Unusual Tales - Can This Be Real?

"Unusual Tales", a series presenting Steve Ditko's comics from 1957 to 1959 that are in the public domain.

"Can This Be Real?" is a 6-page story first published in Charlton's MYSTERIES OF UNEXPLORED WORLDS #9 [1958]. A reporter named Eddie thinks he's got a big scoop when he snaps an infra-red photo of the FBI capturing a spy, but when he develops the picture he finds there's a bigger story in the two strange men in the background.

Clever little story, and a lot of great storytelling by Ditko.  In particular take a look at the bottom of page 3, a nice example of Ditko's work from the era, and a perfect final panel. A lot of good uses of the tall shape you get from the 3x2 six-panel grid.

But before the story, some links:

Buy Ditko's creator-owned work

New edition of classic MR. A available

Find out about the fanzine DITKOMANIA

New issue on Ditko's black&white work out soon

Check out new and upcoming Ditko publications

Ditko/Wood STALKER in upcoming DC collection

Download public domain comics, likely including the one this story is from

Scans in this series generally adapted to my personal tastes from those copies

Click to embiggen