Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Cory Smith
Color Artist: Jesus Aburtov
Cover Artist: Joshua Cassara
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
Dr. Doom is Sorcerer Supreme and he legally rules the world. Of course, the Fantastic Four were going to do something and attacked him, but Doom did more than turn the tables on them, he changed Ben back into his human form. And while Ben tried to adjust to his new state of being, the Fantastic Four start feeling the consequences of the Thing’s transformation. Read Fantastic Four #31 to see what changes the rest of the team face and how they plan to solve this new problem.
Review:
Okay, with two issues into the new paradigm shift of the One World Under Doom event, the Fantastic Four have been carrying on with their lives regardless of the big change. Granted, Ben was changed from his rock form into his full human form by Dr. Doom, but he’s adjusting.
Now, the reason I didn’t review the previous two issues is because they weren’t essential reading. The first tie-in issue was a whole lot of fluff with weak social commentary, and the previous issue was good in the first half, but then it veered off into forced emotional turmoil that isn’t in line with Ben’s character, at least in this reviewer’s opinion. The only good result from that issue was the continuation of the Puppeteer’s redemption arc that was set up years ago then discarded by Dan Slott’s FF run, and Ryan North picked it back up with the steady reconciliation between Alicia and Puppeteer. Now that we’re approaching the halfway point of the One World Under Doom event, and the Fantastic Four is approaching another (unnecessary) relaunch, the issues should be picking up steam.
So, the issue is primarily about the Fantastic Four trying to help Ben get his powers back. It’s all narrated by Valeria, Reed and Sue’s daughter, and Dr. Doom’s goddaughter. She has this calculated, empirical yet empathetic voice to her that allows her to show her concern and love for her family but also keep it real when it comes to the odds of success and potential failure given what they’re doing. And what are the FF doing? Traveling to other universes that share their history and the incident that gave the team their powers to help give Ben his powers by exposing him to the special cosmic rays that ended up transforming him.
Don’t let the comic cover fool you, we don’t get any fights or confrontations between the main FF and their other variants. Instead, it’s more of a constant trial and error process where we see other different takes on the Fantastic Four in each different universe that the main FF visit while trying to help Ben. But once they get to the last universe on their trip, things go right at first and then something immediately goes wrong for the team. I can’t precisely say what it is since this part still confuses me, but it’s safe to say that the family is far from out of the woods yet.
I’ll just come out and say it, the comic isn’t great but it’s not terrible. It’s fine for what it is, I think it just needed a little more excitement or something to get things going. It had action in the beginning, but it was pretty skippable and the only takeaway was that the FF’s powers were weakening because Ben’s powers were gone since they’re all linked to each other. So getting Ben his powers back is a mandatory objective. One thing you won’t see me faulting is the art, Cory Smith’s art is excellent here all around from the character designs to the facial expressions, the brief action we get, and the few double page spreads here too. And Jesus Aburtov’s Art also helps elevate it all. While I may not be the most excited for this story, I’m still looking forward to the next part, which could turn things around and up the ante.
Final Thoughts:
Fantastic Four #31 starts a new adventure for the team as they try to help Ben get his powers back. And of course it’s through an odd yet interesting method that leads to a bizarre adventure for them. While the premise of the issue is compelling, it’s not exactly the most excitable comic. The narration from Valeria provides a new perspective on the story and the Fantastic Four’s current journey. But what steals the show is the art from Cory Smith who does an excellent job with depicting Marvel’s first family and Jesus Aburtov’s colors make it even more visually appealing. While the comic may not excite some readers, the ending shows that things might get more intense next issue as the story’s far from over.