In Showcase #12 (Nov 1957), the Challengers are starting to feel like a well-seasoned team, complete with villainous Jack Kirby characters like Karnak the beret-wearing criminal and his “gang of international espionage agents”. Being pursued by the Challs, Karnak lands on an island where he discovers an archaeologist who had uncovered the secrets of an ancient civilization, one that was ruled by sorcerors. In typical fashion, the archaeologist has five vials, each of which grants his thugs a super-power. Luckily the fire bieng and Karnak-clones are no match for the Challengers.
