No Friend Beside Him! The fact that Mr. Fantastic just turned his son into a vegetable is too much to bear. Reed stands as a shattered leader, husband, and father as the rest of the team walks out. Only Medusa remains with Mr. Fantastic. But before Ben leaves the Baxter Building, he comes across an unopened letter from Alicia. He is aboard a transatlantic flight to catch up with his gal in no time.
When Ben finally does meet up with Alicia, he discovers she is about to have a special operation to restore her sight. But the real complication comes from a local superstition about a demon prowling at night. It doesn't take long for the Thing to find the truth behind the fears, as he is attacked by Darkoth the Death-Demon while walking the night streets alone. The fight ends abruptly, leaving more questions than answers for the Thing to ponder.
Meanwhile, the Human Torch and Wyatt Wingfoot visit Metro College to talk with one of Reed's old colleagues, and Sue takes Franklin back to the Linder's farm in the country. Alicia's impending operation holds Ben's full attention. Once her sight is restored, he is confident she will no longer love him as the Thing.
After pacing outside the operating room, Ben enters to check on his girlfriend's condition, but the space is empty. Suddenly Darkoth is upon him again, and the ensuing brawl leads to an underground lab. Darkoth eventually scratches the Thing, drugging him and rendering him helpless. In the U.S., Reed and Medusa attend an alumni meeting of Reed's old college class. This is no ordinary alumni dinner, though. The host is none other than Dr. Doom!
