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Fantastic Four (1961)
Fantastic Four (1961-1998) #6
"Captives of the Deadly Duo!"
In this issue, Dr. Doom returns! Doom traps the FF inside the Baxter Building and hurls it towards the sun, how will the FF survive?! Guest starring the Sub Mariner. Brought to you by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby!
In this issue, Dr. Doom returns! Doom traps the FF inside the Baxter Building and hurls it towards the sun, how will the FF survive?! Guest starring the Sub Mariner. Brought to you by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby!
- GenresComicsMarvelComic Book
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 1962
5 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,563 books2,342 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 29, 2025
Dr. Doom (DrD) is looking to make the Sub-Mariner (SM) an offer he can't refuse: team-up with me and we will destroy the FF! After the SM places a magnetically powered 'grabber' device in Baxter Building (that can pull any object) it becomes apparent that the 'bad' doctor was just using him - leaving him to perish along with the FF as Baxter Building is drawn to the sun. One has to wonder: If DrD had started out his 'team-up' phase as a reliable partner how many super villains would have trusted him and followed his plans for world domination? Key early issue.
May 16, 2020
I was excited when I saw the cover to this issue. Lee and Kirby bring together the two adversaries that the FF were not able to defeat. I was going intrigued by the idea of the Submariner and Dr. Doom getting the chance to work together. I think the one thing that I did learn from this issue is that Dr. Doom is never to be trusted under any circumstances even if you’re a villain. It seems like I can expect the issues to get better with artwork as we continue on. One thing that rubbed me the wrong (but it’s definitely a product of its time) is the characterization of Sue. She always comes across as naive. It was baffling to watch her admit to keeping a picture of the Submariner especially when in early issues it was stated that she was engaged to Mr. Fantastic. It was awkward when Sue had to attempt to explain why she even had that picture. That scenes labeled her as an emotionally naive women who’s judgement couldn’t be trusted. It showcases the cultural environment of the 60s very well. Overall, another solid issue. Definitely looking forward to seeing what becomes of Dr. Doom. I know that the Submariner had a few solo issues come out in the 2000s so I’ll be intrigued to compare a modern take on his origin compared to his appearances in these 1960s issues.
May 6, 2022
Good fun read, with Doctor Doom and the Submariner introducing more dynamics into the story, making for an interesting overall tale.
August 27, 2020
I really good follow up to the previous issue, Doctor Doom seeks revenge against the Fantastic Four, so he decides to enlist the help of Namor. And how does he go about doing this? Well just like the master manipulator he his, he plays to Namor's sorrow over his people for revenge. However, he has a pain in his heart, his love for Sue Storm is causing him to be reluctant.
They also show the layout of the Fantastic Four's HQ, and how the FF revive fan letters, except for The Thing who only gets constantly mocked by the Yancy Street Gang.
They also show the layout of the Fantastic Four's HQ, and how the FF revive fan letters, except for The Thing who only gets constantly mocked by the Yancy Street Gang.
October 4, 2020
Didn't know ther's more between invisible girl and sub-mariner
November 30, 2025
It builds a solid plot around an unexpected alliance: Namor and Doctor Doom join forces, creating a threat far more layered than their individual clashes with the team. The story follows a fairly linear but effective escalation, with Doom exploiting Namor and then attempting to betray him, which ultimately leads both of them into indirect conflict with the Fantastic Four.
The central point is the kidnapping of Reed and Sue, orchestrated by Doom as part of a gravitational trap meant to wipe out the team. The tension comes from a dual source: Doom’s calculated brilliance on one side, and Namor’s ambiguity on the other, swinging between antagonism and a sense of honor. This makes the narrative dynamic less predictable, since the FF aren’t facing a simple, one-directional threat but rather a tangle of colliding interests and shifting power plays.
The resolution isn’t complex, but it works: Namor realizes he’s been manipulated, intervenes, and shuts down Doom’s plan, forcing him to retreat. The issue ends with a restored but uneasy balance, leaving open the question of Namor’s relationship with the group, especially with Sue.
In short, this issue stands almost entirely on its ability to build tension between unwilling allies and to maintain a steady pace without losing focus. It’s a clear example of how the series, even this early on, was already experimenting with plots more intricate than a simple frontal showdown.
The central point is the kidnapping of Reed and Sue, orchestrated by Doom as part of a gravitational trap meant to wipe out the team. The tension comes from a dual source: Doom’s calculated brilliance on one side, and Namor’s ambiguity on the other, swinging between antagonism and a sense of honor. This makes the narrative dynamic less predictable, since the FF aren’t facing a simple, one-directional threat but rather a tangle of colliding interests and shifting power plays.
The resolution isn’t complex, but it works: Namor realizes he’s been manipulated, intervenes, and shuts down Doom’s plan, forcing him to retreat. The issue ends with a restored but uneasy balance, leaving open the question of Namor’s relationship with the group, especially with Sue.
In short, this issue stands almost entirely on its ability to build tension between unwilling allies and to maintain a steady pace without losing focus. It’s a clear example of how the series, even this early on, was already experimenting with plots more intricate than a simple frontal showdown.
July 12, 2025
"No matter what powers you both have, we shall defeat you! The Fantastic Four swear it!"
November 28, 2022
Dr. Doom enlists the help of Submariner to fight the Fantastic Four. Enjoyed it!
January 31, 2023
El secreto a voces se cumple y unen fuerzas Doom y Namor. Trama cambiante con final abierto para los dos villanos.
February 24, 2024
Fantastic!
August 9, 2019
FANTASTIC FOUR #1-10 (The Fantastic Four’s First Arc)
It is a very clever misnomer that Stan Lee, in his breakthrough creation, decided to name this the Fantastic Four. After all, the defining thematic arc of this story is that like any family these four are dysfunctional to the point there is a constant possibility of collapse. It works as a metaphor for the fact that, despite this group having incredible flaws and imperfections, they are still fantastic all the same. The story is an effectively symbolic condemnation of the mythic suburban family dynamic of the 1950s, introducing a more realistic definition of a familial unit. It is not a flawless uniform system, but an incredibly nuanced set of intricate relationships hanging by a thread. It is quite a radical notion in its time of intense conservatism.
It is fascinating to consider this story works as one of the early examples of non-linear storytelling, arguably an innovator in that style. It certainly works as an effective way of guiding the story's structural arc, as it first thrusts us into a situation that effectively establishes the tone, then jumps back in time to introduce the characters and their motivations. It's very mysterious; by refusing to immediately tell us who these people are, it effectively stimulates interest in their motivations and defining attributes.
Here is where Stan Lee really gets to shine as a writer of dialogue. Each line of dialogue is tailor made to the individual who says it. You can tell from behavior in the speech and annunciation if the highly articulate Reed Richards is speaking or the disgruntled huffing Ben Grimm. It makes the story and its characters that much more immersive and real.
The only real flaw with this aspect is just that the fight scenes have more talking than they should. I don’t know many people who go on a 5 sentence monologues every individual time they punch somebody in the face, but it certainly happens here. But ignoring the fight scenes being overly talky, the pure dialogue scenes among the family unit are truly something to marvel and almost null the affects of this.
It is noteworthy that he introduced a process that fundamentally redefined the genre of comic books, by having the artist draw the illustrations first and drawing the dialogue after. It allowed for better visual storytelling and dialogue made to naturally fit that, and it informed the pacing of the dialogue to better fit with the pacing of the images.
It is a very clever misnomer that Stan Lee, in his breakthrough creation, decided to name this the Fantastic Four. After all, the defining thematic arc of this story is that like any family these four are dysfunctional to the point there is a constant possibility of collapse. It works as a metaphor for the fact that, despite this group having incredible flaws and imperfections, they are still fantastic all the same. The story is an effectively symbolic condemnation of the mythic suburban family dynamic of the 1950s, introducing a more realistic definition of a familial unit. It is not a flawless uniform system, but an incredibly nuanced set of intricate relationships hanging by a thread. It is quite a radical notion in its time of intense conservatism.
It is fascinating to consider this story works as one of the early examples of non-linear storytelling, arguably an innovator in that style. It certainly works as an effective way of guiding the story's structural arc, as it first thrusts us into a situation that effectively establishes the tone, then jumps back in time to introduce the characters and their motivations. It's very mysterious; by refusing to immediately tell us who these people are, it effectively stimulates interest in their motivations and defining attributes.
Here is where Stan Lee really gets to shine as a writer of dialogue. Each line of dialogue is tailor made to the individual who says it. You can tell from behavior in the speech and annunciation if the highly articulate Reed Richards is speaking or the disgruntled huffing Ben Grimm. It makes the story and its characters that much more immersive and real.
The only real flaw with this aspect is just that the fight scenes have more talking than they should. I don’t know many people who go on a 5 sentence monologues every individual time they punch somebody in the face, but it certainly happens here. But ignoring the fight scenes being overly talky, the pure dialogue scenes among the family unit are truly something to marvel and almost null the affects of this.
It is noteworthy that he introduced a process that fundamentally redefined the genre of comic books, by having the artist draw the illustrations first and drawing the dialogue after. It allowed for better visual storytelling and dialogue made to naturally fit that, and it informed the pacing of the dialogue to better fit with the pacing of the images.
May 9, 2020
Doctor Doom has allied himself with the savage Sub-Mariner to take down the Fantastic Four. Between the two villains, the FF is helpless pulled from the Earth and the entire Baxter Building flung into space!
This was a pretty fun issue in spite of the “liberties” taken with science. It’s fun to see the first team-up of villains in the greater Marvel Universe. Doom shows his manipulative side by playing on Namor’s fears and insecurities to get him to agree to the plan. And, of course in true Doom Style, he betrays the Sub-Mariner along the way, condemning him to the same fate as the FF.
The villains are actually more the focus of the story than the FF. Lee spends many pages with the villains developing the plan and building up Namor’s motivations. There’s even a lot of focus on them as the story progresses culminating in Namor taking a space walk to save everyone. Doom gets a very Darth Vader-like sendoff in the story, so I’m curious how he’ll be brought back for his next appearance. You can’t keep a good villain down!
While there’s not a lot of development for the FF, it is revealed that Sue returns some of the romantic feelings of Namor. They each keep photos of the other, and there is a desire they both share. Sue defends Namor at every turn in this issue, causing her teammates to doubt her loyalty. This is another story that cries for more development.
A fun issue that keeps this title as the crown jewel of early Marvel.
This was a pretty fun issue in spite of the “liberties” taken with science. It’s fun to see the first team-up of villains in the greater Marvel Universe. Doom shows his manipulative side by playing on Namor’s fears and insecurities to get him to agree to the plan. And, of course in true Doom Style, he betrays the Sub-Mariner along the way, condemning him to the same fate as the FF.
The villains are actually more the focus of the story than the FF. Lee spends many pages with the villains developing the plan and building up Namor’s motivations. There’s even a lot of focus on them as the story progresses culminating in Namor taking a space walk to save everyone. Doom gets a very Darth Vader-like sendoff in the story, so I’m curious how he’ll be brought back for his next appearance. You can’t keep a good villain down!
While there’s not a lot of development for the FF, it is revealed that Sue returns some of the romantic feelings of Namor. They each keep photos of the other, and there is a desire they both share. Sue defends Namor at every turn in this issue, causing her teammates to doubt her loyalty. This is another story that cries for more development.
A fun issue that keeps this title as the crown jewel of early Marvel.
July 31, 2024
Once again Namor has given up his war against humanity because of a hot lady, at least this time she isn't named 'Betty'. Doom talks Namor into messing up the FF with him, Namor agrees but is not shocked in the least when Doom actually tries to defeat all five of the superheroes. Then Doom gives us a real plot, instead of sending people back in time, he tries to drop the entire Baxter Building into the Sun. The FF are basically useless and would have died without Namor, who flies into space and essentially kicks Dooms ass with electric eel powers. Yeah, that was kind of weird, but I loved it, great issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
”Captives of the Deadly Duo!” starts with the Human Torch flying over the city towards the Fantastic Four’s headquarters. The Invisible Girl has to walk so she’s bumping into civilians on the street.
When Invisible Girl gets into the building she amazes a delivery boy trying to get into an elevator that only opens for her.
Here we get an amazing isomorphic picture of the Baxter Building’s top floors and the headquarters of the Fantastic Four. The rooms are labeled and it’s really a wonderful picture.
When Sue gets to the recreation room she finds the rest of the four. They have no word on Doctor Doom. Reed is answering mail. Reed decides to visit a boy in the hospital nearby and simply stretches to his window.
The Thing gets a letter from the Yancy Street Gang and answers with a titanium block, 6 inches thick. He just happened to find one lying round.
Over the ocean Doctor Doom is flying and scanning to find Submariner while he is swimming with dolphins. Mariner jumps up to the plane and meets Doctor Doom who says he is a new ally.
”When Super-Menaces Unit” has Doctor Doom in his aerosub follow Submariner to a large domed villa under the sea.
Doctor Doom teases Submariner about having given up his quest for revenge of the surface dwellers due to his infatuation with Invisible Girl. Doom recounts the history of Atlantis (it is Atlantis isn’t it?) being destroyed by H-bomb tests.
Doom convinces Submariner to join forces and shows him a device he has invented.
”I call this cylinder a “Grabber”!”
Doom dissembles it and puts it in Submariner’s belt buckle. Submariner flies into town and walks through the streets.
At the FF headquarters Johnny Storm finds a picture of Submariner hidden behind some books. Sue Storm asks for it back so Johnny incinerates it.
”I knew it! All a gal wants is a good-lookin’ guy! It doesn’t matter if he’s the most dangerous creep on earth!”
Submariner flies in through the window.
”When Friends Fall Out!” has Reed restraining Ben from attacking Sub-Mariner.
There is not a dash in Submariner’s name here, but it seems that later it was decided to keep it Sub-Mariner.
Sue believes he is peaceful though. Johnny attacks anyway. He burns a whole in the floor beneath Sub-Mariner. This causes Johnny’s flame to poop-out rather quickly.
Sub-Mariner asks for friendship because he is lonely. Reed is suspicious and goes looking for traps set throughout their headquarters.
They don’t find it until the entire building is rising into the air. Doctor Doom has triggered the trap that Sub-Mariner set.
”Trapped” has an amazing picture looking over Manhattan from the roof of the Baxter building.
Somehow Sub-Mariner believes he has been betrayed by Doctor Doom. Doom is in his rocket plane using his Grabber to drag the Baxter building into space. Not sure why.
”My plan is working without a hitch!”
Apparently this is a trap for the only people that could stop his ambition to rule the entire world.
The FF don bubble helmets. Johnny tries to leave the building and the lack of oxygen snuffs out his body. Reed tries to stretch out to Dooms plane but fails. Thing attacks Sub-Mariner.
Doom radios to gloat while sending the Baxter building into the sun.
Sub-Mariner swims in the buildings water tank to build his strength and then he leaps out of the building into space.
”The End… or the Beginning” has Sub-Mariner leaping from meteor to meteor to catch up to Doom’s robot plane. He punches through the hull and tries to open the door to the cockpit when Doom electrocutes him.
But Sub-Mariner absorbs the electricity and returns it back through the door to electrocute Doctor Doom.
Subby can absorb electricity ‘like an electric eel’?!?! Eels don’t do that!
Doom opens an escape hatch and jumps on a passing meteor. Electric shock can make you do weird things. I hear.
The Baxter building silently and gently returns to earth. The Sub-Mariner figured out the controls of Doom’s ship.
Thing is wondering if he should thank their enemy. Sue insists he’s not an enemy. He just needs time to heal.
The Grabber device Namor planted detaches itself and flies away and finds Doom’s ship, which Namor throws into the sea.
Well, this is certainly a step up from most golden age DC stories of the era. It deserves to be lauded as better writing. The ambiguous enemy and Sue’s sticking up for him brings a complexity the story otherwise doesn’t have. Even the false starts with Ben, Reed and Johnny build good suspense. The Baxter building cutaway is awesome.
But it’s a horrible story. And apparently this is the end of Doctor Doom because he is floating on a meteorite in space forever.
The classic Kirby art is nice to see but this is 2 stars.
June 24, 2025
Fantastic Four #6, "Captives of the Deadly Duo!"
The villains of the previous two issues, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Doctor Victor von Doom, unite to try and take down the Fantastic Four (except for Sue, for whom Namor harbors a soft spot). Doom manipulates Namor to his side by pointing out the surface world's use of atomic weapons testing that has devastated his underwater kingdom, and so Namor is completely on board. But villains rarely can work together without egos colliding, and Namor ultimately turns on Doom to stop him.
This issue marks a few firsts for the series, including the first mention of "unstable molecules, the Yancy Street Gang and the name of the FF building as the Baxter Building. Kirby even includes a spectacular cross-section image of the building (won't be the last time) that I'm sure every reader who first comes across this issue spends a lot of time dissecting:
The villains of the previous two issues, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Doctor Victor von Doom, unite to try and take down the Fantastic Four (except for Sue, for whom Namor harbors a soft spot). Doom manipulates Namor to his side by pointing out the surface world's use of atomic weapons testing that has devastated his underwater kingdom, and so Namor is completely on board. But villains rarely can work together without egos colliding, and Namor ultimately turns on Doom to stop him.
This issue marks a few firsts for the series, including the first mention of "unstable molecules, the Yancy Street Gang and the name of the FF building as the Baxter Building. Kirby even includes a spectacular cross-section image of the building (won't be the last time) that I'm sure every reader who first comes across this issue spends a lot of time dissecting:
June 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first-ever supervillain team-up in Marvel history, and it’s a doozy! Doctor Doom and Namor joining forces makes for a tense, unpredictable story, with the Fantastic Four caught in the middle of a battle between brains, brawn, and betrayal. Stan Lee’s dialogue is deliciously dramatic, and Jack Kirby’s art is as bold and kinetic as ever — full of bombastic layouts and wild sci-fi tech (that magnetic grabber thing? Iconic).
Namor’s conflicted loyalties add emotional depth, and the underwater showdown feels huge even with the limited page count. It’s not quite perfect — some of the plot logic is old-school goofy — but it’s a thrilling early chapter in Marvel’s growing universe and a major milestone for villain dynamics. Doom + Namor = chaos, and I’m here for it.
The first-ever supervillain team-up in Marvel history, and it’s a doozy! Doctor Doom and Namor joining forces makes for a tense, unpredictable story, with the Fantastic Four caught in the middle of a battle between brains, brawn, and betrayal. Stan Lee’s dialogue is deliciously dramatic, and Jack Kirby’s art is as bold and kinetic as ever — full of bombastic layouts and wild sci-fi tech (that magnetic grabber thing? Iconic).
Namor’s conflicted loyalties add emotional depth, and the underwater showdown feels huge even with the limited page count. It’s not quite perfect — some of the plot logic is old-school goofy — but it’s a thrilling early chapter in Marvel’s growing universe and a major milestone for villain dynamics. Doom + Namor = chaos, and I’m here for it.
September 5, 2025
Great writing and illustrations, though some very, very questionable physics going on. The small super magnet grabber pulls the entire Baxter Building into space, rather than just ripping through the floors, and manages to take the building whole, and nothing else. Afterwards, it is deposited perfectly in the same spot. Doom ends up riding an asteroid into space, but does that mask seal in oxygen? I thought they were his actual eyes peeking through those holes? Even if he has a shield, or maybe his mask does keep air in, how much oxygen does he really have? Well, goofy science aside, it is an awesome sight to see the Baxter Building flying into space, and Namor being anti-hero is great.
September 2, 2025
The Fantastic Four are on the lookout for Dr. Doom after their first encounter with the evil genius. Doom has a plan for revenge and to eliminate the only people who can stop him and for that he needs the help of… Namor, the Submariner. They both work together and set up the Fantastic Four.
Even though Doom’s plan might have only worked with the help of Namor he has nefarious plans for his henchmen…
Before anyone can stop it, the Baxter Building becomes skybound… will they defeat Doom and Namor?
Even though Doom’s plan might have only worked with the help of Namor he has nefarious plans for his henchmen…
Before anyone can stop it, the Baxter Building becomes skybound… will they defeat Doom and Namor?
August 7, 2024
Sub-Mariner is a sucker and the civilians in this world are morons. It's really funny though. Also, why do so many of these comics have a running theme of magnets? No wonder the Insane Clown Posse was confused, I would be too considering how little since most of the logic in this universe that revolves around magnets works.
January 23, 2024
Doctor Doom teaming up against the Fantastic Four is daunting enough on its own but this issues raises the bar with some unexpected twists!
June 25, 2025
i really wish susan did more Like i did expect her to be a bit sidelined but omg Really upsetting so far but other than that im enjoying it
August 12, 2025
[Lido como parte da Edição Definitiva]
Sue is in love with Namor for no reason whatsoever.
Sue is in love with Namor for no reason whatsoever.
August 28, 2025
she thinks he is hot, haha
November 25, 2024
Amazing Read!
The series keeps building up and the stakes are even higher with our first villain collaboration in this issue. Dr. Doom is a force to be reckoned with and him and Namor are the star of the stories completely outshining the heroes. The story highlights a few glaring issues with the powers of the Fantastic Four and I'm pretty sure more villains are gonna take advantage of those.
The issue is very well paced, the story does has some plot holes but you are always on edge and it just hits the right spot in terms of comic story telling and excitement.
Highly recommended, keep this one on your re-read list since it's going to be worth coming back to.
The series keeps building up and the stakes are even higher with our first villain collaboration in this issue. Dr. Doom is a force to be reckoned with and him and Namor are the star of the stories completely outshining the heroes. The story highlights a few glaring issues with the powers of the Fantastic Four and I'm pretty sure more villains are gonna take advantage of those.
The issue is very well paced, the story does has some plot holes but you are always on edge and it just hits the right spot in terms of comic story telling and excitement.
Highly recommended, keep this one on your re-read list since it's going to be worth coming back to.
January 10, 2024
Y por si los números anteriores hubieran sido poco, ahora el Doctor Doom y Namor se unen en una aventura contra la Primera Familia. Me gustó ver un mapa introductorio a la estructura del Edificio Baxter. Detesto ver a Sue apendejada por el idiota de Namor.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews