FF #1

Background

The Human Torch is dead and the Fantastic Four are now called the Future Foundation. The Torch left instructions asking for Spidey take his place team.

Story 'Welcome to the Future Foundation'

The issue starts with some rogue A.I.M. scientists, seemingly doing something a bit crazy, but at the same time, not fully explained. We then cut to the Baxter Building and Reed is rewatching the Torch's last will and testament or so to speak. The Torch urges the rest of the Fantastic Four to keep on going in the event of his death and to replace him with Spidey.

Spidey arrives at the Baxter Building and is given a tour by Sue Storm. Sue catches Spidey (and the readers) up the new status quo. Including details on Reed's time travelling father, the moloid kids, the Wizard's clone/kid and more currently living with them. Spidey tries to say hello to the Thing, but the Thing doesn't seem to be in a very good place. Sue then gives Spidey his new suit and shows him how it works

The tour is interrupted by an alarm. Something is going wrong at the P.A.V.L.O.V. facility. We cut back to those wacky A.I.M. guys, they've busted into the facility to bust the Wizard out! The FF arrive, but only in time to see the Wizard and his buddies escape.

Later at the Baxter Building, Spidey sits down with the extended family and has dinner. Things are a little tense, as Johnny's loss is still being felt. Reed suggest terraforming the moon and most agree, but his dad doesn't and there is brief discussion.

After dinner, everyone is heading for bed, when Reed's dad and Valeria ask Reed to follow them and discuss something with them. Basically, they tell Reed, beacuse of Val's superior intellect and what Reed's dad knows of the future, that Doom has to join the team. And that they have already asked him and he is in the building!

General Comments

I have never read the Fantastic Four regularly. I've read some of Wade and Wieringo's run (which featured Doom pretty heavily, particularly memorable for him making a new armour out of his lover's skin..), some of the Ultimate series, Mark Millar's recent run and the start of Hickman's run. From what I have read in the FF and other Marvel books, Dr. Doom is one of the most evil guys around. He has done some truly horrible things and has never really had to pay from his crimes. I know even Magneto is in the X-Men again these days, but Doom joining the FF? Even for some all important (yet not explained) reason, seems pretty wrong to me. I hope this is addressed properly, if this is going to be part of the new status quo, otherwise it just stinks of cheap shock value.

Besides that very big thron in the side, this issue is very good. It establishes the new FF. It paints a picture of an extented family, that includes members from all walks of life. It's a great and powerful premise, with lots of potential. The FF have always been about family, but this is about taking that idea and extending it. The art is excellent and while I find A.I.M. to be one of the sillier organisations in the Marvel universe, I am interested in seeing where the plot is going.

As for Spidey's membership in the FF. He seems to fit in, but not really do much, except guide us through some exposition. He is a good fit for the FF. The probelm is, back a couple of years ago when Spidey mainly appeared in his own titles, he was late for things, missed important events and lost jobs because of his hero life. Now he is in three superhero teams?! While still trying to have his own civillian life? I know Wolverine has been doing it for awhile. And I know it's about marketing and money at the end of the day, but story wise, it's a crazy move. For this to work in reality, Spidey would have to, at the very least, ask for a salary from the FF, quit his day job and pull out of his involvement with at least one of the Avengers teams. I hope that, at the very least, his involvement in the FF is more active than what it is in the Avengers at the moment.

Overall Rating

A promising first issue. And if it wasn't for the "twist" at the end, I would of thrown in another web.