Greetings from the Odinson,
The Rogues Gallery is the group of villains who repeatedly plague our hero, the city and citizens of the city under his protection, and in some cases the world. Over the next few weeks I will talk about some of my favorite Rogues Galleries. This week I will take a look at the cosmic deities and madmen that plague Marvel’s First Family.
Part 5: The Fantastic Four’s Rogues Gallery
NOTE: Fantastic Four Omnibus HC Vol. 1-2 features appearances by all the villains on this list.
Mole Man – The Mole Man is a diminutive angry man who has turned his back on society and retreated to the cold dark catacombs that reside below the surface world. He possesses radar-like senses and is a capable hand-to-hand combatant. The Mole Man has established himself as the king of the underworld and has an army of Moloids at his disposal. Moloids are near mindless humanoids with unwavering loyalty. They breed like cockroaches and would walk through fire for their king. The Mole Man also holds sway over the denizens of Monster Island, an uncharted isle that is home to numerous gigantic creatures each with the ability to level cities. The Mole Man holds the distinct honor of being the very first foe the Fantastic Four ever faced. Must Reads: Essential Fantastic Four TPB Vol. 1, Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #1, 22, 31, 89, 127, 264, and 329; Rom (1979-1986) #28; Power Man and Iron Fist (1972-1986) #85; and Fantastic Four: Monsters Unleashed TPB.
The Frightful Four – The original foursome was comprised of the Trapster (master of gadgets and deadly traps), the sinister Sandman (one of Spider-Man’s most dangerous adversaries), Medusa (the rebellious queen of the Inhumans), and the high-flying Wizard (a criminal mastermind whose intelligence is on par with that of Mister Fantastic himself). Other members have been the monstrous Brute, the super-strong Titania, Hydro-Man, and Klaw, the master of sound. The Frightful Four has even came in the form of evil doppelgangers of the original FF. Though their roster has changed over the years one thing remains the same...the Frightful Four is a force to be reckoned with. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #36, 38, 94, 148, 177-178, 203, 328, and 333; Fantastic Four (1998- 3rd Series) #547-549; and Marvel Team-Up (1972-1985 1st Series) #2.
Puppet Master – This sinister little madman possesses the remarkable ability to construct dolls (or puppets) that allow him to physically control others. He has been a thorn in the FF’s side since almost the beginning, but what really makes him an unusual adversary is the fact that he is Alicia Masters’ father. Alicia Masters just so happens to be the blind girlfriend of none other than Benjamin J. Grimm, the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #8, 14, 28, 236, 300, 356, 369, and 372-373; Marvel Team-Up (1972-1985 1st Series) #6.
Diablo – Esteban Corazon de Ablo was a master alchemist in the 9th Century. He struck a deal with Mephisto for long life and now he plagues mankind today. Diablo uses his amazing mastery over alchemy in many different ways. It allows him to fly, create explosions, objects and weapons. Simply by rubbing his mustache Diablo is empowered with super-human strength that rivals even the Thing’s. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #30, 117, 194, 232, 306-307; Alpha Flight (1983-1994 1st Series) #21 and 102-103; Iron Man (1968-1996 1st Series) #159; Spider-Man (1990-1998) #20; and Avengers: Above and Beyond TPB.
Annihilus – This tyrant from the Negative Zone is, hands down, one of the biggest Big Bads of the Marvel Universe. Powered by his immortality-inducing Cosmic Control Rod, Annihilus has been a thorn in the side of the Fantastic Four for years. In 2006 he took his threat to a whole new level. Spear-heading a nigh unstoppable force of destruction dubbed the Annihilation Wave, Annihilus cut a swath of death and destruction across the stars that the universe will not soon forget. He has always been visually terrifying, but his attempt to totally destroy the Marvel U makes him every bit as scary as cosmic level threats like Thanos, Dormammu, and Mephisto. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #109, 140, 181, 183, 252-256, and 290; Annual #6; Avengers (1963-1996 1st Series) #233; Fantastic Four (1998- 3rd Series) #44; Thor (1962-1996 1st Series) #404-405 and 434-435; and Annihilation TPB Vol. 1-3.
The Skrulls – They are an alien race far more technologically advanced and older than the human race. They have conquered a thousand galaxies. They possess the ability to shape-shift, thus using infiltration and deception to take over. They have scientifically engineered a race of Super-Skrulls (Skrulls with powers that mimic the heroes of Earth). But the most dangerous thing about them is their dogma. They believe that planet Earth truly belongs to them and that mankind must accept change, or die. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #2, 18, 90-93, and 347-349; Essential Captain Marvel TPB Vol. 1; Thor (1962-1996 1st Series) #142; Marvel Team-Up (1972-1985 1st Series) #61; Rom #50; Alpha Flight (1983-1994 1st Series) #10; Silver Surfer Annual #1; and the Secret Invasion.
Galactus – Galactus is the sole survivor of the universe that existed before the Big Bang created the Marvel Universe. Now this cosmic deity wanders the endless space ways cursed with an all consuming hunger. He has become the ultimate force of nature and is feared throughout the known universe. In order to sustain his own existence, which does have a purpose in the grand scheme of things (as explained in Earth X), Galactus must consume the energies of planets, effectively destroying them and all life on them. The universe is vast, so to help in his quest for suitable planets, Galactus deploys heralds, beings he has bestowed with a portion of his Power Cosmic: Silver Surfer, Firelord, Terrax, Nova (Frankie Ray), Airwalker, etc. Galactus is not a force for evil. He does what he does because he must. The nature of his existence brings him into conflict with Earth’s heroes. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #48-50, 122, 173, 175, 211, 243-244, and 257; Alpha Flight (1983-1994 1st Series) #99-100; Dazzler #10-11; Rom (1979-1986) #26-27; Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger GN; Guardians of the Galaxy (1990-1995 1st Series) #25; and Ultimate Galactus Trilogy HC.
Doctor Doom – If circumstances were a little different, Victor Von Doom could possible be the world’s greatest super-hero. His intelligence is rivaled only by Reed Richards, his battle armor is rivaled only by Iron Man’s own, and his mastery of the mystic arts is trumped only by Doctor Strange himself, the Sorcerer Supreme. To say that Doom is the most dangerous man alive is made all the more poignant when coupled with the fact that he possesses no super-human powers. He almost orchestrated the destruction of both his arch foes the Fantastic Four and the Uncanny X-Men by simply using guile and subterfuge. He defeated the nigh omnipotent Beyonder with sheer force of will. And, Doctor Doom has done the one thing that has eluded all the rest of the so called Big Bads – he conquered the world! No one is more arch than Doctor Doom. He truly believes he should be the undisputed ruler of mankind. The scary thing is, he probably would succeed if he weren’t so obsessed with the defeat of his hated rival - Reed Richards. Must Reads: Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #258-260 and 406; Bring on the Bad Guys TPB; Avengers: Emperor Doom (1987 Marvel GN); Doom TPB; Fantastic Four: Books of Doom TPB; Iron Man vs. Doctor Doom: Doomquest HC; Villainy of Doctor Doom TPB; Fantastic Four vs. X-Men TPB; and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars TPB.
Honorable Mentions: The Mad Thinker, Blastaar, Nicholas Scratch, the Salem Seven, Dragon Man, The Red Ghost, Klaw, Impossible Man, Darkoth, Maximus, Molecule Man, Psycho-Man, Rama-Tut, Ronan the Accuser, the Hulk, Marvel Zombies, and the Beyonder.
The hardest thing about these “Fantastic” villains is trying to pick my favorite stories they appeared in. Trying to pick the best Doctor Doom or Galactus tale is a practice in futility. Alas, these are the ones I came up with. Next week I’ll take a look at the diabolical villains that would threaten the City of Tomorrow.
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell!
