Fantastic Four Special Edition # 1 1984 VF/NM

Fantastic Four Special Edition # 1 released in May 1984, is a large, tabloid-sized reprint of the classic Fantastic Four Annual #1 from 1963, featuring the iconic story of Namor's war on the surface world. 

"Sub-Mariner Versus the Human Race!"

The oversized issue reprints the main story from the 1963 annual, written by Stan Lee with art by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers. 

• The Conflict: The story begins with Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner locating the lost remnants of his Atlantean race and becoming enraged to find their city in ruins. He declares war on the surface world and demands that the United Nations cede the oceans and air to the nation of Atlantis.
• The Battle: Namor launches an invasion of New York City with an army of Atlantean warriors. The Fantastic Four attempt to fight off the invasion but are initially overwhelmed. Reed Richards eventually creates a device that evaporates the water in the Atlanteans' helmets, forcing them to retreat.
• Namor's Defeat: In a final confrontation, Namor kidnaps the Invisible Girl (Sue Storm). The rest of the team pursues him, and during the struggle, Sue is nearly drowned. Namor, who has long held romantic feelings for Sue, rescues her and takes her to a hospital for medical attention, calling off his attack in the process.
• Aftermath: Namor's decision to save a surface woman leads his people to abandon him, leaving him alone once more. 

• Oversized Format: The "Special Edition" was a large, tabloid-style format designed to showcase John Byrne's cover art (though the interior art is the original Kirby/Ayers work).
• Classic Reprint: It allowed readers to experience a foundational Namor/FF story in a larger, collector-friendly format. The original 1963 story is notable for solidifying Namor as a recurring, complex anti-villain in the Marvel Universe.
• Artistic Changes: The 1984 edition edited out a page from the original story that recapped Namor's origin, replacing it with a slightly longer origin illustrated by a different artist to fit the format.