The Fantastic Four
# 41-50




August 1965
Fantastic Four # 41: "The Brutal Betrayal of Ben Grimm" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating: JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The Thing walks away from the team and gets out of town. Exhausted from last issue's battle, he passes out which leaves him at the mercy of the Frightful Four. The Wizard uses his diabolically ID machine on the Thing which puts him under the Wizard's control. The Fantastic Four, searching for the Thing, come across the Frightful Four, but with the Thing's help, the Frightful Four defeat them.


September 1965
Fantastic Four # 42: "To Save You, Why Must I Kill You?" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Frightful Four attempt to prod the Thing into destroying his former teammates. However, his former teammates aren't about to sit back and accept their fate.  The FF battle back, but the Torch is taken captive. Reed and Sue escape dragging the Thing along hoping to free him from the Wizard's control. Unfortunately, the Wizard has put the Torch under his control and has sent him to stop his teammates' escape.


October 1965
Fantastic Four # 43: "Lo, There Shall Be An Ending" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Torch is unable to prevent Reed and Sue from escaping with the Thing. The Frightful Four gets suspicious and catch on that the Torch was only playing along and they take him out. Meanwhile, Reed does his best to free the Thing from the Wizard's control. However, the Frightful Four attack and force Reed and Sue to surrender as they hold the Torch as hostage. The Thing manages to even out the odds and the team rallies to defeat the Frightful Four, but Medusa escapes.

Fantastic Four # 44: "The Gentleman's Name is Gorgon! or What A Way to Spend a Honey moon!" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Medusa seeks the help of the Fantastic Four as a mysterious being called Gorgon closes in on her. Her flight caught the Dragon Man's attention and it joins the fun. The FF help keep Medusa away from Gorgon, but he threatens to destroys the city.

Jay's Notes:

  • First apperance of Gorgon.

Fantastic Four # 45: "Among Us Hide ... The Inhumans" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Gorgon's powerful hoofs allow him to escape with Medusa. Sue manages to calm down the Dragon Man. Later, Johnny meets up with a beautiful young woman, Crystal who introduces him to her family ... the Inhumans! When Johnny spots Medusa he makes a break and summons the rest of his team.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Crystal, Lockjaw, Karnak, Triton, and Black Bolt.

Fantastic Four # 46: "Those Who Would Destroy Us!" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Fantastic Four battle the Inhumans while the Seeker kidnaps Dragon Man mistakenly believing the monster to be an Inhuman. The Inhumans are forced to withdraw from the battle and escape using Lockjaw's powers of teleportation. The FF meet up with the Seeker and learn the origins of the Inhumans. Dragon Man escapes, but the Seeker departs for the Great Refuge with the captured Triton.

Fantastic Four # 47: "Beware the Hidden Land" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Fantastic Four catch up with the rampaging Dragon Man and recapture it. Meanwhile, the Inhumans return to their home, the Great Refuge. They usurp Maximus who has taken over as monarch and restore Black Bolt to power. The FF track the Seeker to the Great Refuge. Johnny is temporarily reunited with Crystal. The FF are asked to leave just as Maximus unleashes the power of his Atmo-Gun.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Attilan (Great Refuge) and Maximus the Mad.

Fantastic Four # 48: "The Coming of Galactus!" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Maximus fails in his scheme to destroy the human race, but he does succeed in placing a negative zone barrier around the Great Refuge. Fortunately, the FF get out in time, but Johnny leaves Crystal behind with her family. They return to Manhattan where Reed joins the Watcher as he attempts to hide Earth from the Silver Surfer. However, they fail and the Silver Surfer signals his master and Galactus arrives prepared to drain the Earth of all its life force.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Galactus and the Silver Surfer.

Fantastic Four # 49: "If This Be Doomsday!" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
The Watcher confronts Galactus but is unable to sway him from his course. The Silver Surfer meets Alicia Masters and learns what it means to be human. Galactus assembles his energy converter and the FF attack it. Galactus unleashes his cyborg Punisher on them which keeps them busy. Meanwhile, the Watcher sends the Human Torch across space and time to Galactus' home planet. The Silver Surfer has deemed humanity worthy of his protection. 

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Punisher (Galactus' robot) and Taa II (Galactus' starship).

Fantastic Four # 50: "The Startling Saga of the Silver Surfer!" 
Writer: Stan Lee 
Penciler: Jack Kirby 
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Silver Surfer confronts Galactus and demands that he spare the Earth. Galactus is unwilling to listen and the Silver Surfer is forced to attack him. Johnny returns from his cosmic trip with the ultimate nullifier. Reed threatens Galactus with it and Galactus agrees to leave, but not before stripping the Silver Surfer of his space-time powers. The Silver Surfer leaves the FF to explore the Earth. Johnny heads off to Metro College where he begins his first year of study.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Ultimate Nullifier.
  • First appearance of Wyatt Wingfoot.

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