Issue- 17

Title- Defeated by Doctor Doom!

Writer- Stan Lee

Art- Jack Kirby

Summary:

Following their adventure in the Micro-World, the team returns to begin their search for Dr. Doom. Each in their own way attempts to locate him, but to no avail. Eventually they decide to wait for him to act. Proceeding with their day to day activities, an elderly janitor helps them escape the crowds of fans that await them outside their headquarters. Unknown to them, the janitor is in fact a disguised Doom. Soon each member of the team is followed by seemingly harmless creatures which stalk their every move. Regrouping, Reed finally manages to expel them. However while they were engaged with the "followers" Doom kidnapped Alicia Masters and holds her hostage. Doom's intent is to demand that Washington give him a place in the President's cabinet else he will declare war on the United States. The Four are discover Doom's hideout but find that the "followers" used their time with them to collect information on their atomic structure. Doom has used the information to create lasers which target onto their specific structures. In order to get past the rays, Reed gives Ben a serum which temporarily reverts him back to human form and thus giving him a different structure. Ben then breaks into Doom's flying hideout and paves the way for the team. Together they rescue Alicia and send Doom fleeing.

Notes:

• Doom laments on how the Thing is able to find love with Alicia and walk among normal people, despite his monstrous features.

• Although never used here, Doom states that he possesses both an illusion ray and giant vine growing spores.

• Doom's goal is to be given a position in the US President's Cabinet.

• Doom can affect major chaos on the country's defense missile control as well as industrial complexes.

• Through his Followers, Doom has obtained detailed information on the Fantastic Four's atomic and molecular body structures.

• Reprinted in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics #12, Essential Fantastic Four: Volume 1 (pictured below)

   

  

Comments:

Doom wants to become part of JFK's cabinet? Today's Doom wouldn't be caught dead demanding something like that. That little odd character moment aside, the story is a fun read. I found the Followers to be a very effective device, their apparent harmlessness and the later revelation that they were studying the four is very cool. Other than that, straight forward FF vs. Doom action. Bottom Line: *** out of 5