Comic Title: Marvel Masterworks Vol. 2:Fantastic Four Vol. 1 HC
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Date: 1998
On Sale Date: January 2, 1998 Direct Market Date January 2, 1998
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Friday, January 2, 1998

Direct Market Date November 5, 1997
Source: Previews, Vol. 7 #9 (#105)

Direct Market Date November 5, 1997
Source: Marvel Vision, #23

Cover Price: $29.99
Page Count: 256

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Menace of the Miracle Man"
Pages: 23

Feature(s):
Fantastic Four

Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Sol Brodsky

Reprinted From:
Fantastic Four #3 (1962)

Feature Character(s)

• Fantastic Four (last appearance in Fantastic Four #2; next appearance in Fantastic Four #4)
• Mister Fantastic (last appearance in Fantastic Four #2; next appearance in Fantastic Four #4)
• Invisible Girl (last appearance in Fantastic Four #2; next appearance in Fantastic Four #4)
• Thing (last appearance in Fantastic Four #2; next appearance in Fantastic Four #4)
• Human Torch (last appearance in Fantastic Four #2; next appearance in Fantastic Four #4)

Villain(s)

• The Miracle Man (first appearance; next appearance in Fantastic Four #138)
• A monster statue (animated by the Miracle Man; destroyed in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• The police commissioner and several officers (Joe named; no further appearances)
• Johnny Storm's friends (no further appearances)

Comments:
Chapter II:"The Monster Lives"
Chapter III:"The Flame That Died"
Chapter IV:"In the Shadow of Defeat"
Chapter V:"The Final Challenge"

The Fantastic Four wear costumes for the first time in this story. The Fantastic Four headquarters is seen for the first time. It will later be named the Baxter Building. The Fantasticar also makes its debut in this story.

This issue contains a full page pin-up of the Human Torch.

Synopsis:
The Fantastic Four attend a performance presented by a stage magician known as the Miracle Man who claims to have powers exceeding those of the team. During the show he out does the Thing in a feat of strength. Reed worries that should the Miracle Man turn criminal, they would be unable to stop him.

Reed's fears are prophetic because the Miracle Man animated a monster statue and uses it to threaten the city. The Human Torch is able to destroy the monster, but not before the Miracle Man steals an atomic tank.

Sue invisibly follows the villain, but she is discovered. The Miracle Man then uses her to lead the others into a trap. When the rest of the team arrives, Johnny is able to blind the Miracle Man with his flame. This leaves him powerless. Reed realizes that the Miracle Man had no powers at all and was using hypnosis to make people believe he did. Now blinded, the Miracle Man is forced to surrender. Afterwards, Johnny storms away from the others after another argument with the Thing.