Mr. Terrific

While experimenting with methods to cure the common cold, a U.S. government research scientist discovers a power pill. When tested, the pill produces incredible strength in amimals, but makes the strongest of men quite ill. Faced with a problem, Barton J. Reed, the Bureau of Special Projects subchief, begins a secret search to find a man who can harness the power of the pill. After many months, their search ends at Hal and Stanley's Service Station where Stanley Beemish, "a weak and droopy daffodil" is persuaded to test the pill.

Seconds after taking it, he is transformed into the invincible Mr. Terrific. Sworn in as an agent, Stanley Beemish adopts a dual life: as a private citizen, and as the U.S. government's secret weapon against crime. Stories depict Stanley's investigations and the problems that befall the costumed avenger: his inability to locate assigned targets when airborne; his struggles to adjust to a secret alias; and his attempts to cope with the predicaments that occur when the pill, lasting only one hour in effectiveness, wears off at crucial moments.