Issue - 1
Issue - 1
Title - The Baxter Building Besieged
Writer - Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Keith Giffen, Erik Larsen, Jorge Lucas, and Bruce Timm
Summary:
After returning from a previous adventure, Reed and the team take the Fantasticar to go visit Franklin, who has been staying with Agatha Harkness. On the way, they are suddenly attacked. Back at the Baxter Building, Doom's Servo-Guards invade the base and ransack Reed's lab. When the team returns, there is no sign of the invaders, only what they left behind, the Mad Thinker's Super-Android. Using her invisible force field, Sue is able to defeat the Android. Reed suspects that there is more behind the recent attacks on them, a danger which may rank as the greatest they have ever faced.
Notes:
Story takes place between Fantastic Four #100 and #101
Issue - 2
Title - The Sinister Secret of the Sentry
Writer - Chuck Dixon, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Keith Giffen, Erik Larsen, Jorge Lucas, and Bruce Timm
Summary:
Having located the Mad Thinker's lair, the team journeys there, leaving Crystal to guard the Baxter Building. Meanwhile, in Dr. Doom's New York castle, Doom has his technicians revive the Sentry. The robot is then sent to attack Atlantis where Namor defends his realm. The Fantastic Four are called in and come to Namor's aid. Together they defeat the Sentry only to learn that while they were in combat, someone stole the Atlantean trumpet from the palace.
Issue - 3
Title - When Strike These Sentinels
Writer - Tom DeFalco, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Keith Giffen, Erik Larsen, Jorge Lucas, and Bruce Timm
Summary:
In his efforts to track down their mysterious opponent, Reed enlists the aid of the X-Men. Taking Johnny and Ben with him, he visits Professor X at his mansion. While Johnny and Ben try out the Danger Room, Reed asks the Professor if he can borrow the two Sentinels in their custody in order to try and draw out their enemy. Xavier reveals that the mansion had an intruder soon after Reed contacted him with this idea. Beast finds that the Sentinels have actually been modified. In order to find out how, they activate them. The giant robots instantly try to escape and break into the Danger Room where a fight ensues. Eventually the Sentinels take their battle into the city where the X-Men and FF team with other heroes such as Dr. Strange, Spider-Man, and Daredevil. Ultimately the Sentinels self-destruct and the heroes are protected by Dr. Strange's magic. In his castle, Doom observes these events and plans his next move.
Issue - 4
Title - The Merciless Menace Of MODOK
Writer - Jeph Loeb, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Shannon Eric Denton, Ron Frenz, Keith Giffen, and Erik Larsen
Summary:
After leaving the X-mansion, Reed sends Ben and Johnny to follow-up after Sue and Crystal who are supposedly at Whisper Hill. Unknown to them, only Sue made it, Crystal was taken away by Lockjaw. Elsewhere, the Falcon stumbles across an AIM strike team seemingly connected to a group which is attempting to create a race riot. As he tries to fend them off, he is soon joined by Captain America. Ben and Johnny fly by on their way to Whisper Hill and also join the battle. MODOK appears and fells them all with a mind blast. In the past, Doom travels to the site where Captain America and the Red Skull battled and recovers the Cosmic Cube from beneath the seas. Back in the present, Reed arrives and uses a device which sends MODOK retreating and knocks out all the AIM troopers. Later, at the Baxter Building, Reed reveals that Professor X confirmed his suspicion that he has been the victim of being implanted with mental inhibitors. The inhibitors have been causing him to make sloppy decisions. Reed further reveals that he is certain he knows who is behind it.
Notes:
Doom would seek the Cosmic Cube again in Sub-Mariner 47-49 and Infinity War 5
Issue - 5
Title - New York Knockdown
Writer - Kurt Busiek, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Joe Bennett, Ron Frenz, Keith Giffen, Erik Larsen, Gordon Purcell
Summary:
Reed reveals that Dr. Doom is behind this latest wave of attacks against them. Using a device of his own making, Reed rids the Baxter Building of the spying devices Doom installed when his troops invaded previously. With his spying device discovered, Doom uses the cosmic cube to command the Hulk to attack the FF. After Hulk and Thing battle for a few moments, Hulk seemingly escapes but reappears confused as to why the FF are after him. In the Himalayan home of the Inhumans, Crystal learns that the Sacred Helix of Randac has gone missing. If the Helix is not returned, it could mean the end of the Inhumans. Meanwhile, Reed and Johnny learn that the Hulk was confused because before Ben was fighting a robot Hulk, but now he is fighting the real one. When they return, they find that Hulk has reverted back to Bruce Banner. Together they set about returning to the Baxter Building. Doom has observed all of this and delights that the two Hulks served as a distraction for his psyche-scalpel to retrieve the knowledge he required.
Issue - 6
Title - Mayhem on the Moon
Writer - Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Frank Fosco, Ron Frenz, Keith Giffen, Erik Larsen, and Jorge Lucas
Issue - 7
Title - ...Touched By the Hand of Havoc
Writer - Tom DeFalco, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Ron Frenz, Erik Larsen, Mike Manley, Graham Nolan, and Rick Veitch
Summary:
Crystal arrives in the Baxter Building and discovers Doom lurking in Reed's lab. No sooner does she confront him, he disappears. In space, the Fantastic Four and their ally the Black Panther, survive in airless space because Sue maintains an invisible field around them. Opening a small gap in her field, Reed uses a flare gun to send a signal hoping that SHIELD or the Silver Surfer will see it and rescue them. Doom returns to his castle and has one of his soldiers sound the Atlantean trumpet summoning all of the beasts of the sea. Back in space, the FF are rescued by the Inhumans and reunited with Crystal. Regrouping with Nick Fury on the SHIELD Helicarrier, Reed, Sue, Ben, and Black Panther return to the Baxter Building while Johnny and Crystal join the Inhumans back at Attilan. The Silver Surfer joins the Avengers in combating the sea-monsters Doom has summoned. When Reed and co. arrive at the Baxter Building, they are shocked to find the Watcher waiting for them.
Issue - 8
Title - ...To Aid The Avengers
Writer - Kurt Busiek, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Ron Frenz, Erik Larsen, Jorge Lucas, Rick Veitch, and Bill Wray
Issue
- 9
Title - Nightmare In The Negative Zone
Writer - Tom DeFalco, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Frank Fosco, Ron Frenz, Erik Larsen, Paul Ryan, Bill Wray
Summary:
Reed uses the lull in their conflict with Doom to create a prognostication projector, a device with which to anticipate and determine Doom's true objective. From it the team learns that somehow Doom will be infused with cosmic power. Rick Jones then rushes into the Baxter Building with news that Doom has invaded the Negative Zone. In the Negative Zone, Captain Marvel spies Doom attacking Annihilus and taking his Cosmic Control Rod. Back in the Baxter Building, the team leaves for the Zone leaving Sue and Rick to observe the progress from the lab. Once the team is gone Rick and Sue are attacked by the Frightful Four, now allied with Blastaar. Rick switches places with Captain Marvel bringing him into the battle, however Marvel is soon put down by Blastaar. Meanwhile Rick is captured by Annihilus and held hostage so that the FF agree to return the Control Rod Doom stole. However when the team reach the zone gate, they find the Frightful Four in control leaving them trapped in the zone.
Issue
- 10
Title - On... To Asgard
Writer - Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson, and Bruce Timm
Art - Ron Frenz, Erik Larsen, and Dave Ross
Summary:
When the Frightful Four begin to fight amongst themselves, Sue uses her powers to open the zone gate and let the team back in. The team quickly overtake the evil FF and send Blastaar back into the Negative Zone. Elsewhere in the depths of space, Doom finally makes his move and attack Galactus. Using the combined might of the artifacts he has gathered, Doom manages to absorb all of Galactus' cosmic might. Back on Earth, the FF visit the Avengers HQ to speak with Thor. Reed asks Thor for help from the Asgardians. Thor takes them to Asgard so that they can make their plea directly to Odin. After a brief brawl with some of the Asgardians, Odin appears and reveals that he is aware of the situation and that Asgard stands with the Fantastic Four.
Issue
- 11
Title - Doom Triumphant
Writer - Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Frank Fosco, Ron Frenz, Erik Larsen, and Al Milgrom
Summary:
With Doom holding ultimate power, Odin agrees to aid the FF. Using Odin's visi-screen, Reed learns that Galactus lives, though reduced to the size and form of a mortal man. Seeing a slim a chance at victory, Reed sends Johnny accompanied by Balder to rescue from the asteroid. Reed then signals all of their allies on Earth that Doom's return is imminent. The likes of SHIELD, the Avengers, and the X-Men all prepare to face Doom. However not even with the combined might of the Asgardians is Doom defeated. With his army fallen, Odin engages Doom in combat. However Doom beats him one on one as well. Finally after having defeated everyone, Doom at last rules the world.
Issue
- 12
Title - Victor von Doom, Emperor of Earth
Writer - Stan Lee, Erik Larsen, Eric Stephenson
Art - Ron Frenz, Dan Jurgens, Erik Larsen, Jorge Lucas, John Romita Sr., Steve Rude
Summary:
Using a ionic inanimate matter converter, Reed has the team create and control monsters from comic books and has them fight Doom. Monsters such as the It, Fing Fan Foom, and Blip begin to battle Doom. After beating the fictional creations, Reed challenges Doom with the cosmic cube. While Doom had been fighting the monsters Reed took the Cube. With it, Reed strips Doom of his powers and uses the power of the cube to restore everything as it was. He also erases the events from everyone's memory.
Comments:
A fun and fitting celebration of 40 years of Fantastic Four. The only downside is that Kirby himself was not around to join Stan Lee for the final issue. Story-wise the event drags at some points. It is after all 12 issues long. There are endless detours to meet ____ character(s). Sure it is a celebration, and that is the point, but I found the formula tedious at times. Biggest downfall is the ending. All of the hype, the grandness and epicness (not a word, I know) and pretty much Reed just walks up to Doom with the Cosmic Cube and says 'Hah, you lose!' Doom has ultimate power and yet is defeated by the just Cosmic Cube when supposedly he needed all the artifacts to beat Galactus. The scale of power is somewhat confusing here. Also questionable is just how and from where did Reed snatch the Cube. Art-wise, the dozen or so artists manages to mimic Kirby with vary degrees of accuracy. For the most part the whole series is dead-on with only a few odd exceptions. There are also numerous recreations of Kirby panels. A lot of good Doom ones. Overall this was a great project and I certainly enjoyed it. The best part I think is that it adds another victory under Doom's belt. Now he could say (he can't remember really) that he's stolen power from the Silver Surfer, the Beyonder, a Watcher, and Galactus! Bottom Line: *** out of 5