Issue - 116

Title - The Alien, The Ally, and Armageddon!

Writer - Archie Goodwin

Art - John Buscema

Summary:

The Over-Mind, a being composed of all the minds of the Eternals, has taken control of Reed Richards. Using his vast psionic powers, he plans on plunging the planet into chaos and taking over. The three remaining members of the Fantastic Four attempt to defeat him, but fail. Thing and Human Torch fall before his power. The Invisible Woman tries to find other heroes to join her battle, but all are elsewhere on their own adventures. Finally it is Agatha Harkness who suggests that she has not exhausted all of her choices, she has not asked for help from Doctor Doom. Sue concedes that if anyone is a near match for Reed's genius, it is Doom. Although at first refusing to help, Sue goads him into it by accusing him of being petty and afraid. The two recover Thing and Torch and proceed to Reed's lab where Doom fashions a psionic-refractor. The device is successful in injuring the Over-Mind. But he soon begins to focus his attacks on Doom and defeats him as well. Suddenly the cosmic being known only as the Stranger appears. He explains that the Eternals were long ago defeated by the beings of Gigantus, and he is the sum total of those beings. With his power, the Over-Mind is quickly defeated. With the threat gone, Doom leaves and promises that when next they meet, it shall be as enemies.

Notes:

• This marks the first time Doom would lead the Fantastic Four. He would do so again in Fantastic Four #318 (v1) and Fantastic Four 26 - 31 (v3), though it was actually Reed in Doom's armor.

• Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics #96. Collected in Essential Fantastic Four Volume 6.
  
  

Comments:

Here is a little gem which I seem to have overlooked. I always had trouble tracking it down, and was hesitant to buy the Essential just for this issue. I think I've changed my mind. Although Doom does comparatively little in the issue, and only appears practically at the end, the quality is good. I'm especially fond of how Sue gives it to Doom straight. She says he always brags about his honor and nobility, but really he's just petty and afraid. The story as a whole is a little weird. I didn't pick up the previous issue, so I was a little lost as to what this had to do with the Eternals. Other than that, I think it was a short but strong appearance for Doom.

Bottom Line: * * * * out of 5