All-Star Squadron homage to Fantastic Four issue #168

The latest of my all-Star Squadron continuation commissions, as always based on the cover of a comic which Roy Thomas wrote, plotted or scripted, in this case Fantastic Four #168. I saw James Lyle's work on a JSA/All-Stars Facebook page I'm a member of, and had to get him to do one of these - and I'm delighted with how it worked out! Hopefully this won't be the last one James does for me.

In story terms - Robert Crane's brain is returned to his preserved-and-revived body by Chuck Grayson and the scientists at Project M! Although pleased to be restored to humanity, after a short time Crane finds himself missing the heroic life and wondering whether the Allied forces have been deprived of a potentially war-winning weapon. Working as an assistant to the All-Stars, he also strives to create a mechanism that will allow him to use Robotman's inert body remotely --- and is on the brink of success when the Perisphere is attacked by Axis villain the Iron Claw (from World's Finest #245) and a squad of super-powerful Nazi soldiers!

As Crane struggles to don the bulky control harness, the Nazis kill Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, Firebrand and Amazing Man - and a stray shot ricochets from Robotman's body, striking Crane! The last thing he hears is Liberty Belle's voice ... "Robotman ... Robotman..."

... and then Crane finds himself, still as Robotman, in a meeting of the All-Stars. Was this merely a waking nightmare, or is it - as he fears - a possible indication that his bran, deprived of human sensation, is slowly going mad? Only time will tell...