Marvel 2-In-One, Vol. 1: Fate of the Four

Marvel 2-In-One (Collected Editions)

by Chip Zdarsky (Writer), Jim Cheung, Valerio Schiti (Illustrator)

A classic title from Marvel's storied history is back at last - and it's going to be fantastic! With their family gone, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm reunite in a bid to find their new place in the Marvel Universe. But something is very wrong with the Human Torch, and only the Thing can help him! Yet what monumental secret has Victor Von Doom been hiding since the end of Secret Wars - and how will it completely change the lives of Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm?! It's the reunion you've all been waiting for - well, half of it, at least - in the new world's greatest comic magazine! COLLECTING: MARVEL 2-IN-ONE 1-6

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

136 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2018

About the author

Chip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A message from Reed Richards leads Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm on a scavenger hunt to find a device that will let them travel across the multiverse. Will they be able to find Reed, Sue, and their kids?

I'm a Fantastic Four fan from way back so I was pretty jazzed to pick this up. It did not disappoint.

Everyone knew Marvel would bring the Fantastic Four back once the pissing match with Fox was settled and this is the beginning of the return. Ben and Johnny are slowly losing their powers when Ben gets a message from Reed. The two go galavanting across dimensions with a scientist named Rachna in tow. Things go pear-shaped when they end up in another universe, this one where Doom usurped the power of Galactus and has devoured most of it.

While the Reed and Sue in the tale aren't "our" Reed and Sue, it was great to see the Fantastic Four together again. The universe they wound up in was a dark one indeed. While we didn't get the reunion in this volume, it's coming soon. This volume was a taste. It was also nice to see The Infamous Iron Man, aka Doctor Doom, teaming with Johnny, Ben, and the Reed and Sue from this timeline.

Fate of the Four was the kind of adventure the Fantastic Four used to have and something that is missing in the current Marvel universe. Chip Zdarsky can fly the Fantasticar whenever he wants.
A Fantastic Four out of five stars.

[Malum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This right here is everything I want in not only a Fantastic Four story, but in a superhero comic book in general. We get:

The Thing's hilarious banter

The new Victor Von Doom acting more like his old self (no more kissing The Thing's ass and apologizing for every bad thing he has ever done. Now he's more like: "DOOM is a hero now, cretins!" and I love it)

A Fantastic Four vs. Doom reunion of sorts, thanks to a little trip through the multiverse

Both hilarious and touching moments

Some interesting (and really neat) takes on some old characters, thanks to the aforementioned multiverse jaunt. I want a Silver Surfer/Emma Frost comic now!

Strong female/minority characters without Marvel shoving it down our throats to prove how diverse they are

This is seriously one of the best books Marvel has put out in a long time. If they keep this up, they might actually be a great comic book company again!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Chip Zdarsky's writing hit or miss, but this was surprisingly solid. He was able to do more than just do his typical joke quipping and craft a decent story. It's a a simple concept too. The Thing and Johnny Storm are floundering without the rest of the Fantastic Four and decide to search the multiverse for them. Jim Cheung and Valerio Schiti make the book look great too. Thanks to Artemy for turning me onto this one.

[Artemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t been kind to Chip Zdarsky’s writing in the past. Personally, I absolutely love the guy, he seems like a genuinely great human being, and his artwork is wonderful and is an integral part of the success of Sex Criminals (one of my favourite comics of all time). But when it comes to writing comics, Zdarsky’s efforts always fell flat for me. Howard the Duck was amusing but lacked substance, Spectacular Spider-Man bored me to tears and Kaptara was just awful on every level. So it comes as a huge surprise that his quasi-reunion of the Fantastic Four turned out to be pretty great.

So, Two-in-One is not really a Fantastic Four book. The story reunites just two of the original team members still present in the proper Marvel universe, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm. Zdarsky writes both characters really well, and their chemistry is excellent. The story takes a few issues to get going, but once it does, it becomes a quintessential Fantastic Four story as Ben and Johnny travel through the multiverse to a different Earth and help their planet defeat a huge cosmic threat (no spoilers, but it's absolutely bonkers in the best way possible!).

Chip's writing is greatly improved here, he finally found a good balance between telling a serious story and doing comedy. Two-in-One is a mostly serious story with a good amount of jokes peppered throughout to liven it up a bit. The pacing could be improved though, and he still sometimes tends to get overly wordy, ironically not letting his artists do the job.

Speaking of the artists, this book looks wonderful! Jim Cheung draws three out of six issues in the collection and, needless to say, they look absolutely stunning. His character design is impeccable, and I can't get enough of Frank Martin's colours over his pencils. Other artists aren't half bad, either, Valerio Schiti and Carlos Pacheco both do wonderful jobs to make this comic look great.

Overall, Chip Zdarsky's Two-in-One was a very pleasant surprise, and most Fantastic Four fans will probably enjoy this. This book has heart, humour and sci-fi thrills just like any good F4 comic should. Even if you're skeptical about Chip's writing like I was, give this one a chance.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good omg!

So we have Ben and Johnny going about their life with the absence of Reed and Johnny and I love the drama of how they come together and then after gaining a multi-sect (too to travel the multiverse) they go on their adventures and first Monster-island and fun battles there with the mole man, enter Iron man Doom and yeah its set in the 2017-18 continuity whe he was that and the three team up to explore the multiverse and the first one they land on is where Doom became Galactus and how they all along with this universe's Reed and Sue came together to save the world. And I love that one, it just shows how without the F4 the world goes bleak and how its better with them in it and seeing the four work together once again was <3!

And there is a subplot with Rachna (the woman travelling with them) and its fun and really well written and the whole thing reads great and we have them go against impossible odds and the subplots being built with her will surely pay off and meanwhile secret villains gather in the background!

So overall a fun volume with top action and great art by Cheung and Schitti through out plus new characters and concepts and the fun of adventuring into new places in big bold letters here and promises to be a one heck of an adventure! <3!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny und Ben fristen ein trauriges Schattendasein, denn Sue und Reed sind tot. Oder etwa doch nicht?
Mit Hilfe eines von Reed Richards zurückgelassenen Geräts, der schwer zu durchschauenden genialen Wissenschaftlerin Rachna und Doc Doom begeben sich Johnny und Ben, deren Superkräfte im Schwinden begriffen sind, auf die Suche nach Mr. Fantastic und seiner Frau, die irgendwo "da draußen" (wie es so schön bei Akte X heißt) vielleicht doch noch am Leben sind. Die Hoffnung stirbt bekanntlich zuletzt.

Chip Zdarsky bereitet mit diesem Run die Rückkehr von Marvels First Family vor. Dazu bedient er sich der aktuell typischen Ingredenzien: Multiversen und die Übertragung eines Bewußtseins in einen anderen Körper; und auch die Erzbösewichte sind nicht mehr verlässlich die Bösen.

Die Story ist solide und die Artwork sehr sympathisch.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one so much it hurts! It almost felt like my beloved Fantastic Four were finally back. The artwork was consistently great too, which was nice.

It basically gave me what I believe the younger generation call 'all the feels'.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty fun! The very high reviews are probably warranted, especially if love fantastic four. As a fan but not as a HUGE fan I did enjoy the playful banter and strong family bond. The art ranged from good to great. I thought introducing a new character who became the smarts for the team was kind of forced in. Also, didn't care about the villain in this one. Still, a 3.5 out of 5.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was pretty...fantastic. (C’mon, is there any other word I could possibly use under the circumstances?)

I started out a little peeved at the fact this is less a 2-in-one and more of a backdoor FF book proper - the other universes, the flashbacks, it’s all Four-ey one way or another.

And I hate to be a bummer but the FF stories get a bit maudlin and soap-opera-y as a rule, so it’s not like this book’s likely to be a carefree romp is it?

Given all that, this feels enough like the Hickman/Fraction runs to keep me planted and reading slavishly. And Zdarsky is doing a pretty fine job of getting the characters right and the dynamics of a group book/buddy pic/road story staying on track.

Not to mention the “will they be able to solve the mystery?” And “how will they rationalise bringing back Reed and Sue from the dead in this they’ll-never-be-more-dead-than-they-are-this-time?”

[Vernon Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book ever I've read by Chip Zdarsky that made me a fan. Highly recommend.

4.5/5

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lendo essa edição do "Quarteto Fantástico Pela Metade", eu entendi porque Chip Zdarsky é um dos escritores mais visados da Marvel atual, já tendo passado por vários personagens de peso da editora e agora encarregado do Demolidor. Ele consegue equilibrar seriedade, emoção, aventura e humor num mesmo trabalho. Todos esses elementos são essenciais, no meu ver, para a composição de uma história em quadrinhos de super-heróis bem feita. A equipe formada por Zdarsky e os desenhistas Cheung e Schitti conseguem trazer esse "senso de maravilhamento" para o leitor no estilo das velhas histórias consagradas da Marvel. os desenhos de Cheung, como sempre, estão maravilhosos, embora a colorização deixe eles tridimensionais demais para seu estilo. Os desenhos de Schitti cumprem o necessário, embora não me atraiam tanto quanto as belezas que Cheung faz. Somos apresentados a novos personagens, como a cientista Rachna Koul, a "doutora das doenças de poderes" e o Doutor Destino como o Infame Homem de Ferro. Isso sem deixar de ter incríveis aventuras em uma realidade alternativa onde o Doutor Destino de lá se tonou o Galactus! Uhuu! Adorei esse gibi!

[Emmanuel Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun precursor to the Fantastic Four returning. Recommended reading of the cosmic kind!

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zdarksy does it again, bringing some of the most heartfelt, humorous writing I have seen from Marvel in awhile.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the cancellation of the Fantastic Four comic, it felt like we saw the last of Marvel's First Family, especially during the 2015 event Secret Wars by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribić when Reed Richards, his wife Sue and two children work to restore the Multiverse one reality at a time. However as we all know, no ones dies in comics and certainly this month came the returning publication of that family, with writer Dan Slott at the helm.

However, the Thing and the Human Torch had their own solo adventures prior to the family reunion with the former being part of the Guardians of the Galaxy while the latter had teamed up with his web-slinging bestie during Chip Zdarsky's Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man. Speaking of Zdarksy, he reunites the Fantastic Two with the revival of an old Marvel title from the 70s, in which the Thing would have a different team-up each issue.

Centred on the bickering brotherly relationship between Ben and Johnny, 2-in-One opens with these two who are estranged from each other as they are trying to cope with the loss of their family. When he gets a surprise visit from the Four's arch-nemesis Doctor Doom, Ben finds a holographic message from beyond the grave as Reed tells him of a device that allows anyone to travel through the Multiverse and compels him to continue the adventuring legacy of the Fantastic Four, along with Johnny.

Considering this is not specifically a replacement for the official Fantastic Four title as its first issue was published this month to mark the return of those characters, this title embodies what is great about the classic idea originated from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Zdarsky retains the pulp sci-fi grandeur of the Four's adventures whilst applying a modern sensibility, in terms of how it loosely ties in with recent Marvel events, most notably Doctor Doom who has taken up the mantle of Iron Man and yet is constantly showing his ego and intellect that could still show a sinisterness that has defined the former ruler of Latveria.

Considering his talent as a comedy writer, Zdarksy can't always retain that as evident in the second volume of Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man. 2-in-One may not be comically driven, despite some funny one-liners along the way, Zdarsky is more interested in the blend of character drama and large sci-fi ideas.

One of the most interesting ideas that adds a new layer to the FF mythos is how the four heroes are connected due to their encounter with the cosmic rays that gained him superpowers and now that the four are no longer in the same universe, both Ben and Johnny are slowly becoming powerless. In terms of character arcs, the situation is even worse as due to the unknown whereabouts of the Richards family, Ben lies to Johnny, who believes that they are alive and thus the twosome are going through a wild goose chase, whilst the scientist Rachna Koul has some other motive to journey with Ben and Johnny through the Multiverse.

From beginning to end, this book is a visually-impressive read, thanks to the artists Jim Cheung and Valerio Schiti. Drawing the initial two issues, which may be lacking in action, Cheung's art is richly-detailed with how expressive the Thing looks and the fire bursting out of the Human Torch, and then later a trip to Monster Island showcases a diverse range of monsters led by the Mole Man. Although Cheung illustrates the final issue, the rest of the volume is drawn by Valerio Schiti, who has great fun in presenting an alternative version of the Marvel Universe, where familiar aspects aren't as familiar such as the rejiggering of the FF mythos.

Despite the pacing being a bit off and it may not be as comical as Chip Zdarsky's previous Marvel outings, 2-in-One is a wonderful return to some of the elements we loved about the Fantastic Four and whilst we await for the actual Four to hopefully its glorious return, we're happy that Zdarsky and co. are keeping us occupied.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent revival of the old Marvel Two In One title, especially the 3 issues illustrated by the great Jim Cheung.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think I would love this as much as I did. I know Zdarsky mainly from more comedic books, like Sex Criminals and Howard the Duck, so I wasn't sure how he'd handle the more proper superhero stuff, but he handles it very well! (This means I should probably check out his Spider-man run).

What drew me to this mainly was getting caught up with The Thing and Johnny before the big FF relaunch later this year. And while this is a bridge of sorts, it's also a good Fantastic Four story.

And Jimmy Cheung on art, although only for 3 issues, man oh man.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really touched me. This is the first book I've read with 'good' Doom in, and I love him!!
This was so emotional from beginning to end. I can't wait until they get Sue and Reed back and launch FF (August).

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben and Johnny's quest to find Reed and Sue and the kids in a nutshell making it a tour of the FF's history of villains, other times, guest stars such as Spider-man and Hercules to name a few.
It reads more like a long version of the old "What If?" series from Marvel.
Pretty decent read from Zdarsky with exciting pencil work from Cheung on 3 of the stories and Schiti on 3 of the stories.

[Des Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really this is very good! Zdarsky comes up with some clever alternate universe weirdness, while maintaining truly emotive character grounding for Johnny and Ben. He has the character voices all right, and I love seeing Fantastic Four books where they actually nail the first family. My middle of the road rating more reflects how lost in the shuffle this title is for me. It has a forgone conclusion, pretty average Marvel style art, and tells a story that while pretty good, is totally inessential. It's just good fun comics, but too constrained in its nature to truly be much more.

[Blindzider · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fantastic Four is ultimately about family and that's where this "Road to the return of the FF" starts out. Despite only two of the members being present, that connection between Johnny and Ben is still there and drives the plot forward. And even though Reed and Sue are not with them, their presence is still felt.

The family drama, jokes, action sequences, and out-of-this-world science are all balanced perfectly by Zdarsky. Sadly the art is a little uneven. While excited to gaze upon the initial artwork by Cheung, it only lasts a couple issues, and doesn't come off quite as clean as nearly any of his earlier Marvel work. The color palette also doesn't create the eye-popping visuals that is usually present in his art.

The story makes you feel homesick for the four and creates excitement for their return.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool little Alternative Universe tale centered on Ben and Johnny, with a healthy helping of Victor von Doom and a super-scientist named Rachna of mysterious motivation as well. I miss the Four, so for now this Dysfunctional Duo will have to suffice!

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Read as single issues]

The Fantastic Four are no more – with Reed, Sue, and the kids out reconstructing the Multiverse after the events of Secret Wars ravaged it, that just leaves Ben and Johnny back on Earth to pick up the pieces. But when a mysterious device falls into Ben’s lap that allows them to navigate the new Multiverse, a little white lie sends them on a new adventure together with scientist Rachna Koul, and the Infamous Iron Man, Victor Von Doom!

Chip Zdarsky really gets these characters. Their voices and dialogue ring perfectly true, especially his Doom, who sits squarely in the chaotic good alignment section and revels in it. The banter between Ben and Johnny is top notch, and new character Rachna is a great foil for the three of them, bringing some mystery and the required level of scientific technobabble that a Fantastic Four comic is usually chock full of.

The story is fairly straight forward to begin with as the Thing and the Torch recruit Rachna and head off on their adventure. It then becomes a jaunt across a few different universes to see if they can find Sue and Reed, despite the fact that Ben knows full well that they won’t. It’s a bit reminiscent of Exiles, just with a F4 bent to it, and ulterior motives from almost all the team members.

On the art side, Jim Cheung pencils three issues (the first two, and the last) while Valerio Schiti takes the middle three. Both are of course impeccable artists, and Cheung draws what I always think of as the definitive Thing. There’s something about his chunky art style that just suits Ben to a tee. Not that Schiti is any slouch either – he’s had to draw countless insane things on Guardians Of The Galaxy, and he employs that talent just as easily here.

Marvel Two-In-One’s big problem is that it feels like it’s playing it safe. There aren’t any stakes to the story that the pair can’t just leave behind when they jump to another dimension, and the lie that Ben tells to get Johnny along for the ride takes a little too long to come out, so the story’s in a bit of holding pattern until then. It’s not bad, and it’s definitely entertaining, but there’s a sense that it’s holding its breath until the F4 return before it can really let loose.

The book does a lot to establish itself as ‘not Fantastic Four’, mostly because it’s apparently continuing when the Fantastic Four do come back, so it’ll work as a companion piece rather than two of the same book. It’s similar, but shakes up the mould just enough to justify its existence. Zdarsky and the art teams turn in favorable performances, but there’s only so much they can do when stymied by the impending return of the two characters that their series is in search of.

[High Plains Library District · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a LONG star debate on this one.

Maybe it should be 4. Because it IS, after all, a Fantastic Four book.

Then I thought 2. Because only two members of the Fantastic Four are present. A 2 out of 2 therefore being a perfect score. Maybe even a 3 out of 2 because Chip Zdarsky picked the right two.

Let's be honest, if we're going to see half the Fantastic Four, The Thing is a given. He's a big, orange rock man. Nobody is saying No to that.

When it comes to the second character, there's some debate to be had.

The big problem with Sue Storm/Richards, aka the Invisible Woman, is that her powers are invisible. If I'm an artist working on a book, on one hand, awesome. I'm going home early today! I barely have to draw anything! On the other hand, I'm going to assume that most comic book artists somewhat enjoy drawing, and if I enjoy drawing, I have a feeling that flames are pretty fun to draw. Human Torch for the win.

With Reed Richars, aka Mr. Fantastic, the fun is if you want to draw big gizmos. This guy is the KING of giant gizmos that do stuff. COSMIC stuff. That's why they're so big. So, it comes down to a debate: Do you want to draw flames or gizmos?

The x factor, of course, is the interaction between the characters. Human Torch and Thing have easily the most fun relationship of all the possible relationships and combinations of the FF.

That's a LONG way to say it's a fun comic written by someone who clearly knows how to make comics fun. Chip Zdarsky knows what he's doing. In comics, at least. There's a video floating around out there about his campaign for mayor. I'm not sure if he knows how to be a good Mayor.

-Pete

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tagline on the front reads: "Captures the fun and adventure of the classic FF comics and pairs it with a strong sense of melancholy and longing." And... yep. I can't really say it any better. This book is about Ben and Johnny grieving the loss of the Richards family. (Of course, I've read books past this, so I know there's a happy ending... spoiler alert.) But this book does examines grief in a way that only an FF book could: By going on a multiversal adventure! And, yeah, I'm a sucker for anything multiverse. I love a good "what if," and that's exactly what comic multiverses are for. I'm eager to read the next volume. Because Ben is telling a pretty big lie... and I want to know how that's going to turn out!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years, several writers have had successful and not-so successful runs on the Fantastic Four. The group is one of the mainstays of the Marvel Universe, yet they've been conspicuously absent for years. Sure, there have been solo gigs for some of the characters, but they haven't been back together. In fact, I'm sure some of us have actually begun to think of Reed and Sue as truly dead.

I hope that's not the case, and the Two-In-One graphic novel fans the flames of optimism that we might see the Four once more together.

The book is really well done in terms of writing and art, and there's a sense of wonder that winds throughout as the characters play off each other and show up in parallel worlds as they search for Reed and Sue and the kids.

We get a cliffhanger at the end of this book, but I'm okay with that. The ride was good and I like the new characters/new goals introduced.

[Simeon Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little side story about Ben and Johnny trying to get the band back together to look for Reed and Sue with some pretty solid art, some nice characterization for Doom and a neat alternate universe story that comes in towards the end. I don't feel a need to read the rest, but I'd glad I picked it up and would recommend it to any FF fans.

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this quite a bit more than I was expecting. Solid fun art and Zdarsky provides a fun, smart multiverse story. The Thing and Johnny go on searching through the multiverse to attempt to find Sue/Richard. Good action and a fun portrayal of supporting and multiverse characters.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's not quite the Fantastic Four it's as close as I thought I could expect to get anytime soon. The characterizations are very true to their original roots. Job well-done by writers and artists all around.

[Brian Poole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvel revives the classic Marvel 2-in-One title as part of its build to a Fantastic Four re-launch with the well done Fate of the Four.

Some time after the apparent deaths of the Richards family, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm are both struggling. Ben chafes at carrying on as the public face of the FF, while the depressed Johnny engages in some dangerous hobbies. When the possibly reformed Doctor Doom delivers a message that Reed Richards left for Ben, Ben deploys what he thinks is a lie (not knowing it’s actually the truth) to get Johnny to embark on an exploration of the multiverse in search of their missing family. They team up with brittle, secretive scientist Rachna Koul, who reveals some key info about Ben and Johnny’s diminishing powers that adds extra urgency to their quest. And Doom tags along, without Ben and Johnny’s knowledge. First stop on their tour is an alternate Earth where the coming of Galactus had a very different ending, requiring Ben, Johnny, Doom and Rachna to pitch in to save a world similar to but not their own.

As the first salvo in the FF’s return after an extended absence, Fate of the Four is a great start. Writer Chip Zdarsky has a strong feel for the qualities that set the Fantastic Four apart from other heroes, both their family bond and their vocation as scientific adventurers and explorers. Ben and Johnny’s fraternal bond is key to this first arc, as Zdarsky shrewdly works the relationship to move the action forward. Ben’s guilt and Johnny’s desperation come across in powerful ways, but Zdarsky also effortlessly essays the lighter aspects of the franchise, deploying plenty of winning humor and finding novel, clever touches that add to the overall fabric of the story (Johnny never needs to brush his teeth? Who knew?). Zdarsky also deftly handles Doom, getting a lot of mileage from the tension between his inherent arrogance and attempts to walk a nobler path, while Rachna is a fascinating addition to the larger FF family. And while the “main” versions of Reed and Sue don’t appear in the flesh, they loom large over the proceedings, whetting fans’ appetites for their actual return.

The art duties for the arc are split between Jim Cheung and Valerio Schiti. While their styles aren’t that similar, the use of two teams doesn’t impair the storytelling. Each artist makes the most of his usual approach, Cheung’s clean, hyper-detailed pages lining up surprisingly neatly with Schiti’s softer-focus compositions. Both artists nail the emotion, big ideas and visual inventiveness that are key to any good FF story and the brilliant color work from Frank Martin provides a crucial bridge between the two art teams, wrapping the story in bright, bold tones that help sell the futurism that’s at the heart of the FF concept.

With anticipation for the Fantastic Four re-launch growing strong, fans should read this essential run-up to the return of Marvel’s First Family.

[Brent Ecenbarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've loved watching the Marvel movies coming out like clockwork for the last decade, a major exception has been the Fantastic Four films. Produced by Fox, not Marvel Studios, the first set of films was campy but fun, but also rather cheap looking. The reboot had a young cast that was unlikable and an unnecessarily dark tone. Neither version did anything right with Doctor Doom. As Marvel and Fox Studios became more greedy in their IP wars, Fantastic Four was cancelled by Marvel with Reed, Sue and the kids no longer in the Marvel Universe, and the Thing and Human Torch stuck in bad fits like Guardians of the Galaxy.

Thankfully, Marvel's first family is back in a new series by Dan Slott and Sara Pichelli, but part of what brought the team back may have been this excellent on-going series by writer Chip Zdarsky and various artists telling a story about Ben and Johnny's quest for their missing family. The premise is that Reed has left a multiverse hopping device behind for Ben to find, and a message to keep adventuring with Johnny. Johnny has been increasingly self destructive since losing the rest of the Richards clan, and Ben ends up telling Johnny that the device is to find Reed and Sue who are still alive (Ben believes they are dead).

The series also features appearances by Doctor Doom in every issue, at this time labeling himself as a superhero but certainly never to be trusted. The universe hopping leads to a story straight out of The Exiles, where the original Fantastic Four failed at stopping Galactus, and Doctor Doom had to take care of business on his own. Even with the outcome of this story already spoiled by Fantastic Four #1, this first collection of issue was a lot of fun. It feels a bit placeholdery, as no major changes are going to take place in a Marvel 2-In-One book with these characters, but I really missed the ones that are in the book and the family feel that the best issues of Fantastic Four always had. (For anybody new to the characters, I'd recommend reading Jonathan Hickman's Fantastic Four and FF runs in their entirety.)