In classic supervillain style, the alchemist Diablo lays plans against the FF.
In an entertaining twist, Dialo isn't in an ancient castle or remote location. He's in a nondescript apartment somewhere in New York and he has to keep up appearances in front of his landlady.
The first target of Diablo's attack is the Invisible Girl.
An earth elemental is sent against Sue Richards who, in her identity as Invisible Girl, is an analog for the classic element of air.
The Invisible Girl has been caught.
The Thing, an analog for Earth, is attacked by a water elemental.
By now it's becoming obvious that the logical thing for the FF to do is to switch opponents. But they're located far from each other.
Beautiful shot of the Human Torch.
An air elemental attacks Johnny Storm.
One of Reed Richards' impressive laboratories.
A fire elemental assaults Mr. Fantastic.
Learning that the others are also under attack, Reed manages to escape the fire creature.
Reed is pursued and he heads over to Central Park with it's water and damp trees and where he fortunately encounters Johnny and the air elemental. Yes, now they can exchange foes.
Surprisingly, the fire elemental avoids conflict with the Human Torch, something about Diablo's directive against fighting their FF equivalents.
Reed's equivalent is the water creature that attacked Ben so the air elemental has no issues with fighting Reed but the leader of the FF has other ideas.
Invisible Girl likewise escapes and goes in search of the Thing.
The Thing crashes into a sports store and a helpful attendant uses scuba gear to help him breath. In turn, she is the one who is attacked by the water creature.
With only one air tank the Thing heroically gives it up to save the attendant. Thankfully, the Invisible Girl has just arrived.
With an exchange of foes, both members of the FF handle their opponents.
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The earth elemental isn't so easily beaten though.
With the arrival of Mister Fantasic Reed shows his real superpower - his brilliant mind.
Air elemental contained by Sue.
Water elemental neutralized by Reed.
The Thing converts the earth elemental to mud.
Sue Richards compresses the air elemental forcing it to assume liquid form.
Against the fire elemental the Torch goes nova and consumes the oxygen the fire creature needs to exist.
Interestingly, Reeds two suspects for the attack are Diablo and Doc Doom. Doom uses science so much it's easy to forget that he has dual abilities: His inherent ability as a scientist and his mystic heritage from his sorcerous gypsy mother. Reed correctly deduces that Diablo and not Doom is behind this. Now it's just a matter of finding the guy.
And who do Marvel superheroes call when they encounter a mystical or magical situation? Haha.
