TITLE: Fantastic Four vol. 1, Issue #31
YEAR: October 1964
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Written by Stan Lee
Illustrated by Jack Kirby
Inker: Chic Stone
Letterer: S. Rosen
For those who read classic comic books from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, especially the “Fantastic Four”, you can’t help but be amazed by how much content is featured in every issue.
Case in point, “Fantastic Four” issue #31, the cover shows the Fantastic Four taking on their nemesis, The Mole Man. But the issue also features a brief battle between the Fantastic Four vs. The Avengers and also features shocker as someone from Sue and Johnny’s past comes out of nowhere.
In the 31st issue of “The Fantastic Four”, someone or something is causing earthquakes in the city. As the guys try to find out what is causing it, Sue finds a newspaper and sees that a person has escaped from prison and immediately, she becomes emotional.
Reed is concerned because of Sue’s behavior after seeing the man and he wonders who the man may be?
As the three go to look for what is causing the earthquakes, the Mole Man spots Sue Storm and sends his Mole men to go capture her. Meanwhile, Reed wonders where his wife may be? And she leaves a note that she is leaving to go to police headquarters.
As the Mole Man has Sue captured, he uses her as leverage to get the Fantastic Four to rescue her. But this time Mole Man is one step ahead of them and warns them if they try something, Sue is going to die, so if they value her life, they best listen to him. And he wants the three to serve him!
As he sends the three back to the surface, there to greet him are the Avengers. Reed explains that it’s the Mole Man who is responsible for the quakes and as the Avengers want to go to attack him, Reed, The Thing and Human Torch try to stop them, as he does not want them do anything that would put Sue in danger. So, it leads to almost a battle between both superhero groups.
But thanks to Anthony Stark’s technology, Reed will use it in hopes of defeating the Mole Man but can they save her from harm?
While I’m not going to spoil the issue’s storyline, I will say that it leads to a surprise ending that will continue on in issue #32.
But overall, so much action, so many surprises and another classic “Fantastic Four” tale worth reading!