| Reed Richards is working away at the Baxter Building when he's suddenly interrupted when an injured Namor crashes into the room. Put in a tank of water, Namor revives and is joined by the rest of the Fantastic Four. He tells them of his recent failed alliance with Dr. Doom and that after Doom sought revenge against the undersea monarch and used a weapon to render the suit that allows him to stay on the surface inoperative, putting him at risk of death. Doom would then take Namor back down to Atlantis, where the Latverian monarch then destroys some of the buildings. He then tells Namor that if he doesn't vow his loyalty to Doom, he would let Namor to die and destroy hs kingdom. Namor swears, and so Doom spares him by giving Namor a serum that will keep him alive for 24 more hours. Doom offers Namor one out: To see if Reed Richards can repair his suit in time. A hologram of Doom appears and mocks the heroes, boasting that Richards will not find a way to cure Namor and that the Sub-Mariner would be honor bound to ally with Doom after the 24 hours elapses. Not willing to give up, Reed vows to Namor that he will do everything in his power. As the rest of the Fantastic Four work on a way to cure Namor, the Human Torch spots someone spying on them from the rooftop across the street. Investigating puts the Torch in a battle against a new costumed super-human named the Shroud. The Shroud easily defeats the Human Torch, and makes his escape, vowing that he will defeat Dr. Doom. Meanwhile back inside the Baxter Building, Reed Richards is almost successful however Namor's time runs out, and the Sub-Mariner angrily smashes out of his tank of water and tries to make it back to the ocean. However, he instantly begins to suffocate once outside, and is teleported away by Dr. Doom. Witnessing Namor's capture, the Fantastic Four vow to rescue him from Doom's clutches, however they are unaware that the Shroud also intends on going after Dr. Doom as well. This story is continued next issue... |
