OPERATION: ARTIFICIAL POWERS

Classification: Terrestrial technology

Creator: Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards)

User/Possessors: Fantastic Four (Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Invisible Girl/Susan Storm, Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards, Thing/Ben Grimm)

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#39 (June, 1965)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: Operation: Artificial Powers consisted of multiple devices that duplicated the abilities of the Fantastic Four after the members of the team lost their superpowers. These devices included a robot of the Thing operated by Ben Grimm, an electro-vibra suit worn by Sue Storm, a flame jet suit worn by Johnny Storm, and an exoskeleton worn by Reed Richards with extendable arms (auto-extensors) and legs.

History:
(Fantastic Four I#39) - After the Fantastic Four were stripped of their powers by the radiation of the Frightful Four's Q-Bomb, Reed Richards was concerned that he and his teammates would have no way to protect themselves if their enemies ever learned what happened to them. Working for days with little rest, Reed designed and built some equipment that allowed the group to crudely mimic most of their lost powers.

   But Reed was less than impressed when Ben, Johnny and Sue initially tested their power-simulating devices in their Baxter Building headquarters, and realized that his teammates would need more practice with the equipment.

The next morning, the (not-so) Fantastic Four relocated to a nearby empty warehouse, and as they were in the middle of practicing with their artificial powers, they received a visit from their lawyer, Matt Murdock (see comments). But while they were away from their headquarters, Dr. Doom invaded the Baxter Building and attacked the FF with long-range stun-blasts--Reed's exoskeleton was destroyed in the first volley, the Thing robot was pinned when Ben sent it to save Sue from a collapsing wall, and Johnny was rescued by Daredevil just as a blast snuffed out his flame suit. Doom continued his assault by using some of the FF's own equipment against them, so the now-powerless foursome joined Daredevil and returned to the Baxter Building to confront the villain.

(Fantastic Four I#40) - During their battle against Dr. Doom, Reed used the Stimulator to restore the entire team's powers.

(Fantastic Four I#185-186) - Reed temporarily lost his powers again, so he built an improved version of the auto-extensors, and used them when the FF went to visit the Witches of New Salem; but as the team battled the Salem's Seven, both of the auto-extensors were crushed, and Reed subsequently retired from the team until his powers returned.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Frank Giacoia and Wally Wood.

The FF were probably using that roomier warehouse so as to avoid inflicting any further damage--mainly caused by Ben and the robot--to the Baxter Building.

And in regards to why Matt Murdock/Daredevil just happened to show up: In the event that anything happened to the Fantastic Four while they were powerless, Reed wanted Murdock to make sure that all his scientific notes were given to the government, and that the team's charitable foundation would continue.
--Ron Fredricks

When this story was adapted in the 1990's Fantastic Four animated series, Grimm used a Thing exoskeleton instead of the robot.

Profile by Prime Eternal. Expansion by Ron Fredricks.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Operation: Artificial Powers should not be confused with:

auto-extensors

After the Fantastic Four lost their superpowers, Reed Richards created devices that mimicked the team's former abilities, including an exoskeleton with extendable arms (auto-extensors) and legs for himself.

But while the powerless Fantastic Four were practicing with their new equipment, Dr. Doom attacked them with long-range stun-blasts--Reed's exoskeleton was subsequently damaged during this assault.

When he again lost his powers years later, Reed built an improved version of the the auto-extensors, which made it appear that he could still elongate his arms. But both the auto-extensors were crushed during a battle with the Salem's Seven, and Reed subsequently retired from the team until his powers returned.

(Comment: Reed's exoskeleton was never actually depicted as being able to extend its "legs" [although he does appear to be a little taller in the second image of the main profile], but presumably he included this function to it--if so, it probably worked similarly to the Stilt-Man's armor)

--Fantastic Four I#39 (Fantastic Four I#39, 185, 186

electro-vibra suit

Built by Reed Richards for the powerless Sue Storm, this device duplicated her ability to turn invisible, and to surround herself with an invisible force field.

During her initial testing, Sue was having trouble manipulating the controls, because Reed could still see the faint outline of her body, and the force field it generated was less than rigid.

The following day, Sue was practicing with the electro-vibra suit when Dr. Doom attacked her and her teammates with long-range stun-blasts.

(Comment: Sue was never depicted as projecting her artificial force field, and only seemed to use it to surround herself for her own protection.)

--Fantastic Four I#39

flame jet suit

Built by Reed Richards for the powerless Johnny Storm, this green bodysuit duplicated his ability to burst into flame and to fly.

During his initial testing, Johnny was having trouble staying aloft, and he dropped to the floor.

The following day, Johnny was practicing with the flame jet suit and gained better control of his flight, but Dr. Doom suddenly attacked him and his teammates with long-range stun-blasts. One of the blasts struck Johnny and snuffed out his suit's flames, but he was carried out of harm's reach by Daredevil.

--Fantastic Four I#39

Thing robot

Built by Reed Richards for the powerless Ben Grimm, this automaton was created in the image of the Thing; it was operated by Grimm with a handheld remote control unit, and it could mimic the Thing's strength and voice.

During his initial testing, Ben was having trouble controlling the awkward robot, and accidentally made it crash into a wall.

The following day, Ben was practicing with the robot when Dr. Doom attacked him and his teammates with long-range stun-blasts. When a damaged wall was about to fall on top of Sue Storm, Ben sent the robot to hold it up until she could get to safety; but the wall eventually collapsed and pinned the Thing robot underneath.

(Comment: The controls for the robot looked kind of simple to operate such a complex mechanism. My guess is that the bulb at the top of the unit contained an antenna which cybernetically linked Ben to the robot as an extension of his mind, which would explain why he was always in sight while operating the robot. This theory would seem to be supported by the fact that in the first panel, Reed tells Ben to "make believe you're actually him [the robot]")

--Fantastic Four I#39

images: (without ads)
Fantastic Four I#39, p5, pan1 (powerless Fantastic Four working on power simulators)
Fantastic Four I#39, p10, pan1 (in warehouse, powerless Fantastic Four practicing with power simulators; Matt Murdock [foreground])
Fantastic Four I#39, p10, pan2 (Reed Richards [off panel] reaches for items with auto-extensor "hands"; Matt Murdock)
Fantastic Four I#185, p3, pan7 (powerless Reed Richards pulls off glove to reveal new and improved auto-extensor)
Fantastic Four I#39, p7, pan2 (Sue Storm uses electro-vibra suit to simulate invisibility; Reed Richards [foreground])
Fantastic Four I#39, p7, pan3 (Sue Storm uses electro-vibra suit to simulate force field; Reed Richards [left])
Fantastic Four I#39, p5, pan2 (Johnny Storm ignites flame jet suit; Reed Richards [background])
Fantastic Four I#39, p6, pan1 (Johnny Storm falls in deactivated flame jet suit; Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Sue Storm [background])
Fantastic Four I#39, p6, pan3 (Thing robot; Ben Grimm, Reed Richards [background])
Fantastic Four I#39, p6, pan4 (Thing robot crashes into wall; Ben Grimm, Reed Richards [foreground])

Appearances:
Fantastic Four I#39 (June, 1965) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils), Frank Giacoia/Wally Wood (inks), Artie Simek (letters)
Fantastic Four I#185 (August, 1977) - Len Wein (writer/editor), George Perez (pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), Glynis Wein (colors), Gaspar (letters)
Fantastic Four I#186 (September, 1977) - Len Wein (writer/editor), George Perez (pencils), Glynis Wein (colors), John Costanza (letters)

First Posted: 05/07/2005
Last updated: 10/02/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Items