Vampires are attacking from all directions, but even with all hope seemingly gone, the Fantastic Four will think their way out of the problem. That’s the case in Fantastic Four #22, the second part of a two-part story tying into Marvel’s summer event Blood Hunt. In this last part, Reed Richards is on his own and exhausted, protecting a stadium of people, while the rest of the First Family need to escape a vampire attack before they exhaust themselves.
Once again, writer Ryan North finds interesting nuance in character relationships in Fantastic Four #22. These characters find solutions through the family aspect while also using their problem-solving skills. We see it with Reed and Alicia and in the B-plot, Human Torch and Invisible Woman. This series is always great at finding solutions in ways you don’t expect, which keeps you guessing and entertained.
The issue opens with Reed trying to rest while the vampires are ready to take out power in a stadium he and the survivors are holding out in. He’s stretched himself to his limit, but he must stretch beyond that and then some when they break in under the cover of night. North and artist Ivan Fiorelli make you believe this is as far as Reed has pushed himself, to the point where he’s tearing and bleeding.
Just when Reed thinks there is no hope because of how to solve a supernatural problem that defies science, Alicia comes in to lend him some advice. It’s another nice example of how Alicia may not have powers but is wise.
Meanwhile, Human Torch and Invisible Woman think their way out of getting away from their home to Arizona and getting folks help around them. This series continues to show the characters using their powers together creatively, which they do in a neat cart system they utilize.
As far as art, this series clearly has a mandate to make Reed look as weird as possible. Fiorelli does some things with Reed’s body when stretching. That’s almost mind-boggling. At one point, he squeezes his arm through a keyhole, pushes his entire body through, and then opens the door from the other side. It’s freaky stuff. Seeing him as a giant tube is almost gross, and he looks like a snake.
The conclusion will certainly get folks talking, too. Beware, as it does spoil the ending of Blood Hunt #5, but given what is revealed, it suits being spoiled in this title. Another minor gripe is a tense moment when Johnny’s light doesn’t protect the family. It seems like an additional page of danger since his powers have resolved their plot.
This issue also has a backup, continuing North and Javier Garron’s “Weapon X-Traction” story. Part 3 of 8, this chapter leans into a new universe where zombies are prevalent. North continues to write Deadpool’s voice to perfection along with his captions, and Garron dazzles with zombie-chomping action and a multiverse-shattering page worth checking out.
Fantastic Four is the thinking man’s superhero comic. Read it for the family aspects, but stay for the clever problem-solving and adventure.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login