Fantastic Four #181

Issue Details

Synopsis

SIDE BY SIDE WITH - ANNIHILUS?? Reed Richards is alone and powerless in the Negative Zone after being dumped there by his evil counterpart from Counter-Earth, and now he has to deal with the Negative Zone's ruler, Annihilus. Annihilus attacks Reed to prove to himself that Reed Richards has indeed lost his powers, making him useless to his cause. When Richards asks why, he explains that he needs help stopping a threat to both the Negative Zone and Earth.    On Earth, the Thing and Tigra have just finished their battle with the Metalloid and are assisting the military in trying to salvage the robot out of New York Harbor. Learning of the incident from the TV, Thundra and the Impossible Man travel out there to lend a hand to recover the robot from the harbor.   While back at the Baxter Building, Sue confirms her suspicions that the Reed living in the Baxter Building is really her husband's evil counterpart who came from Counter-Earth after she kisses him. Wanting to be absolutely certain, she tells him that she wants to go check on Franklin, but in reality is seeking to get Alicia to come to the Baxter Building as a final test to prove her suspicions once and for all. Taking a cab to Alicia's apartment, Sue tells Alicia her fears and is about to collect Franklin when suddenly Agatha Harkness appears to come and take Franklin. When Agatha can't stop to explain, Sue tries to stop her from taking the boy with an invisible force field but Agatha manages to teleport away with Franklin.   The Human Torch meanwhile has been flying around the city, brooding about his situation with Frankie Raye. Deciding to stop in Washington Square Park to think, he spots her out on a date with another person and confronts her about it. Frankie gets mad at Johnny for confronting her and tells him she doesn't like fire. When he tries to make a joke about it, she gets visibly upset and storms off. While at the harbor, the military has come to collect the Metalloid robot, but Ben wants to bring it back to the Baxter Building for Reed to examine. When the military tries to stop them, Thing and Thundra use their strength to fight their way through the military.   Back in the Negative Zone, Annihilus takes Reed Richards to his fortress where they come across a giant creature that has taken over the location. It is under the control of the Mad Thinker who intends to use the monster to not only take over the Negative Zone, but the Earth as well.