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Fantastic Four #21: The Hatemonger! (1961)
Overview:
Fantastic Four #21, published in December 1963, is a comic book issue written by Stan Lee, with artwork by Jack Kirby. This issue features the Fantastic Four teaming up with Nick Fury to stop the villainous Hate-Monger, who has the ability to spread hatred and incite violence through a powerful hate-ray.
Plot Summary:
The issue begins with the Fantastic Four noticing a sudden rise in hostility and aggression in New York City. As tensions flare among citizens, Reed Richards investigates and discovers that a mysterious figure known as the Hate-Monger is behind the chaos. This masked villain has a device capable of amplifying and spreading hatred, turning peaceful people into violent mobs.
Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four cross paths with Nick Fury, who is now a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Fury is on a mission to stop the Hate-Monger, whose activities are not limited to the United States but are also affecting global affairs. The two groups team up to bring down this dangerous new villain, but things take a turn when the Hate-Monger uses his hate-ray on the Fantastic Four themselves, causing the team to turn against each other.
As Reed, Ben, Johnny, and Sue succumb to irrational anger and mistrust, it seems that the team will tear itself apart. However, Nick Fury manages to intervene, using his tactical expertise to shield himself from the hate-ray’s effects. He then captures the Fantastic Four and helps them regain their senses by temporarily separating them and calming their emotions.
Once the team recovers, they refocus on stopping the Hate-Monger. Together, they track him to his hidden base, where a fierce battle ensues. The villain once again tries to use his hate-ray, but this time the Fantastic Four are prepared, having built countermeasures against its effects. With Fury’s help, they disable the Hate-Monger's device and confront the villain.
In a shocking twist, the Hate-Monger is unmasked, revealing that he is an apparent clone of Adolf Hitler, kept alive through advanced scientific means. Though he is defeated, the issue ends with a sobering reminder from Reed Richards about the dangers of hatred and intolerance, and how such emotions can be manipulated to harm society.
Fantastic Four #22: The Return of the Mole Man! (1961)
Cover copyright Marvel.com
Overview:
Fantastic Four #22, published in January 1964, is a comic book issue written by Stan Lee, with artwork by Jack Kirby. This issue introduces a significant development for the Fantastic Four, as Sue Storm, the Invisible Girl, gains greater control over her powers. The team faces off against the returning villain, the Mole Man, who seeks revenge with his subterranean army.
Plot Summary:
The story opens with Sue Storm feeling increasingly frustrated about her role within the Fantastic Four. She believes that her powers of invisibility are too limited compared to the abilities of the rest of the team. Reed Richards reassures her, and together they work on improving her control over her powers, leading to a breakthrough. Sue discovers that she can not only turn herself invisible but also create invisible force fields, giving her a significant boost in combat capabilities.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the Earth’s surface, the Mole Man is plotting his revenge against the surface world. After being defeated by the Fantastic Four in earlier encounters, he plans a new assault by targeting key installations around the globe, causing massive tremors and sinkholes. His goal is to destabilize the surface world and eventually rule it from below with his army of Moloids and advanced subterranean technology.
As tremors shake New York City, the Fantastic Four realize the Mole Man is behind the attacks. They travel to the center of the disturbance, a massive underground cavern where the Mole Man is amassing his forces. Upon arriving, the team is quickly ambushed by the Mole Man’s creatures and traps, separating them in the dark, maze-like tunnels.
With the team split up, each member must fend off attacks from the Mole Man’s subterranean creatures. However, Sue’s newfound ability to create invisible force fields proves critical in protecting herself and helping her teammates regroup. Reed, Johnny, and Ben are impressed by her increased power, which shifts the tide of battle in their favor.
In the final confrontation, the Fantastic Four face the Mole Man himself, who unleashes his most powerful technology in a bid to overwhelm the team. Despite his efforts, Sue’s force fields shield the team from his attacks, allowing them to defeat the villain and destroy his machinery, preventing further destruction on the surface.
With the Mole Man’s plans foiled, the Fantastic Four return to the surface world. The issue closes with the team acknowledging Sue’s growth and importance to their success. Reed emphasizes that her new abilities will make her an even stronger asset to the team in future battles, marking a pivotal moment in her character’s development.
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