"AND SPIDEY MAKES FOUR"

Date: May, 1972

Writer: Jerry Conway
Pencils: Ross Andru
Inker: Jim Mooney

Feature Characters: The Human Torch, Spider-Man, The Trapster, Sandman, The Wizard, Annihilus.

Favorite Quote: "Have fun cleaning up, Torchy. Me, I've got myself a date with a shower" -Spider-Man

The Story: After Medusa leaves the Frightful Four, the Wizard, Sandman, and the Trapster are looking for her replacement. After many grueling interviews with common street punks (It could happen), they decide that a brain-washed Spider-Man would be the best choice. So, after they nab Spidey they decide to make their first heist the Cosmic Cube (see the Secret Wars saga). To get the Cube they have to break into the Fantastic Four's headquarters, to use some ultra fancy-pants computer. After they break in and subdue the only FF'r on duty the Human Torch, the Wizard opens the gate to the wrong dimension, the one where the mega-powerful supreme overlord Annihilus. Annihilus uses mind control on the wizard to keep the portal open long enough for him to get through to earth (which conveniently takes at least ten minutes). While this is happening the Human Torch escapes, and the Trapster and Spider-Man try to stop him. Of course Spider-Man is about to kill the Torch, when Spidey breaks the Wizards mental hold on him. Then they both turn their attention to Annihilus, and the rest of the Frightful Four. Spider-Man uses the brilliant technique of pulling the power cord on the dimensional portal. And the Torch defeats the rest of the Frightful Four.

The Grade: B+, Cool plot, and good dialogue.