In this episode:
Mike and Ed discuss the return of the Mole Man and his attempt to prod the world’s superpowers into World War III. Also, in the biggest press conference of the year, Reed Richards shares that he has augmented Sue Storm’s powers. In addition to turning invisible, Invisible Girl can now generate invisible force shields of tremendous strength. Will Reed be able to enhance other superpowered people? Can this same technique be used to give ANYONE powers? And are we really sure the Mole Man won’t return to strike again? Is burying a Mole Man in the Earth really the right way to contain him?
In this issue:
Reed Richards is testing Sue Storm’s incredible powers, which now include an invisible force field. Meanwhile, people are complaining about the Fantastic Four having their headquarters in downtown NYC. Eventually, the Fantastic Four fly out to an island, on the premise they may buy it for their new headquarters. It turns out that the Mole Man has led them to this location. Not only is he still alive, but he remains the ruler of the mole men people in the kingdom of Subterranea. The Mole Man plans to start WWIII by getting each side to think the other has fired first. Fortunately, the Fantastic Four are able to overcome the individual death traps set up by the Mole Man and defeat him, chasing him away.
Assumed before the next episode:
People are wondering whether the Fantastic Four will leave town. And why they were so close to WWIII.
This episode takes place:
After Reed Richards has explained how close we came to nuclear annihilation.
Episode 101: World War III and Invisible Evolution (Fantastic Four #22) - January 1964