Fantastic Four #45 (December 1965)

The Fantastic Four are a very important group in the Marvel Universe of the comic books. From an in-universe perspective, the group's debut helped ignite a new age of superheroes after the fall of the First Line in the 1980s. From a real-world perspective, the FF helped unleash a new wave of realism in superhero comics, as the group was a microcosm of the Marvel-style superhero: an origin story with a touch of the tragic, and emphasis on characterization. Unique for the era, they were portrayed as a dysfunctional yet loving family that ended up using their powers to fight crime.

The Fantastic Four also helped form the bedrock of the Marvel Universe as we know it today. Many of the concepts and characters introduced in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's over 100-issue run are still used and emphasized over 60 years later, most notably the Black Panther and Wakanda. They also introduced a group of superhumans that would get an all-too brief time in the major spotlight: The Inhumans.

When the character of Gorgon was introduced, he was originally a villain. Lee and Kirby were brainstorming origins for the character and decided to have him come from a strange land in Europe where everyone was superpowered like him. Eventually, it was decided he would come from a place called Attilan. The name Attilan came from a 1941 story written and drawn by Kirby in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941). That story focused on a caveman character named Tuk the Caveboy, describing that Attilan as an advanced city on a Stone Age-era Earth. The History of the Marvel Universe miniseries would end up connecting Tuk to the Inhumans. 

The Inhumans would end up getting a surge in spotlight thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to Inhuman mythology being used in Agents of SHIELD, and the Royal Family appearing in the critically-panned one-season Inhumans series. Sadly, after the failure of the Inhumans series, the Inhumans would end up seemingly brushed aside and ignored. For example, when Kamala Khan and Lunella Lafayette (two Inhuman characters) were adapted to the MCU miniseries Ms. Marvel and the animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, their Inhumanity was erased (Kamala was made a mutant, and Lunella a non-powered heroine). And now with Disney's purchasing of 20th Century Fox (meaning they now have the live-action film rights to the X-Men back), it's likely the Inhumans will never get to make a big comeback. 

So, how did the Inhuman Royal Family make their big debut? Let's find out in Fantastic Four #45!

The cover is a Jack Kirby, Joe Sinnott, Stan Goldberg, and Art Simek piece. It gives mt the vibe of a movie poster, the heroes front and center, and the Inhumans being shown in a villainous light, looming over the FF while Black Bolt gets ready to hit them with a big rock.

"Among us Hide...The Inhumans"
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Colorist: Unknown
Letterer: Art Simek
Editor: Stan Lee

The story begins with Johnny Storm, the second Human Torch, rescuing his brother-in-law Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic and Ben Grimm/The Thing from a collapsed building. They ended up being in this situation because of the events of the previous issue.

Basically, in the last issue, the FF fought the mechanical menace known as the Dragon Man, and he kidnapped Sue Richards/Invisible Girl (She would not be known as the Invisible Woman until John Byrne's run). Also, a mysterious horse-hoofed being called Gorgon made off with one of the Frightful Four's members: the equally mysterious Medusa, Mistress of the Living Hair. 

After the rescue, Reed orders Johnny to go scout for Sue and the Dragon Man. The Matchstick manages to find the two. 

"Dude, are you aware you are on fire?!"

The metal monster has Sue in his meaty metal claws, so Johnny can't give him the world's worst hotfoot. The Dragon Man, ripping off a certain Japanese King of the Monsters, tries to blast Johnny with its own version of atomic breath...in actuality, a thermal blast. Sue covers her eyes, allowing Johnny to blind the robot with his Nova Blast. This forces the Dragon Man to land and release Sue. She tells Johnny that she's got this handled. Makes sense, modern Sue is often seen as the most powerful and versatile member of the FF with her powers. However, before we see Sue potentially show why she could be a guest character in Mortal Kombat, the scene shifts to...a jail.

"Sand Man Walkin'!"

What, seriously? NOW the scene shifts?!

Yeah, what a bad bit of timing. Anyway, what's so special about this jail? Well, it contains two of the Frightful Four: Flint Marko/Sandman and Pete Petruski/Trapster (formerly Paste Pot Pete). Bentley Wittman/The Wizard is in the prison's hospital, still recovering from a Ben Grimm-provided beatdown. Sandman tries to punch his way through the window of his cell, but the designers of the cell kept that in mind, shocking the Sandman hard.

Meanwhile, Sue and Johnny return to the Baxter Building...thanks to the Dragon Man?!

Let me explain. You see, Dragon Man is a fearsome and destructive machine, but he also has the mind of a small child. She was able to convince the robot to bring her home safely. Johnny retreats to his room. He goes his phone, hoping to call his then-squeeze Doris Evans. He hadn't spoken to her in days. However, she tells him she has other plans, which Johnny grumbles about. Dude, you haven't spoken to her in days. Your own words, pal. You should not be surprised she decides to go off and do her own thing.

Feeling in a bit of a mood, Johnny decides to go out for a walk. He ends up wandering near some condemned buildings, where he finds a surprising sight.

This remake of The Seven Year Itch is WEEEEEIRD...

Johnny finds himself quite entranced by this orange-haired beauty. She is startled by his presence. The young lady screams at Johnny to stay back from her and kicks up some winds. Yes sir, Johnny Storm has just met Crystal Amaquelin, the younger sister of Medusa. And he finds her quite unforgettable, in more than one way. 

The next day, the FF are clearing out a room in the Baxter Building for Dragon Man to reside in. His mind is occupied by thoughts of Crystal, and it for some reason causes him to act grouchy towards his fellow Fantastic Four members. He leaves to get some air. He returns to the desolate neighborhood he encountered Crystal in hoping to see her again. Lady Luck is smiling on him as she is indeed there again.

He tries to talk to her, but she flees, saying "they" mustn't find her. She tries to scare Johnny off by creating a blaze, but Johnny's own powers allow him to tame the flames. Heh. I'm a poet and I didn't know it. Crystal thinks Johnny is a fellow Inhuman, so she introduces herself to him. Johnny asks her what she's doing here all alone, but the thing is, she isn't alone. She has the Inhumans' Best Friend with her: Lockjaw, everybody!

Lockjaw is going to lick Johnny's face so HARD...

That's right, Lockjaw! He likes hugs. The big dog guides them to a secret chamber built by a fellow called "Black Bolt". Johnny at this point is unaware of the Inhumans, so he is unsure who this "Black Bolt" is, and he knows Crystal isn't a mutant, because the X-Men would have known of her. So, how is moving Dragon Man into the Baxter Building going?

Oh, rather swimmingly. The Dragon Man is being surly and fighting with Reed and Ben. Sue ends the crisis with a tranquilizer gun...even though the Dragon Man is an android. 

Thankfully, Reed and Ben weren't too busted up by the Dragon Man's tantrum. Their powers helped with that. They notice that Johnny has never returned, but the Dragon Man, and Ben's own struggles with his self-worth are taking their attention at the moment. Back with Crystal and Johnny! 

Say hello to Karnak. He has the power to find the weak spot in any structure, which he uses with his martial arts skills to shatter just about anything. He also demonstrates his skills and strength by tossing Johnny like he's a burlap sack.

Johnny wakes up and sees Gorgon, Medusa, Triton, and Crystal. The orange-haired elemental manipulator reveals that Medusa is her sister. Crystal was unaware that Medusa was a member of the Frightful Four, so she's shocked when Johnny wants to layeth a fiery smacketh down on Medusa. They realize that Johnny is not an Inhuman...somehow. Gorgon knocks Johnny into a trap. It starts filling with water, but Johnny is able to escape and call the rest of the FF for help. 

Johnny leads them to the Inhumans' lair, but the Kree-enhanced beings are ready for our heroes. Karnak uses his power to bring a wall down on them. It doesn't work (thanks to Ben), but that's alright. 

Yup. There's still one Inhuman left. The mightiest one of all.

I'm Not-Batman!

The King of the Inhumans, Blackagar Boltagon, aka Black Bolt, has arrived. Yup, the Fantastic Four are in trouble. 

I did enjoy this issue. One thing did bother me. When Johnny first met Crystal, she said that "they" mustn't find her. Who was this "they" she was talking about? It couldn't have been the other Inhumans, they're her family. It couldn't have been from the Frightful Four, they were in jail. And she couldn't have been acting to lure Johnny into a trap.

What can I say about Jack Kirby's art that other people have not said, and well, a lot better? His art is very dynamic, and it has a strong sense of storytelling.

If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2013 trade paperback The Inhumans: The Origin of the Inhumans. Thanks for reading this blog entry!