Matt Fraction and Mark Bagley show us why Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben are Marvel’s First Family of fun and faith in Fantastic Four #1. The creative team is sending the family (with kids in tow) across time and space on the ultimate vacation. This road trip through unexplored universes masks a darker purpose that will grip the heart of every FF fan.
Something is very wrong with Reed Richards. Like a good father he accepts the burden on his own and puts on a brave face for his family. Fraction does a great job setting up each member of the team. There are perfect scenes showing us the essence of each character and setting up Reed’s decision to take the family away and search for a new “Four” to stand in for them on Earth.
Like every family there are flaws. Franklin has a terrifying nightmare (or vision of the road trip’s wrong turn) and what happens next really made me feel for the kid. Mark Bagley creates a moment when Susan is pleading for Reed to share what’s really behind this trip. The endearing and tender scenes are as gripping as the moment in the far future “where everything went wrong” and leads to Reed’s disheartening diagnosis.
The story will continue in FF#1 in which Fraction reveals the new FOUR and maybe Johnny’s girl and her transformation into Miss Thing. This is great time to rejoin or start following the Fantastic Four as they embark on a fun journey and face a looming crisis that threatens their future. Welcome to the family.
By Editor