Fantastic Four 1996 #10 Direct Edition - back issue

The front cover features an image of The Thing smoking a cigar.

The Fantastic Four and the Inhumans face Maximus and Subterraneans, who have been transformed by the Terrigen Mists. Maximus retreats from the fight with Crystal and puts her in the 'creation device' (source of the Terrigen Mists), planning to make her his queen. Once Maximus is defeated, Crystal is removed from the device, but the effect the ordeal had on her is uncertain. The Inhumans invite the Fantastic Four to a celebratory feast, Johnny says goodbye to Crystal, and Lockjaw takes the Four home. In Latveria, Dr. Doom gets a control card with information of the future from his future self.

Comic has an extra-gatefold cover with recap and ads.

• Previously in FANTASTIC FOUR - Brief introduction to the major characters and recap of the story so far.
• Marvel Subscription Form - House Advertisement for Marvel Comics Series (subscription page).
• - "Stan's Soapbox" by Stan Lee (with small color illustration of Stan Lee), checklist "Available July 2" (12 titles), plus promo texts for Marvel titles. Announcement of the birth of Richard & Youshka Starkings' second child, Jet Alexander Starkings, on April 12, 1997, weighing 8lbs. 15oz. Announcement of 1997's Eisner Awards nominations. Artists/Projects receiving nominations included: Mark Waid, Ron Garney, & Scott Koblish for Captain America's "Man Without a Country" storyline (best serialized story); Mark Waid (best writer); Ron Garney (best penciler); Untold Tales of Spider-Man (best comics publication for younger audience) by Kurt Busiek & Pat Olliffe; Kurt Busiek for Astro City (best writer); Joe Sinnott for Untold Tales '97 (best inker); John Byrne for Batman and Captain America one-shot (best graphic album); Richard Starkings & Comicraft for Generation X (best lettering); M.M. Carwald for Amalgam (best editor); Tom Brevoort for Untold Tales of Spider-Man and Daily Bugle limited series (best editor). In "Stan's Soapbox," Stan Lee answers questions from fans: Rick Johnson (Salt Lake City, UT), Joe Franco (Hoboken, NJ), and Ben James (Pittsburgh, PA).
• House Advertisements - House Advertisements for Maverick (Marvel, 1997 series) #1 and What If...? (Marvel, 1989 series) #100.
• The Saga of Quicksilver - Preview artwork collage and text promo for upcoming Quicksilver series.
• Ads - Total of 11 one-page and 1 two-page advertisements for: Pebbles (cereal, Post), Wild Arms (game, Sony, 2 pages), M&M Minis (candy, Mars), Major League Baseball Cards (trading cards, NBL), Marvel Vs. Wildstorm (trading cards, Fleer), Combos (snacks, Mars), '97 Street Model (shoes, Vans), Free Free (comics collecting club, UCI), Dave's Comics (back issues, 1/2 page), Sometimes it's hard to be a hero (helpline, Boys Town National Hotline, 1/2 page), Hey Comics Fans (back issues, Mile High Comics), Oreo (snack, Hershey), Cap'n Crunch (cereal, Quaker Oats Company).