Fantastic Four Annual #2 is full of Dr. Doom fail

For a second, lets imagine that Dr. Doom's origin story is not told in this issue. You know, the one where he's so arrogant he ignores Reed's warning that his machine is faulty and isn't smart enough to see that he was right, causing a massive explosion. And how he puts a glowing hot piece of metal onto his face because he couldn't give it five minutes to cool, while on a snow-covered mountain range. We'll just throw all that out, and we'll still have one of the most epically idiotic blunders of Dr. Doom's career.

The second story in this issue is called "The Final Victory of Dr. Doom!", and features his return from being shot into space in Fantastic Four #23 (Doom really isn't very good at winning...). His first mini-failure of the issue is believing his saviour, Rama-Tut, who convinces him they're possibly the same man. This can be forgiven though since Rama-Tut is actually Kang, and Kang is pretty good at the whole manipulating thing. But what happens next...well to start, Dr. Doom invites the Fantastic Four to a ball.

This is where his ULTIMATE plan takes shape, driving the Fantastic Four apart. After drinks, of course.

You see, much like in the censored US airings of sailor moon, the f4 are drinking special berry juice!

For a while, this scheme goes pretty well. apart from Reed not being a blockhead, and actually taking an interest in the situation. The F4 succumb to the drinks effects, each seeing something planted in their imaginations by Doom. Ben and Johnny start fighting, and Sue is a mess after seeing Reed make-out with another guest then tell her off. However, this was 1960's reed, so there's still a 50/50 chance he actually DID do that. Just look at how he explains her feelings after calming everyone down;

"Not a fool Sue...merely a female! you couldn't have reacted any differently!"

Reed Richards kicks ass. But now Dr. Doom is madder then a hornet (Funimation DBZ reference, sorry), and he confronts Reed back at the Baxter Building. He wants to finish this once and for all, and Reed accepts a duel using one of his inventions. The winner will be whoever has the most mental strength, and the loser shall be banished into a timeless limbo. But first, Reed and Doom share a last drink. I think everyone not named Dr. Doom can see where this is headed.

Silly old Dr. Doom, don't you remember that you just used this exact trick? Like, earlier in the day??