I: Feature Story: "To Save You, Why Must I Kill You?"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Sam Rosen

Villain: The Frightful Four: Sandman, Wingless Wizard, Madam Medusa, Trapster

Synopsis: (continued from FF #41)

The Thing has been brainwashed by the Frightful Four and moves in to kill the captive Mr. Fantastic. Reed is glued to a paste covered board but expands his body to absorb the blow. Johnny is pinned by a sprinkler system designed to suppress his powers, but he instigates his "Flame On" so quickly, he melts the apparatus before it can start. He frees Sue from her plastic bubble prison and they join the fight, throwing flame balls and force fields at Medusa and the Sandman.

Reed goads Thing into getting really angry at him, and Thing smashes the paste covered board and inadvertently frees Reed. Reed tries to fight back, but his old friend slams an entire wall on him and stuffs him into a small metal jar. He then turns on Johnny with the Frightful Four behind him. The Human Torch blinds them all with a sunburst but Medusa and the Trapster cover their eyes. Then she soaks her hair down in a sink and slaps him down with the heavy strands of her wet hair. She suggests the Wizard turn the ID Machine on Johnny, as well, turning him into a slave just like they did with the Thing.

Sue escapes with the metal jar containing Reed. Using her force field to its peak power, she pries the crushed lid off just as Reed runs out of air. He is saved, but they both faint from the effort.

The Frightful Four have now added half the Fantastic Four to their ranks. Johnny and Ben are brutal even to their new teammates. They are so busy arguing that none are prepared for Reed and Sue’s stealth attack. Reed feeds a stream of tear gas into the house through the chimney. Then, using his own fingers as a slingshot, he slaps anti-gravity discs on the villains as they race out of the house. Reed and Sue snatch the floating Thing away but the Wizard and the Human Torch pursue them, trapping them behind a wall of flame.

(continued in FF #43)

--synopsis by Jonathan Clarke, aka doesitmatter, with Gormuu

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