Villain: Mad Thinker, Killer Android

Guest Appearance: Crystal, Dr. Santini

Gadgets & Technology: Electro-Wall Barrier, Sound-Blast Tunnel, Menta-Wave Unit

Letters Page: Page One • Page Two

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Reed, Johnny and a police attack force charge into the Mad Thinker's lair, only to have to face down an assemblage of Androids. The Mad Thinker is lying in wait for them, however, and as Johnny flies down a corridor, the Thinker floods it with water. Across town, the Thing continues his vengeful search for his former friend. Frustrated that a taxi won't stop for him, his incredible rage grows and he rips the engine out from under the hood. The police spot him and chase him down into the underground tunnels.

Crystal comforts Sue, who is in distress that she can't help her teammates while pregnant. Back at the battle, the Human Torch blasts through the torrent of water, lancing a nearby wall and siphoning it past Reed and the police. But further down the corridor, he once again hits a booby trap set by the Mad Thinker, this time an Electro-Wall Barrier, which knocks him out. The Thinker then turns his attentions to Santini, who he he intends to kill. Meanwhile, Ben continues his trek towards the battle, riding atop a subway car.

Mister Fantastic is able to slip underneath the barrier to confront the Mad Thinker. While the Thinker trains a laser gun on Reed Richards, Dr. Santini selflessly attacks the villain, allowing Richards the chance to rise and attack. Johnny bursts through the barrier finally, with the police assault team right behind. They see the Thinker knocked out and Santini resting from his wounds, but now they worry that the Thing is nearing and will destroy them all.

Reed shares his plan to defeat Ben with Johnny, but to do so he'll need to lure him to an particular spot in his lab. But without warning, Ben is upon them, busting through the wall. He tosses Reed around, and Johnny sends some flares at him. Reed reaches up to a passing helicopter, grabbing hold and pulling Ben along with him. As they fight, the Mad Thinker is in his prison cell, confidently pressing a button on a secretly placed wristband that attracts his fiercest, most formidable Android to enact a pre-set command. The fight between the Thing and his former partners in the FF continues, and the Android slowly and destructively makes his way towards fulfilling his task. Finally, as the fight in the Baxter Building lab of Reed Richards reaches its climax, Mister Fantastic turns on his Menta-Wave Unit and flashes its crackling energy force directly at Ben Grimm. The shock knocks them all to the ground, seemingly dead, and Sue Richards enters the room. She witnesses the dread tableau, and also sees the Android of the Mad Thinker penetrating the laboratory, its command set to kill!

(continued in FF #71)

--synopsis and panel images by Gormuu