TITLE: Fantastic Four vol. 1, Issue #34
YEAR: January 1965
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Written by Stan Lee
Illustrated by Jack Kirby
Inker: Chic Stone
Letterer: Artie Simek
For those who have been reading Marvel miniseries such as “Annihilation” and Secret Wars” discovered a character known as Glorian, who was planning to rebuild the universe with the help of the Shaper of Worlds after the events in Battleworld.
The character Glorian was actually Thomas Gideon, a character who first appeared as a young teenager and a big fan of the Fantastic Four in issue #34.
In this issue from January 1965 of “Fantastic Four”, we are introduced by cold multi-billionaire, Gregory Gideon. All Gregory wants is to make more and more money and often deprives any time to be with his family for the sake of making more money.
And when discussing with various people all over the world, they make a bet with Mr. Gideon, Gideon wants something to accomplish in one week’s time. If he wins, various leaders must sell their companies to him immediately and if he fails, he will give up his plans for world domination.
And with so much money, Gideon turns the Fantastic Four against each other. Convincing Ben that Reed is a Super Skrull. While convincing Johnny that his sister is being manipulated by the Puppet Master.
As The Thing (Ben) fights with Reed and Johnny fights his sister, he manages to get a moving team to get into the Baxter Building and steal technology from Reed.
Meanwhile, as Mr. Gideon’s young son, Thomas, and his mother Claire want to spend time with Mr. Gideon, he is more intent of focusing on destroying the Fantastic Four, which he finds out that his son is a big fan of the superhero group.
While Mr. Gideon is accomplish his goal of defeating the Fantastic Four, his young son overhears from his father telling the business/military leaders all over the world that he is close to defeating the Fantastic Four and their companies will be bought out. Meanwhile, he has his scientist utilizing Reed Richard and Dr. Doom’s technology to time displace anyone.
Thomas runs out in hopes to warn the Fantastic Four but when Gideon’s men use their traps meant for the Fantastic Four on Thomas, Gideon sees in the camera that they put young Thomas through the time displacement machine and he is in big trouble.
Mr. Gideon regrets for what he has done and now he begs for Reed Richards to help bring his son back.
While this issue was fascinating in the fact that the Gideon family play a part in issues #134-#136 in 1973 and that the characters return in “The Untold Tales of Spider-Man” issue #21.But while an entertaining story, it was interesting to see a villain that uses his money to outwit his adversaries.
An issue worth checking out!