Fantastic Four 58 | Percival Henry: The Fantastic Four and more

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1966, Dr. Doom, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four 58, jack Kirby, Stan Lee

Fantastic Four 58
“The Dismal Dregs of Defeat!”
Published: Oct. 1966
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Script: Lee
Pencils: Kirby
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Artie Simek
Cover: Kirby and Sinnott

Synopsis

For the second time in two issues, FF 58 opens in medias res, with an apparition of Dr. Doom appearing above the Baxter Building during a lightening storm. Mr. Fantastic dismisses is as a freak occurrence but the Things knows better, and has a premonition of something terrible happening. As soon as Reed and Sue depart for a weekend in the Hamptons, Ben is attacked by Dr. Doom, who has stolen the power of the Silver Surfer (as seen last issue). They battle, but Doom gets the better of Ben and leaves him frozen, statue-like, in Central Park.

Doom then attacks Reed and Sue in their Hampton’s cottage. They are soon joined by the Human Torch, who was teleported back to New York with Wyatt Wingfoot by Lockjaw. The Torch left Wyatt to rescue Ben while he takes on Doom. Soon Wyatt and Ben arrive as Johnny battles Doom but he too is beaten. As Doom gloats, Reed admits defeat, and Doom leaves them to suffer the humiliation of his victory.

What’s going on here?

This is an excellent comic, one of the best of the Lee/Kirby run to date (it’s also one I own, so we have letters and ads to check out!). It’s got a few things going for it: First, it’s the product of several issues of build-up, so we’ve been primed for something big. Second, as discussed in my last post, Doom stealing the Surfer’s powers really ratchets up the stakes, both in terms of Doom’s ruthlessness but also making him an even more formidable opponent. Third, the story is effectively paced, from the low-key opening and Ben’s ghost-story jitters, to the final, pitched fight in the Hamptons. Lastly, the FF is rarely beaten (more on that later), and Reed’s surrender signals a low point for the team. In all, it’s just a satisfying story that delivers a powerful punch.

The cover does a great job of summarizing the book’s mood, with the FF humbled and Doom triumphant. Structurally, it reminds me of images of Adam and Even being cast out of the Garden of Eden. I don’t know if that was Jack’s inspiration but it has a similarly mournful quality.

Byrne Baby Byrne

It wouldn’t be a Stan and Jack FF issue if it wasn’t referenced by John Byrne at some point. In this case, issue 268 from 1984.

Weird science

After Doom slows Ben’s metabolism to barely moving, he is freed by a “portable metabolism accelerator,” which Reed of course has just lying around. Doesn’t everybody?

Say what?

I knew Johnny’s super-nova blast was powerful but killing several billion people seems like a bit much.

It’s Clobberin’ Time

That’s two issues in a row now.

Say what? (part 2)

Doom says the FF have never been vanquished but he clearly missed Fantastic Four 38, when they got their asses kicked pretty thoroughly by the Frightful Four.

Oops

Speaking of goofs, here’s an odd panel where the Torch is entirely off-screen, as Stan apparently is trying to explain what happened to him in the previous panel.

We get letters

The issue features one from cultural critic and Vanity Fair writer James Wolcott. How do I know it’s the same James Wolcott? He writes about it here.