COUNTDOWN # 17: "THE TWO FACES OF ECLIPSO BY "FREE" STEVE CHUNG Previously in Countdown #17, Eclipso had led Mary Marvel into the darkness, and was now ready to steal away her power. The current Eclipso is Jean Loring, but this was not always so. Today, we take a look at an earlier Eclipso from the Silver Age, and bear witness to "The Two Faces Of Fear"
In the ruins of Solar City, the Master of Darkness returns to life, and his many evil deeds are seen on film. The images continue until Bruce Gordon cannot bear it any longer, and the projector is turned off. The scientist is doomed to become the villainous Eclipso. Mona and Dr. Bennet try to comfort the young man. The film footage was shot when a burglar alarm was set off, and hidden cameras were activated. The Doctor thought that something may be found to dispose of the villain forever. Convinced that he will never be free of his evil alter-ego, Bruce Gordon is determined to turn him into a force for good. He has just finished working on an ultraviolet ray gun. It is during an eclipse when Eclipso comes to life, without benefit of ultraviolet rays, and Gordon believes that these rays can cure him of his evil nature.
If Bruce Gordon were struck by the ultraviolet rays just as he were transforming into his other self, it might work. The only way to test it is in two days, when the moon cross paths with the sun, and Eclipso emerges once more. As the scientist works on his invention, he is unaware that there are forces at work about to upset his plans. A large meteor crashes to Earth and from the hole, emerges a crawling unknown. With his barn lifting itself into the air, a startled farmer goes to phone for help.
News of the danger reaches the underground lab complex. Mona and Dr. Bennet watch the screen as the glowing creature causes all nearby solid objects to rise, and break apart. Soon, Bruce, Mona, and Bennet are heading for the site of the meteor crash. The scientist figures that the threat draws its power from the meteor, and by examining it, they should be able to find a way to stop it. The Geiger counter energy meter goes off the mark. Gordon warns the police to keep the people back at a discreet distance. As the young scientist and Dr. Bennet get closer to the glowing hole, they find themselves sent backwards, just as the worm creature does. Both are powered by the same energy. As the two men draw back, the Doctor sees the eclipse, and Bruce Gordon knows that he must get away from the area.
The figure of the young scientist starts to change, now oblivious to Bennet's cries, and Eclipso drives away in the car with Mona. Fortunately, in the darkness of the eclipse, none in the crowd have seen the change, and Mona can only wonder where the Master of Darkness could be taking them. He is heading for his alter-ego's lab, where he must retrieve something of use. Unbeknownst to him, Mona seizes the ultraviolet ray gun from the back seat, and fires them at Eclipso as he rushes towards the lab. Since they are invisible, the Master of Darkness is unaware of the rays.
The costume of Eclipso and Black Diamond are retrieved from an atomic pile by their master. Unlike his scientist alter-ego, radiation does not harm Eclipso. Outside the lab, Dr. Bennet has found his daughter unharmed, and learns what she has done. It would seem that the ultraviolet ray gun has had no effect. Once inside the underground complex, the unconscious body of Eclipso is found. When he revives, they are surprised to hear him address them as friends. With the threat of the worm on the loose, Eclipso vows to deal with the threat, and protect the lives of others in the city. Dr. Bennet takes in the sight of an Eclipso as a force for good at face value.
In the now empty area of the city, Dr. Bennet asks Eclipso how he plans to stop the worm creature. With its slow progress, the transformed man warns the Bennets to stand back. The creature's rays do not affect Eclipso as he runs towards it. Now near the mass of writhing energy, the Black Diamond is held to an eclipsed eye, and black light smothers the creature. Its movement slowed, the creature loses its glow, and Eclipso has succeeded in neutralizing it. The next moment finds the diamond held to the uneclipsed eye.
The worm creature vanishes from sight. With the menace ended, Mona Bennet could almost hug Eclipso, and Dr. Bennet would like to know how he stopped the creature. Since cosmic rays sustained it away from the meteor, it was a small matter to use black light to cut off the rays, and reduce its energy output to a point where his energy bolts could destroy it. Dr. Bennet points out that since Eclipso shares Bruce Gordon's intelligence, and is no longer evil, he shouldn't protest if high-intensity light is used to bring the scientist back. The Master of Darkness points out that they should deal with the meteor before any other menaces appear. The authorities are surprised at the sight of Eclipso heading for the hole in the field. They back off when Dr. Bennet vouches for the bizarre visitor. He also wonders what the alter-ego of Bruce Gordon could be up to.
Minutes later, a now-glowing Eclipso emerges from the hole, and now armed with the ability to lift and repel solid objects. He had only pretended to be good in order to enter the hole, and gain full access to the new power he had felt earlier. When a policeman tries to draw his gun, a wave of a left hand disarms him. The entire left side of his body is now capable of repelling any pursuers. As Mona weeps, her father reminds her that anything Bruce Gordon knows is also shared with Eclipso. He was already aware of the ultraviolet ray gun and that it wouldn't work on him at all.
Now at a top-secret government laboratory, Eclipso uses his new power to remove the walls from the building for easier access. The guards and lab technicians are no match against an individual who can steal their isotopes, and repel them like so many charged atoms. A police officer figures that the Master of Darkness's new power makes him invincible, but Dr. Bennet has got an answer. As a truck carrying optical equipment makes its way through the city, it finds itself the next target of Eclipso's new power. The Master of Darkness is surprised to find a shadow passing over him from above.
Two helicopters are carrying a sheet of lead foil over him. His face has lost its glow and he can't employ his new power. The lead cover has successfully cancelled out Eclipso's newfound abilities. The lead-lined walls of the lab the Master of Darkness had removed earlier are now the source of his downfall. As the transformed man runs down a deserted avenue, he is unable to elude the pursuing helicopters, and is about to use his Black Diamond to blast them. As he readies his lethal gem, Mona Bennet drives up, and hurls a light bomb grenade near him. WHAMMMMMMPFFFFF
The flash from below nearly blinds one of the helicopter pilots, but both Bennets are wearing protective glasses. The Doctor watches as Eclipso makes his getaway, and begins the change back to Bruce Gordon. Back at the underground laboratory, the Master of Darkness hides his costume and Black Diamond before his alter-ego takes over. He'll have his revenge soon. Once the stolen isotopes have been found, Bruce Gordon is relieved that the world at large believe Eclipso to be another man. It remains to be seen if the Master of Darkness will still have his new power upon his return. Mona was thrilled at the thought of an Eclipso as a force for good. As she kisses her boyfriend, he knows all-too well that his evil alter-ego will return.
"The Two Faces Of Doom" first appeared in House Of Secrets #66 (May - June, 1964) by the creative team of Bob Haney and Alex Toth.
It was reprinted in Detective Comics #441 (June - July, 1974).
Thanks to the staff at Lee's Comics for making this article possible.
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Alex Toth?!? Any word on whether this storyis headed for a collection anytime soon? A Showcase volume of Eclipso stories would be fun.
Posts: 662 | Registered: Jan 2002
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I hope that we don't have to wait for the next eclipse to see a Showcase Volume collection.
Posts: 3532 | From: San Bruno | Registered: Aug 2002
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