Stalker (1975) 4

Stalker (1975) 4

Jan 1976

Invade the Inferno

by Paul Levitz, Steve Ditko, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando

Stalker enters Hell in search of Dgrth. He fights numerous supernatural beings along the way. He is accompanied by an imp for part of his journey. Stalker finds Dgrth who refuses to return his soul. The evil god sends Stalker back to the land of the living, soulless as he has been since he first agreed to Dgrth’s terms. 

Thoughts

Stalker does not encounter any women or demons who have taken on the appearance of human women in this issue. 

This feels like a prequel to the next chapter in Stalker’s journey but it is not. This is instead the end of the line for this series. I believe the character has shown up one or twice, here and there, but I don't know if this part of Stalker's story was ever finished. 

Stalker (1975) 3

Stalker (1975) 3

Nov 1975

The Freezing Flames of the Burning Isle

by Paul Levitz, Steve Ditko, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando

Stalker travels by boat to the Burnings Isle. A winged demon attacks him on his way there. He is thrown overboard but awakens on the Burning Isle. 

Srani, a beautiful woman, greets him when he awakens. She has lived there for a year since the people of Geranth exiled her there. They thought she was a witch. She has been living off of whatever fruits and berries she can find. He questions why she has not left. She shows him the beast that prevents her from sailing away on her small boat.

Stalker (1975) 2

Stalker (1975) 2

Sep 1975

Darkling Death at World’s End Sea

by Paul Levitz, Steve Ditko, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando

Stalker arrives at World’s End Sea. A demon bars him from approaching the shrine to Dgrth but Stalker slays the demon and approaches the shrine. He sneaks in and tries to blend in with the priests in the hopes of getting his hands on Prior F’lan. Stalker is found out and attacked. He fights back but a blow to the back of his head knocks him out. 

Stalker wakes up in chains. Merilla, a servant in the temple comes to see him. She gives him a knife and some knowledge which proves useful. She asks in return that he take her with him when he leaves.

Stalker (1975) 1

Stalker (1975) 1

Jul 1975

Quest for a Stolen Soul

by Paul Levitz, Steve Ditko, Wally Wood, Joe Orlando

A nameless boy lives a tough, hard scrabble life in a medieval world. He abandons home and lives on the streets until by chance he crosses paths with the Baroness of Loranth. He pledges himself to her cause if she will make him a warrior in her service. She accepts his offer but double-crosses him.

He works for a year as a slave in Castle Loranth before another chance meeting with the Baroness gives him the opportunity to air his grievances. She sicks her guards on him but he escapes and makes his way back to Geranth, where he was born.