little comic shop of horrors - internet archive · 2020. 2. 4. · you step inside. the comic shop...
TRANSCRIPT
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!!
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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!”
GULP!
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
END.
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.”
Huh?
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.
Whew!
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.
BONK!
Youseestars.Youranstraightintoawall!
Youglancequicklyaroundtheroom.
Hmm.
There’snowayout,exceptforthedoorwayyouentered.
Andstandinginthatdoorwayis…
Frankenstein.
Thecreaturedoesn’tevensnarlasitstalkstowardyou.You’recaught,fairandsquare.
And,asFrankensteinstartspainfullytryingtounscrewyourheadfromyourneck,yourememberhowthemonstercaughtitsvictims.
Theyallwounduprunningintoadead
END.
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!
Cool!
“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.
Copyright©1997byScholasticInc.
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Firstedition,May1997
e-ISBN978-0-545-84180-1