Marvel Comics 2017
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Pencilled by Jim Cheung
Inked by John Dell & Walden Wong & Jim Cheung
Coloured by Frank Martin
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Doctor Doom alerted Ben Grimm, A.K.A. the Thing, to a message Reed Richards left behind in the event of his death. It contained directions to the Multiplane, a device that would allow the remaining members of the Fantastic Four to explore the wonders of the Multiverse together. But when Ben tracked down Johnny Storm, he found a Human Torch ravaged by grief and losing his powers. Unable to hurt Johnny further, Ben lied about the contents of the message and said that Reed and Sue might still be alive…..
I may not have been the biggest fan of the Fantastic Four over the years and if this series isn’t planning on bringing Reed and Sue then have Doom, who now goes by Infamous Iron Man, join and bring back She-Hulk or bring Lyja back—I don’t think we could use either Medusa or Crystal again. Either way bring back or create a new Four right after all in comics no one dies forever. Moving on to the issue at hand I have to say what Chip is doing with the story is remarkably good. While this is a side of Johnny we haven’t been seeing in his appearances in Spectacular Spidey I’m not entirely sure I approve or disapprove of his behaviour.
The fact that Chip is able to get me to like and care about these two is pretty spectacular in it’s own right. While I love the idea that the Two-In-One book is back it is very much an extension of the Fantastic Four so I’m guessing we won’t see many of Marvel’s myriad of characters guest starring, unless they can play an important role in the journey the boys are currently on. So this gives Chip a chance to really dig in and bring some extreme characterisation to the proceedings. Plus the fact that Doom is featured heavily in all this really is perfect after all for all their bickering and combativeness he’s as much part of the family as any of them.
Jim lays down his signature gorgeous linework for the team to finish off. The attention to detail here is so sublime and makes us feel like we’re having this cinematic experience well it keeps us riveted to the page. The way page layouts are used so we see the angles and perspective in the panels showcases his masterful eye for storytelling. The colours here are just amazing as we see them go from subtle to POP, from seeing the island at a distance to Johnny’s flame wow these are a few of my favourite things. Just the imagination and creativity we see is perfectly represented in the denizens of Monster Island. Then the Flashback is so completely different in style and personality it blows me away.
So when the boys inadvertently run into the Mole Man and the other occupants trying to figure out who’s going to rule well that’s fun begins. Leave it up to the Infamous Iron Man to come in and save the day and inadvertently become the ruler of Monster Island. Also I’m sorry but the fact that Ben is so jaded when it comes to Doom that he cannot see what the man is doing and while it may seem self-serving it isn’t at all. I see it as him wanting the man back who is able to push him to becoming the greatest version of himself he can be.
There is an ebb & flow to the book that is undeniably fantastic. The story, it’s development, the characterisation all of it wrapped up in this stunning artwork is what’s making this one of those must have Marvel books.