Following Agatha Harkness’ cryptic warnings in Issue #54, the strange dimensional disturbances intensify across the country. The team learns that these events are not random — they are intentional incursions orchestrated by Agatha’s group, the mysterious Salem’s Seven.

The FF discover that Johnny Storm has been abducted by Agatha and her superhuman Seven, who intend to use Johnny’s unique flame physiology to trigger the “awakening” of a sprawling biological matrix — a vast cluster of Hydra Eggs hidden deep within the Think Tank II research facility in Oregon.

These Eggs are not the 616 HYDRA we know — in the Ultimate Universe, they are living bio-organisms capable of multiplying rapidly when exposed to intense heat. Agatha plans to use Johnny to spark their mass birth.

Meanwhile, in New York:

Sue reluctantly accepts help from Namor, who claims knowledge of the Seven’s goals.

Sue, Reed, and Ben distrust Namor entirely, creating tension within the group.

Sue develops a destabilizing formula that could render the Hydra Eggs inert before they activate.


The FF and Namor launch in an Imperial Craft toward Oregon to rescue Johnny and stop the Seven’s ritual.

In Oregon, a local science team led by Josie attempts to destroy the Eggs but is quickly subdued by the Seven. The villains prepare to use Johnny’s flames to trigger Hydra multiplication — a process that could devastate an entire region.

The issue ends with the FF crash-landing into the facility, setting up the final confrontation with Agatha’s Seven, and putting the fate of Johnny — and possibly the continent — at risk.