The Marvel Family (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 1952.
Synopsis for "The Mystery of Ghost Island, Chapter One: The Mirage Mystery"
A family on a sailing ship is trapped in calm waters, and running low on supplies. A cruise ship goes by carrying Billy, Mary and Freddy on their vacation. Mary spots the ship through binoculars, but the captain claims to see nothing. Deciding to investigate anyway, the kids transform and fly to the ship. They find out the father, Quentin, fed up with his life as a shoe salesman, bought the boat with his family's savings to find a lost island discovered by Captain Cook and have a life of adventure. They see an island then but sail right through it, chalking it up as a mirage. The Marvels fly around anyway to see if there might be any truth to the rumor, and Cap crashes into a very solid tropical island. Quentin is disappointed to find Ghost Island has food and shelter, mineral wealth readily available, and no dangers to battle; he having hoped for adventure by leaving his stifling career behind. As night falls and the Marvels fly home, they hear the Smith family cry out in terror. They discover Ghost Island isn't simply a colorful name: it's haunted by evil spirits intent on driving human intruders way.
Appearing in "The Mystery of Ghost Island, Chapter One: The Mirage Mystery"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Mystery of Ghost Island, Chapter Two: The Hunting Haunts"
The Marvels build a roaring fire, knowing ghosts are repelled by bright light. But in the morning the Smiths' furniture is tossed around by little imps (poltergeists). The Marvels find an engraved stone from Captain Cook, explaining why he never settled the island: it's infested by all manner of devilish creatures, not just the ones they've seen already. In short order, the Smiths are attacked by a witch, a werewolf, and a demon, and narrowly saved by the Marvels. The heroes carry the family to their ship to wait things out as the Marvels prepare to go on a campaign to cleanse the island of horrors. A hermit comes into the house, explaining he knows magic spells that could get rid of the monsters. However, they'll never show up to a fight with a trio of demigods. Obligingly, the heroes turn back into kids, only to notice the hermit doesn't cast a reflection in the mirror. He's actually a vampire, who clubs them unconscious with a swipe of his powerful wing.
Appearing in "The Mystery of Ghost Island, Chapter Two: The Hunting Haunts"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Headline Harry: "The Busy Day!"
Appearing in Headline Harry: "The Busy Day!"
Featured Characters:
- Headline Harry
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Mystery of Ghost Island, Chapter Three: The Horror Holocaust"
The monsters bury the kids alive, but Billy, Mary and Freddy manage to face downward and say their magic words without dirt falling into their mouths. Having escaped, but realizing they still can't fight the supernatural with their brute strength, the Marvels ponder what to do. Then Cap remembers all the minerals on the island, and has them make weapons out of the abundant silver. Their arsenal is effective against the army of darkness, and the Smiths return to the now exorcised island, which they rename Marvel Island in recognition of their saviors.
Appearing in "The Mystery of Ghost Island, Chapter Three: The Horror Holocaust"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Trivia
- Also appearing in this issue of The Marvel Family were:
- Big Shot Bigly
- Boxcar Benny: "Still In Need"
- Lazy Lee: "Woodn't You Know?"
- "Perfect Crime" (text story) by Daniel Sheldon
- The Marvel Family Puzzle Page
- Boxcar Benny: "That Explains It!"
- Lazy Lee: "Neither Does He!"
See Also