Fantastic Four 72
Published: December 1967
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Script: Lee
Pencils: Kirby
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Sam Rosen
Cover: Kirby and Sinnott

Synopsis

In the wake of last issue’s departure of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Girl from the team—prompted by Reed’s concerns about the pregnant Sue’s safety—the Thing, Human Torch and Crystal are moping around the Baxter Building, worried about their future. Suddenly, the Watcher appears—and once again violating his vow of non-interference—to warn them the Silver Surfer is on a rampage.

The Surfer, somehow how concluding the only hope for mankind is for it to unite around opposition to him, is destroying crops, levitating the Great Pyramids and flooding cities with tidal waves. When he arrives in New York, the Torch attacks him but he is quickly overwhelmed. Ben has better luck, engaging in a slugfest aboard the Surfer’s surfboard, but he too is defeated.

As the military prepares to launch its experimental sonic shark missile, the Watcher halts a train carrying Reed and Sue, and after Reed forbids Sue from joining him, Reed is whisked away.

Back in New York, Reed joins Ben and Johnny, and they pursue the Surfer in order to defend him from the missile, which uses “cosmic energy.” Johnny fails, but at the last minute Ben knocks it off course, where it explodes in the stratosphere. Weakened by the missile, the Surfer comes to his senses and apologies to the FF for his actions.

What’s going on here?

This is a fun one-and-done issue, maybe the best single-issue story since issue 51, the classic “This Man, This Monster.” FF 72 doesn’t have the pathos or drama of that story, but it has great pacing, compelling action and high-stakes. Interestingly, while the Surfer is nominally the villain, it’s really the US military that poses the greatest threat in this comic.

The Surfer’s big plan—by becoming a menace, mankind will unite around a common enemy—shows up in comics and science fiction from time to time. The immediate example I thought of was in Watchmen (spoiler warning!), where Ozymandias drops a giant fake squid-alien in New York to horrify the world and end the threat of nuclear war. I’m sure there are lots more examples.

The Surfer’s swath of destruction is pretty extensive and, despite his noble intentions, might lead to some hard feelings about him by humanity. Yet I’m not aware of it ever coming up in subsequent issues, like Namor’s invasion of New York has been repeatedly held against him. Then again, I haven’t read many Surfer solo books, so if anyone out there knows, please let me know.

It’s not obviously clear what city the Surfer is flying over in that splash page, but it looks a lot like downtown Baltimore to me.

Keel hauled

Readers of this blog know I tend to obsess about random details. One of which is whether the Surfer’s board has a keel, like a real surfboard (a subject I delve into in his first appearance). Jack originally drew his board with a keel, but here he is keel-less.

Watching the Watcher

The watcher’s appearance also changes dramatically over Jack’s tenure on the FF. When he was introduced, he was much ore alien looking, with spindly limbs and a huge head. By issue 72, he’s drawn to more human proportions, and looks like he’s been hitting the gym.

Jack also upgraded his outfit. Check out the detail on the back of his tunic:

Also, just who is the Watcher referring to here? Jesus?

The sexist sixties

Once again, Sue is shunted aside by Reed. And Crystal is again completely absent from the action.

Weird science

The sonic-shark missile plays a pretty big role in this story for a device which is only explained in a footnote.

Dig that Kirby Krackle

I already posted a lot of great images, but here are a few more:

Also on the news stands

A Neal Adams hat trick was on sale December 1967:

Next issue: Dr. Doom, and guest stars Spider-Man, Daredevil and Thor!