Doctor's Orders

After Valeria has been possessed by spiritual forces, the Fantastic Four take her to the Sanctum Sanctorium of Doctor Strange to be examined. The man who appears to be Doctor Strange examines the girl and finds that there is presently nothing wrong with her. He takes the Fantastic Four into a room to talk in private. As Wong offers them tea (which Johnny refuses) Strange explains that he has detected the work of the Salem's Seven. Strange explains to them that they are converging on Whisper Hill where many of the mystical artifacts held by their late grandmother Agatha Harkness are being kept. He suspects that they are attempting to resurrect their father, Nicholas Scratch. Explaining that a hex has been put on him, Strange tells the Fantastic Four that they need to go to Whisper Hill and read a special incantation to prevent the Seven from resurrecting their evil father. As the Fantastic Four leave the Sanctum, Reed believes that there was something off about Stephen. He's suspicion is accurate as no sooner are they gone does "Doctor Strange" and "Wong" transform into the being posing as Agatha Harkness and Reptila, who arrange these events to serve their purposes.

Meanwhile, in another dimension, Diablo is still trapped after his last battle with the Fantastic Four. As he fumes over this defeat he is approached by someone who offers to free him in exchange for his help. Back on Earth, the Fantastic Four are speeding to Whisper Hill when they are suddenly ambushed by the members of the Salem's Seven. They are forced to crash land and fight off Bruticus, Vertigo, and Gazelle. They quickly dispatch their foes and smash their way into the house on Whisper Hill. There they battle Hydron, Vacuum, and Reptila. Surprised to see that they are working with who appears to be Agatha Harkness, the male members of the team keep their foes busy while Sue reads the incantation. However, they realize too late that they were tricked and that the spell wasn't blocking the Salem's Seven from resurrecting Nicholas Scratch, but to summon the ancient demon known as Shuma-Gorath. "Agatha" then drops her guise and reveals "herself" to be none other than Nicholas Scratch himself.

Recurring Characters

Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thing), Franklin Richards, Valeria Richards, Nicholas Scratch, Salem’s Seven (Brutacus, Reptilla, Gazelle, Vakume, Hydron, Vertigo, Thornn), Shuma-Gorath, Diablo

Continuity Notes

• Agatha Harkness is referred to as Franklin's former babysitter. She babysat Franklin from Fantastic Four #94-150 and again from Fantastic Four #181-223.

• The Fantastic Four comment on their first encounter with the Salem's Seven and the Colorado community of New Salem which they first visited in Fantastic Four #184. New Salem was seemingly destroyed in Vision and the Scarlet Witch Vol 2 #3.

• Reed states that both Agatha Harkness and Nicholas Scartch are dead:

  • Agatha was slain by the Scarlet Witch in Avengers #503. She will be resurrected in Scarlet Witch (Vol. 2) #14

  • Reed believes that Scratch is deceased following the destruction of New Salem. He is apparently unaware that he survived and was previously active in Hellcat #1-3.