Fantastic Four #1 Is a Great Silver-Age, Sci-fi Epic (Review)

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The iconic Fantastic Four are making their comeback to the silver screen, and in honor of this moment, the comic book division is rebooting the ongoing “Fantastic Four” series. Some fans might criticize this move as redundant, considering that writer Ryan North remains part of the team. The fresh start, however, continues the storylines from the previous edition, right smack in the middle of the “One World Under Doom” event. This new issue begins with the action already underway, as the team clashes with Doctor Doom amidst the city chaos. Although there’s some background information to help understand the battle, readers new to this series might find themselves a bit confused by the context in Ryan North’s “Fantastic Four #1”.

Regardless, North consistently excels in his work on the Fantastic Four series. For quite some time now, North’s Fantastic Four Marvel comics have been among their top ongoing titles. With this relaunch, nothing about that changes. He manages to capture each character’s unique voice and infuses the story with a significant amount of tension. The main challenge for readers might be whether they can accept the art style or not.

Ryan North’s and Humberto Ramos’s Fantastic Four Is a Triumph

Doctor Doom continues to wield supreme sorcery and govern Earth with a rigid grip. In the midst of a grand celebration, the Fantastic Four clash with Doom, who imprisons them in various timeframes. North’s portrayal skillfully demonstrates the strengths and vulnerabilities of each character. The depiction of the Human Torch by North was particularly noteworthy, revealing the hero’s hidden intelligence and knack for swift problem-solving. Each member gets their chance to shine in North’s capable hands, effectively capturing the essence of every character’s defining traits and personality. Furthermore, the writer masterfully controls the comic’s pace, introducing challenges each member must overcome while clearly illustrating the high stakes each hero must tackle.

Despite the Four’s dire predicament, North’s comic remains largely free of cynicism and excessive gloominess. Instead, it offers a delightful read reminiscent of the Silver Age era when the Fantastic Four were at their prime. The story finds our heroes stranded across time but provides plenty of enjoyable moments, such as the Thing battling dinosaurs and Mr. Fantastic transforming his body into various objects like a boat to sail the world.

North also introduces the Forever Stone, an intriguing sci-fi concept that seems plucked straight from Mr. Fantastic’s mind. This magical rock allows the Four to send messages through time and offers a glimmer of hope for their predicament. However, using it requires at least one member with the ability to travel in time to save the others.

The Forever Stone serves as an exciting plot device, hinting at the possibility of rescue while also introducing new challenges. The ending follows classic serialized fashion, leaving us on a cliffhanger where things somehow get even worse for our heroes, keeping their fate uncertain.

We’re confident that the Fantastic Four will be fine, unlike during the 2010s when Marvel struggled with film rights and weakened their standing in the comics. Marvel values its First Family too much to abandon them. The current storyline feels hopelessly challenging, making you eager for the next issue. However, some readers might find artist Humberto Ramos’s style divisive due to his unique body proportions, which may seem odd or off-putting. Interestingly, his art seems to fit well with characters like The Thing and Mr. Fantastic. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Ramos’s work, finding it more unappealing than appealing, despite the obvious skill in Fantastic Four #1.

Indeed, the artwork in this comic book significantly contributes to the narrative Marvel’s North is crafting, highlighting the playful aspect of the storyline. In essence, I find myself utterly captivated by the engaging and thrilling tale unfolding in Fantastic Four #1. With Marvel Studios’ eagerly anticipated Fantastic Four set to premiere at the end of July, it seems the original Marvel superheroes are about to steal the show yet again.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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2025-07-09 19:12