Dr Reed Richards shots a flare in the sky that forms the phrase “The Fantastic Four”. While people wonder what that means, three individuals rush to where Richards made the call. They are his fiancee, Susan Storm, who becomes invisible. Ben Grimm, a powerful monster with a rocky hide. And Johnny Storm, who can turn into a human torch. As Richards prepares to inform them about the purpose of their gathering, we learn how they got their super powers.
Richards spent years building a rocket ship to beat the Soviets in the space race. But Grimm, his pilot, fears the side effects that comic rays could induce. Susan confuses Grimm’s caution with cowardice, which hurts his pride, and pilots the ship that very night. Susan’s brother, Johnny, comes along. They launch secretly.
As the ship penetrates the stratosphere, the vessel’s weak shield let cosmic rays bathe it, affecting all four at the atomic level. Back on the ground, each discloses their powers: invisibility for Susan, stretching for Richards, flaming for Johnny, and Grimm turns into a monster that Susan refers to as a thing.
Richards, calling himself Mr Fantastic, invites all to use their formidable and unique capabilities to aid humanity. Everyone agrees, forming the Fantastic Four.
--
Story #2The Fantastic Four Meet the Mole Man!
Writer:
Stan Lee. Penciler:
Jack Kirby. Inker:
George KleinSynopsis
Reed Richards tells his companions about cave-ins affecting atomic plants in different parts of the world. He located the potential cause on an area called Monster Isle. Though considered part of folklore, they reach that island in a private jet. As they climb a peak, a three-headed flying monster attacks them. Richards, or better said, Mr Fantastic, grabs it with a lasso he formed using his elongated arm, and throws it into the ocean. Suddenly, the earth beneath Richards and Johnny subdues.
They fall to their doom, but Mr Fantastic changes his body into a parachute and Johnny grabs firmly onto him. When they reach the bottom, a blinding light knocks them out. As they recover, they find themselves wearing strange suits in front of a vast field of enormous diamonds. A short man with glasses presents himself: it is the Moleman.
--
Story #3The Moleman's Secret!
Writer:
Stan Lee. Penciler:
Jack Kirby. Inker:
George KleinSynopsis
A menacing rocky monster comes from behind Susan Storm. But the Thing confronts it and beats it. They rush to find their teammates.
Meanwhile, deep inside the planet, in the Moleman’s quarters, he tells Mr Fantastic and Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, how after escaping from a world that despised him, he became ruler of the underground world. After losing his sight in a fall, he developed senses like those of moles and bats. He can move in the dark and dodge dangers with ease.
Revengefully, the Moleman intends to conquer the world by sending his army of monsters after destroying all power plants. When the Thing and Sue Storm arrive, the foe releases a monumental beast. But the Human Torch keeps it at bay, flying around it.
Upon hearing their master’s call, all the other monsters quickly move in. So the Fantastic Four escape through a tunnel to the surface, while the Human Torch produces a rockslide that locks the beasts and the Moleman underground. As the team leaves on their plane, a tremendous explosion destroys Monster Isle. The Fantastic Four wonders if they will ever see the Moleman again.
--