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Fantastic Four # 543
Book Released: 07 Mar 2007
Posted 10 Mar 2007
Writer: Dwayne McDuffie, Stan Lee, Paul Pope
Artist: Mike McKone, Nick Dragotta, Paul Pope
Letters: Rus Wooton
Ink: Andy Lanning, Cam Smith, Mike Allred
Colors: Paul Mount, Laura Allred, J. Villarubia
Publisher: Marvel Publishing Inc.
3.80 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by J. W. DeBolt Jr.
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After their major differences over the Superhuman Registration Act, Sue and Reed Richards — and the entire team — must reconcile. This is a family tale, highlighting the dynamics that make this the “World’s Greatest Comic Magazine.”
Mr. and Mrs. Richards talk privately about their split, their feelings, needs, and goals. Oddly, Reed says “I know I was wrong” trying to protect his family. One wonders if he means his support for and central action in the enforcement of the Registration Act, but this would make no sense from him now, unless he’s speaking husbandese, i.e, “Yes, dear.” He says he recognizes his limitless search for knowledge is an attempt to fill a void that can only be filled by her. They discuss how to go about bringing the team back together after the split.
Johnny and Ben watch the kids and, of course, act like kids, with their misbehavior leading Ben to remind the kids what he’s taught them. They reply, “Do as you say, not as you do.” Hilarious, in context. They watch a televised retrospective of the FF’s career, with guest celebrity interviews with the likes of Black Panther, Sub-Mariner and Doctor Doom. Grimm is the most amusing character in the story, as usual.
There’s a big reveal at the end of the story, which you probably already know by now.
Next up in the issue is a fun satire on the FF written by and co-starring the inimitable Stan Lee. The art looks kind of strange—like someone emulated Kirby and then used a too-heavy brush without the fine results of the master, and then applied a film over the top to give it a blurry or muddy effect.
In the story, the Mole Man attacks the city, but Reed Richards is so upset that no one remembered the group’s 45th anniversary that he doesn’t want to go into action against him. Stan comes in and plays a crucial role in stopping the Mole Man. The Marvel Bullpen also appears in this story that will appeal to any long-time Marvelite.
The issue concludes with a Johnny Storm story with Paul Pope’s pencils providing a different look, but again it feels like a dim screen has been placed over the art. Maybe I need to get a better reading light. The story tries to get in the spirit of the old Torch vs. Spider-Man bouts, but it comes off poorly. Even the closing panel is bad. The story is stale, pro forma and unnecessary.
The letters page comprises letters from former FF writers and artists and, notably, one from Lisa Kirby, daughter of FF co-creator Jack.
If you’re not familiar with the FF, this is a good introductory issue, but it doesn’t do much more than provide a turning point in the team’s career and, as the cover states, an epilogue to Civil War.
—CCdC—
Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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