Showcase #39

Doctor William Magnus, Colonel Henry Caspar and the Metal Men land upon the roof of a downtown high-rise. It is the last known location of famed chemist, Professor Ramsey Norton. The team has barely had the chance to begin their investigation when the roof top begins to violently shake. A massive hand bursts through the rooftop, blindly grasping Magnus and Platinum. Before they can attempt a rescue, Magnus orders the Metal Men to flee to the skyscraper across the street. Iron and Lead mold themselves into support girders, from which Tin anchors himself. Holding onto Tin with their legs, Gold and Mercury stretch back across the street, to try to pull Magnus and Platinum free from the hand. The strain of Gold and Mercury's pulling causes Tin to buckle. Though Platinum could easily free herself, she chooses to stay with Magnus. The two are drawn back into the building.Once inside, they discover that the hand belongs to Norton, grown to fantastic proportions. With only seconds of life remaining, Norton speaks his final words. Norton had been conducting countless chemical experiments, all to improve mankind. The chemical combinations from his failed experiments were poured into a giant plastic mold of a man, that Norton referred to as "Chemo". Searching for a solution to world food shortages, Norton discovered a chemical combination that caused rapid growth in organics. Unfortunately, the organisms accelerated growth was too rapid, causing them to explode. Pouring this chemical failure into "Chemo" filled the plastic mold to the top. Norton awoke from a brief nap to find Chemo growing. As Norton approached to investigate, Chemo spat the accelerated growth chemicals on Norton.His own enormous weight pinning him to the floor, Norton could only watch, helplessly, as Chemo destroyed everything in Norton's laboratory. Then the chemical horror burned it's way out of the building, leaving Norton to die. With his dying breath, Norton begs Magnus to destroy Chemo. Platinum carries...