Issue
- 3
Issue
- 3
Title - Third Dimension
Writer - Peter David
Art - Salvador Larroca
Summary:
In order to verify the claims of Franklin Richards, Reed Richards sends Iron Man into the Negative Zone to run tests on a piece of the planet's lower strata. When he returns, his findings confirm that the Earth they are on is less than a year old. To worsen matters, fireballs which Reed detected on a path to Earth have increased in speed. To combat the coming disaster, Reed suggests a reunion of the Knights of the Atomic Roundtable. Elsewhere, two Hulks are engaged in a fierce battle while a confused Spider-Man looks on. After the two stumble over the Washington bridge, suddenly a giant spacecraft emerges from the ocean dragging the two out of the water. Doom pilots the craft and flies to the Fantastic Four headquarters. There Franklin reveals that he must choose between this world and his, he has chosen that his must survive. As the heroes consider using Doom's ship to return to the other world, their home, a Celestial appears in the sky.
Notes:
Variant cover was made for this
issue:
Issue
- 4
Title - Fourth and Goal
Writer - Peter David
Art - Salvador Larroca
Summary:
A massive gathering is made of all the heroes who come from Franklin's world. As they prepare to leave, Reed Richards insists that neither world be destroyed. Moved by seeing all of the heroes stand together as well her connection with Franklin, the Celestial Ashema vows not to allow the planet to be destroyed by her peers. Doom's craft, the Ark, launches into the Negative Zone, the border of Franklin created universe. As they approach the edge, Doom grabs Franklin and exits the ship. With Franklin's power Doom intends to battle the Celestials and rule both worlds. The heroes attempt to grab Franklin, but it is Thor who grabs hold of Doom and releases Franklin back to his father. Warned that all must leave the sphere of Franklin's universe or both world's perish, Thor uses his hammer to punch a hole into another reality and drags Doom with him. The heroes continue and break through the barrier into their own world. Finally they return.
Comments:
I would have been content with Doom not trying to steal Franklin, but I suppose a villain was needed. Doom has some good moments here with his Atomic Round Table friends. The best thing about this story is the ending, the heroes are back at last. I don't know how far ahead the Heroes Reborn/Return project was planned, but the Return was handled nicely. Bottom Line: *** out of 5
Notes:
Doom's adventure is continued in Thor Annual 1999 (released two years later!).
A variant cover was made for this issue (below left)
Collected in Return of the Heroes
(below right)
