleapfromthetopofthemazewall.Allyouseeisapairofblazingredeyes,flyingtowardyou.

There’sbarelytimetoraiseanarmtoprotectyourself.Theeyesarerightonyou.Youfeelhotbreathonyourface…

Thenjawsclampshutonyourarm!

UseyourfreehandtoturntoPAGE101.

Butwhatcomicwillyoujumpto?

OneofyourfavoritesisSilentSal,thecomicbookaboutteenagers.Buttherearenomadscientiststhere.Well,youcouldtrySuper-Doer.

Butyou’dbettermakeupyourmindfast.BallisticBugiszoomingstraightatyou.

He’sgoingtoflattenyou!

Hey!You’vegotit.There’sanothercomicbookthatyoulike.It’saboutasupergroupofmutants,Y’sGuys.Theirleaderisasuperscientist!That’sthesamethingasamadscientist,right?

BallisticBug’sfistisaboutafootfromyournose.

KeepingtheY’sGuysinmind,youyell,“Guestshot!”

Justbeforehisfistconnectswithyourjaw,BallisticBugfadesout.

Youstarttofadeinonanotherscene.Butbeforeyoucanmakeoutanydetails—

“Lookout!”avoiceyells.

FadeinfullyonPAGE74.

Pretendingyou’restillfrozen,youwatchLoudsnoreworkathiscomputer.Thehuge,complexmachineevenspeaks!

“Newdataenteredfrommanipulationoftransuniversalphlogiston,”thecomputerreports.

Huh?Oh,well.Justbecausethecomputercanspeakdoesn’tmeanyoucanunderstandit.

Themadscientistturnstoyou.“I’vedecidedwhattodowithyou,”heannounces.“I’vesentforanotherofmycreatures.I’mgoingtosendyoubothtodestroyBiggCity!”

Youcan’tkeepstillanylonger.Thiscallsforaction!

YouwaituntilLoudsnoreturnshisback.Thenyouleandownandscoophimup.“Inyourdreams,Loudsnore,”yougrowl.

“Youcan’tdothis!”Loudsnoresputters.“Icontrolyou!”

“Wrong,”youreply.“Rightnow,Icontrolyou!”

Whoa!Thisisprettyexcellent!

“First,”youtellhim,“IwantyoutochangemebacktoSuper-Doer.”YoufigureitwouldbeagoodideatohavesuperpowerswhiledealingwithTex.“Andnext—”

Butyournextdemandisdrownedout.Thunderousfootfallsechothroughthecavern!

Whatnow?FindoutonPAGE88.

“But,Professor,why?”youblurt.

“Yes?”theprofessorreplies.

“No—Imean,Professor,why—”

“That’smyname,”ProfessorYsnaps.“Don’twearitout.”

“I—Imean—”youstammer.Youtryagain.“Whydoyouwanttoattackthesevisitors,professor?”

ProfessorY’seyesgleam.“Ifyouhavetoaskthat,you’renotrueY’sGuy!”hedeclares.“You’reanalienspy!”

Hishairstartstogrow,reachingouttoyou.You’veseenpicturesofthisinthecomics.Butactuallyseeingthehaircreepingaroundis,well,creepy.

Whoops!Youspenttoomuchtimestaring.Whenyoutearyourgazeaway,younoticethattentaclesofhairhavewoundaroundyourankles.Youcan’tpullfree!

There’sonlyonethingyoucandonow.It’srisky.Butyou’vegottousethemagicwords.

“Guest—mmmmmph!”Yourcryismuffledasstillmorehairattacksyou,stuffingyourmouth.

There’snoescapenow.Yourdoomistoohorribletodescribe.Howhorrible?

Let’sjustsaythatfromhereon,itgetsreallyhairy….

THEEND

“WhyshouldItrustyou,Loudsnore?”youdemand.“HowdoIknowwhat’sinthattesttube?”

“I’vegotaSuper-Doerrobotyoucantestiton,”TexLoudsnoresuggests.

Youshrug.Soundsreasonable.“Whereisit?”youask.

“Ikeepitinthatspecialboxoverthere.”Loudsnorepointstoaman-sizedmetalcontainerbyhislabtable.

Theboxhasnoseams.There’snolid,nowaytoopenit.Soyoucrackitintwo.Outpopsasix-footchunkofglowing,orangey-grayrock.

Itlandsonyourfoot—andsinksin!

TexLoudsnorecackles.“That’sZiptite,theonesubstanceintheuniversethatcankillyou,Super-Doer!Incaseyou’rewondering,itwilldothejob,eventhoughyou’reagiantlizardwithtusks.”

Youhardlyhear.Searingpainshootsupyourlegandthroughyourbody.Blackspotsappearbeforeyoureyes.Andgrow.

Thepoisonrockisallthroughyounow.You’redonefor.Youtoppletotheground.

YouroneconsolationisthatyoulandonLoudsnore!

THEEND

Yourheartispoundingsohard,youcanbarelyhearanything.Butyoustrainyourearsasyoutiptoedowntheshadowycorridors.Youpeekcarefullyaroundeverycorner.

Youcan’thearFrankenstein’sshufflingfootstepsanymore.Evenhisroarsof“NYAARRGH!”havefadedaway.

You’velosthim!

Withasighofrelief,youleanagainstaplywoodwall.Amothflutterspastyou.Andahandgrabsitinmidair.

Hey!That’snotyourhand!

Youspinaroundtofacetwokidsaboutyourownage—ared-hairedgirlandaboywithshaggydarkhair.He’schewingonsomething.Bothgiveyouodd,closemouthedsmiles.

“I’mCammie,andthisisJack,”thegirltellsyou.“IguessyougotGLOMPFed,justlikewedid.”

“Howlonghaveyouguysbeenhere?”youask.

“We’renotsure.”Jackswallowsnoisily.“ButIknowIhadshorthairwhenIgothere.”

YoulookatJack’swildmane.Thisisbadnews.

GotoPAGE117.

Youshriekatthetopofyourlungs,“Guestshot!”

Whenyouopenyoureyes,everythingisstilldark.Forasecond,youthinkit’stheshadowoftherobot’sfootcomingdown.Thenyourealize:It’snighttime!

Withasigh,youleanagainstanearbybrickwall.Youmadeit!You’resafe!Ofcourse,nowyouhavetofindoutwhereyouare.Toobadit’ssodark….

Suddenly,yellowlightglaresaroundyou.Youblink.You’reblinded!Thenyouhearafaintbuzz.Itrisestoawhine.Yourdazzledeyesseeafigureinatightbrowncostumewithflashinginsectwingscomingoutitsback.

BallisticBug!

“You’reinbigtrouble,”thebugsaysmenacingly.

Trouble?Youlookdown.Therearetoolsinyourhand.Youalsonoticeanopensafenexttoyou.

Uh-oh.

You’reaburglar.BallisticBugdoesn’tlikeburglars.

You’dbetterjumptosomeplacenew—andfast!

TojumptoadifferentadventureofBallisticBug,turntoPAGE70.

Totryatotallynewcomic,turntoPAGE61.

Whistling,TexLoudsnoreputtersaroundthelab.Hewalkspastyouasifyouwereahugestatue.

Youcan’tevenmoveyourmouthtosaythemagicwordsthatwouldwhiskyououtofhere.

Nowhe’sworkingonsomesortofformula.Smokewaftsuptotheceilingofthecave—rightpastyourgiantnose.Thesmellisnasty.Youtwitchyournostrilstokeepfromsneezing.

Waitaminute!TexLoudsnoretoldyounottomoveamuscle,butyoumoved!Maybetheformuladoesn’tworkaswellasTexthinks.Maybethis“absoluteslave”thingisfadingaway!

Youdecidetotestyourtheory.Youtrybendingthelittlefingeronyourrighthand.(Ofcourse,nowthat“littlefinger”isfourfeetlong!)

Thefingerfinallybends.Nextyouworkonyourhandsandfeet.Finally,youturnyourhead.

Themadscientistisstillworking.Hehasn’tnoticed.

Howareyougoingtouseyourfreedom?

IfyoujumpTexLoudsnore,turntoPAGE73.

Ifyoukeepstillandspyonhim,gotoPAGE62.

Yousuckinasmuchairasyoucan.ThenyouletitoutwithaWHOOSH!asifyouwereblowingoutthecandlesonthebiggestbirthdaycakeintheworld.

Thedoorfliesoffitshingesandlandswithacrashinthelonghallwaybeyond.

Asyouwalkdownthecorridor,youfindthatTexLoudsnorehasotherdefenses.Allsortsofweaponsattackyou.

Butyou’reSuper-Doer!Deadlypoisongasonlymakesyousneeze.AndTexLoudsnore’sdisintegratorbeammerelygivesyouaterribleitch!

“Wow!”youexclaim.“Thisisincredible!”

Youcouldgetusedtobeingacomicbookhero.

Thehallwayendsatanothersteeldoor.Noproblem.Windingup,yousmackitwithyourPower-Punch!

SeewhathappensonPAGE136.

“Yikes!”youshout.“Everybodyrun!”

Youpush.Youshove.Youtrytogetoutofthegiantrobot’spath.Butthecrowdistoothick.You’retrapped.

“Hey!”awhinyvoicesaysinyourear.“Iknowyou!”

Youturnandspotafamiliarfaceinthecrowd.It’sakidfromschoolnamedWally.Cometothinkaboutit,hehasn’tbeeninclasslately.

“Wherearewe?”youcry.“What’sgoingon?”

“Youjustgothereonthespinner-rackexpress,huh?”Wallyasks.“Okay,I’llmakethisfast.You’restuckinsideacomic—intheComicBooksUniverse.”

Yourollyoureyes.“Yeah,right.”

“It’strue!”Wallyinsists.“Now,here’sthedeal.Wecanshiftfromcomictocomic,usingamagicword.Butifyouuseittoooften,you’llturnintoaninkblot.”Heshudders.“IthappenedtothekidIwaswith.Alex.Hetriedtoleavethiscomic.Nowhe’sjustasmear.”

Youglanceanxiouslyattherobot.It’sawfullyclose.

“We’llbesmeared,too,ifwedon’tgetoutofhere!”youdeclare.

TurntoPAGE33.

Youthinkhard.Thenyouyell,“Guestshot!”

Instantly,theshadowsvanishinbrightfluorescentlight.

“Golly,”avoicesaysinyourear.“Lookatthat!”

Yougazearound.Huh?You’reinthemiddleofabunchofschoolkidsdressedinold-fashionedclothes.What’sthedeal?YouexpectedtofindyourselfinanotheradventureofBallisticBug.Instead,you’vebeendroppedintosomenerdyschooltrip.

Nervously,youglanceupward.Withyourluck,anothergiantrobotwillturnupanysecond.

“Gosh,Peewee,”thegirlbesideyouexclaims.“We’revisitinganuclearpowerplant!Isn’tthisneat?”

“Yeah,”abiggerkidwithablackcrewcutsneers.“MaybeforadweeblikePeeweeParkbench.”

Ishetalkingaboutyou?

Youglancedownatyourself.Youreyesbugout.Weirderandweirder!You’vechangedintoanerdy-lookingcharacterinabowtie.

Thenyourealizewhoyou’resupposedtobe.

PeeweeParkbench,thesecretidentityofBallisticBug!

TurntoPAGE72.

“Well,”youreason,“ifFrankensteincatchesuptomeagain,Icanalwaysrunfaster.”

ButtheideaofFrankensteinpoppingupagainworriesyou.Youturntoglanceoveryourshoulderasyourun.

Youseestars.Youranstraightintoawall!

Youglancequicklyaroundtheroom.

There’snowayout,exceptforthedoorwayyouentered.

Andstandinginthatdoorwayis…

Frankenstein.

Thecreaturedoesn’tevensnarlasitstalkstowardyou.You’recaught,fairandsquare.

And,asFrankensteinstartspainfullytryingtounscrewyourheadfromyourneck,yourememberhowthemonstercaughtitsvictims.

Theyallwounduprunningintoadead

Thekidwiththebuzzcutpushespast,stompingonyourtoes.

“Hey!”youcomplaininageekyvoice.“Watchit!”

“Makeme,”Buzzcutsneers.

Yougrin.Okay,heaskedforit.

YoutrytocalluponBallisticBug’sinsectstrength.

Nothinghappens!

Thenyourememberwhatthegirlnexttoyousaid.Thismustbethefamousvisittothenuclearplant.TheonewherePeeweegetshisincrediblesuperpowers.

Youdon’thavethem…yet.

GetthedetailsonPAGE120.

It’sasimplechoice.OfcourseyoujumpTexLoudsnore!

Notthatit’seasy.Herunsaround,yelling,“Halt!Stop!Icommandyou!”Andyouhavetobecarefulnottostomphimaccidentally.He’syourticketoutofthiscrazycomic-bookworld!

Finally,youcatchhim.Holdinghimcarefullyinonefist,youbringthemadscientistuptoyourface.“You’regoingtohelpmegethome!”youdemand.

Atleast,that’swhatyoumeanttosay.Butinsteadofwords,flamescomeroaringoutofyourmouth.

Inseconds,theonlymanwhocouldhavehelpedyouisextra-crispy!

“Oh,no!”yougasp.Moreflamesroarfromyourlips.

There’sonlyonethinglefttodo.

“Guestshot!”youtrytocry.

Butsinceyoucan’tspeak,youdon’tvanish.Yourdespairingwordsonceagainlashoutasflames,settingthelaboratoryonfire!

GotoPAGE58.

Youglanceup.Ahugehammerishurtlingtowardyourhead!

Youthrowupyourhands.Butyouknowthatwon’tstopthefallinghammer.You’redead!

Yourskinsuddenlystartstotingle.Sparksflyaroundyourhair.Thenalightningboltfliesfromyourhead.Itsmashesthehammertobits!

Yourjawdrops.Youstareatthepiecesofwreckedhammer.“Noway!Thiscan’tbehappening!”youblurtout.

Whileyoublinkindisbelief,thewreckagefadesaway.You’reinabare,gleamingroomwithagridonthewalls.

You’veseenthisplacebefore!It’sthePerilParlor,whereY’sGuyspracticetheirpowersagainstholograms.

Andthatmeans…

Youglancedownatyourself.Sureenough,you’reinthepink-and-blueuniformofY’sGuys.Andwiththatlightningboltonyourchest,you’dhavetobe…

“Yo,RAY-ge,”anotherpink-and-blueherocallstoyou.“ProfessorYwantstoseeus.”

ProfessorY!That’sthescientistyouwanttosee!

MeettheprofessoronPAGE35.

Thehazzafrazzadevicelooksmuchsafer!youthink.

Youstandunderthefloodlightonasetofcopperandsteelcircles,oneinsideanother.

TexLoudsnorestartspullingswitches.Thefloodlightwinksintolife.Eerie,pulsinglightshinesdownonyou.

Allofasudden,youfeelverystrange.It’sasifyourbodyisstretching.Hey!Thisissortofhowyoufeltwhenthecomicsrackwasspinning!Areyouonyourwayhome?

Thelabfadesaway.ButyoucanstillseeTexLoudsnoredancingaround,cackling.

“I’myourworstenemy,Super-Doofus!”heshouts.“DidyoureallythinkIwasgoingtohelpyou?Thehazzafrazzadeviceisamattertransmitter.AndIsetitforthecenterofthestarVega!”

Youtrytoscream,butnosoundcomesout.Thelabisgone.Abrilliantglowsurroundsyou.Theglowgetsbrighterandbrighter—nottomentionhotterandhotter.

Toobad.Butlookonthebrightside.Atleastyougottobearealstarin

THEEND!

“Hey!”youshout,flyingstraightatthestoreowner’sface.Thecloseryoucome,thebiggerhisfaceseemstoget.

Infact,thecloseryoucome,thebiggerthewholeguylooks.

Oh,no!

Youescapedfromthecomic,butsomethingwentterriblywrong.You’restillthesizeofacomicsdrawing!You’rebarelytwoinchestall!

Ashadowfallsoveryou.It’sthestoreguy’shand,whippingdowntoswatyou!

Maybehethinksyou’rejustanotherbug.Ormaybeheknowsexactlywhatyouare,andhedoesn’twantyoutoescape.

Ormaybe—

SPLAT!

THEEND

YoushakeafistunderMilo’snose.“Okay,Milo,it’sover!”youyell.“Letusallgo—oryou’llbesorry!”

Milojustlaughs!“No,you’llbesorry!Don’tyouknowI’mamutant?IcanchangeintoanykindofcreatureIwanttobe.”Hegivesyouanevilsmile.“Here’soneIcall—theGlob!”

Thechestyou’resittingonstartstowobblelikeJell-O.YougaspasMilo’sskinturnstransparent.

Thenhedribblesbonelesslyoutofhisclothes!

CammieandJackleapback,screaming.

Youtrytojump,too.ButMilo’snewformoozesaroundyourlegs.He’snotjustgooey,he’sgluey.Youcan’tgetfreeofMilo’sslimyself!

He’suptoyourknees…yourhips…nowyou’realmostcompletelycoveredbytheGlob.

Desperately,youtrytopeelMilo’sglob-formoffyourself.“HELP!”youtrytoshriek.Butyourairiscutoff.

Youlookatyourarm.Yourfleshisbeginningtoblur.

Miloisabsorbingyou!

Toobad.Youloooozethistime!

THEEND

Heartbeating,youpushpastyourfriends—andintodarkness.There’snotmuchroom.You’rehemmedintight.Butyoucanseealightupahead.

Youpayattentiontonothingelse,workingtowardit.Thelightbecomesdazzling.Blindly,youshoveyourwayforward,feelingsquashedandbreathless.

Youcan’tmove!Areyoutrapped?

Withadesperatewriggle,youforceyourselfafewinchesforward.

Then,likeacorkpoppingoutofabottle,you’rethrough!

Youtumbleflatonyourface.Roughconcretescratchesagainstyourcheek.Youfeelsunonyourback.You’refree!

Scramblingtoyourfeet,youdashalongabackalleyandoutintothestreet.“Help!”youyell.“Kidnapping!Monsters!”

Passersbyonthestreetturnaround.Yougapeinhorror.

Thesepeoplehaveskinlikedarkgreenleather.Theyhavegiant,honeycombedeyes.Likeinsects.Andtheydon’ttalk.

Theybuzz!

BuzzontoPAGE16.

Russellalmostburstsintoapplausewhenyoucatchyourankle.“You’rejustthepersonweneed!”hecries.HeturnstoBob.“Quick,gettheothers.We’llbeleavingrightaway!”

Leaving?Youwerehopingyoucouldstayattheircamp.Somehow,itsoundssaferthantherestofthemaze.

Andanotherthing.“WhyamIjustthepersonyouneed?”youasksuspiciously.

“Becauseofyoursize,”Russellanswers.“Everybodyinourgroupistoobig.”

Ashiverrunsdownyourspine.“Toobigforwhat?”youwanttoknow.

Russelllooksoneway,thentheother.Healmostseemsafraidhe’llbeoverheard.“Wethinkwe’vefoundawayoutofhere!”hewhispers.“Butitwillonlyworkforalittleperson!”

TurntoPAGE5.

Bysheerluck,yougrabholdofthewaitinghands.Theboypullsyououtoftheway—justintime.Youlookdownatthelion-bullcreature’sfuriouseyes.

“Missedme!”youshout.

Thecreatureroarsasyouswingdownoffthewall.Asecondlater,theplywoodwallseemstoexplode!

Youduckaspiecesofheavywoodframingflypast.Whatamess!Apileofwreckagecoversthelion-bullcreature.Itmusthaverammeddownthewallandcrashedintothenextone!

“Help!”avoicecries.

Youturntoyourrescuer—tofindhimpinnedunderapileofwreckage!

PullhimlooseonPAGE85.

There’ssomethingvibratingonyourback.Youcranetoseeoveryourshoulder.

Wow!You’vegotwings!Giant,shimmeringinsectwings!

You’resoastonished,youfreeze.Thatincludesyourwings,whichstopbeating.Instantly,youdropaboutfourfeet.

Luckyforyou!Ablastofenergysizzlesrightoveryourhead.Theblast-bolt!Itexplodeswhereyoushouldhavebeen.

Yourwingsstarttobuzzagain.Younoticenowthatyourbodyisencasedinsomekindofsparklingbrownarmor.

Excellent!Yournew“guestshot”hasturnedyouintothestarofthecomic—BallisticBug!

Youziparound,duckingDr.Doof’sblast-bolts.Thenyourealize:Youcanfightback!You’vegotothersuperpowersbesidesyourinsectwings.

You’dliketotryoutyourInsecto-ElectricHornet’sSting.Butyou’reprettyfarawayfromDr.Doof.

Shouldyoutryablastfromwhereyouare?Orshouldyoucloseinsoyouraimwillbebetter?

TurntoPAGE56forlong-rangesharpshooting.

TurntoPAGE92tomakeitupcloseandpersonal!

Forthefirsttimesincetouchingthatcomicrack,youfeelalittlehope.“Couldyoureallygetmebackhome?”

Loudsnorerubshischin.“Well,Ineedtorunsometeststoseeifyouratomiccompositionisdifferentfromours.Andthenthere’stheeffectofthetransuniversalphlogiston….”

Youdon’tunderstandawordthemadscientistissaying.Butyou’reeagertohelp.“Justtellmewhattodo,”youcry.

Loudsnorepointstoabigmetalbox.“Climbinthere.”

Inthere?Maybeit’syourimagination,buttheboxlookslikeabigcoffin.IsLoudsnorereallytryingtohelpyou?Orishetryingtodestroyyou?

“Isn’ttheresomeotherwayyoucouldmakethesetests?”youasknervously.

Loudsnoreshrugs.“Wecouldtrythehazzafrazzadevice,”hesays.Hepointstosomethingthatlookslikeahugefloodlight,danglingfromtheceiling.“ButIwon’tgetasgoodareading.”

Doyouwanttogetintothecoffin?TurntoPAGE130.

Doyouwanttotrythehazzafrazzadevice?GotoPAGE75.

“Look,Doc,”youcroak.“I’msorry,okay?”Thenyougetabrightidea.“I’minsomanydifferentseries—I,uh,getmixedupsometimesaboutwhichscriptiswhich.”

Dr.Doofscowls.“Sure,rubitinabouthowpopularyouare.Idon’tknowwhatallthosefansseeinyou,withthosestupidantennasstickingoutofyourhelmet.AnybodywithanybrainscouldseeI’vegotacoolercostume!”

There’sonegoodthingaboutthisweirdsituation.Dr.Doofseemslikeareasonableguy—sortof.Oncehecalmsdown,youshouldbeabletotalktohim!

Doofgivesyouonemoreshake,thensighs.“Well,we’vegotajobtodo—unlessyouwanttocallabreak.”

Tocontinuethisphonyfight,turntoPAGE126.

Totakeabreak,gotoPAGE49.

Whoa!Milomusthavereadyourmind.Andchangedhimselfintoyourworstnightmare!

Hisnewbodyheavesandwobbles.HestaresdownatyouthroughKingJellyjam’sgooshyyelloweyes.

“Well?”heasksinadeep,gurglingvoice.“Whatdoyouthink?AmIscaryenough?”

Yougag.You’dalmostforgottenthatKingJellyjamhaddisgustingbadbreath.ButMilogotitdownperfectly.

Yourteetharechatteringsobadly,youcan’tanswerrightaway.Butthatgivesyouachancetothink.

IsMiloplayingwithyou?Doeshejustwantyoutoadmityou’rescaredbeforehedoesyouin?

Ontheotherhand,Miloisinanunfamiliarbodynow.Maybehedoesn’tknowhowitworksyet.Maybeyoushouldtrytobeathim!

Ifyouadmitthatyou’rescared,turntoPAGE32.

IfyouwanttogoupagainstMilo,turntoPAGE14.

Thegoodnewsisthatthepileofstuffontopofyournewfriendisn’taslargeasthemoundthatburiedthelion-bullcreature.

Youstarttossingasidethepiecesofwreckage.Itisn’teasy.Thewoodenbeamsthatheldupthewallsarethickerthanyourarms.Bigchunksofwoodlieundersmallerones.Youquicklylearnthisstuffcangetheavy!

“What’syourname?”youpuffasyoukickaten-footbeamofftooneside.

“I’mCharlie,”thetrappedboyreplies.“There’sabunchofusdownhere.Ifyoumeetmyfriends,tellthemwhathappenedtome.Butgetoutofhere,”Charliebegs.“Saveyourselfwhileyoucan!”

“No!”youshout.“I’mgoingtohelpyou,andthat’sfinal!”

WorkyourwaytoPAGE121.

Youlaughtoyourselfasyourunthroughthemaze.Frankensteinmaybestrong,buthe’ssoslow!Howdidheevercatchpeopleinthemovies?

Thecreature’scriesgetevenfainterasyoupoundalong.Finally,attheendofalonghall,youstoptocatchyourbreath.

Butyou’veonlyrestedforamomentwhenafamiliarshadowappearsagainstthewall.Asecondlater,Frankensteincomesstaggeringdownthehall.Hisclawlikehandsgropeforyou.

“NYAAAAARRRRRRGH!”thecreaturecries.

Thescentofdecayingmeatfillsyournose.

Hemaybeslow,buthe’sstillplentyscary.Shuddering,youdodgethroughthefirstdoorwayyousee.Dashingdownanewhall,youquicklyoutrunFrankenstein’sstaggeringsteps.

“Man!”youmutter.“Thatwastooclose!Howdidhecatchuptomesoquickly?”

Thenyougetit.Ofcourse.Thecreaturelivesinthemaze!Itknowsalltheshortcuts!

RuntoPAGE71.

Youpoundagainstthetrickpanel.Itdoesn’tbudge!“Jack!Cammie!”youyell.“What’sgoingon?”

Theyshoutback,“We’veneverseenawalllikethatbefore.”

Inspiteofeverythingyoudo,thewoodenpanelstaysstuck.

“Justkeepgoing,”Cammiecallstoyou.“Soonerorlater,themazemustcometogetheragain.”

Yougothroughthenearestdoorandintothehallwaybeyond,shoutingtoyourfriends.Butafterafewturns,theirvoicessoundfartheraway.Andthenyoucan’thearthematall.

Thenyouhitanotherbigroom.It’sdifferentfromanythingelseyou’veseeninthemaze.Theflooriscoveredbyapuddle,yardswide.There’sjustalittlebitofdryspacebythewalls.“Whatisthatstuff?”youmutter.Itlookslikeblackink!

Hearingyournamecalled,youlookup.There’sadoorwayattheothersideoftheroom.AndthereareJackandCammie!

“Comeon!”Jackcries.“Let’sgetoutofhere!”

Youcouldwalkthroughthegloppypuddle.Ormaybeyoushouldtrytoedgearoundit,huggingthewalls.

Ifyouwalkstraightthrough,gotoPAGE21.

Ifyoutrygoingaround,turntoPAGE28.

Thefootstepsgetlouder.Louder.

AndthenoneofLoudsnore’shorriblecreationsstompsin.It’sadinosaur-likecreaturemadeofmetalandplastic.

AnditlooksalotlikeyourfriendWally.

Loudsnorepointsatyou.“Destroythismonster!”heordersthenewcreature.“Butdon’thurtme.”

“Don’tlistentohim,Wally!”youshout.“Hedoesn’treallycontrolyou.”

“Huh?”Wally’sglowingeyeslookconfused.“Hey!I’mnotdoingwhathesaid.Iguesshedoesn’tcontrolme.”

Yougrin.“So,wherewerewe?”youaskLoudsnore.“Oh,yes.YouweregivingmebackmySuper-Doerbody—andde-monsterfyingmyfriend,too.”

HoldingLoudsnorebythecollarofhislabcoat,youdanglehimfromyourgianthand.

“Allright!”screamsLoudsnore,clingingdesperatelytoyourfingers.“I’llturnyoubothback!”

Nowhe’stalking!TurntoPAGE99.

“Okay,”youtellyourself.“SoI’mbeingfollowedthroughadarkmaze.Ishouldlookonthebrightside.Maybewhoeveritiscanshowmethewayoutofhere.”

Youturnbackonyourtrail.Asyoudo,younoticeanastysmellintheair.ItremindsyouofthetimeyouruncleMelleftthebagofgarbageinthekitchenwhenthefamilywentonatwo-weekvacation.Anditseemstobegettingstronger.

Uh-oh.

Youpoparoundacornerandintoaroom.Lightpoursthroughaseconddoorway.Itthrowsamovingshadowonthewall.

Maybeit’sMilo,orwhatevertheowner’srealnameis.

Thenthefigurearrivesinthedoorway.

It’snotMilo.

Thisguyistall.Andhedoesn’thaveafacelikearottenpumpkin.

Hisskinisgreenish-gray,likemoldycheese.Puckeredscarsrunuphischeeks.Apairofbig,metalboltsstickoutofhisneck.

It’simpossible—buthelookslikeFrankenstein!

Whenheseesyou,hesnarls,“NYAARGH!”

TurntoPAGE115.

“Doc?Hey,Doc?Areyouokay?”youshoutintotheholeinspace.

Noanswer.

Takingadeepbreath,youstickyourheadthroughthehole.

Youblink.You’regazingataneverydaystreet—outsideaveryfamiliarcomicshop.Dr.Doofisstandingthere,peeringinthewindow.

“Whatwereyouscreamingabout?”youdemand.

“Thisworldissodifferent,”Dr.Doofreplies.Hisvoiceshakes.

Yourealizehe’susedtotheflat,brightuniverseofthecomics.“Yeah,”youreply.“Iguessthecolorsseemprettydull.”

“It’sadrabworld,”Dr.Doofagrees.“Butawholenewworldformetoconquer!”

Uh-oh!HurrytoPAGE42.

Dr.Doofspinsyouoverhisheadlikeabaseballbatterdoingwarm-ups.“Whoa!Yow!”youscreechasyouflyaroundincircles.

“Oh,good.That’sgood,”Doofcomplimentsyou.

“I’mnotfakingit!”youtrytoyell.Butyou’resodizzy,youcan’tgetthewordsout.

ThenDr.Doofhurlsyouaway!

“Aiiiiieeeee!”youyell.You’rehurtlingstraightatabrickwall.Headfirst!

“Tuckandroll,bug-brain!”Doofhowls.“You’llbreakyourneck!”

Ifyouwereatrainedcomic-bookprofessional,you’dknowwhattodo.Butsinceyouaren’t,youdon’t…andthisis

THE(CRUNCH!)END!

YoudodgetwomoreblastsfromDr.Doof,thenzoomintoadive-bombingattack.

YourInsecto-ElectricHornet’sStingisbuiltintoyourhelmet’santenna.Thechargebuildsupallthroughyourbody.Whenyou’realmostontopofDr.Doof,youletitgo.

FZZT!Aboltofgreenenergyleapsoutoftheantenna.Itslamsintoyourenemy’schest,knockinghimflat.

“Hah!”youcry.Youdoatriumphantloop-the-loopintheair.“Takethat,Doof!”

ZoomtoPAGE55.

“Please,”youbeg.“Ineedhelp.Myfriendsaretrapped—”

Stillshrieking,thebug-peoplestartbackingaway.

“Noooo!”youshout.Yourunafterthem.Buttheyjumplikehugecrickets—twentyfeetataleap!Inacoupleofblocks,thebug-peopleleaveyoufarbehind.

Butoneofthemcan’tjumpaway.He—orit—istrappedunderanoverturnedcart.Itlookslikearollinghot-dogstand,exceptthefranksarewrigglingwormlikethings.

Youleanoverthetrappedalien.“Listentome—”youbegin.

Thebug-personflopsback.It’sfainted!

Clearly,you’renotgoingtogetanyhelphere.You’llhavetogobacktothebasementandrescueyourfriendsyourself.

But—howdoyougetback?Howcanyoufindthealleywhereyouarrivedonthisworld?Asyougazearound,yourealizethatallthebuildingsareidentical.Hivelike.

Itseemsyou’restuckonthisstrangeworld…aworldwhereyou’rethemonster.

Oh,well.Don’tbugout!

THEEND

Ker-WHAM!Youhitthewallwithatremendouscrash—andkeepongoing!Atleastyourcapeisoffyourheadnow.

Bang!Crash!Yousmashyourwaythroughotherroomsinthebuilding.Butyoursuperskinisn’tevenscratched.Amazing!

Youthumpthroughonemorewallbeforeyoucometoastop.Timeforalittlepayback!Yourocketoutthroughtheseriesofholesyoualreadymadeinthewalls.

Quickasaflash,youzoombacktotheWally-monster.POW!BOP!BIFF!YouunleashyourPower-PunchonWally.

“Hey!Ow!Nofair!”Wallywhines.“It’snotmyfault.Ididn’twanttobeamonster.TexLoudsnoreturnedmeintoone!”

“TexLoudsnore?”yourepeat.Hmm.NotonlyishethetopvillaininSuper-Doercomics,he’salsoamadscientist.

Justtheguyyouneed!

MoveontoPAGE57.

YoudecidetotryforDr.Doof’shelp.Afterall,hedoesn’tseemlikeabadguy,onceyougettoknowhim.

“Look,Doc,”youwhisper.“Ihaveabigproblem.Idon’treallybelonghere.”

Youexplainaboutthecomicshopandwhathappenedtoyou.Dr.Dooflistenswithoutsayingaword.

Youwishhe’dtakeoffthosegogglesandthemetalmask.Itwouldbenicetoseetheexpressiononhisface.Whatifhethinksyou’rejustatotalnutcase?

Butyoukeepon,untilyou’vetoldthewholestory.

Whenyourunoutofwords,Dr.Doofstandstheresilentlyforalongmoment.

“Ialwaysknewweweredoingsomesortofentertainmentthing,”hefinallymutters.“But…comicbooks!”Heshakeshishead.“I’msoembarrassed.”

Embarrassed?

“Forgetaboutthat,”youreplyimpatiently.“Isthereanywaytogetoutofhere?”

Dr.Doofthinksitover.

Atlast,hedeclares,“Yes!”

Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?GotoPAGE13!

“Um,waitasecond!”youcry.“I’mnotsure—”

ButTexLoudsnorehasalreadystarteduptheunconfrabulator.

Tryingtoduck,youcry,“Guestsh—”

Aspearofbrilliantbluelightleapsfromthedevice.Itcatchesyourightinthechest.Oh,thepain!Youscream.

TexLoudsnorescreams,too.“Itoldyoutokeepstill!Nowyou’veruinedeverything.You’lldisintegrate.AndI’llbestuckwithSuper-Doeragain!”

Yougazedowninhorrorasyourbodybeginstocrumpleinonitself.Youcan’tscreamagain,though.There’snothinglefttoscreamwith!Youstretchoutyourhandsandwatchthemgrowfainterandfainter,untilthey’regone—andyou’regone!You’renothing!

It’sashame.Youalwaystriedsohardtobecool.

Butnowyou’reatotalzero!

THEEND

ThemonsterwithWally’sfaceandvoicereachesthetopofthebuilding.Yougetready…andjump!

Whoops!Youstillneedtogetusedtoyournewpowers.Youovershootthebuilding,speedinghighintothesky!

Spinninginmidair,youchargeback.TheWally-monsterhasreachedthetopoftheunfinishedbuilding.YourfistgoesbackforyourPower-Punch.Thistimeyouwon’tmiss!

Asyouzoomdown,theWally-monstergrabsabigsteelgirderthatsticksupfromthetopofthebuilding.Tearingthegirderloose,heslingsitoverhisshoulder.Likeaclub.Or…

Whack!Toolate,yourealizeWallywasholdingthegirderlikeabaseballbat.Andhe’susingyouastheball!

Yougruntasthesteelbeamstrikesyou.Evenwithyoursuperskinandmaximuscles,theimpactknocksthewindoutofyou.

Wally’sswingalsoknocksyououtoftheconstructionsite.Tumblinghelplessly,youstreaktowardthehorizonlikealinedrive!

SwooshtoPAGE48.

Thecolorsfadeaway.TexLoudsnorewalksupandpinchesyou.

“Ouch!”youyell.Thathurt!Youwishyouwerehomeinbed.Youwishyouwereoutofthiscomic.

Ofcourse,youcouldyell,“Guestshot!”

Butyoudon’twanttoriskturningintoaninkblot.Besides,youronlyhopeofescapingfromtheComicBooksUniverseistogethelpfromamadscientist.Andhere’sone,rightnow.

“Ah-hahahahaha!”Loudsnoregloats.“I’vedoneit!You’velostyourpowers!”

“Ididn’twantthem,”youreply.“Look,I’mnotwhoyouthinkIam.I’mreallyakidintrouble.Ineedyourhelp…”

Asyouexplainhowyouwounduphere,TexLoudsnore’seyesnarrow.“Incredible!”heexclaims.“Impossible!”

“That’swhatIthought,untilithappened,”yousay.

“Itsoundslikeaninterdimensionalhyperflux,”Loudsnoremuses.“Veryinteresting.LetmeseewhatIcando.”

HearmorefromthemadscientistonPAGE82.

YousetTexLoudsnoredown.Herunsovertooneofthelabtables.Whilehemixeschemicals,youkeepaneagleeyeonhim.

Wallyslidesuptoyou.“DoyoutrustLoudsnore?”hewhispers.“Imean,he’savillain—abadguy!”

“He’salsoamadscientist,”youpointout.“Yousaidthat’swhatweneedtogethomeagain.”

“Youtrusthimifyouwantto,”Wallysays.“I’moutofhere.”Hetakesadeepbreath,thenhollers,“Guestshot!”

Butinsteadofdisappearing,Wallyclutchesathisthroatandscreams!Hefallsbackagainstthewall.

Thenhisbodybeginstomeltallovertherock!

Horrified,yousteptowardWally.Hefranticallywavesyouaway.Hisscreamsturntobubblingmoans.

“Theblot!”hecoughsout.“Itriedtojumponcetoooften.I’mturningintoaninkblot!”

It’stoohorrible.Yousqueezeyoureyesshut.

Whenyouopenthemagain,allthat’sleftofWallyisanenormousstainrunningdownthewallandontothefloor!

Yuck!GotoPAGE106.

Youhangback.YouwanttoknowmoreaboutthisDoorwaytoAnywherebeforeyoutryitout.

Dr.Doofstepsforward.“Fascinating!”heexclaims,leaningintotheblackopening.

Then,withafearfulcry,he’ssuckedin!

“Doc!”Thecryburstsoutofyou.

Dr.Doofclutchestheedgeoftheblackholewithonehand.Heholdstheotherouttoyou.“Helpme!”heshrieks.

Youdon’twanttogonearthathungryhole.

Butyou’resupposedtobeahero,aren’tyou?

SoyougrabholdofDr.Doof’sarmandpull.Yourwingswhinewiththeeffort.

Themadscientistsuddenlypopsout.Hesprawlsonthefloor.

Theholedisappearswithasharpbang.

AndDr.Doofgrabsyoubythethroat,shouting,“Sucker!”

Gulp!Gotopage119.

“Awerewolf!”youshriek.“Help!It’sgotme!”

Thenyounotice—yourarmisn’tbleeding.Itdoesn’tevenhurt.

Thecreaturehasnoteeth!

Whininglikeanunhappydog,thebeast-manleapsaway.

“Youwerelucky,”Cammiesays.“IfthathadturnedouttobetheFrenziedFlesh-eater…”Sheshakesherhead.

“ThemazecreaturesareallfromMilo’shorrorcomic,”Jackexplains.“Frankenstein,Menes,Wolfie—”

“Noway!”youburstout.“Thosethingsdon’texist!”

“Yousawthem,”Jackinsists.“It’sMilo’smagic.”

JackandCammiestartwalkingagain.Youtagafterthem.“Wait!IfMiloismagic,whydidn’thesavehiscomicbook?Whyishestuckrunningthatdopeyshop?”youdemand.

Youturnacornerandcrashintoyourtwoguides.They’refrozeninthedoorwayofabigroom.It’sfullofkids—andfacingthemis…

“MilotheMutant!”yougasp.

Hehasn’tspottedyou.Shouldyoujumphim?

Orshouldyourun?

TotackleMilo,gotoPAGE123.

Ifyou’drathergetoutofthere,runofftoPAGE44.

“Schoolpalornot,youaren’twreckingthisbuilding!”youcry.

Flyingdownlikeanarrow,youaimfortheWally-monster’snose.YoualreadyhaveyourfiststuckouttodeliveryourPower-Punch.

Butwhenyouarrive,Wallyisn’tthere!

Desperately,youscreechtoastopbeforeyouPower-Punchyourwaydeepintotheground.

Youwhirltofindthehuge,prehistoricspace-monsterclimbingupthebuilding.HugemetalclawsscreechagainsttheconcretewallsastheWally-monsterpullsitselfup.Thenoiseisabouttentimesworsethanthesoundoffingernailsonablackboard.Andsinceyoursuper-earsaretentimeskeenerthanordinaryears,it’sdownrightpainful.

“You’dbetterquitit,Wally,”youwarn.“You’rebeginningtoannoyme!”

KeepupthefightonPAGE97.

Yourbodyfeelsasifgiantshavebeenusingyouforagameoftug-of-war.You’resickanddizzyfromthespinning.Butyounoticesomethingiswrong.Theworldseemsstrangelyflat.Thecolorsareverybright.Youpeerupatanincrediblybluesky.

Sky?Waitaminute!Howdidyougetoutside?

Anelbowjabsyou.Someonestepsonyourfoot.Youaren’tjustoutside—you’reinacrowd.Andwhatacrowd!You’repackedinsotightly,youcanbarelymove.Thepersonbehindyouisactuallybreathingdownyourneck.

Couldthisbeaparade?

“What’sgoingon?”youask.

Nooneanswersyou.Butavoicecries,“Hereitcomes!”

Ashadowfallsacrossyou.Whenyouseewhat’sblockingthesunlight,youreyesgrowbig.It’sagigantictincan—witharms,legs,andahead.No—it’sarobot!

“Idon’tbelievethis!”yougaspinastrangledvoice.

You’dbetterbelieveit.Thatthingisasbigasaskyscraper.Andit’sstridingstraightforyou!

GotoPAGE69.

“Guestshot!”youyell.

Whenyouopenyoureyes,you’restandingbesideanofficetowerthat’sstillbeingbuilt.Thecrowdisgone.Therobotisgone.You’reallalone.

“Thisisbizarre,”youmutter.

Avoicesuddenlyyells,“Headsup!”

Ofcourse,youlookup.Afallingbrickhitsyourightbetweentheeyes.

Andbouncesoff!

Yougoggleindisbelief.Thatbrickshouldhavekilledyou.Butitfeltlikealeafbeingblownagainstyou!

Youlookdownatyourself.Hey!You’vegrownup.Youhaveallkindsofmuscles.Andyou’rewearingwhatlookslikepurplelongunderwearwithabigyellowS-Donthechest.

Younotonlyswitchedcomics,youturnedintoSuper-Doer!

“I’vegottofindasteelbar!”youexclaim.“CanIreallybenditwithmybarehands?”

GolookingonPAGE26.

Usingyoursuperspeedyscramble,yourushforwardtograbtheflyingtesttube.Butthisisanothernewpowerforyou,andyoudon’tquitegetitright.

TexLoudsnore’stesttubeflashespastyourfingersandshattersatyourfeet.Whateverisinsidebubblesonthefloor.Thenyou’resurroundedbyacloudofredandgreensmoke.

“You’llneedmorethanasmokebomb—”youstarttosay.

Butthat’sallyoucanchokeout.Youreyesburn.Yourlungsfeelonfire.Evenyourskinhurts!It’sstretchedsotight,you’reafraidyou’regoingtoburstlikeaballoon!

You’reinpain.You’realsoconfused.Nothingissupposedtobeabletohurtyou.You’reSuper-Doer!

Right?

FindoutonPAGE98.

TexLoudsnorestaresfromyoutotheblotthatWallyhasbecome.“Theremusthavebeensomethingwrongwiththatbatchofcreaturecreator,”hedeclares.“I’dbetterrunsometestsonyou.Wedon’twantanythingtogowrongwhenIchangeyouback.”

Themadscientistturnsseveralweirdinstrumentsonyou.Hefrowns.“Myphenopticonisgettingoddreadingsfromyou.Myformulareactedverystrangelywithyou.”

“So?”youdemand.

Loudsnorelickshislipsnervously.“Well,IcangiveyoubackyourSuper-Doerbody.Buttodothejob,I’llhavetotakeyoursuperpowersaway!”

“Well—”youstarttosay.

“Trustme.IknowwhatI’mdoing,”Loudsnoreassuresyou.Hestartsmixingingredients.Inaboutasecondandahalf,hehasanothertesttubeinhishand,readytothrow.

Waitasecond,youthink.

Howdoyouknowwhathe’sgotinthere?Howdoyouknowhe’snotgoingtoturnyouintosomethingevenworsethistime?

IfyoutrustLoudsnore,turntoPAGE22.

Ifyoudon’ttrustLoudsnore,turntoPAGE64.

“WesawMilolastweek,”Cammieremarks.“Thewerewolfwaschasingus.Milopoppedaroundthecornerandstaredatus.Thenheshookhishead,likehewasannoyed.‘I’llnevermakemycomebackthisway,’hesaid.Remember,Jack?”

Jackdoesn’treply.He’sstaringoveryourshoulder.Youturntoseeabugcrawlinguptheplywoodwall.Abigbug.

Jackgrabsforit.AndCammiesnarlsathim.It’sasoundyou’dexpectfromawilddog,notfromakid.JackandCammieseemreadytofight.Younoticehowskinnytheyare.Anddirty.Andhowlongtheirfingernailshavegrown.

Suddenly,Cammieseemstorememberyou’rethere.“Look,youneedhelp,”shetellsyou.“Whynotcomewithus?”

“Yeah,youcanmeettheotherkids,”Jackadds.

Youreyeswiden.“Youmeantherearemoreofusdownhere?”

Jacknods.“Wehelpeachother.”

Gettinghelp,evenfromstrangers,soundsgoodtoyou.Butthenagain,you’renottoofarfromthattrickstairway.Youmightbeabletofindawayoutonyourown.

IfyougowithJackandCammie,moveontoPAGE124.

Ifyouturnthemdownandgoonalone,gotoPAGE112.

Everyoneintheroomiswhoopingandholleringtocelebrateyourvictory.Youpeerdownatthehelplessformercomicbookhost.Heseemsoddlycalm.

“Fine,”youyelloverthenoise.“Wegothim.Nowwhatdowedowithhim?”

“Makehimletusgo!”oneofthekidsyells.

“Yeah,”Cammiecries.“Milomustknowthewayoutofhere.”

ButyoufindyourselfthinkingbacktothespeechMilowasmakingwhenyoutackledhim.Hesaidhehadaveryseriousreasonforkeepingthekidsinthemaze.

Whatcoulditbe?

IfyoutellMilotoleteveryonego,turntoPAGE77.

IfyouaskMilowhathe’supto,turntoPAGE40.

Yougulp.Buttheirfacesseemfriendly.

“Whydon’tyoucomewithus?”Cammiesuggests,steppinguptoyou.“You’llbejustintimefordinner.”

“That’sright,”Jackchimesin,takingyourarminafirmgrip.Youtrytoshakeoffhishand.

Youcan’tgetfree.

“Uh—whatistheretoeatdownhere?”youask.

“Oh,wejusttakewhateverfallsourway.”Cammiegrinsatyou.Yousuddenlynoticehowbigherteethare.Howpointed.

Jack’ssmilerevealsthesamebig,sharpfangs.

Hopeyoudon’thaveasweettooth.Becauseitdoesn’tlookasifyou’llbearoundfordessert!

THEEND

Thetrapdoorfliesopenmoreeasilythanyouexpected.Youdroptoyourknees,eagertoexplorewhateverisdownthere.

Butthere’snowaydown!Nostairs.Noladder.Notevenaropetoclimb.

Fogseepsupthroughtheopentrapdoor.Asthemistywispstouchyou,youshiver.You’veneverfeltanythingsocold!

Oninstinct,youtrytoleapforthedoorway.Butit’salreadytoolate.Yourmuscleswon’tobey.They’refrozen!

Thefogisallaroundyounow.Athinfilmoficeformsonyourskin.Dimly,younoticeBobandanotherboy,peeringthroughthedoorwayatyou.

“Youwereright,Bob.Itwasatrap,”thestrangeboysays.“Thatkidwasjustwhatweneeded.Betterastrangershouldgethurtthanoneofus.”

That’sallyouhear.Thentheiciclesonyourfronthalfpullyouoffbalance.Youtoppleforward.Intothedarkhole.

SPLOOSH!Youplungeintoicyblackwater.Aswiftcurrentwhirlsyouaway.What’shappening?youwonderfoggily.

Thenyoupassout.

WashuponPAGE137.

Tinygraydotsswirlaroundyou.Theyland,coveringyourarms,yourhands,yourface.

Youtrytobrushthestuffaway.Itwon’tcomeoff!

“Bugs!”Russellyellsinhorror.“They’reteeny,tinybugs!”

Youfeelacreepy-crawlysensationonyourskin.Thenitstartstosting—likemillionsofpin-pricks.Youblinkyoureyesandholdyournose,tryingtokeepsthebugsaway.Butyoufeelsuddenlyweak.It’sasthoughthesetinythingsaresuckingthejuicesrightoutofyou!

Aliciakeelsover,hittingthefloor.She’scoveredingraygunk.Shelooksjustlikethosepilesofmoldyoupassedintheotherrooms.

Youmustlooklikeone,too,youthinkasyoufall.

Andsoon,that’sallyou’llbe….

THEEND

Youwanttogetoutofthismazenow.Besides,CammieandJackaretooweirdforyou.“Thanks,butI’dliketoseehowIgetalongonmyown,”youtellthem.Youfakeasmile.“MaybeI’llseeyoulater.”

Youhurryoutoftheroom.

Behindyou,theystartsnarlingateachotheragain.“Youletthatkidgetaway!”Jack’svoiceechoesthroughthemaze.

“Oh,right,”Cammieanswers.“Itwasyouandyourbug-eating!Youshouldneverdothatinfrontofnewcomers.”

“Speakingofbugs—”Jack’svoicestops.ButyouhearaloudCRUNCH!asifhe’sbitingintosomething.

Somethingwithahardshell.

“Comeon!”Cammieorders.

Thenyouheartheirfootsteps.Comingyourway!

Doyourun?Ifso,turntoPAGE50.

Orshouldyoutrytohide?TurntoPAGE125.

Whenyoureyesclear,youfindMilostandingoveryou.He’schangedbacktohisusualuglybutnot-so-scaryself.Abiggrinstretchesacrosshiswartyface.

“Youd-didn’tkillme?”youstammer.

Yourvoice!Itcomesoutasagurglingroar.

“Killyou?”Milolaughs.“Kid,you’remygoldmine!I’mgoingtomakeyoumypartner—mystar!”

“What?”Yousitup—andbobsquishilyforamoment.What’sgoingon?WhyisMilosofarbelow?

Youwipeadropofsweatoffyourforehead.Eek!Wheredidthatsnailcomefrom?Andwhendidyourhandturnpurple?

Oh,no.MilohasmutatedyouintoKingJellyjam!

“We’llmaketonsofmoney!”Milogloats.Hewavesahandinfrontofhisface.“Ofcourse,someofitwillhavetogoonbreathmintsanddeodorantforyou.”

Yourshowisabighit.YoustartwithTV,butsoonyou’restarringinmovies.Hugecrowdsturnoutwheneveryoumakeapersonalappearance.Theyloveyou!

ButtherealmoneymakersareyourElGrossoSnailFarms.Wheredoyougetthesnails?

Nosweat!

THEEND

Youcatchthetesttube,butthetoppopsoff.POOF!Theworlddisappearsinapuffofpurplesmoke.Yourskinbeginstocrawl.Yourbonesache.

Thentheclouddisappears.No—it’sjustdownaroundyourmiddle.Thelabseemssmaller.

No,wait.It’syou.You’regrowing.

Thepurplecloudisfartherdown,andtheroofofthecaveiscomingcloserandclosertoyourhead.

That’sninetyfeethigh!youthink.Thatmakesme—

Yourthoughtsgetjumbledasyourheadbumpsagainsttheceilingofthecave.Youcloseyoureyes,bracingyourselftogetsquashedagainsttheroof.Butitdoesn’thappen.

You’vestoppedgrowing!

Lookingdownatyourself,yourealizeyou’vechanged.Yourskinisgreenandscaly.Andyouhaveathicktail.

Gulping,yourunyourfingersoveryourface.Oh,no!Bulgingeyes,scales,sharpteeth,tusks—

Tusks?

WhatkindofmonsterhasTexLoudsnoreturnedyouinto?

LearntheworstonPAGE34.

Foramoment,youcan’ttearyoureyesawayfromFrankenstein.Butwhenhelurchestowardyou,youleapaway.Youdashdownahallway.Thecreature’ssnarlingcryechoesbehindyou.

Asyouracethroughthenextdoorway,youscrapeagainsttheroughplywood.Yourjackettugsyoubackwhenyoutakethenextstep.It’scaughtonabunchofsplinters!

Youtrytopullloose,butyoucan’tgetfree!Andherecomethemonster’sscrapingfootsteps!Desperately,youwrestleoutofthecoatandkeeprunning.

Youturnleft.Thenright.Thenrightagain.Afterafewmoments,thecreature’ssnarlsbecomefainter.Itsoundsasifyou’relosinghim!

Shouldyoukeeprunning?Or,nowthathecan’tseeyou,shouldyoutrysneakingawayfromthecreature?

Onething’sforsure—you’vegottofindthewayoutofthismaze.Fast!

Ifyourun,turntoPAGE86.

Ifyousneakaway,turntoPAGE65.

“Here,buggie-buggie,”youwhisper.You’reworried.Thisisanimportantmomentincomicbookhistory.Ifonedetailisn’tright,theremightbenoBallisticBug.

Theglowingbugscuttlestowardyou.Youstickoutyourarm…

Wow!Lookatthesizeofthatstinger!

Thebugbuzzesaroundyourarm.Thenitstrikes!

“Yeeee-OW!”youyell.It’salotmorepainfulthanPeeweeParkbenchmadeitlookinthecomic.

Infact,itfeelsasifsomeoneinjectedmoltenlavaintoyourveins….

Youcollapse,gasping.Youcan’tfeelyourhandsorfeetanymore.Somethinghasdefinitelygonewrong.

Rememberhowyouworriedaboutonedetailbeingdifferentatthismomentinhistory?Well,therewas.Youwerehere,notPeeweeParkbench.

Anditseemsyou’reallergictomutantbug-bites.

Fatallyallergic.

Theworldstartstovanishinaredhaze.

Maybeyoushouldstartlookingforamaddoctor….

THEEND

“See,it’shardtoguesstime.Wecan’ttellwhetherit’sdayornightinMilo’smaze,”Cammieexplains.

“Milo’smaze?”yourepeat.“SotheguyinthecomicshopiscalledMilo?LiketheguyfromTheCellarofScaryStories?”

“HeistheguyfromTheCellarofScaryStories,”Cammiereplies.“Orhewas.Thecomicwascanceledyearsago.”

“Butifthere’snomorecomic,howcould—waitaminute!”youyell.“Comiccharactersaren’treal!Thisisimpossible!”

Jackjustshivers.“WithMilo,anythingispossible.Heblameskidsfornotbuyingenoughofhiscomicbooks.”

“Isthatwhyhetrappedusdownhere?”youask.

Jackshakeshisshaggyhead.“Wearen’tsure.Sometimeswecatchhimspyingonus.Wethinkmaybehe’stryingtoscareus.”

“Trying?”yousputter.“I’mscaredtodeath!”

ShudderalongtoPAGE107.

“I’llgofirst,”Cammiedeclares.Sheleansintotheglowingmirror.Thenshejumpsback.“Whoa!”

Afacehasappearedinthemirror.MilotheMutant!

“Whatareyoudoinginmyroom?”heyells.

“We’vegottogetaway!”Cammiecries.Sheturnstoyou.“Whatwasbeyondyourdoorway?”

“Justaroom,”youreply,“fullofboxesofcomics.”

“Ididn’tgetachancetolookthroughmydoor,”Jackcomplains.“Youcalledmeinhere.”

YouhurrytoJack’sdoorway—andgasp.Stretchinguptoatrapdoorintheceilingisaladder.It’smadeofdarkwood,carvedintotwistingshapes—snakes,dragons,weirdercreatures.It’sbeautiful—butstrange.

Yousteptowardtheladder.Itsuddenlybeginstoglowred.Windswirlsaroundit,flingingyouback.Theglowingformshrinksdownuntilit’sbarelyafoottall!

Milo’slaughterechoesfromthemirrornextdoor.“Thattakescareofthemagicladder!”hecries.“NowI’llstartthespelltotakecareofyou!”

Yougawkhelplesslyatthetrapdoorintheceiling.Ifonlyyoucouldgetupthere.Sonear,andyetsofar!

MoveittoPAGE52.

Yourwingsbuzzfrantically,butyoucan’tbreakDr.Doof’schokehold!

“NowI’vegotyou,insect!”heroars,shakingyou.

YoutryeverytrickyoueverreadinaBallisticBugcomicbook.Butnothingweakensthegripofthosesteel-cladfingers.You’reabouthalfabreathshortofchokingasDr.Doofclimbstohisfeet.

Butthentheevildoctorhaulsyoucloseandwhispers,“Haveyougonecompletelybatty,bug?Thatsting-boltofyourswasn’tinthescript!”

Script?

What’sDr.Dooftalkingabout?FindoutonPAGE38.

Youtagalongwiththetourgroup,thinkinghard.Youdon’tevenglanceatthehuge,powerfulmachinesinthenuclearplant.Instead,youkeepyoureyespeeledforaglowinginsect.That’sthecreaturethatwillbitePeeweeParkbenchandgivehimhisamazinginsectpowers.

Atlast,youspotthebug.

Whoa,isthatthingugly!It’sobviouslysomekindofnuclearmutant.Itlookslikeanovergrownroach—withahuge,nastystinger.Youcouldn’treallyseethatpartinthecomics.AllthepictureshowedwasalineintheairandthewordBZZZZZ!Inthenextpicture,PeeweeParkbenchyelled,“Ow!”

Nowyoucanseewhy.

Doyoureallywanttoletthatuglythingstingyou?

True,youwanttomakesurecomicshistorydoesn’tchange.Butyoualsowanttogetbackhome.Maybeyoushouldjustjumptosomeothercomicandkeepsearchingforamadscientist.

Betterdecidefast.Thebugiscomingyourway!

IfyouusethemagicwordstoleaptoanotherBallisticBugadventure,turntoPAGE15.

Ifyouletthebadbugbite,turntoPAGE116.

Youroll,throw,orshovebatteredpiecesofwoodaway.Yourarmsaretiredandburningfromallthiswork.Andyoustillfacethehardestjobofall.Charlieispinnedunderawholesheetofplywood.Howareyougoingtoliftaslabofwoodtwiceastallasyouare—andthreetimesaswide?

“I’lltrytopushfromdownhere,”Charliesays.

“AndI’ll—oof!—pull,”yousay.

Youpulluntilyou’reredinthefaceandyourarmsareshaking.Butthewoodenslabhasn’tmovedaninch!

Coulditbestuckonsomething?Youglancearound—andnoticeaheavybull’shoofrestingononecorneroftheslab.

Youreyestravelslowlyupthebull’sleg.Pasttheheavybody.Theeagle’swings.Andontothelion’shead.

Thebeaststaresdownatyou.You’veneverheardoflionslaughingbefore,butthat’swhatthisoneseemstobedoing.

Slowly,thebeastpacesforward.Andyouhavenowheretorun,nowallstohidebehind.

Oh,well.Itseemsyourluckwasbadafterall.Butyouwererightaboutonething.

Youstayedtohelp—andthatwasfinal!

THEEND

Youswallowhard.“Goforit!”youcommand.

TexLoudsnorehitsabutton.Streaksofbluelightningcrawlalongthebarreloftheunconfrabulator.Youcloseyoureyesandstandabsolutelystill.

Hey!Youthoughtthathavingyouratomsdestroyedwouldhurt.Instead,youfeellight.Incrediblylight.Asiftheslightestbreathcouldblowyouaway.

YouopenyoureyestodiscoverthatTexLoudsnore’slaboratoryisgone!Instead,you’refloatingamongtiny,brightspotsthatlooklikestars.Theyglowbrilliantly,red,yellow,blue,againstthesolidblackness.

Giggling,youswoopupward.Multicoloredstarstwirlaroundyou.Higherandhigheryougo,untilthecoloredstarsblurintoabright,harshglare.

Youdon’tfeelweightlessnow,butheavy.Clumsy.

Staggeringaround,yougrabonto…adoorhandle!Youstumbleintoatinystorepackedwithvacuumcleaners.Anoldmanwithlonggrayhairgrabsyoubythearmasyoualmostfall.

“Youokay,kid?”heasks.

StaggerovertoPAGE45.

Miloisrantingasyou,Cammie,andJacksneakuponhim.

“Ididn’tdoallthisforfun,youknow!”thepumpkin-facedlittlemanyells.“You’realldownhereforaveryseriousreason,andIwantyouto—YOW!”

Miloyellsinshockasthethreeofyoupileontohim.Foralittleguy,he’ssurprisinglystrong.Maybehegetshismusclesfromshiftingaroundthosehugeboxesofcomicbooks.

But,strongornot,therearemoreofyouthanthereareofhim.

It’sashort,sharpbattle.ButintheendJackhasMilo’srightarm,Cammieholdsdownhisleft,andyou’reperchedonhischest.

“Youdidit!”oneofthecaptivekidscheers.“YougotMilo!”

ProceedintriumphtoPAGE108.

Thesedirty,weird-lookingkidsknowmoreaboutthismazethanyoudo.“I’llgowithyouguys,”youdecide.

“Fine,”Cammiereplies.“Followus.”

Theyleadyouquicklythroughthemaze.You’remorelostthanevernow.

Theyyankyoubackwhenyoureachadoorway.Jackraisesafingertohislips—the“bequiet”sign.Youdon’tunderstandwhy.Itsoundsasifsomebodyisusingachainsawontheotherside.

Butasyoutiptoethrough,youfindthenoisedoesn’tcomefromamachine.Itcomesfromapileofbandagesonthefloor.

No,wait.Thosebandagesarewrappedaroundabody.

Eek!Amummy!

Andthemummyisn’tdead—it’ssnoring!

Jackstepsrightoverthesleepingcreature.SodoesCammie.Theybothbeckontoyou.Themummymakesweirdgarglingnoisesasyougotostepoverit.You’reshakingsobadly,yourtoepokesthecreaturerightintheside.

Thesnoresstop.Witheredeyelidsopen.Dried-outeyeslikeblackraisinsglareupatyou!

GetoutoftheretoPAGE60!

I’maheadofthem,youthink.AndI’mgoodathide-and-seek.

Ontiptoe,yousneakthroughthemaze.Atlast,youfindalittleroomwithonlyonedoorway.It’shiddenbehindsomeoldsheetsofplywood.They’llneverfindyouhere!

Butinjustafewminutes,youhearanoddnoise.Itsoundslikesomeonesniffling.Tryingnottocry.

Asthesoundgetslouder,yourealizeit’snotsomeonesniffling,butsomeonesniffing!

Aweird,humpedshadowappearsinthedoorway.Itlookslikeadog,sniffingoutatrail.No!It’sashaggy-headedboy,crawlingalongwithhisnoseonthefloor.Jack!

Achilltricklesdownyourspine.

Asecondlater,JackandCammieblockthedoor.

TurntoPAGE109.

YoufigureyoushouldletDr.Dooffinishthescene.It’llgivehimtimetocalmdown.Thenyou’llbeabletotalktohimquietly.

You’resureyou’llbeabletoconvincehimtohelpyou!

“Let’sgoonwiththefight,Doc,”yousuggest.

“Okay,”thevillainsays.“Sincewealreadytrashedthescript,we’llhavetofakeit.Butmakeitlookgood.Revupyourwings.”

Youstartyourwingsbuzzing.Dr.Doofsuddenlyleapsback.

“Mygrip!”heroars.“Howdidyoubreakmygrip?”

Ididn’t,youthink.Heletmego,thebigphony!

Whatacheatthesefightscenesare!

YoubuzzaroundDr.Doof.Heshoutsthreatswhilezappingblast-boltsatyou—andmissing.

“Okay.GetreadyfortheoldA-233!”Doofwhispers.

What’stheoldA-233?youwonderfrantically.

Thenextthingyouknow,Dr.Doofgrabsyoubytheankles!

WhatistheoldA-233?FindoutonPAGE91!

Youroll,bounce—eventumbleinasomersault.Thenthere’snothingunderneathyou!

Youshootpasttheendofthemetalslideandslamintoaplywoodwall.Thenyouthuddownontoaconcretefloor.“Ooof!”yougroan.Thathurt!

Onyourhandsandknees,youtrytoclimbbackuptheslidethatusedtobeastairway.Butit’stoosteepandslippery.Youjustslithertothebottomagain.

Tryingtostaycalm,yougazearound.You’reinasmall,shadowyroom.Itswallsaremadeofplywood.Anopeningleadstoaplywoodhallway,litbyasinglebulb.

Youwalkdownthehall.Afterafewyards,itturns.Youfindyourselfinanotherlittleroom.Thisonehasthreedoorways.Youchoosetheright-handone—tofindyetanotherhall.Thatonezigzagstotwomorerooms,thenafour-wayintersectionofcorridors.

“What’sgoingon?”youmutter.“Ifeellikearatinamaze!”

TurntoPAGE47.

You’llgowithBob.Afterall,hesavedyoufromthelion-bull-eaglemonster.Heknowswhathe’sdoing.

“EverybodyforBob’sroute,raiseyourhand,”Russellcalls.

Youraiseyourhand.SodoDanandAlicia.Bob’sshortcutwins!Russellseemsannoyed,buthedoesn’tsayanything.

AsyoufilealongBob’sroute,younoticethatthewallsofthemazearecoveredingraygunk.Itlookslikemold.Insomeplacestherearepilesofitonthefloor.

“Haveyoueverseenthisstuffbefore?”RussellasksBob.

Theotherboyshakeshishead.“No,andweshouldn’ttakeanychanceswithit.Nobodytouchthewalls.”

Thestuffhasasharp,pepperysmell.Yournosetwitchesasyoumoveintoaroomwhereitcoatsthewallsthickly.

It’stoomuch.Youcan’thelpyourself.“AAAAAH-CHOOO!”

Yoursneezeblowsaclumpofthemoldloosefromthewalls.Itswirlsaroundyouinagraycloud.

Butitdoesn’tactlikeanycloudyou’veeverseen.Insteadofspreadingout,itgathersin,circlingaroundyouandyourfriends.

Thenthecloudbreaksintofiveseparateclouds.Oneforeachofyou!

HoldyournoseandturntoPAGE111.

Hugejawssnaphungrilyjustinchesbelowyourfeet.Butthenyou’resafeontheothersideofthewall.Thepatchworkcreatureroarsagain.Itclompsofftotheright.

Youstareatthekidwhohelpedyou.He’sbiggerthanyouare,andolder.

“Wh-whoareyou?”youbabble.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

Hegrins.“It’salongstory.Tostartwith,mynameisBob.”

Youintroduceyourself,buthe’snotreallylistening.“Thatlion-thingknowsitswaythroughthismaze.It’sgoingtofindusifwestickaround.Whatdoyousaywegetoutofhere?”

Soundslikeagreatideatoyou.

Bobstartsleadingyouthroughthemaze.“There’smoreofustrappeddownhere,”heexplains.“We’vegotakindofcampsetup.”

Hegivesyoualongstare.“Ithinkeveryonewillbegladtoseeyou,”heannounces.“Veryglad.”

MarchalongtoPAGE39.

Nervously,youclimbintothemetalbox.TexLoudsnoreslamsthelidclosed.

Youliethereindarkness.Suddenly,you’resurroundedbyablindinglight,likeacameraflash.ThenLoudsnoreopenstheboxandhelpsyouout.

“Yourstoryseemstocheckout,”headmits.“Accordingtomyreadings,youratomsdon’tbelonginthisuniverse.”

“Canyoufigureoutawaytosendmeback?”youask.

Loudsnore’ssmileisevil.“Maybe—justmaybe!AndifIdoitright,ImaygetridofSuper-Doerforever!EveryothertimeIkillhim,hecomesbacktolifelater.”

“Howwillyoudoit?”youask,alittlealarmed.

“Toescapefromthisdimension,everyatomofyou—andofSuper-Doer—mustbedestroyed,”Loudsnoredeclares.

Yourteethchatterasyourepeat,“D-d-destroyed?”

Loudsnorenods.“Thatwillfreeyoufromthiscomic—andmefromSuper-Doer!”Hegrabsyourarm.“Juststandhereinfrontoftheunconfrabulator—anddon’tmove!”

Totrythisroutehome,gotoPAGE122.

Totrytoescapebeforeyouratomsgetdestroyed,gotoPAGE96.

“I’mnotgoingtohangaroundlikeanidiot!”youfume.

Youstepthroughtheopening.Now,whichwaydidBobgo?

There’syetanotherhallway.Atthefarendisaroom.

Asyouscoutaround,yourealizethatthisroomisdifferent.Thewallsarethesameoldplywood.Butthere’satrapdoorinthemiddleoftheconcretefloor!

Yourheartbeatsfaster.Coulditbethewayout?

You’vegottoinvestigate!Thedoorismadeofwood,withabigmetalhandle.Yougrabholdandheave.

GetondowntoPAGE110!

“Hey,lightenup,”youcomplain.“Imean,ItoldWolfen-beanhewouldturnintoaninkblot.Thewritingwasonthewall!”

Y’sGuysaren’tlaughing.Youtryagain.

“Uh—howaboutifwechangehisnametoSpot?”yousuggest.

Whoops.Badjoke.

“Getthatkid!”theFightingVegetableshrieks.

Y’sGuyshurlthemselvesatyou.

Asyousinkundertheattack,youthinksadly,WhydidIhavetobesuchawiseguy?

THEEND

Youstretchandstretch.Butyoucan’tgrabyourankleinyourhand.

“Sorry,youfailthetest,”Russellsays.“You’llhavetogo.”

Go?Thisnerdy-lookingguywantsyoutofacethisdangerousmazealone?

You’refurious!Youargue,shout,thenplead.ButBobandRussellwon’ttakeyoutotheirhideout.

“Fine!”youyellatlast.“Icanmakeitonmyown.I’vedoneallrightsofar.”

Youstompoff.You’resomad,youaren’tpayingattentiontowhereyou’regoing.Andyou’remakinglotsofnoise.

Stillfuming,youstepthroughadoorwayandtripoversomething.It’slong,cool,andscaly.

Oops!Youjustbumpedintothesnake-creatureagain!

StumbletoPAGE41.

ThehairyhandofProfessorYpointsrightatyou!

“Um,ah…”It’snotthesmoothestanswer.Butit’sthebestyoucandowhenyourmouthisdrywithterror.

ButProfessorY’shandswingspastyoutopointatStinkyStanley.“No!”theprofessorcries.“It’syou!No—wait!”

HeturnstoJeanGreene.“Nowmypowerspointtoyou!”

Somethingverystrangeisgoingon….

TheprofessorgoesfromoneY’sGuytoanother.“Andyou!Andyou!”Hisvoicedripswithhorror.“GreatGooglyMoogly!You’reallfromoutsidethisuniverse!”

Youstareattheothersuperheroes.Couldthisbetrue?Couldtheyallbekidswhoweresuckedintocomics?

“Deathtotheinvaders!”ProfessorYsnarls.Heflingsdeadlyhairballsatallofyou.You’veseenthesethingsinthecomic—theycanchokeyoutodeath!

TurntoPAGE53.

Youmightaswellgoforit.

“Yes,”youanswerboldly,“Icoulddobetter!”

“Yeah,right,”Miloscoffs.“Okay,closeyoureyesandthinkofthescariestcreatureyoucan.”

Youcloseyoureyes,rememberingahorrifyingcreaturefromabookyouread.AGOOSEBUMPSbook.Thecreature—KingJellyjam—wasahuge,quiveringballoonofpurpleslime.Itswateryyelloweyespeeredoverablobofanoserunningwithwhitegoo.Ithadbig,rubberylipsthatblubberedandburped.Itsmelledlikedirtysweatsocksfilledwithrottenfish—orworse!

Anditsgross,gooeybodywasalwayssweating.Notjustplainsweat.KingJellyjamsweatedlivesnails!

YouopenyoureyestotellMiloaboutthecreature.

Oh,no.Thisisreallybad!

Miloischanging—mutating.IntoKingJellyjam!

ShivertoPAGE84.

ThesolidsteelfeelslikeSillyPuttyunderyourfist!Youkeeppoundinguntilyoutearaholethroughthedoor.

Thenyouusebothhandstoripanopeninglargeenoughtowalkthrough.Youstepintothemadscientist’slaboratory.

YourecognizeTexLoudsnoreeasilyfromthecomics.He’stall,skinny,andhedoesn’thaveanyhair.Instead,thetophalfofhisheadismadeofagleamingchromedome.He’sTexLoudsnore,themanwiththepop-tophead!TexLoudsnore,villainandmonster-maker!

“Super-Doer!”hesnarls.“Idon’tknowhowyoufoundme.Butmylatestinventioncanhandleevenyou!”

Themadscientistheftsatesttubeinhishand.Thenhethrowsitatyou!Canyoucatchit?

Tofindout,holdatwelve-inchrulerstraightup,withyourthumbandforefingeronthebottomattheone-inchmark.Openyourfingerstolettherulerdrop.Thencatchitagain.

Ifyoucatchtherulerbetweentheone-inchmarkandthenine-inchmark,gotoPAGE114.

Ifyoucatchtherulerbetweenthenine-inchmarkandthetwelve-inchmark,gotoPAGE105.

Ifyoudon’tcatchtheruleratall…tryagain!

Whenyouwakeupagain,thefirstthingyounoticeisthatyou’rereallycold.

Thesecondthingyounoticeisthatyou’relyingonametaltable.Surroundedbypeopleinwhitecoats.

Youblink.“What’sup?”youask.“WhereamI?”

“Thekid’salive,”amancries.“It’samedicalmiracle!”

Asitturnsout,thepeopleinwhitecoatsarescientists,studyingtheiceinAntarctica.Imaginetheirsurprisewhentheyfoundyou—frozenintooneoftheicebergs.Alive!

NooneknowshowyougotallthewaytoAntarctica.Orhowyoustayedaliveinsideyouricecoating.Forthenexttwoweeks,you’repokedandproddedbydozensofdoctors.

Finally,theygiveupandsendyouhome.

That’swhenthenewspapersandTVstationsstartcalling.TheyallwantthelifestoryoftheIcekid.

Andtheyofferyoubigbucks!

Soonyouhavesomuchmoneyyoudon’tknowhowtospenditall.Well,actually,you’vegotafewideas.

Startingwithatriptoacomicbookstore….

THEEND

BEWARE!!DONOTREADTHIS

BOOKFROMBEGINNINGTOEND!

It’sback!

Anditwantsyou…

Yourauntandunclehaveasurprise.They’retakingyoutoacarnival.Butonceyougetthere,yourealizeit’stheCarnivalofHorrors!Noooooooo!

“Playorpay,”saysBigAl,theevilcarnivalmanager.Youhavetillmidnighttofindtheridethatwillgetyouout.OryoucantrytobeatBigAlathisowngames.

Sochoose:fightsquidandridetheRollerGhoster,ortestyourgameskillsatthemostsinisterarcadeever.Onethingisforsure—you’dbetterhurry….

Youareincontrolofthisscaryadventure.Youdecidewhatwillhappen.

StartonPAGE1.Thenfollowtheinstructionsatthebottomofeachpage.Youmakethechoices.Choosewisely.

ANDNOW,TAKEALONG,DEEPBREATH.CROSSYOURFINGERS.ANDTURNTOPAGE1TOGIVEYOURSELFGOOSEBUMPS!

“AAAAAAAAAGH!”youscream.Yousitstraightupinbed.Theroomispitch-black.Yourheartpoundsinterror.

Youtakeashakybreath.Itwasonlyabaddream,youtellyourself.Thesamebaddreamyoualwayshave.AbouttheCarnivalofHorrors.

Thatterrifyingcarnivalcametoyourtownlastsummer.Butinsteadoftakingtheusualridesandplayingthesamehokeygames,youhadtofightforyourlife!Somehow,youescaped.

Yousighandliebackdown.Youreyesbegintoadjusttothedarkness.

Hey.Wait.

Thisisn’tyourroom!

TurntoPAGE2.

Youopenyourmouthtoscreamagain.Thenyourealizewhereyouare.You’reinyourbedroomonyourauntanduncle’sfarm.Theyinvitedyouandafriendforavisit.

Yourdooropens,andyourfriendPattystepsintotheroom.“Youwokemeup,”shecomplains.“Idon’tknowwhichisworse,youorthatdopey,noisyrooster.”Shepeersatyoursweatyfaceandtherumpledsheetsonyourbed.“DreamingabouttheCarnivalofHorrorsagain?”

Younod.Pattywastrappedatthecarnivalwithyou.

“Youguysareawake?”YourcousinFloydpokeshisheadintoyourroom.“Amazing.You’reneverupthisearly.”

FloydisayearyoungerthanyouandPatty.Buthetowersoveryouboth.He’sreallyskinnyandwearsthickglasses.He’sacomputerwhizbutalsoatotalklutz.

“Wanttohelpmemilkthecows?”heasks.

Poorcows.Floydwillprobablytripandknockthemover.

“Wehavetogetdressed,”youtellhim.Yousnifftheair.Mmmmmm.Pancakes!“Andeat!”

“Goodmorning!”AuntElgreetsyouwhenyougetdownstairs.Shebringsaplatterofpancakestothetable.“Wehaveabigsurpriseforyoukids!”sheannounces.

FindoutwhatitisonPAGE3.

“Asurprise?”Pattysays.

“Isthereanewmovie?”youask.Thelocaltheaterhasonlyonedinkyscreen.It’sbeenshowingthesamegooeylovestoryforweeks.

“Betterthanthat!”AuntElsays.“Acarnivalhascometotown!”

Acarnival?Youchokeonyourpancake.“Youguysgowithoutme.IthinkI’mcomingdownwith,um,whoopingcough.”Youcoughafewtimes.

They’renotbuyingit.

“Nonsense!”UncleStevedeclares.“Youdon’twanttomissatreatlikethis!”

Butyoudowanttomissit!AftertheCarnivalofHorrors,youneverwanttoseeanothercarnivalagain!

YouturntoPattyforhelp.

Noluck.

“Great!”shecheers.“Canwegotonight?”

Yougiveherastunnedlook.“Lightenup,”shewhisperstoyou.“Itwon’tbethatcarnival.Itwillbefun!”

Youcan’targueyourwayoutofit.Byevening,you’reallinyouruncle’spickuptruck,drivingtothecarnival.

TurntoPAGE4.

“Hopouthere,kids,”UncleStevesays.Hepullsuptothelargecolorfularchesthatmarktheentrancetothecarnival.“We’llparkandmeetyouatthecotton-candystand.”

You,Floyd,andPattyscrambleoutofthepickup.Yougazeatthehugecarnivalinfrontofyou.It’sbiggerthansomeshoppingmallsyou’veseen.

Arollercoastertowersabovethefairgrounds.Giantmechanicaldinosaursswingtheirheadsbackandforthoverthehighsurroundingfence.“Cool,”youmurmurinspiteofyourfear.

“Comeon!”Pattycries.SheandFloydchargethroughtheentrance.Youfollowmoreslowly,stillfeelingnervous.

Relax,youtellyourself.Carnivalsarefun,remember?

Youstepthroughtheentrance.Youhearwhistlesandbleepscomingfromthemidway.Itmustbeatleastthreeblockslong,linedbyboothsfilledwithflashingvideogames.

Atfirst,theblinkinglightsandblaringmusicdazzleyou.Thenyourealizetheboothslookfamiliar.

Sodoesthecastleloomingaheadofyou.Andthehauntedhouseperchedonthehill.

Oh,no!

“We’vegottogetoutofhere!”yougasp.“ThisistheCarnivalofHorrors!It’sback!”

TurntoPAGE5.

“Getoutofhere?”Floydrepeats.“Wejustwalkedin!”

“Youdon’tunderstand!”youwail.“ThisistheCarnivalofHorrors.It’srunbyterriblecreatures.Theytrytotrappeoplehereforever!”

Pattyglancesaround.Youwatchthecolordrainfromherface.“ThisistheCarnivalofHorrors,”shewhispers.“Uh-oh.We’reinbigtrouble.”

FloydglaresatyouandthenatPatty.“Quittryingtoscareme,”hecomplains.“It’snotfunny.”

“Believeme,thisisnojoke,”youtellhim.“Andifwedon’tfindawayoutofherefast,wemaywindupascarnivalprisonersourselves.”

Floydgazesatyouamoment.Youcantellhedoesn’tbelieveyou.Thenheshrugs.“Fine.Let’ssaythisissomekindofmonstercarnival.Whatdowedonow?”

“Maybetheyhaven’tnoticedusyet,”yousay.“Wecouldmixinwiththecrowdonthemidwayandsneakbackout.”

“Butlasttime,weusedtheridestoescape,”Pattyargues.

Ifyougotothemidway,turntoPAGE59.

Ifyouheadfortherides,turntoPAGE122.

R.L.Stine’sbooksarereadallovertheworld.Sofar,hisbookshavesoldmorethan300millioncopies,makinghimoneofthemostpopularchildren’sauthorsinhistory.BesidesGoosebumps,R.L.StinehaswrittentheteenseriesFearStreetandthefunnyseriesRottenSchool,aswellastheMostlyGhostlyseries,TheNightmareRoomseries,andthetwo-bookthrillerDangerousGirls.R.L.StinelivesinNewYorkwithhiswife,Jane,andMinnie,hisKingCharlesspaniel.Youcanlearnmoreabouthimatwww.RLStine.com.

GoosebumpsbookseriescreatedbyParachutePress,Inc.

Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyScholasticInc.,Publisherssince1920.SCHOLASTIC,GOOSEBUMPS,GOOSEBUMPSHORRORLAND,andassociatedlogosare

trademarksand/orregisteredtrademarksofScholasticInc.

Thepublisherdoesnothaveanycontroloveranddoesnotassumeanyresponsibilityforauthororthird-partywebsitesortheircontent.

AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,transmitted,

downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher.Forinformationregardingpermission,writetoScholasticInc.,Attention:PermissionsDepartment,557

Broadway,NewYork,NY10012.

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,businessestablishments,events,

orlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

Firstedition,May1997

e-ISBN978-0-545-84180-1

Little Comic Shop of Horrors - Internet Archive · 2020. 2. 4. · You step inside. The comic shop...

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