Doom has ascended! All hail Doom! Spinning out of the events of the first issue of One World Under Doom, the Fantastic Four are reeling. They tried to stop him with the other heroes and failed. Now what? Well, sometimes life, uh, finds a way. That’s how this issue opens – Sue narrates this chapter as she goes over how life doesn’t stop just because Doom took control of the world. It’s a worrying thought, no? Something that seems very prescient for the times we’re in.
Marvel Comics
Similar to issues #21 and #22 where Reed and Alicia spent time together, this issue throws together Sue and Ben as they take some time away from everything and go to New York City. Titled ‘The Dream Team,’ this new chapter has Sue and Ben meeting up with She-Hulk for a meal. As much as they try to avoid current events, things can’t help but turn that way in their discussion. One harrowing exchange happens with their waitress, a seemingly well-meaning woman who doesn’t understand why Doom can’t be stopped (yay) BUT also likes Doom for “…doing something about those horrid vampires” (yikes).
Therein lies the crux of this story – the vampires that were turned during the Blood Hunt event may be able to share the daylight with other people, but many don’t know what to do or where to go from here. As Sue, Ben, and Jen walk around after their meal, they’re met with an angry mob chasing a family of vampires. These people just want to keep their children safe and fed and while our heroes try to intervene, one extremist clad in Doom’s cape stakes the parents. This leads to Sue and Ben taking the kids back home to Arizona with them, unsure what to do next. Luckily, Reed is up to the challenge and creates an easy-to-make alternative food source for all the vampires across the world. The issue wraps with narration from Sue talking about how they’re making a difference, no matter how small. Doom can no longer use vampires as a boogeyman to rally against. But there are still those willing to accept Doom for the perceived safety he offers….
Marvel Comics
I came into this issue expecting a good time and a fun adventure, much like the previous 28 issues of Ryan North’s run. While this issue was good, I didn’t expect to be punched in the jaw by such a relevant story. Not only that, but North continued to do what he’d done previously with Reed and Alicia: he threw together two characters from the Fantastic Four cast that don’t spend a lot of time together and explored their dynamic. North even picks up the threads from Blood Hunt and addresses the vampire-shaped elephant in the room with the poor people that were bitten during the event. All that plus an appearance from The Sensational She-Hulk? North is feeding us Fantastic Four fans well.
Cory Smith continues on art here from last issue and shines. Although this issue has some quieter moments, Smith takes the time to really let the characters’ expressions and body language do the talking on the page. It makes the sudden violence of the vampire parents’ murder all the more shocking. Oren Junior’s inks and Jesus Aburtov’s colors lift Smith’s line work up as well. Together, this team makes the bright, warm moments on the page glow while the darker moments feel truly in shadow.
This cover for this issue has Invisible Woman, The Thing, and She-Hulk taking on Doom as if they’re going to fight him head-on. And it could’ve been just that. The fact that Ryan North and co. decided to explore a different way to fight back against Doom is what gobsmacked me about this issue. It felt relevant, personal, too real, but hopeful in the end. Issues like this are why I say Ryan North’s Fantastic Four run is something special and what makes the superhero comics medium itself shine.
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