I: Feature Story: "Beware the Hidden Land!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Artie Simek

First Appearance: Maximus, Alpha Primitives

Villain: Maximus, the Seeker, Alpha Primitives

Guest Appearance: Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, Lockjaw, Karnak, Triton, Gorgon, Dragon Man

Marvel Milestones: First appearance of the Great Refuge

Gadgets & Technology: Atmo-Gun

Synopsis: (continued from FF #46)

Sue rushes to Triton's aid, surrounding him with a force field that Reed fills with water. Meanwhile, Johnny and Ben chase after Dragon Man, and unfortunately, their fight leads straight through the window of Alicia's studio! Thing, fearing for Alicia's safety, knocks Dragon Man through the ceiling and into the air with one punch! Johnny hammers the creature with ultra-violet rays and it tumbles into the park, knocked out by "a severe case of sunstroke."

The Seeker places Triton in a new water tank and sends the Fantastic Four away. The craft takes off, but Reed is sure Triton is going against his will. He secrets away a homing device to track the craft, to later free Triton.

Gorgon, Lockjaw, Karnak, Crystal, Medusa and Black Bolt teleport into the Great Refuge. Their arrival is noticed by the current king, Maximus, who had sent his brother, Black Bolt, into exile. While the rightful ruler of the Great Refuge lived life beyond its walls, Maximus excercised ruthless control with the power that was not rightly his. Sensing Black Bolt has returned to reclaim his power, he unleashes an army of Alpha Primitives after them, but Black Bolt, Medusa and Karnak make short work of them. Maximus arrives to greet them, feigning ignorance of the attack. Since Black Bolt cannot speak, Maximus explains, it fell to him to take the crown, just as it now falls to him to take Medusa's hand in marriage so she can be queen. Black Bolt can only stand for so much of this insufferable speech from his arrogant brother, and he wrests the crown from Maximus' and places it upon his own head. The rightful heir has assumed the crown, and the rest of the Inhumans bow to him. Maximus plays along, secretly thinking about a plan to get his absolute power back.

The Fantastic Four have tracked the Inhumans with their private plane into the Andes. Thing complains about remaining a monster, Johnny complains about never finding Crystal again and Sue frets that Reed does not treat her as a newlywed and changes her hairstyle to try and get his attention. Just then, a man soars close to the plane, powered only by his own amazing abilities of flight. They have found the Great Refuge!

When they land, Sue turns invisible so she can unveil her new hairstyle. Unfortunately, her effort has wasted time and Reed barks at her that they may have alerted the Inhumans to their presence. They cross a stone bridge which overlooks the Inhumans' entire city. When Reed stretches down to investigate, the bridge collapses! Sue saves them with a force field and they land in the heart of the city.

The rest of the Inhumans demand to know where Maximus is keeping Triton. He initially plays ignorant, but then admits he has Triton kept in containing cell, after the Seeker brought him back. Just as Maximus discusses his plan to one day dominate the world on behalf of the Inhumans, Johnny Storm flies by. Crystal runs into Johnny's arms but they are separated by Black Bolt. Medusa speaks for him, and tells them that Black Bolt orders the Fantastic Four out of their city. But at that moment, Maximus driven mad with power, fires the Atmo-Gun, a weapon which will doom mankind by setting off vibrations in in the Earth's atmosphere, vibrations so delicate that it will kill all human beings, while leaving the Inhumans alone to rule the world.

(continued in FF #48)

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

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