The Fantastic Four is coming to an end this week with Fantastic Four #33. It may be returning in just a few weeks with a new #1, but it still feels like an end to Ryan North’s first incredible run on the series. This final story arc of the run has focused on the team’s attempt to regain The Thing’s powers. With his powers removed by Doctor Doom, the Fantastic Four will soon be without powers and thus cannot help defeat Doom and his reign over Earth. With their options depleted, it’s time for the first family’s most excellent teammate to act, and that teammate is H.E.R.B.I.E.!
Fantastic Four #33 opens with Valeria filling in the team on a revelation she had due to her adventure in the last issue. To restore Ben’s powers, they must travel back to the moment of the Big Bang. Seems dangerous and a threat to all life as we know it, but since they can only be there for nanoseconds without dying, it’s gotta be harmless enough, right?
That’s just one of several problems discussed in this issue, which is heavy in dialogue but also packed with science. That isn’t to say the issue is boring, though a little more action could kick things into another gear. No, the dialogue is rich with intrigue because North is so adept at incorporating real science into the problems. The team goes about designing a ship, planning for ways to speed up H.E.R.B.I.E.’s thinking, and using their powers while trying this Hail Mary. The risk involved reminded me of the Titan submarine implosion, but the pressures and dangers are far higher given where the team is going.
Keeping the team hydrated is very important!
Credit: Marvel
The secret sauce of this issue is H.E.R.B.I.E., who narrates throughout the issue. He truly loves this team and will do anything to help them, because helping them means helping the world. There’s a beautiful sentiment in the end, given more purpose thanks to a post-mission realization. North gets to narrate H.E.R.B.I.E. while events take place in nanoseconds, making for an intense scene.
Adding to all the science is a clever ending, which suggests there isn’t a more important hero group around. I won’t spoil it, but it is so big that one has to wonder if North can top it when the series restarts.
Art is by Cory Smith, who continues to show strong story structure in the way he places the angles. As I said before, there’s a lot of talking, but you’re drawn through the pages thanks to layouts and facial expressions. The scene with H.E.R.B.I.E. watching all the chaos around him is well done, capturing the energy and destruction well.
Fantastic Four #33 closes out Ryan North’s run with brains, heart, and a surprising hero in H.E.R.B.I.E. which is fitting since each character got a time to shine. It delivers a finale that emphasizes family, sacrifice, and big cosmic ideas, even if it’s more talk than tussle.
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