Mission To The Center Of The Earth!

 

When Roy Thomas kicked off his initial seven-issue run on Fantastic Four in 1972 with a look at their origin story as narrated by Ben Grimm, it seemed fitting that he would follow up with a story which featured the return of the Mole Man, who holds the distinction of being the book's first villain from its premiere issue in late 1961. But judging by the covers for the two-part tale, things aren't looking good for one FF member in particular... specifically, the Thing, who undertakes a mission on his own to confront the Mole Man on a personal issue.  Because from what we see at first glance, it appears that if the Mole Man doesn't kill him, the Human Torch will!

But, exactly what is Ben Grimm after in his single-minded quest to the center of the Earth? As the Thing reaches the abandoned site where the Mole Man had created a trap for the FF three years earlier (if we're going by real time), Thomas's narrative brings us up to speed on what preoccupies Ben's thoughts, and why he believes that the Mole Man is best suited to help him.

Part of Thomas's premise regarding Ben's rationale is on shaky ground, which Thomas himself will concede at this story's conclusion while failing to explore the second part of the premise altogether. Yet chances are the reader is at this point swept up on the momentum of the Thing's mission--and as Reed would put it later, as long as Ben holds out hope of success, then we have to share that hope.

And speaking of the rest of the FF: While it was Ben's decision to keep the rest of his team out of this, Johnny Storm has caught wind of Ben's encounter with their belligerent landlord, Collins, and put two and two together regarding Ben's destination. And so, like it or not, the Thing will soon have his closest friends supporting him on this mission.

Unknown to the FF, however, is that they'll also be fighting for the fate of the entire world! 

 
For the moment, though, Ben is on his own--and before Reed and the others arrive on the scene, Ben makes inroads in his search for the Mole Man by an encounter with Queen Kala, a character whom we've met before and whom Ben now meets after a misunderstanding involving one of her monstrous mounts. Yet Kala's destination and purpose will provide an interesting twist to this story thus far.

(Isn't it wonderful to see Ben free to speak his mind, without Reed there to rein him in for his casual disregard for protocol?)

Unfortunately, the Mole Man isn't inclined to treat the Thing's presence in his realm as anything but an intrusion, and so he attacks first and asks questions later--which is also when the Thing discovers that Kala's offer to act as an intermediary was nothing more than a ploy to lower his guard.

Other than Thomas perhaps considering that it's much too early in the story for the Thing to appeal to the Mole Man on Alicia's behalf, I can think of no reason why Ben wouldn't take advantage of this moment to explain why he's come to Subterranea. For one thing, in spite of how difficult it might be for Ben Grimm to do, surely he would swallow his pride for Alicia's sake and divulge his reason for seeking out the Mole Man even when he would be doing so as a prisoner. Secondly, it's precisely because the Mole Man views him as helpless that a sincere approach by Ben might have the best chance of getting through to him.

But the moment passes without any further offering on the subject on Thomas's part; instead, he pivots sharply to divulging the Mole Man's master plan®, while also revealing the fate of Subterranea's other supreme ruler whose prospects have fallen in captivity.

Despite the drama of the moment, there's little the Thing can accomplish for his effort, having been severely weakened by the discharge from his restraint-web--except to escape, assuming the Mole Man would allow it. Surprisingly, that's precisely what happens, as the Mole Man has even more revenge in mind--this time, against the Fantastic Four, who are late to the party due to Reed and Sue being delayed by their recent marital troubles and who now must attempt to choose which direction in this vast labyrinth Ben might have headed. But the Mole Man's cunning plan will save them the trouble, while dooming the Thing in the process.

To make matters worse, the Mole Man has taken steps to make sure the Thing's faux appearance affects his three partners in a way that would increase their hostility toward what they see approaching and, as Kala has deduced, attack with deadly force--groundwork laid by Thomas, no doubt, to help explain why the Torch has suddenly put aside his morals and become bloodthirsty toward this creature (feelings that Sue presumably shares, to an extent).* But Reed seems to be another matter.

*It seems clear that Thomas has arranged to have his cake and eat it, too, in terms of just how viciously Johnny and Sue are prepared to act against this "monster."  I.e., if the Human Torch has truly become as bloodthirsty as we're led to believe, he is more than capable of incinerating the Thing (along with anything else within, say, a five-meter radius) with a single strike, rather than having to engage in a sustained barrage.

With the Torch secured and the deception revealed, the group proceeds to clear the area with the Thing, who lies unconscious and badly injured by the Torch's attack. As they move out, Reed explains how his familiarity with Ben allowed him to determine his true identity despite the Mole Man's scheme. But if you have the urge to call "baloney" on that explanation, you're probably thinking of a scene from a 1966 story where an unnamed foe had duplicated the Thing's form for himself (and consequently reverted Ben back to normal) with the intent of destroying the FF from within--and later, at the Baxter Building, with "the Thing" and Ben standing in close proximity, Reed was dead certain of the real Ben Grimm's identity. And totally got it wrong.

Be that as it may, we return to the present where, incredibly, Ben recovers enough to insist on joining the fight against the Mole Man--and so a plan is made to split up and approach the Mole Man's citadel from two directions. (Why Sue doesn't make her three partners invisible and thus avoid splitting the team is anyone's guess, but what do I know.)

But while Ben and Sue have success in penetrating the citadel, Reed and Johnny come under attack from the Mole Man's mindless subterraneans--and outnumbered as they are, their odds for prevailing are cast in doubt. Meanwhile, at the citadel, though Ben and Sue make better headway in their own attack, they're rendered helpless by the power of the Mole Man's seemingly all-purpose staff. And there are further grim tidings for the team, when the Mole Man receives welcome news of Reed's death--even as Kala finally makes her own move, and reveals her alliance with the man the Mole Man thought to be helpless.

The fact that Tyrannus has double-crossed Kala and is looking out for number one probably comes as no surprise to anyone who's read of his exploits.

Ditto his for turning tail when the tide turns against him; but on a positive note for the FF, the Mole Man discovers that the report of Reed's death was (you'll excuse the expression) "fake news," as fake as the reporter himself:  Reed in disguise, as part of a coordinated plan with Johnny to infiltrate the Mole Man's stronghold. (Skin dye. Good grief, Reed really does think of everything. What else is he carrying around on him, do you think?)

Apparently Ben's disappointment is so great that he doesn't remember to inquire about whether it's possible for Alicia to acquire the Mole Man's radar sense for herself. As something the Mole Man developed on his own, he might even enjoy the opportunity of tutoring a sightless person such as Alicia--while her sensitive nature, in turn, might rub off on him. Instead, the FF leave the Mole Man in a sad and embittered state, which is bound to do no one any good in the future.

Can you spot the Mole Man's "fatal mistake" here? Seems like it's his opponent who needs the help!

BONUS! A special four-page insert in Part 2 of this story by artist John Buscema.