When she was first introduced, the giving Sue Storm additional abilities – like the power to turn other objects or people invisible or generate forcefields. These powers only grew in strength over the years, making Sue a formidable fighter.
In one alternate world, however, readers learn just how over-powered Sue’s abilities made her. What If --? #11 showcased four different worlds where the Fantastic Four all received identical powers. The stories had the quartet all receiving the Human Torch’s ability to flame on, Mr. Fantastic’s ability to stretch, and the Thing’s monstrous form. When it came time for the team to gain Sue’s abilities, however, the creators tried something different… showing why Sue's powers are too strong for one person. Rather, any other person.
Right from the start, readers knew this story would be different as it was titled, “What If… The Fantastic Four SHARED The Powers of the Invisible Woman?” In this alternate Marvel world, S.H.I.E.L.D. found the four of Reed Richards’ team after their journey through the cosmic ray belt and discovered each person had a single invisibility-related power. While Sue could still turn invisible, Reed could now turn other objects and people invisible. Meanwhile, Ben Grimm could generate forcefields, and Johnny Storm had the ability to turn intangible and phase through solid objects. (While intangibility was never one of Sue’s gifts, the writer had to come up with a new ability to give to their fourth member.)
Rather than function as their own independent team, the four become S.H.I.E.L.D. agents – running different divisions of the organization in their “day jobs” while also taking on covert assignments for Nick Fury. One of their early missions involves taking down Doctor Doom when he captures the UN building and demands that Reed Richards surrender himself to him. Reed turns the rest of his group invisible, letting them follow him to Doom’s castle. There, Johnny and Ben engage Doom in combat while Sue seeks out Reed. Reed then turns Doom’s weapons invisible, allowing Ben to knock him out with a forcefield.
While it’s an effective takedown, it should be noted that the mainstream universe’s Sue Storm could have accomplished the same maneuvers with all of her powers. The writer clearly saw the effectiveness of Sue’s abilities and had to divide them among her teammates just to heighten the story’s drama. Ironically, it also reveals that Sue truly is the Fantastic Four’s most powerful member – to the point where her multiple abilities can empower the entire team!
