The Fantastic Four frequently fought examples of a time-tested theme in superhero comics — the mirror-image antagonist.
Three kinds of dramatic conflict are possible. A protagonist can be in conflict with nature, with other persons or with himself. All three are seen in superhero comics, but the third is often symbolically externalized as a mirror-image enemy.
As early as their second issue, the FF faced the Skrulls, extraterrestrial enemies who could disguise themselves as the heroes and imitate their powers through alien technology. Dr. Doom and the Sub-Mariner, the “Diabolical Duo,” would also mirror the FF.
And in the 18th issue (Sept. 1963), the Skrulls returned with a twist — they’d given one of their number actual super powers identical to the FF’s, the “All-Powerful Super-Skrull.”
The issue displays the power and the wit of Jack Kirby’s art. The Super-Skrull impresses the reader by lifting a tremendous weight in one of those three-panel progressions Kirby used so effectively. And we’re treated to an amusing sequence in which the FF must use their powers to escape an adoring mob in a department store.
“In addition to the powers mirroring those of the Fantastic Four, the Super-Skrull has one extra ability as well: that of hypnotism,” noted comics historian Don Alsafi. “Now, what the long-time reader may catch onto here is the fact that hypnotism is precisely what Reed used to defeat the Skrulls at the end of their first encounter.”
One ability could not be duplicated by the Super-Skrull, and that of course was the one that did him in — Reed Richards’ phenomenal and resourceful intelligence.
“Listen, all of you!” Mr. Fantastic says. “It isn’t possible for anyone to be as powerful as the Super Skrull — not without some additional power source.”
Richards was able to create a jammer to cut off the Super-Skrull from the power rays beamed at him from his home planet, and plant it on the Skrull champion with the aid of the Invisible Girl.
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