Now, we arrive at the final chapter of this ongoing three-part story (or more than three parts, depending on how you count its beginning). We quickly learn something that changes the threat we expected: the Human Torch was only pretending to be under the Wizard’s control! This secret proves useful, but it doesn’t stay between Sue and Reed for long—our antagonists figure it out and swiftly imprison the Human Torch. Meanwhile, Reed Richards works to cure the Thing (at the risk of killing him) of the mind alterations done by the Wizard.

The story then shifts to the Baxter Building, where the final confrontation takes place. The Frightful Four demand the Fantastic Four’s surrender to secure the Human Torch’s safety. Reed stalls for time, and the Thing awakens—only for a moment, but long enough to take the Wizard out of commission and allow the others to rally for a win, including the Human Torch escaping his restraints to help out.

It ends with three of the four Frightful Four members captured, while Madame Medusa escapes (or is allowed to escape by the Human Torch).

Originality & Continuity

This story caps off the arc nicely, resulting in the capture of most of the Frightful Four and reversing their earlier victory. It also serves as a launch point for the next adventure, hinted at by a two-panel cameo from Doctor Doom—an adventure told in the fateful Fantastic Four Annual #3, published during this arc but clearly taking place after it.

It shows how Stan Lee was weaving a complex, ongoing narrative across multiple books, making sure everything fit together to maintain a continuous storyline. Without that sort of shared universe—where stories have lasting impact even if some semblance of the status quo remains—Marvel wouldn’t be what many of us have come to love.

Characters & Development

By the end, the Human Torch shows growth when he lets Medusa escape (perhaps drawn in by her beauty), living up to the “Human” part of his name. He regrets it almost immediately, acting like the teenager he is—an ending that feels just right.

Meanwhile, the Thing awakens feeling guilty over his dark impulses, and Reed and Sue quickly forgive him. He’s going to be the best man at their wedding, after all. Their bond—the bond shared by all four—runs deeper than their powers.

Story & Art

As with the previous issue, the work by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee is breathtaking. They wrap everything up in a dynamic, compelling way that outshines most other creative pairings of the time. It makes for a satisfying conclusion (and entire arc) that highlights real growth for both heroes and villains. Though we won’t see the Frightful Four again for a while, each member is left carrying the mark of this unforgettable collaboration in their own way. But we will see the Fantastic Four again quickly with what was already on sale at this point, the above mentioned FF Annual #3.