I: Feature Story: "The Flame and the Fury!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Buscema
Inks: Dan Adkins
Letters: Sam Rosen

First Appearance: Sam

Guest Appearance: Human Torch, Mister Fantastic, Thing

Flashback Cameo: Spider-Man, Overlord, the Stranger, Mephisto, Galactus

Synopsis: The Surfer decides to get some street clothing so he can blend in better with humans. He visits a tailor who fashions some suitable attire for him, and he pays him by turning an ash tray into solid gold. He then pays a visit to the Fantastic Four, hoping they can help him get back home. Outside their Baxter Building office, he overhears them talking to an army general who wants their help in tracking the Surfer down...which causes the skeptical Surfer to assume the worst: that his former friends are joining the crusade against him!

Mister Fantastic realizes the Surfer is in their midst and reaches out for him, but the Surfer knocks him back and flies away. The Human Torch gives chase. The Surfer tries to outpace the Torch by flying towards outer space, but he forgets the barrier and hits it with full force, falling back towards Earth.

When he comes to, the Torch tries to reason with the Surfer, but the former herald is so full of mistrust and self-pity that he won't stop to listen. The general scrambles troops and corners him, but the Surfer brushes past them and flies down into a subway station, knocking the Torch onto the train tracks unconscious, vulnerable to a train bearing down upon him. The Surfer is compelled to save the Torch's life and sets him aside when the troops near. From a darkened corner in the shadows, the Surfer overhears the Torch explaining to the troops to pass on a message to the general: that he was unable to approach the Surfer to talk him into helping America with its developing space program.

The Surfer sulks off, ashamed about his behavior....

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Silver Surfer #7-18

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.