Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men
| Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | 1987 |
| Number of issues | 4 |
| Main character(s) |
Fantastic Four X-Men Franklin Richards Doctor Doom |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Chris Claremont |
| Penciller(s) | Jon Bogdanove |
| Inker(s) | Terry Austin |
| Colorist(s) | Glynis Oliver |
| Collected editions | |
| Hardcover (X-Men vs. Fantastic Four) | ISBN 0-7851-3807-2 |
| Softcover (Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men) | ISBN 0871356503 |
Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men is a four-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 1987. Written by longtime Uncanny X-Men writer Chris Claremont, pencilled by Jon Bogdanove, and inked by Terry Austin, the series revolves around the quest to find an effective medical treatment for the dying X-Man, Kitty Pryde. Along the way, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men come into conflict with each other, and what appears to be a sinister secret regarding the Fantastic Four's origin comes to light.
Publication history
The series was collected in the trade paperback Fantastic Four vs. the X-Men (ISBN 0871356503), first printed in 1991. In 2010 it was reissued as a Marvel Premiere Classic hardcover, with the title reversed to X-Men vs. Fantastic Four (ISBN 0785138072).
Plot summary
Franklin Richards has a nightmare, wherein his father, Reed Richards, murders both the Fantastic Four and the X-Men. Reed then takes a book, disregarding the protests of his son, who says that the book is the cause of everything bad that happened. Reed opens the book and it transforms him into Doctor Doom. Waking in terror, Franklin finds his parents and tells his mother about the dream. As Susan unpacks boxes,[1] she finds Reed's college journal—which Franklin recognizes as the book from his dream.
At Muir Island, the X-Men and geneticist Moira MacTaggert are in dismay. Kitty Pryde's phasing abilities have gone awry, making the atoms of her body drift farther apart.[2] Magneto[3] suggests seeking assistance from Reed Richards. Traveling to Four Freedoms Plaza in New York City, Magneto persuades the Fantastic Four to help.
Arriving on Muir Island, Reed seems troubled. After examining Kitty, Reed states that his molecular reintegrator device cannot help her in her advanced condition. Magneto, having read up on the device's capabilities, contends that Reed is lying, prompting Wolverine and Rogue to attack the Fantastic Four in order to force them to help. X-Men leader Storm defuses the situation and renews her plea, but Reed still refuses. The teams are interrupted by a holographic communication from Doctor Doom. Doom offers to duplicate Reed's research, reconstruct the molecular reintegrator and save Kitty. Reed protests that they should not indebt themselves to Doom, but Storm counters that Reed has left them no choice.
Later, Storm reveals the contents of Reed's journal to the Fantastic Four. A key passage of the journal states that Reed planned to counter the potential supervillain threat by flying Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, Susan and himself into the cosmic rays which would turn them into the Fantastic Four, the journal also suggesting that Reed would suppress his memory of that action.[4] Ben, Johnny and the She-Hulk quit the team and leave Four Freedoms Plaza.
In Latveria, Kitty prepares to commit suicide in order to prevent the X-Men from indebting themselves to Doom for her sake. Franklin, present on the scene via one of his "dream-selves", successfully pleads for Kitty not to do so. Feeling guilty about the revelation, Reed decides to travel to Latveria (with Franklin in tow) to help Kitty. The other members of the Fantastic Four, having come to terms with the changes their powers made to their lives, return to FF headquarters and volunteer to accompany him; Susan in particular has concluded that the journal is a deception after seeing Reed playing with Franklin, feeling that the kind of man who wrote that journal wouldn't be capable of relating to a child on that level. Misunderstanding their intentions, the X-Men attack the Fantastic Four upon their arrival. The two teams relent when Franklin arrives and reminds them that saving Kitty is what is important.
Doctor Doom begins the treatment to save Kitty, with Reed overseeing. When Reed claims that he has made a crucial mistake in the reintegration process, Doom refuses to listen, but Storm speaks up and shames him into letting Reed help. Despite some initial doubts due to his fears regarding the journal, Reed successfully navigates the problems with the reintegration, saving Kitty's life and causing her molecular structure to begin its slow return to normal.
References
- ↑ After the original Baxter Building was destroyed by Kristoff Vernard in Fantastic Four #278 (May 1985), the FF temporarily moved into Avengers Mansion until the completion of Four Freedoms Plaza.
- ↑ Kitty Pryde became permanently trapped in her phased form in a battle with the Marauders. Uncanny X-Men #211 (November 1986).
- ↑ Magneto joined the X-Men and became headmaster of Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters after a critically injured Professor X left Earth. Uncanny X-Men #200 (December 1985).
- ↑ Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961).