Fantastic Four 75
“Worlds Within Worlds!”
Published: March 1968
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Script: Lee
Pencils: Kirby
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Artie Simek
Cover: Kirby and Sinnott

Synopsis

Fantastic Four 75 follows closely behind FF 74, when the team—minus the pregnant Invisible Girl—got wrapped up in Galactus’s quest to locate the missing Silver Surfer, his former herald, so that the Surfer could find new planets for him to consume. FF 75 opens with Mr. Fantastic, the Thing and the Human Torch on an unnamed island off the coast of New York City, waiting for Galactus’s next move.

Galactus—still light years away on his space ship—initially destroys the island, then pulls the trio into space where they black out, before they are revived on the once-again intact island. The team then confronts doppelgängers of themselves created by Galactus, and after a long battle, finally defeat them by switching up opponents. Finally, when Galactus threatens to destroy Manhattan by dropping a massive meteor on it, Reed pledges to find the Surfer. The issue closes with the trio preparing to shrink into the mircoverse, where they suspect the Surfer has traveled.

What’s going on here?

This is a fun issue, with high stakes, great action and some amazing gee-whiz Kirby art, although not all of it makes a lot of sense. It’s not really obvious that subjecting the FF to various trials was supposed to force them to give up the Surfer’s location—Galactus doesn’t make his demands known until after they fight the doppelgangers—and at any rate, it seems like killing them would not be an effective way to get information. Mostly it’s an opportunity to show off Galactus’s power, and have the three FF members fight evil versions of themselves.

The sequence with the FF being lifted into space, nearing death, then waking up on the ground is a particularly good one.

He wears short shorts

This might be Galactus’s last appearance in shorts:

By the time of his next appearance, in Silver Surfer 1 later that year (technically a flashback), he’s in long pants:

The sexist sixties

Once again, Sue is not just sidelined, but patronized as Crystal keeps her from learning her team is battling for their lives.

They’re fighting again

Technically they trade blows since they fight versions of themselves, but also in this spirited argument between Ben and Reed.

The incredible Mr. Fantastic

Reed vs. evil Reed

It’s Clobberin’ time

Say what?

Halavah, more commonly known as halva, is apparently a middle eastern desert made of sesame seeds and honey. It’s not at all clear why Ben is thinking about it here.

Dig that Kirby Krackle

Some cool comic stuff from Jack

Also on news stands

Looking at what else was on sale in March 1968:

Next issue: Into the micro-verse!