This may be an old one, but it also holds up as among the finest Fantastic Four stories of all time.

An unnamed scientist, who envies Reed Richards’s success, lures the self-pitying Thing into his apartment and steals his powers, reverting Ben Grimm to human form. Posing as the Thing, this scientist infiltrates the FF as Reed is trying create faster-than-light travel in his quest to build defenses against threats like Galactus (the world was almost eaten like yesterday). He’s preparing to embark on a one-man exploration of sub-space, but he’s depending on the Thing to keep him anchored to their own dimension. When Reed gets into trouble, this nameless scientist has a chance to show what kind of man he truly is.

It’s a short but incredibly effective redemption tale during which not a single punch is thrown. If last year’s Fantastic Four movie left a bad taste in your mouth, rinse it out with this and observe the classic writer/artist team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in top form.

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Publishers: Marvel

How to Read It: back issues; Comixology; Essential Fantastic Four vol. 3 (TPB)

Appropriate For: ages 8 and up