Golden Child Part 4

The Fantastic Four and Doctor Strange were fighting what they thought was Doctor Doom, but are shocked when their armored opponent unmasks, revealing that he is actually Tony Stark. Since they seem to be paying attention to his burned face, Stark tells them that the Human Torch did that to him on the day he killed Johnny. Although Johnny is confused, both Mister Fantastic and Doctor Strange deduce that this is the Tony Stark from another dimension.[1] Tony realizes that his Reed Richards managed to get rid of him without killing him. When the Fantastic Four beign demanding answers, Stark tells them that there are too many details and decides to try and kill them again. Reed tries to reason with Tony, but he refuses to listen as he considers this world’s Reed Richards as identical to the one of his own reality. However, while Tony is distracted, the Thing sucked punches him, but before Stark can be taken prisoner he uses a device that temporarily strip the Fantastic Four of their powers. But, before Tony can kill them, Doctor Strange erects a mystical shield to protect his allies. When Strange attempts to ensnare Stark in the Crimson Bands of Cytorrak, the rogue scientist sets off some pre-placed explosives to break free and escape.

Meanwhile, another probe returns to the ship belonging to Titannus, a massive Skrull. Entering his ship, Titannus tells the inert body of Amissa, his lover, how he loves this world and thinks that they should settle here once he has cured her.

By this time, Reed Richards and Ben Grimm have been teleported back to the Baxter Building where they are joined by Doctor Strange who tells them that he sent Sue and Johnny to the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital to treat Johnny’s injuries. Unfortunately, the energies that brought this Tony Stark to their dimension have dissipated and Doctor Strange can no longer track him.[2] With that, Strange heads back to his Sanctum to see if there is anything he can do to track Tony Stark from there. Meanwhile, Reed Richards isn’t going to spend the downtime preparing for Tony Stark’s return by placing a call to Nick Fury.

Meanwhile, the evil version of Tony Stark has used his identical appearance to this reality’s Tony Stark to gain access to the arsenal at Stark Tower. After having a secretary put in an order to move everything to an undisclosed location. Needing a suitable power source, this evil Stark is shocked to see that this world is still using nuclear energy. Suddenly, the computers pick up a minor blip of an enormous energy source. This energy surger is coming from a young mutant named Paul Patterson who is trying to make the Hulk leave him alone. Unfortunately, Paul’s energy blasts only manage to make the Hulk angrier. Thankfully, the boy is rescued by the evil Tony Stark and once they have safely escaped from the Hulk, Tony explains how the boy’s power is his ticket back home. However, Patterson isn’t willing to give up his power without a fight.

Back aboard his ship, Titannus is watching footage of the Hulk and is impressed. He believes that he will find many suitable allies on this world. That’s when the mutant known as Sunfire arrives and demands to know what Titannus and his ship are doing in his country.

Recurring Characters

Doctor Strange, Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thing), Iron Maniac, Paul Patterson, Hulk, Willie Lumpkin, Titannus, Sunfire

Continuity Notes

1. Johnny states that they saw their Tony Stark a few weeks back. That would have been in Avengers #501

2. Mention is made of how the Avengers recently disbanded. That happend during the events of Avengers #500-503. The team will be reformed in New Avengers #1