Ryan North’s Fantastic Four series is celebrating Halloween in Fantastic Four #26 this week. If the cover wasn’t a dead giveaway, the issue features a bleeding skull. While comic book covers don’t always represent the comic, it’s safe to say Joshua Cassara’s cover represents a big part of the issue as Mr. Fantastic and Human Torch deal with bleeding skulls, ghosts, and a lot more!
Fantastic Four #26 opens with Mr. Fantastic wrapping up a magic detector while Johnny noshes on candy. The rest of the family is away trick-or-treating, and the two remaining Fantastic Four are left to their own devices. That’s a bad thing. Soon, the detector is picking up activity in Thing’s Aunt Petunia’s basement, and an adventure begins.
While this issue deals with magic and the supernatural, there’s plenty of science in it. That includes North reminding us Reed believes there’s an explanation for anything and using a law of matter. Probably more fun is some science using Mr. Fantastic’s ability to stretch and create mechanical advantage. There are even some equations slapped on the page where he’s angling to move a boulder with his body.
Note the equations.
Credit: Marvel
This issue feels like it packs a two-part story into one issue. That keeps the pace up, with our dynamic duo attempting not to blow up Aunt Petunia’s house, traveling to a foreign country, and fighting occultists. It continues the trend of North’s run that anything can happen, and every issue is packed with a lot of story.
Ivan Fiorelli draws a good issue with color artist Brian Reber. The character acting is on point, and it is an ongoing reminder that Reed is the weirdest-looking hero when using his powers. At one point, Johnny turns Reed’s hand into a shovel while Reed is distracted. This issue does feel rather stuffy, especially in the first half, due to the characters talking about what they’re going to do or what is happening. They’re standing around – albeit buff with their shirts off, but it lacks a visual zip.
If you’re worried that this book might be too scary, fear not, as North infuses a bit of comedy with the bleeding-skull cover boy. The scariest bit might be what Reed does to his head to avoid an attack. Even when there’s blood splatter, it’s played for a laugh.
Fantastic Four #26 has a good sense of humor, as Reed and Johnny go on a supernatural adventure right in time for Halloween. The art can feel a little stiff with too much talking, but the adventure-packed issue is a fun ride.
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