Issue- 39

Title- A Blind Shall Lead Them

Writer- Stan Lee

Art- Jack Kirby

 

Summary:

After surviving the atomic explosion to which they were abandoned to by the Frightful Four, the team is rescued by a navy submarine. When they awaken, they realize they have all lost their powers. Upon arriving back in New York, Reed begins work on creating devices to emulate their powers. Meanwhile in Latveria, a magician entertaining Doom performs his hypnotism trick which inadvertently de-hypnotizes Doom who had previously been programmed to think he had defeated Reed Richards. Realizing the truth, Doom invades the Baxter Building and begins to attack the four with their own devices. Doom’s attack interrupts the team as they were about to reveal the truth of their condition to their lawyer, Matt Murdock. As the battle ensues, Murdock assumes his Daredevil identity and joins the FF’s struggle. As Doom launches wave after wave of attack using Reed’s inventions, the team decide to split up and try to reach the Baxter Building on their own while also making it harder for Doom to catch them all.

 

 
 

Notes

  • Doom is able to break in and take over the Baxter Building, the Fantasticar, and various other devices housed in the FF’s base.

  • Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics #31, The Villainy of Doctor Doom TPB, Essential Fantastic Four: Volume 2, Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four - Volume 4 (see below)
 

Comments:

This is another great action adventure story from the FF’s and Doom’s classic period. The idea of Doom taking over the Baxter Building is a terrifying one. And on top of that he uses Reed’s own devices against the team…that’s rich. I suppose it says something about the Baxter Building’s defenses that since this issue Doom hasn’t managed to break in and do this kind of damage. This also calls to mind that it is a shame that, to date, Doom has never destroyed the FF’s base (although Kristoff did manage in FF#278). If you’re a fan of Kirby-tech, then this is also the issue for you. On almost every page there’s a new devastating device aimed at the FF. Doom’s pulled out all the stops here…

 

Issue- 40

Title- The Battle of the Baxter Building

Writer- Stan Lee

Art- Jack Kirby

 

Summary:

As Daredevil distracts Doom, the team regroups and enters the Baxter Building. Reed concludes that they must reach the electronic stimulator in order to defeat Doom. Meanwhile, in the lab, Doom and Daredevil’s exhaustive battle nearly concludes with Doom killing the masked hero. Just as he is about to deal the final blow, the four burst in and engage in battle. Reed takes hold of the stimulator and one by one bathes each of them with its rays, thus restoring their powers. The last is Ben who once more is transformed into the Thing. Filled with inexorable anger, Thing attacks Doom who strikes back relentlessly. Ultimately Thing surpasses all of Doom’s defense and he crushes, beats, and thrashes Doom’s armor. Doom skulks away in defeat with his pride broken.

 
 

Notes:

 

  • This issue marks the first face to face encounter of Doom and Daredevil.
  • Doom’s armor can produce 100,000 megavolts of pure energy
  • When Doom sees Ben Grimm, he does not recognize him. This lack of recognition is spotlighted in an editor’s note: “Never having seen Ben Grimm, Dr. Doom is not aware that he himself was once the mighty Thing’! --Stan” This issue is still in the early and developing days of the title’s continuity, so it is interesting to note that at this point it was not established that Doom and Ben had attended the same university.
  • Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics #31, The Villainy of Doctor Doom TPB, Essential Fantastic Four: Volume 2, Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four - Volume 4 (pictured below)

 
 

Comments:

I don’t consider myself a comic-historian, but I think that this is one of the most memorable battles in the history of comics. What the setting of the battle may lack in scale (its confined only to one building, and mostly just two rooms), it more than makes up for with relentlessness and emotion. I say relentless because that is the only word I can think of to truly describe this battle. I think it’s amazing and fantastic that in this issue Doom just hits Thing with everything he’s got. And the Thing just keeps on going. I say emotion because if you’re looking for a great Thing moment, this is it. This is that moment where the character defines himself and joins those proud few that are the ones that never give up. Thing, Ben Grimm, is a man that will by his own admission keep on going until there’s no life in him. That’s who he is. Lee and Kirby deliver a stirring battle between Doom and Ben. It remains so significant that Doom has since alluded to this battle on a more than one occasion. So while Doom comes out losing at the end of this, and indeed just limps away pathetically in defeat, this is a milestone in not just FF history, but Doom’s.
Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

 

Return to Classic Period