"Revenge!" Cries The Master Of Sound!

Following the defeat of Klaw, the Master of Sound, in his attempt to take control of Wakanda's Vibranium mound by using his sound conversion technology to create monstrous creatures made of pure sound, the villain was presumed killed in a subsequent explosion by the Black Panther and his allies, the Fantastic Four. But, swearing vengeance against the Panther, Klaw found a key piece of equipment still functioning, and took a risk that would hopefully bring him one step closer to that goal--something we learn  more of during an attack on the Invisible Girl by Klaw, who enters in a startling new form.

Curiously, rather than seeking out the Panther while still in Wakanda, Klaw has instead made tracks for America and New York, where he hoped to lure the Panther into a trap by holding Sue Richards hostage (which was quite the pastime among evil-doers). Confronted by Klaw's enhanced abilities, Sue faces a fight-or-flight situation, to be sure (which ends rather humiliatingly); suffice to say, she believes she's in over her head, and does her best to reach her two partners.

But Klaw appears to have all the angles covered, having already isolated the Thing and Mr. Fantastic--and though he wasn't deemed enough of a draw to grace an FF cover in his prior appearance, he certainly rates cover exposure now. (As well as a looming presence on a splash page that's a virtual carbon copy!)

As for Sue, she probably feels "The Invisible Girl Fights Alone!" wouldn't be a bad caption for that cover right about now.

(Let's hope that with Franklin's arrival, the FF stopped placing deadly weapons in random unlocked drawers accessible to toddlers.)

Meanwhile, in the space-time room where Reed and Ben are now trapped by Klaw's vibration barrier, the chemistry between these two men is handled as adeptly as ever by writer Stan Lee, who recognizes how well each man's strengths, weaknesses and personalities are countered and balanced by those of the other. Intellect vs. impulsiveness... resolve vs. an unconquerable spirit... their differences often have them working together like the team they are, so much so that it's tempting to make a separate post on the subject. For now, however, our focus is on their current efforts--tending to the business of breaking free of this sealed room and finding the one responsible.

Such coincidences are the stuff of comics, all thanks to Reed's tinkering: When would Reed have occasion to design and build a "counter-sonic harness," only to stop short of completing it? Why, in order to haul it out and avoid saying "Here, use this fully operational counter-sonic harness that I knew would come in handy one day for this type of foe..."

And the Thing's escape doesn't come a moment too soon, as the Invisible Girl is on the verge of exhausting her options in resisting the power of Klaw.

Whatever it's cost him in terms of his humanity, it's undeniable that Klaw has raised his profile enormously, from that of an armed raider to a full-fledged super-villain who can bring down the Thing and short out the power of an entire city, all without sustaining any injury to himself. Obviously he no longer needs Vibranium to achieve his aims, though he still seeks revenge against T'Challa for the loss of his hand; but how surprising that such a formidable character wound up on the D-list of villains, a visible presence in teaming with other criminals such as Solarr and the Frightful Four but otherwise likely spending most of his time keeping his seat warm at the Bar With No Name.

For now, though, Klaw is giving three-quarters of the Fantastic Four quite a challenge--but the FF has a recent ally and friend whose contribution to the battle will prove to be pivotal.

C'mon, Sue, did fighting off Klaw make you deaf? Your husband just finished doing that!