Episode 11: Enter... Dr. Doom! (Fantastic Four #5) -- July 1962

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss Victor Von Doom and his attack on the Fantastic Four on American soil. How will the U.S. respond to this unprovoked attack by a foreign power (Doom is leader of Latveria)? Does Latveria have leverage we do not know about?

In this issue:

Evil genius Victor Von Doom - who despite having been expelled form university nonetheless goes by “Dr. Doom” - decides to show the world his might and power by defeating the Fantastic Four. He does this relatively easily by throwing a net over their skyscraper and kidnapping the Four, flying them in an unnaturally fast helicopter to his castle in Europe. While there, Doom explains to the team that he has invented a time machine, and that he wants Mr. Fantastic, the Thing, and the Human Torch to go back in time to rob the treasure of the notorious pirate Blackbeard (all while holding the Invisible Girl hostage).

[Sidebar: there must be better ways to use a time machine.]

The three go back in time and, while disguised as a pirate and enjoying the drama of it all, the Thing actually creates the identity of Blackbeard. As Mr. Fantastic notes, the Thing “came back to the past to find…. himself!” The three find “Blackbeard’s” treasure - mainly gems - and Mr. Fantastic decides that it is too dangerous to allow Doom to get his hands on the gems. Doom brings the three back to the present and is disappointed that they did not bring the gems back with them. He reveals to the team that the treasure was originally the property of Merlin the ancient magician, and that he was going to use the gems to become invincible (turns out Reed was right on the money on this one). A fight ensues, and Doom escapes. The Fantastic Four devote themselves to tracking down their two nemeses, the Submariner and Dr. Doom.

[Submariner and Dr. Doom are still at large 60 years later.]

Assumed before the next issue:

Reed Richards explains to the public that they were captured by Dr. Doom, but that they escaped. He does not provide many details, and in particular he fails to mention that an evil genius has a working time machine or that the Thing is part of a time paradox involving the legend of Blackbeard.

This episode takes place:

After the Fantastic Four returns from their confrontation with Dr. Doom.

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