When the second issue of One World Under Doom ended, Doctor Doom did the one thing Reed could never accomplish for his best friend. He cured Ben Grimm, turning him from The Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing to a normal man. Coming off of that issue, I expected the next issue of Fantastic Four to explore ideas like Ben putting on the Thing exoskeleton so he can still participate in missions. Maybe have Ben enjoy his new lease on life. Things one could expect in a Fantastic Four comic where Ben is depowered. Ryan North seemingly knew this would be expected, so he not only dashed those ideas but also locked them in a dark room.
Marvel
This issue takes us through the days and weeks after Ben was reverted back to his human form. Not only does Ben struggle with this new life he didn’t ask for, but he also ends up getting hurt trying to protect Alicia. Just as Ben hits a new low as he recovers from his injuries, he turns to someone I didn’t expect to see: Puppet Master AKA Phillip Masters AKA Alicia’s adopted father. All I can say is that once Alicia figures out why Ben suddenly seems happy, she’s none too pleased with her father and goes to confront him. The reveal of what Ben did to try and get out of the dark hole he’d found himself in is a truly chilling full-page reveal that I won’t spoil here.
Marvel
To say that Ryan North knocked this issue out of the park would be an understatement. He chose to take what happened to Ben (which he also penned) and delve deeper into what this sudden shift in his life would mean. One touch I loved was the black bar gap between panels – a simple but effective thing one can only do in comics. It allowed the reader to really slow down and sit with what was happening and how it was affecting Ben. And Ben isn’t the only one North pays attention to in this issue – Alicia gets some amazing scenes not only with him but with her father when she confronts him. That scene made my heart swell as it not only showed a strained father-daughter relationship but also the compassion that can grow from one’s own self-reflection on their destructive actions. There’s an interiority in North’s exploration of these characters that makes this run one of the all-time greats.
Marvel
Along with the writing, the art this issue is also some standout work. Cory Smith’s pencils deftly chronicle every emotion the characters are going through while also drawing some cool action pieces at the beginning and end of the issue. Oren Junior’s inks appropriately add a heft and darkness to Smith’s pencils. And Jesus Aburtov’s colors match scenes tonally in a pitch perfect way. This trio’s work with North left me both heartbroken and creeped out (depending on the page of the issue).
How I sat after reading this comic
Fantastic Four #30 is a masterclass in depression, loss, and sudden upheaval. North hasn’t just gotten into these characters’ heads; he’s burrowed deep to find their emotional core and made them feel more human than ever.
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