Fantastic Four Annual #5
Divide -- and Conquer!
Susan Richards suddenly faints, prompting the Fantastic Four to look her over, however Thing leaves to go spent time with Alicia. Meanwhile, elsewhere the Psycho-Man punishes one of his subordinates for delivering a component of his device to Alicia's home, gathering together his minions Shellshock, Ivan, and Live Wire to help recover the device.
At Alicia's home, Thing tries to figure out the strange component that was delivered to her apartment. Soon they are attacked by Psycho-Man and his minions who defeat Ben and take the component. Meanwhile, Black Panther leads an army to Panther Island where they briefly get into a battle against the Inhumans. Realizing that they have mutual allies and that Black Bolt fought the Inhumans because he sensed danger. Investigating, they come across the Psycho-Man's base and have to fight off his defenses.
Back in New York, Reed announces to the Fantastic Four that Sue is pregnant, and the group celebrates. Back on Panther Island, the Inhumans and Black Panther find themselves overwhelmed and so they have Lockjaw bring the Fantastic Four to the Psycho-Man's base to turn the tide. There they battle their way to Psycho-Man, who reveals to them that he comes from the Microverse and he intends to take over this world with a giant emoto-caster weapon. Being attacked by all the heroes, soon Psycho-Man is subdued, when Black Panther questions him they find the Psycho-Man is motionless, upon closer inspection what they thought was Psycho-Man, was really a robot body piloted by a small being.
Recurring Characters
Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, Thing), Black Panther, Inhumans (Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton, Lockjaw), Psycho-Man, Live Wire, Shellshock
Continuity Notes
This story takes place between panels 3 and 4 on page 9 of Fantastic Four #68.
This issue reveals that Sue is pregnant. She gives birth to her son Franklin Richards in Fantastic Four Annual #6 and is not named until Fantastic Four #94.
Live Wire's real name, Rance Preston, is revealed in Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition #2. Shellshock and Ivan's full names were not revealed until Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #9.
The Inhuman royal family have been living on the island purchased by the Black Panther since Fantastic Four #62.
Psycho-Man refers to his home universe as the Sub-Atomica, more commonly known as the Microverse. He describes his universe as existing in the molecules of this universe. However as per Fantastic Four #282 it was revealed that the Microverse was not a microscopic realm but a parallel universe and when one shrinks down small enough they breach the barrier between dimensions.
Psycho-Man's armor was kept by the Fantastic Four after this story. It was possibly the same armor used by Doctor Doom for spare parts in Fantastic Four #196. Regardless it was later seen in the FF's possession and recovered by the Psycho-Man in Micronauts #15.
The Peerless Power of the Silver Surfer
While flying around the Earth, the lonely Silver Surfer answers the summons of the computer Quasimodo. The computer begs the Surfer to use his power to make him human. Using his power cosmic the Surfer changes the Quasimodo computer into a living being. The misshapen creature then goes on a rampage, attacking a nearby city. Battling Quasimodo there, the Surfer turns the fleeing Quasimodo into a stone statue perched atop a clock tower before leaving the scene.
Recurring Characters
Silver Surfer, Quasimodo
Continuity Notes
Quasimodo has been immobilized since being abandoned by the Mad Thinker in Fantastic Four Annual #4.
