Marvel Day: Doctor Doom Sets The Trap And Steals The Silver Surfer’s Power Cosmic

In ‘Fantastic Four’ (1968) #57, Doctor Doom monarch of Latveria sets his plan into motion to steal the Power Cosmic and invites Silver Surfer to his royal castle. Silver Surfer arrives at Doctor Doom’s castle.

Doctor Doom reveals to the Silver Surfer that the reason for the invitation is to learn about the Silver Surfer’s Power Cosmic. In particular, he inquires about the Silver Surfer’s cosmic surf board.

Silver Surfer reveals his distrust for Earthlings and their quest for power revealing the xenophobia and specieism of Earthlings towards other alien races. Doctor Doom contemplates to use a cosmic weapon Silver Surfer created in order to conquer the world. Silver Surfer destroys the cosmic weapon.

Doctor Doom sets his trap to steal the Power Cosmic and takes the Silver Surfer to his workshop-complex. Doctor Doom shows the Silver Surfer “the scientific projects” he works on in his quest as he claims to create weapons to defend peace and justice.¹ Then, Doctor Doom shows Silver Surfer “a temporal photo of the universe taken from [his] own orbiting satellite.”¹ The Silver Surfer is elated.

Sensing an opportunity, as the Silver Surfer pauses, Doctor Doom uses high intensity inductors clamped to the Silver Surfer’s head to steal the Power Cosmic. The Silver Surfer lies on the floor, weak, an alien exploited, confirming the xenophobia of the Earthlings.

In a crackling single page panel, the cosmic energy crackles and Doctor Doom in his new-found supremacy vows to challenge even Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. He sets on the Silver Surfer’s surf board with the Power Cosmic to conquer the world.