FANTASTIC FOUR 84 (1969)
by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
Doctor Doom returns to the Fantastic Four title after missing for 24 issues.
This 4-part storyline will be the last time he appears on the title during the Lee&Kirby run.
The Invisible Girl is currently off the team because she just gave birth. She’s been replaced by Crystal, the Inhuman girlfriend of the Human Torch, who has elemental powers.
And the team is back from a story with the Inhumans on a vehicle that looks kind of uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, an old man is fleeing from a Jack Kirby background.
Well actually he’s fleeing from Doctor Doom, who makes his grand entrance in a splash page.
This is the first appearance of Doom’s robotic servants, the highly recognizable Servo-Guards.
The Fantastic Four meet Nick Fury, who reveals that someone is assembling some kind of secret army “somewhere in Europe”.
Why is this of interest to S.H.I.E.L.D.? Because they’re leaving behind robot parts.
These robots are so dangerous that even a single hand is deadly.
But S.H.I.E.L.D. won’t be covering this: it’s up to the Fantastic Four.
They head to Latveria, which is apparently accessible through “a communist-occupied” country in Central Europe.
This is 1969, so I assume this is supposed to be East Germany? Or maybe Hungary?
But of course, one can’t simply drive into Latveria.
The Fantastic Four are immediately swarmed by Servo-Guards, who just won’t shut up.
But they’re still extremely effective foes.
It’s a Classic Kirby Fight Scene, which means it’s awesome.
This time Doom really has the upper hand.
He’s playing so safe, in fact, that he wears a gas mask ABOVE his other mask.
Then the team wakes up… with room service.
Much to their surprise Doom didn’t put them in a dungeon: they’re simply guests of Latveria.
We also get a slight glimpse of Latverians in civilian clothing, and not the stereotypical traditional costumes that we usually see. They’re normal clothes (by 1969 standards).
Doom reveals that he secretly hypnotized the Fantastic Four to drain their powers in their sleep.
As part of his revenge, the Fantastic Four will now by his honored guests… forever.
It’s Fantastic Four Fiesta Day!
The team tries to flee the country, but without their powers they can’t get past the border.
For all intents and purposes… Doom just won.
That is one hell of a cliffhanger.
Fantastic Four significance: 0/10
The storyline as a whole does have a little more significance, but this one mostly serves to move the team from one adventure to the next.
Doom significance: 5/10
First appereance of the Servo-Guards. We also get a more detailed glimpse of Latveria. Not much in this specific issue, but the following ones will have more of an impact.
Silver Age-ness: 1/10
Despite the typical structure of the Silver Age, it doesn’t share many of its tropes.
Does it stand the test of time? 9/10
The story jumps from place to place a little too quickly, and the lovey-dovey dialogue between Johnny and Crystal can be very grating, but this is one efficient issue. I’m not a big fan of how Latveria is shown in later parts of the storyline, but in this one it’s used to a rather chilling effect.
It’s also one of the most blatant examples of “Doom could’ve killed the FF if that’s what he wanted”.
It was a Doombot all along
No indication of whether this is the real Doom or not. Both options are equally valid.
Take over the world
This time Doom doesn’t show any interest in this.
Destroy the FF!
This time he doesn’t want to kill them. Doom wants to BREAK them.
Crazy tech
The Servo-Guards are not particularly crazy for comic book standards, but they’re so integral to the whole Dr. Doom package that they must qualify.
The doomy land of Doom
The game of “where in the world is Latveria” continues. If it’s near East Germany it kind of fits with the reference to the Bavarian Alps of Fantastic Four 39, but Hungary makes a little more sense with today’s typical location.
Superhero count: 17
Adding Crystal to the number of heroes who have fought Doom.