That Darn Monster God!

Before his Wizard King Trilogy, Wally Wood had another otherworldly outing in a one-shot story from the first issue of Captain Science by Youth Publications which was one of their few sci-fi titles as they specialized in westerns. In a story not connected to the title character, Wood's The Monster God Of Rogor has archeologist Tayne Whitney investigating the markings on an ancient crystal orb which transports him to strange realm of Banthu, like all crystal balls are known to do. This mysterious land is ran by the luscious high priestess Maryl and the inhabitants see Tayne as your standard savior sent from another world to light their darkest hour. The ones threatening the lively Banthu lifestyle are the forces of Rogor, a monster god whose priests shove their doctrine into those who don't give generously to their chosen deity. Rogor's main rep is Sek, a frog-faced freak who doesn't buy into Banthu's messiah prophecy, and leaves Tayne alone in a cell with Maryl where they of course instantly fall in love and start making out. Sek tries to sacrifice Tayne to an idol of Rogor holding the same gem that took him on this cosmic acid trip. Tayne takes the crystal which causes and explosion and conveniently kills all of Rogor's followers leaving only him and Maryl alive just before he gets spirited back to Earth. Tayne thinks that the whole thing was a dream, but a cheap decoder ring Maryl gave him is still on his finger. For one of the early tales of what later would be called isekai, Monster God Of Rogor is a decent journey over the rainbow entirely fueled by typical magic crystals.

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