Fantastic Four 83
“Shall Man Survive?”
Published November 1968
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Script: Lee
Pencils: Kirby
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Sam Rosen
Cover: Kirby and Sinnott

Synopsis

After the events of last issue, in which Maximus the Mad imprisoned the Inhumans and the Fantastic Four, Mr. Fantastic, the Human Torch and the Thing attempt to escape a sealed room, but can’t because Maximus’s hypno-rays leave unable to fully use their powers.

Elsewhere, as Maximus prepares to unleash his hypno-gun on humanity and conquer the earth, Black Bolt uses his voice power to shatter the glass enclosure, freeing the rest of the Inhumans. Separately, the Fantastic Four breaks free after Reed convinces Ben and Johnny to concentrate and realize they weren’t actually trapped. The three then quickly defeat Zorr, Maximus’s robot, before it can use the hypo-powers that beat them last issue.

The Inhuman and the FF then converge on Maximus, and as Crystal destroys his hypno-gun, Maximus escapes.

What’s going on here?

Fantastic Four 83 is a mostly satisfying conclusion to the events of last issue. It’s full of action, has some fun art, and lots of Ben cracking wise. The Inhumans’ escape seems a bit too easy—surely Maximus would have accounted for Black Bolt’s voice—and ultimately Maximus’s plan is foiled without much trouble. But the story is well paced, and we get a lot of Maximus as a mustache-twirling super villain.

The only big development in FF 83 is we finally see Sue and her baby, three issues after his birth in FF Annual 6. It’s only a few panels, but it’s a sign of life!

Silent Night

Unusually, FF 83 has a long sequence of the Inhumans battling without word balloons, sound effects or narrations. It’s the first time I’ve seen this in the FF, and I wonder if it’s related to Black Bolt’s silence. It reminds me of a sporting event, when the announcers shut up after a big moment (in this case, it was after the Inhumans freed themselves).

Those Wacky Inhumans

Jack clearly has fun coming up with zany Inhuman characters. A centaur, a flying guy, a tree guy etc.

The sexist sixties

This may be the most pathetic example of Sue’s helplessness. I can accept her needing Reed’s help to fight Dr. Doom, but to name a baby????

It’s Clobberin’ Time

These get better and better

Reunited

This is a fun panel

Dig that Kirby Krackle

We get two full page splash pages in this issue. If I’m being honest, I don’t love the Inhumans one – Black Bolt’s proportions seem off.

Some other cool panels

Also on sale

What else was on the newsstands in November 1968?

Next issue: The return of Dr. Doom!