Doom Triumphant!

From a mystical view screen in Asgard, the Fantastic Four have just witnessed as Doctor Doom has stolen the powers of Galactus and is now heading home to Earth. As they lament over their situation, the Fantastic Four, Odin and Thor witness as Doom tests his powers by flying into the heart of a star and snuffs it out. When Thor boasts that he defeated Galactus in battle and that Doom should be of no concern, Reed Richards points out that Doom doesn't just have the power of the world devourer alone. He explains that Doom also stole the Ultimate Machine, the Helix of Randac, the Cosmic Cube, and the Cosmic Control Rod. The culmination of all these devices has allowed Doom to become the most powerful being in all existence. Seeking more powerful allies, Reed checks on those who may help, and finds that the Surfer has been chained up in Doom's castle, the Watcher is busy viewing another galaxy, and Galactus -- having reverted to his former form of Galan -- is at risk of death in the void of space. When Reed asks for assistance from Odin, the All-Father offers him his Cosmo-Craft, but before Reed can leave Johnny points out that his brother-in-law is needed on Earth and volunteers to go recover Galan. Johnny is joined by Balder the Brave and the pair venture off into space.

Odin then calls an assembly of his people and tells them of the coming danger and pledges the Asgardians to the Earth's defense. While at the same time Reed sends out the alarm, alerting the attention of the Avengers, the X-Men, the United States Air Force, SHIELD, the Inhumans, and the Sub-Mariner and his people. They all gather in New York City where suddenly, Doom materializes over the teeming metropolis and announces his supremacy over all humanity and the universe. When the soldiers attack, Doom easily blasts them aside, and then destroys the SHIELD helicarrier, and slays both the Avengers and the X-Men. As Johnny and Blader continue their mission, Thor leads the Asgardians on a full-frontal attack on Doctor Doom. Doom easily bats the gods aside, but Odin manages to survive the attack and uses his powers to grow to the same height as Doom and fight him one-on-one.

Meanwhile, in Latveria; Reed, Sue, and Ben free the Silver Surfer and battle through an army of Servo-Mechs in order to get free. While in deep space, Johnny and Balder recover Galan who is hanging onto life by a thread. Back on Earth, the Watcher appears as Doom defeats Odin on combat then turns to face the Sub-Mariner and his armies and sea creatures. Doom makes short work of Namor and his armies. Doom then commands the world to surrender to him. While back at the Baxter Building, Reed has pulled up data on various monsters, information that Reed assures Ben will allow them to take back their world from Doctor Doom.

Recurring Characters

Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, Thing), Odin, Thor, Balder, Sif, Warriors Three (Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg), Doctor Doom, Silver Surfer, Galan, Avengers (Captain America, Iron Man, Goliath, Wasp, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Black Panther), X-Men (Professor X, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, Beast), General Ross, SHIELD (NIck Fury, Dum Dum Dugan), Inhumans (Black Bolt, Medusa, Karnak, Gorgon, Triton), Sub-Mariner, Lord Vashti, Giganto, Watcher

Continuity Notes

• Crystal mentions how Doctor Doom almost killed the Fantastic Four during their last encounter, this occurred in Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Comics Magazine #6.

• Thor references his battle with Galactus back in Thor #161.

• Dum Dum Dugan's appearance here is a complicated one. As revealed in Original Sins #5 Dugan was seemingly killed in action back in 1966 and it was suggested that he was replaced by a complex LMD that thought it was Dugan. However as revealed in New Avengers Vol 4 #17, Dugan's body was kept alive and his mind was transmitted into LMDs.