Issue - 361
Title - Miracle on Yancy Street
Writer - Tom DeFalco
Art - Paul Ryan

Summary:
It's Christmas Eve, and Ben gets a visit from Slugger Sokolowski, and old friend from Yancy Street. Slugger asks Ben to try talking to his kid whomhe suspects of starting on drugs. Ben agrees. Walking down Yancy Street, Ben ponders on recent reports of among street people when suddenly he is attacked by one of the Yancy Street Gang. He gives chase and runs into an alley. Ben is then surrounded by the gang. After they introduce themselves, Ben inquire about Slugger's son, Jimmy. One of the gang reveals that he saw Jimmy picked up by two mysterious men. Soon the gang is leading Ben to a warehouse where the boy is being held. Inside they are all surprised to find a high-tech lab. After being attacked by androids, Dr. Doom reveals himself to be behind the disappearances. Ben learns that Doom has been picking up street people in order to experiment and make a cure for drug addiction. Because of Ben's interference, he decides to give up the project and escape. After the gang frees Jimmy, all of them run out of the building and seconds later it explodes. Ben reunites Jimmy with his father and joins the team at the Baxter Building for a Christmas celebration.

Comments:
A straight forward story about Christmas. The idea of Doom trying cure drug addiction is interesting. However I think addiction isn't a disease of virus that one can cure. Still, at least it wasn't a plot to kill the FF or take over the world. For that I give the story credit.
Bottom Line: *** out of 5 

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