Issue - 16

Title - Betrayal in the Bermuda Triangle Part 1

Writer - Victor Gischler

Art - Jorge Molina

 

Summary:

Spider-Man takes the FF kids to debunk the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Shortly after arriving, they catch sight of a strange beacon crashing. Later, Reed and the rest of the FF pay a visit to Utopia, the island home of the X-Men. FF show Cyclops what they found on the buoy. It contains a message from Lee Forrester, ex-girlfriend of both Cyclops and Magneto, who is trapped in another dimension. Together the X-Men and FF travel to the dimension. Unfortunately their ship is damaged on the way. While Reed and Dr. Nemesis work on repairing the ship, Cylops divides the rest into search teams. Doom leaves them all preferring to search on his own. Wolverine, Thing, and Pixie teleport to a nearby temple and find a huge battle being waged. After defeating the hostiles, the team meets with Skull, the Slayer. Skull tells them its been three years since Lee sent the distress signal.

 

Notes:

  • Collected in X-Men: FF

  • Released with two variant covers: 2nd printing and Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary

 
   

Issue - 17

Title - Betrayal in the Bermuda Triangle Part 2

Writer - Victor Gischler

Art - Jorge Molina

 

Summary:

Skull tells Thing and the others how he came to be in the dimension. Meanwhile, Scott, Sue, and Emma follow a jungle trail which leads them to an alien city. There they meet Stanislaus, the man who funded the expedition which led to Lee and Skull being stranded in this dimension. He introduces them to the Emperor of the Scorpus. They are the aliens who have travelled to this planet to conquer it. Interested in expanding to other dimensions, the Emperor takes the three captive. Meanwhile, Thing and his group follow Skull to meet with the Kaddak. Lee left Skull to try and form and alliance with them. They are met by Kaddak warriors who try to kill them until Lee appears and calls them off. Meanwhile, Cyclops and Emma awaken to learn that they were taken captive so easily because Doom has made a deal and allied himself with the Scorpus Emperor.

 

Notes:

  • Collected in X-Men: FF

  • Released with two variant covers: 2nd printing and Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary

 
   

Issue - 18

Title - Betrayal in the Bermuda Triangle Part 3

Writer - Victor Gischler

Art - Mirco Pierfederici

 

Summary:

The Scorpus Emperor leads his army to Reed's ship. Doom questions him on how he plans to power the gate Reed is building. He shows Doom his power. The emperor is one with the planet, and it obeys his command. Thing, Wolverine, Pixie along with Lee and Skull  break into the Scorpus city to rescue Cylcops and the others. This draws the attention of the Emperor who goes back to handle them. Meanwhile, Magneto leaves Reed and Dr. Nemesis to aid in the rescue attempt. Along the way he meets with Doom who is escorted by Scorpus warriors. Doom kills his escorts and asks Magneto if he's willing to trust him. Back at the Scorpus city, the Emperor has defeated Thing, Wolverine, and Skull while Lee and Pixie look on.

 

Notes:

  • Collected in X-Men: FF

  • Released with two variant covers, Architect and Architect sketch
   

Issue - 19

Title - Betrayal in the Bermuda Triangle Part 4

Writer - Victor Gischler

Art - Jorge Molina

 

Summary:

After explaining that it was necessary to dupe the Emperor in order to get access to a power source, Doom instructs Magneto to wound him. Meanwhile, Pixie and Lee break into the Scorpus prison cells and free Cyclops, Sue, and Emma. Magneto likewise frees Thing, Wolverine, and Skull. Together they regroup and return to the ship in time to see that the Emperor has seen through Doom's duplicity. Doom leads the team in a successful attack on the Emperor which results in his death and their gaining the orb which powered him. Skull and Lee decide to stay behind on the planet after all leaving the group to use the orb to power their return.

 

Notes:

  • Although Magneto did appear in Super-Villain Team-Up, he and Doom did not actually 'team-up.' This issue features a rare event in that these two characters rarely work together. For more on their other encounters, read Magneto's profile.

  • Collected in X-Men: FF

  • Released with Marvel 50th Anniversary variant cover

 
 

Comments:

Although Doom is scarce during the first three parts, whenever he's on panel, he steals the scene. This is an excellent 4 part story. Highly recommended for a strong characterization of Doom throughout. He's arrogant, intelligent, and cunning. For me, one of the highlights was a chance to see Doom take on a leadership role, one that he doesn't often have a chance to take. It plays very well. The action happens so quickly no one really has time to argue and say 'hey should we really by following Doom?!' Also noteworthy are some intense and well written moments between Doom and Magneto. Bottom Line: * * * * * out of 5

Back to Present Index