FANTASTIC FOUR 85 (1969)
by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
Continuing the last Lee&Kirby Doctor Doom storyline. The cover is classic Kirby at its purest, wonky perspective included.
We begin immediately after last issue’s cliffhanger, with Doom in full control of the Fantastic Four and nearly anticipating the Borg’s catchphrase.
So we still have the powerless Fantastic Four walking around Latveria.
Nice commentary from Reed, although so far we haven’t seen any indication that these people are suffering.
AWESOME slash page with Doom slouching on his high tech chair. This is Kirby Tech ™ at its finest.
Less awesome: the way Doom leaves this control panel. Seems really uncomfortable!
Note the introduction of Doom’s lead scientist, Dr. Hauptmann, who used to work for Hitler.
Kind of weird for Doom to hire nazis, but at the time his Roma ancestry was barely acknowledged.
Doom’s relationship with Hauptmann isn’t exactly perfect.
Years later, we will see John Byrne write&draw Doom with a nearly identical reaction when he’s compared to Magneto.
It’s a classic Doom moment, but for me it’s somewhat ruined by the following panel where Doom boasts of how “diabolical” he is.
Doom then takes Hauptmann to witness his “test”, which involves watching a couple of Latverian rebels being kicked by robots.
Until the rebels steal Doom’s gun and make a run for it!
Naturally, since this isn’t Daredevil #38, that was part of the plan.
“The test” is allowing the rebels to steal a tank and fight a green robot, the same kind of the cover.
This proves the robot’s supposed invincibility. So, uhm, I get wanting to execute the rebels, but was this really the most efficient way to test the robot!?
Now that the test is complete, Doom can use all the 12 available robots… to destroy a village.
Not just any village, though. A LATVERIAN VILLAGE.
So, uhm… I know it’s kind of blasphemy… but I really, REALLY hate this portrayal of Doom.
His twisted love for his country hasn’t been fully explored yet, and yes he’s a brutal dictator, but ordering the destruction of his own land just to test the robots!?
This is way too stereotypical. Even early Doom was more nuanced than this!
It doesn’t help that we’re constantly told that the people of this village are only pretending to be happy, walking around like zombies and just acting like everything’s normal.
But we’re only TOLD this. We’re never shown any indication that this is the case!
Mind you, I’m not saying that Latveria is a paradise. Or that in order to show that it’s a dictatorship you need to show the country a certain way.
But if you keep telling us that this place is creepy, SHOW US SOMETHING CREEPY!!!
The FF being drugged during breakfast doesn’t count.
To prevent them from using their powers, they need to be hypnotized daily.
We are formally introduced by the Hypno-Persuader ™, a device that will make repeated appearances.
It’s basically a high tech version of those cassette tapes with hypnotic suggestions, except it works.
We cut to the Invisible Girl, currently on maternity leave since she recently gave birth, looking for a new house. Ironically, she’s unable to go unnoticed.
There’s something off about the faces of people around her. I can’t help but think they are supposed to represent someone in particular, but if it’s a 1969 topical reference it’s completely lost on me.
Anyway, Susan decides she and Reed can’t live here because they would be attacked by any bad guy learning about the location of their home.
Sound legit. Better stay at the Baxter Building, which is where the entire universe knows the Fantastic Four live.
Meanwhile, Doom is busy getting his portrait done. While wearing a FABULOUS costume!
I know it’s supposed to be excessively pompous, which would be perfect for Doom, but to me this is just hilariously ridiculous!
It’s the shoes that kill me. They look like slippers.
Note that Doom is posing unmasked. He doesn’t seem to care if the artist sees his true face, or even one of his goons for that matter!
On second thought, maybe he doesn’t like being seen without his mask? But then why even pose without it in the first place!? This is really confusing to me.
Another aspect that I really, REALLY don’t like: Doom has promised to the artist that he will let him free in exchange for the portrait, but Doom doesn’t feel he has to honor his word.
We have reached the last page, so it’s time for our cliffhanger: the Invincible Robots ™ have been unleashed against the village.
And the Fantastic Four can do nothing about it. Which is kind of appropriate since they don’t do anything in this issue.
Fantastic Four significance: 0/10
Like I said, they don’t do anything. There’s a minor subplot with more shenanigans caused by Susan’s search for a house, but that will also lead basically nowhere.
Doom significance: 7/10
Both the robots and the hypnotic machine will be used again, and Hauptmann will have a rather long-lasting impact once we are introduced to his brother.
Silver Age-ness: 2/10
Doom is even more over-the-top than usual, but there are still very few Silver Age tropes.
Does it stand the test of time? 5/10
This is a tough one. As a huge Doctor Doom fan, this is one of the worst portrayals for his characterization, even if the art is the best of the best. Despite this the story holds well, for the most part. Not only I don’t get any creepy vibes from this Latveria, but Doom’s plan makes absolutely no sense: if he wants to use the robots to conquer the world, why test them on Latveria? It’s not like this is a city in revolt, we’re barely shown a couple of rebels! All in all, a really mixed bag.
At this point in their run, Lee was giving Kirby a lot of freedom. Considering Kirby’s work when he’s both writing and drawing, I’m fairly positive that this is a Kirby plot and it shows.
Kirby might’ve been the King, but often his plots let much to be desired.
It was a Doombot all along
It’s not spelled out, but since this is one of the most “evil for evil’s sake” Doom that I kind of whish to count this as a Doombot.
Take over the world
I guess the Invincible Robots ™ are built for this purpose… but since Doom is unleashing them AGAINST HIS OWN COUNTRY, he’s kind of doing the opposite of taking over the world?
Destroy the FF!
Like last issue, Doom is still trying to psychologically destroy the FF. And literally destroy them, since he placed them in the doomed village.
Crazy tech
A tossup between the Hypno-Persuader ™ and the Invincible Robots ™. I’m more impressed by the hypnotic machine: despite their great design, the robots will prove to be FAR from invincible!
Mirror smash!
A glaring exception: not only the mirror survives, but Doom allows other people to see his face without repercussions. One of the reasons why I suspect this is a Doombot.
Doom always keeps his word
Another exception and another reason for this to be a poorly made Doombot.
Interestingly, this is one of the issues where the very last page included the Statement of Ownership. The book was selling over 500,000 copies.
