Fantastic Four #82
The Mark of -- the Madman!
Although she has accepted membership with the Fantastic Four, Crystal must return to her fellow Inhumans and ask for permission to act as a member of the group. That’s when Lockjaw, the Inhuman’s teleporting dog suddenly appears within the Baxter Building. However, this is not a happy coincidence as Lockjaw has also teleported an army of Alpha Primtiives, the slave workers of the Inhumans. While the rest of the Fantastic Four battle the invaders, the Alpha Primitives grab Crystal and have Lockjaw teleport them all away. Within the Hidden Land of the Inhumans, Maximus the Mad has retaken the throne and is informed that the operation to return Crystal to his kingdom has been a success. Having the prisoner brought before him, Crystal sees that only Medusa is with Maximus and asks where the rest of their family is. Obliging the woman, Maximus reveals that he has Black Bolt, Gorgon, Karnak, and Triton prisoner within an indestructible holding cube.
As Crystal is making this shocking discover, the rest of her new teammates are not taking her kidnapping laying down. Boarding the Pogo-Plane, the rest of the Fantastic Four head straight for the Hidden Land to find out what is going on. Landing outside of the Hidden Land, the trio falls through a trap flood as they approach the city. Blasting free from their prison, the Fantastic Four are attacked by Zorr, a robot created by Maximus. Despite the fact that their outnumber the robot, three remaining members of the Fantastic Four discover that their powers have no effect on Zorr and are quickly overpowered and taken prisoner as well.
As Maximus watches from his throne-room, Karnak attempts to use his ability to find the flaws in anything to break through their prison, but this ability fails him as well. Crystal also tries to use this distraction as an attempt to attack Maximus but discovers that her powers do not work anymore either. Gloating over his final victory, Maximus then reveals his newest creation, the Hypno-Cannon. He tells his prisoners that this weapon will allow him to conquer the entire world.
Recurring Characters
Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Thing, Human Torch, Crystal), Inhumans (Maximus, Black Bolt, Medusa, Gorgon, Triton, Karnak, Lockjaw), Zorr, Alpha Primitives
Continuity Notes
The Invisible Girl is absent in this issue as she is on maternity leave after giving birth to her son in Fantastic Four Annual #6.
Attilan was recently rebuilt in Incredible Hulk Annual #1 after it was decimated by Black Bolt's voice to shatter the Negative Zone Barrier from around it in Fantastic Four #59, this barrier was placed by his brother Maximus in Fantastic Four #48.
