Fantastic Four 212

Fantastic Four 212

Nov 1979

Battle of the Titans!

by Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, John Costanza, Carl Gafford 

The Fantastic Four, HERBIE, Galactus, and Terrax arrive on Earth. Galactus’ new herald immediately starts to terrorize the population of New York City. Reed and Ben fight with Terrax until Galactus tells his new assistant to back off.

Sue feels the effects of the rapid aging to a greater degree than Reed or Ben and collapses. Reed does what he can for his wife and then starts to prepare to deal with Galactus. He knows that once Galactus has dealt with the Sphinx he will turn from Earth’s defender into its greatest menace. 

The Skrull who was last seen Fantastic Four 204 returns. He is a construct. He explains how he repaired himself and makes preparations to help the Skrull Empire conquer Earth. 

The Sphinx tells his origin story which goes back to biblical times. Terrax tries to take down the Sphinx on his own but when that fails he heads to the Baxter Building. The issue ends with Terrax threatening to destroy the Fantastic Four. 

Criminal (2008) 7

Criminal (2008) 7

Nov 2008

Bad Night - Part Four

by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, Val Staples

Starr was in charge of investigating the disappearance of Jake’s wife. He went at the case tenaciously. He didn’t let up, even after Jake had been cleared, until he was ordered t stop it. He was still convinced that Jake needed to pay for his wife’s death. 

Jake tries to break into Starr’s home. Starr catches him in the act. They get into a fight. Starr gets the upper hand and is getting ready to call in for backup when Jake shoots and kills Starr, with one of Starr’s own guns. 

Jake gets some help disposing of the body and then goes to find Iris. He tells her a version of the truth, that Starr skipped town, won’t be back, but will get blamed for Danny’s murder. Iris has had enough of Jake but he’s not ready to give up on her. He kidnaps her and takes her driving down the same road where his wife crashed years before. 

Jake’s driving recklessly. He crashes. He is the only survivor but he’s seriously injured. 

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (1983) 12

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (1983) 12

Apr 1984

Darkness Falls

by Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn, Ernie Colón, John Costanza, Tom Ziuko, Karen Berger

Sardonyx turns the tables on the Varn and escapes back to the Gemworld. He returns to Opal Keep looking for revenge against Dark Opal.

The battle of Amethyst and friends versus Dark Opal continues. Citrina channels all their power through herself at Dark Opal. Citrina gets injured and Amethyst steps in to take her place. 

Sardonyx’ attempt to strike Dark Opal down is unsuccessful. He joins forces with the others that are led by Amethyst. 

The Varn return once again. They try to take Dark Opal with them but he is too strong for them to subdue. Carnellian stabs Dark Opal and then Opal Keep collapses on Dark Opal, Carnellian, and the emissaries of the Varn. 

The land begins to heal now that Dark Opal has been killed. The other lords and ladies ask Amethyst to be the new Queen of the Gemworld. She declines and returns to Earth, to her life as Amy Winston. 

Fantastic Four 211

Fantastic Four 211

Oct 1979

If this Be Terrax

by Marv Wolfman, John Byrne, Joe Sinnott, Joe Rosen, Ben Sean

Galactus transports the Fantastic Four, plus HERBIE, down to the planet Terran. Reed, Sue, and Ben look noticeably older than they did in the previous issue. They try to help some people fight off some robotic knights but they are captured. 

The Fantastic Four are taken to Tyros the Terrible, the local bigwig. He toys with them a bit and then decides to execute them, himself. They break free and humble him, as Galactus told them to do. The big planet eater transports all six of them back to his ship.

Galactus transforms Tyros the Terrible into Terrax the Tamer, changing his appearance and imbuing him with cosmic powers in the process. Terrax tries to turn his new powers on Galactus but his new boss shows Terrax that he is not to be taken lightly. Galactus’ new herald sings a different tune after the Big G takes him down a notch. 

Galactus and the Fantastic Four depart for Earth in his spheroid space ship. 

The issue ends with the Watcher observing Earth from the Moon, aware that Galactus is coming and that a battle with the Sphinx will soon occur.

Criminal (2008) 6

Criminal (2008) 6

Oct 2008

Bad Night - Part Three

by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, Val Staples

Jake and Iris dispose of Danny’s body. They burn Jake’s car and they go back to his place. They get into a fight but they wind up in bed together afterwards. Jake can’t stop thinking about the people that might come after them. 

Jake and Iris separate the next day, temporarily. Jake has a dream in which Frank Kafka, the character from his comic strip, comes after them and guns them down. 

Jake gets a visit from a police detective named Starr. Jake senses that something doesn’t smell right about the visit. He starts to wonder if Iris had something to do with it. He tries calling her but she doesn’t pickup the phone. 

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (1983) 11

Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (1983) 11

Mar 1984

The Last Battle!

by Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn, Ernie Colón, John Costanza, Tom Ziuko, Karen Berger

Carnelian doesn’t tell Dark Opal that he got his hands on the shard of amethyst. Dark Opal finds out and takes it from him. The Varn come for their pound of flesh. This time Dark Opal doesn’t have the time or bandwidth to deal with them so he lets them consume Sardonyx. 

Amethyst and her pals continue their assault on Dark Opal’s fortress. Prince Topaz convinces Lady Sapphire and Lady Topaz, his sister, to join the fight against Dark Opal. Lady Emerald’s vizier poisons her. She dies and her magic passes on to her eldest daughter.