main imageBOB & CAROL LANDERS

Real Name: Bob Landers, Carol Landers

Identity/Class: Normal humans

Occupation: Farmers

Group Membership: None

AffiliationsAquarian (Wundarr), Dr. Crawford, the Fantastic Four (Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Invisible Girl (Sue Richards), Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), Thing (Ben Grimm)), Willie Lumpkin, Jeanine O’Connell, Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Franklin Richards

Enemies: Dragon Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner

Known Relatives: Each other (they were married to one another)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Their farm in rural Pennsylvania, USA

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#134 (May, 1973)

Powers/Abilities: Bob and Carol Landers had no superhuman powers but were skilled farmers and were familiar with the use of various farm equipment. Carol was a skilled horse rider and Bob was very brave.

History

(Fantastic Four I#134) – During a time in which Sue Richards had left her husband Reed, she visited the Pennsylvania farm of her childhood friend Carol, and her husband Bob. While Carol and Sue enjoyed horseback riding, Bob Landers watched Sue’s son Franklin. When Bob commented about how Franklin had been sitting and staring at an anthill, watching the ants go in a circle as if being directed to do so, Sue asked Bob if she thought anything was wrong with Franklin. As Bob was commenting that Franklin just seem to enjoy nature, the android Dragon Man erupted from the ground and attempted to capture Franklin. Dragon Man soon managed to grab up Sue and Franklin despite them being encased in one of Sue’s invisible force fields and as the android began to fly away, Bob leapt onto Dragon Man, grabbing the android’s leg and yelling for Carol to phone Reed Richards. Dragon Man easily swatted Bob to the ground and continued to fly off with Sue and Franklin. Shortly thereafter, Carol phoned Reed, who marched off to save Sue, leaving the rest of the Fantastic Four behind with no explanation as to where he was going.

(Fantastic Four I#139 – BTS) – Following Sue and Franklin’s rescue at the hands of the Fantastic Four, Sue and Franklin returned to Bob and Carol’s Pennsylvania farm.

(Fantastic Four I#139) – While at the Landers farm, Sue was shocked to see Franklin scream and yell as if mad. Terrified, Sue called for Carol, who came running, thinking that perhaps one of the Landers’ horses had hurt Franklin. Carol quickly asked Sue if she could send Bob after Doctor Crawford but Sue opted against it when Franklin soon calmed down and fell asleep.

(Fantastic Four I#140) – The following day, Sue prepared to return home with Franklin after the fit he had suffered the day prior. When Sue attempted to contact the other Fantastic Four members via her car’s video screen, she found that it did not work and began having doubts about whether Reed had cut off communication with her. Carol reminded Sue that despite their recent differences, she knew that Reed still loved Sue and that Sue loved Reed. Bob commented that perhaps it was time for Sue to return home and Sue mentioned that she did not have much of a choice after Franklin’s fit. Carol then asked Sue if Franklin’s fit was the only reason she was returning home, to which Sue replied she did not know.

(Fantastic Four I#142) – After Reed used a device on Franklin to quell his budding mutant powers, Sue and Franklin left Reed once again, returning to Bob and Carol’s farm. Surprised to see Sue back already, Carol asked what had happened and a teary-eyed Sue explained the whole situation while Bob and Carol comforted her.

(Fantastic Four I#143) – As Sue remained by the comatose Franklin’s bedside, Carol came in and explained that while Sue was recovering from a recent shock, she could not stay in Pennsylvania forever. Sue explained that she realized that but after what Reed had done to Franklin, she did not feel there was anyone she could trust.

(Fantastic Four I#147 (fb)) – Bob and Carol disagreed with Sue’s decision to send divorce papers to Reed, prompting Sue to lock herself in her room at the Landers farm. Shortly thereafter hearing arguing voices coming from Sue’s room, the Landers busted their way into the room in time to see Namor the Sub-Mariner holding an unconscious Sue. Before they could react, Namor flew out of the window with Sue.

(Fantastic Four I#147) – Human Torch and the Thing burst into Bob and Carol’s country home, demanding to know where Sue was. Bob revealed to the two heroes that Sue was not there, having been kidnapped by Namor. Carol informed Thing and the Human Torch of the recent events involving Namor. Human Torch quickly asked about Franklin and Bob explained that Franklin had simply vanished. Carol then burst into tears, blaming herself for not being with Sue and stopping Namor. Bob comforted Carol, telling her that the Human Torch and Thing would find her. The Human Torch and the Thing then left to find Sue.

(Marvel Two-in-One I#74) – Bob and Carol Landers were invited to the Fantastic Four’s Christmas party at the Baxter Building, where they mingled with many of the guests there.

Comments: Created by Gerry Conway, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott.

Bob and Carol were not identified at the Christmas party in Marvel Two-in-One I#74 but one party-goer seemed to definitely be Carol Landers and there is a man at the party that could be Bob, although he appeared to be sharing a drink with a black-haired woman who was not Carol. Perhaps he was just mingling?

Bob and Carol’s hair started out with Bob having short light brown hair and Carol having short dark brown hair but by their later appearances, Bob’s hair had become dark brown and Carol had long, light brown hair.

Profile by Proto-Man.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Bob and Carol Landers have no known connections to


images: (without ads)
Fantastic Four I#134, p8, pan5 (Bob & Carol Landers, main image)
Fantastic Four I#147, p10, pan5 (Bob & Carol Landers, headshots)


Appearances:
Fantastic Four I#134 (May, 1973) – Gerry Conway (writer), John Buscema, Joe Sinnott (art), Roy Thomas (editor)
Fantastic Four I#139 (October, 1973) – Gerry Conway (writer), John Buscema, Joe Sinnott (art), Roy Thomas (editor)
Fantastic Four I#140 (November, 1973) – Gerry Conway (writer), John Buscema (pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Fantastic Four I#142 (January, 1974) – Gerry Conway (writer), Rich Buckler (pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Fantastic Four I#143 (February, 1974) – Gerry Conway (writer), Rich Buckler (pencils), Frank Giacoia (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Fantastic Four I#147 (June, 1974) – Gerry Conway (writer), Rich Buckler (pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Marvel Two-in-One I#74 (April, 1981) – Mark Gruenwald (writer), Frank Springer (pencils), Chic Stone (inks), Jim Salicrup (editor)


Last updated: 11/20/13

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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