Victor Von Doom, Emperor of Ea

The Thing is becoming increasingly upset that they are spending their time researching monsters when Doctor Doom has been taking over the world with the power he stole from Galactus. Reed doesn't elaborate on what is planning on doing but assures his teammates that his plan is coming together. Meanwhile, Doctor Doom has forced the US Army to stand down and has gone on a rampage of the Earth, destroying the White House and other landmarks. In Attilan, Crystal meets with her family who cannot just stand by and watch as Doctor Doom ravages the world.

Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four and the recently revived Silver Surfer are heading toward Doom's castle to recover a device stolen by the Doctor earlier that will help them. Their trip is interrupted when the Torch and Balder flag them down having returned from space with the de-powered Galactus. With Galactus on Earth, Reed begins setting up the device he believes will help him defeat Doom. The device is powered by the Silver Surfer's Power Cosmic causing the Fantastic Four to create ionic replicas of the monsters Reed was researching. Controlling them via specially built helmets the Fantastic Four attack Doom with replicas of Fin Fang Foom, Blip, Monstro the Octopus, and It the Living Colossus. Caught off guard, Doom succeeds in destroying the constructs but is unaware that they succeeded in their task: knocking loose the Cosmic Cube hidden in Doom's armor.

Finding that he is growing weak, Doom is suddenly attacked by the Inhuman royal family but easily dispatches them by shattering the ground beneath their feet. Realizing that he must have also inherited the hunger of Galactus, Doom decides that he will consume the Earth and begins using his immense power to create a device that will strip all life from Earth to fill Doom's growing hunger. Before Doom can complete his task, the Fantastic Four attack. Deciding his old foes are not worthy of his time, Doom turns his back on them until Reed threatens him with the recovered Cosmic Cube. When Doom turns to verify if this is true, Reed uses the Cube to strip Doom of his cosmic powers, he is then quickly knocked out by the Thing. Reed then quickly uses the Cube to restore Galactus to normal. Reed then uses the power of the Cube to restore everything to normal prior to the beginning of Doom's mad scheme, even going to far as stripping everyone's memories of the events save for Galactus and the Watcher. With the task done, Richards then wishes the Cube to return to where it came from. After it disappears, the Watcher and Galactus then leave the Earth.

Recurring Characters

Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, Thing), Silver Surfer, Galactus, Watcher, Balder the Brave, Inhumans (Black Bolt, Medusa, Karnak, Gorgon, Triton, Lockjaw), Doctor Doom, Odin, Captain America, Thor, Nick Fury, Spider-Man

Continuity Notes

• Doom attempts to consume the Earth just like Galactus attempted to do in Fantastic Four #48-50. Richards brandishes the Cosmic Cube at Doctor Doom much like he threatened to use the Ultimate Nullifier against Galactus in Fantastic Four #50.

• Reed uses the Cosmic Cube to undo all the damage done and restore everything as it was prior to the beginning of Doom's scheme which began in Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Comics Magazine #1.