The Coming Of... Doomsday!

Like Part One of the four-part Fantastic Four story which saw Dr. Doom attempt to capture the world after acquiring the Silver Surfer's cosmic power, this third issue assembles pieces and players in preparation for what's to come--only this time, the level of tension has been raised considerably. With the Fantastic Four having been soundly defeated by Doom as shown in Part Two, this story is a perfect example of the calm before the storm, as Doom plans his next move.

Yet you wouldn't know this crisis is looming by looking at this issue's cover, with its focus on the Inhumans. The efforts of Black Bolt and his comrades to free themselves from the impenetrable dome surrounding their Great Refuge has been a running sub-story within the book for the past few issues, taking a back seat to the main action playing out with the FF--and with Doom now a major threat to the world, it would seem an odd time to pick up the Inhumans story again and "sell" it on the cover. Yet Fantastic Four has indulged in this sort of thing before, opting to spotlight other dramatic elements on the issue's cover which don't follow the usual format of the bad guy clashing with the good guy--inviting the buyer to read the story within, and figure out the meaning of what they're seeing at first glance.

Also consider that the Inhumans story has been building for close to a year. You and I, coming across these stories piecemeal nearly 50 years later, may shrug at the Inhumans' efforts--but for the monthly reader to whom all of this was new, the news of this cover might carry some meaning for them of a story finally resolved and what it may mean for the FF (later, that is, since they've a few other things on their plate at the moment)--particularly the Torch, who, with his eagerness to reunite with Crystal, has a vested interest in seeing the Inhumans freed. Given the peculiar timing of this cover, as well as the word "Doomsday" prominently placed, there's also the intriguing notion that the Inhumans might somehow be brought into the situation with Doom, since the FF could certainly use some backup right about now. (It's a false assumption, but a cleverly conceived cover all the same.)

Despite what may happen with Black Bolt, however, our focus must return to the FF, as they alert the world to the imminent threat of Doom, in a splash page that minces no words:

Continued »»»