Fantastic Four (2022-2025) #1

Fantastic Four (2022) (Single Issues)

by Ryan North, Alex Ross (Cover Art), Iban Coello (Artist)

“Whatever Happened To The Fantastic Four?” It’s the start of a new era for the Fantastic Four...and they’re already in a ton of trouble. Something has gone terribly wrong in New York, and the Thing and Alicia are traveling across America to escape it! But when they stop in a small town for the night and wake up the morning before they arrived, they find themselves caught in a time loop that’s been going on since before they were born...That’s been going on since before they were born...That’s been going on since before they were born...

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Adventure, Comic Book, Superheroes

37 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2022

About the author

Hi, I'm Ryan! I was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and since then have written several books. You can read my Wikipedia page for more, or check out my author site at RyanNorth.ca!

I'm the author of the webcomic Dinosaur Comics (that's the comic where the pictures don't change but the words do, it's better than it sounds and I've also done crazy things like turn Shakespeare into a choose-your-own-path adventure, write a comic for Marvel about a girl with all the powers of a squirrel, or mess up walking my dog so badly it made the news.

I'm working on more stuff as we speak, hopefully it's good

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually better than what I anticipated. I wasn’t sure where Ryan North was going to go with the story because I am not a huge fan of what he did with the squirrel girl. But this was very emotional. We are following Alicia and Ben as they go to the small town that appears to be trapped in a time loop. When they learn what is actually causing the time loop it is definitely more emotional than what I anticipated. I love that we are exploring the idea and theme that people shouldn’t live in the past and have regrets. It really is the epitome of the idea that everything that we experience in life shapes and molds us into the people that we become. And sometimes wanting to turn back time and redo things isn’t really what is necessary for us to be able to move forward. There’s definitely a deeper meeting and more complex themes in this than what I anticipated but overall it was just a great fantastic four story. The artwork was great. I am really interested in learning more about the relationship dynamics between Ben and the rest of the fantastic 4. It appears that there are some high tensions and emotions between the four of them and I think that it will be explored further in the second issue. I would definitely recommend this for anyone that is a fan of the fantastic four.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you really want to make yourself cry, just play "Married Life" from Up over the montage at the end

[Burton Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe a little weird for a first issue of a run but honestly, everything you could want from an FF story. And that last page reveal is a great tease of what's to come (even though it is kinda the same thing Hulk and Spidey did recently)

[Katherine (Kat) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars - "The Last Town On The Left"

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

No monsters, no end of the world problem, just a man and his wife staying in a small town. We get a picture of a bigger mystery but no clues as to what actually happened. I do think it would have been better if their kids had been there but it was a good story and made me nostalgic for the Bryne run.

[Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The FF are back …..ok maybe one member and a in law. It’s a fun read. If you enjoy Alex Ross covers. Then you’ll enjoy the return of Marvels first family.

[Rick Cook, Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

• TITLE: “Ben Grimm is Back in a Fun, Quick Read”
• As my first graphic novel bought in digital form (Kindle edition), I liked it. The format worked very well on my iPad with built-in zoom features when turning frame-by-frame (versus the larger and most distracting page-by-page focus).
• The plot was straightforward and jumped along quickly, sometimes too quickly. For instance, one character was shown but never introduced, but in a subsequent panel, suddenly The Thing or his wife Alicia Masters knows that person's name. I realize you’ve only got so much real estate in a graphic novel, so corners sometimes must be cut, and that’s okay.
• Iban Coello’s artwork is bright, clear, and frame-filling with a new, edgier look for Ben Grimm. We still get the same old, grumpy yet loveable Grimm (a perfect name for him, I’ve always thought) and his famous catch-line, “It’s CLOBBERING Time!” I’m glad to see Ben Grimm is back.
• This graphic novel’s theme is about relationships. Initially, I was a little disappointed there wasn’t more rock-em-sock-em action, but in the end, I think it played out very nicely and taught us something about moving on from what at the time felt life-ending. Also, by focusing on one problem in a small town, writer Ryan North demonstrates how you can have a meaningful story without it having to be about an apocalyptic, world-ending event. And he even snuck in a little dig at Johnny Storm--heh heh.
• For $2, the Kindle version was a fun, quick read (37 pages). I’ve already purchased Issue #2 to see where this new take on the Fantastic Four goes.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supongo que no ha sido tan buena idea como creía picar con este 1º número de una nueva etapa de los 4F cuando apenas he empezado la de Dan Slott... Me entero de la peor de las formas una situación bastante peliaguda de la Primera Familia... Lo bueno es que estas páginas se desarrollan totalmente con Ben y Alicia (recordemos: YA CASADOS) llegando a un pueblo misterioso... A partir de aquí se podrían desarrollar un sinfín de tipo de narraciones sci-fi/fantásticas como ya hemos leído a cientos con estos personajes. El juego de Ryan North va por aprovechar la pura candidez de la pareja de esta "Bella y Bestia" y el mostrar un lado más enternecedor (y por qué no decirlo: ñoño) de lo que sería una historia "Twilight Zone" típica. Sí que no es la historia que esperarías de un 1º número de etapa de una cabecera y personajes tan claves para Marvel (más con ese reclamo de la portada Alex Rossera de rigor), pero es una propuesta diferente y valiente para un autor que tiene entre manos uno de los cómics que más atención tendrá la Marvel de estos años (más aún acercándose por fin la producción de la próxima película de los 4F en el UCM).

[Colin Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read much FF but I was intrigued by this new run and decided to give it a try. I’m interested in family stories in comics, and the FF is THE comics family (though Animal Man and the Bakers will always have a special place for me…). So I’m diving in!

As a first issue for a new run, North drops in the reader in media res. We get some hints about a rift in the family, a picture tucked away in Ben’s car and an obliquely mentioned reason to get out of town for a trip. The bulk of the issue, though, is a standalone sci-fi-inflected tale that introduces us to Ben and Alicia.

The problem - a town stuck in a time loop - feels familiar but North uses it nicely to deliver an earnest message about facing regrets, learning from them rather than dwelling endlessly on them.

I love the tone that North has set up for this FF run, even if the overarching story hasn’t been very well established yet.

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard great things about the North and Coello run on the new Fantastic Four series. However, I was not able to get on the ground floor because I missed out on the first issue. That was mistake, I should have gotten any book regardless of the issue order. The fine Alex Ross covers are a good reason itself.

I did find one at cover price and it is pretty good. The first issue had a complete story to itself, and I have heard confirmation that this was true of any issue in the series by North and Coello. That is why I should have just gone and get any of the new Fantastic Four comic.

I could have given this a higher score, but this only had Ben and Alicia, it is not the complete team. That is the overarching story for its first arc, and it is a promising one. I'm going to go and get as much of the back issues that I can find.

[John-E-Raps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written and even got me a little choked up toward the end. No, I did not cry! But like all Fan Four comics should, this one has a lot of heart. I wasn’t expecting to like it so much, only because new creative teams make me nervous. Especially with the Fantastic Four. That said, Ryan North is off to a great start. The set-up for the series is mysterious and something similar to the current run of Amazing Spider-Man, where Peter has done something to seriously piss off a lot of people, to the point where Mary Jane has severed her relationship with him. But we lack context entirely to what that thing was, as if there was a gap in our reading. Now, we don’t know what it is, but it sounds like Reed Richards has gone and done something quite the same…

[Josh Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for the first 17 issues of this run. This series won't be for everyone, but for me this is peak FF. Each issue is a (mostly) self contained sci-fi mystery that Marvel's first family has to deal with. Each character has time to shine, and this feels fun in the way that Star Trek does. My only complaint is that occasionally the Thing's head is drawn as a ball sitting in his shoulders. It's a weird look, but it's only on like 2 issues. I look forward to more of this series.

[Heath Fodor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Ryan North!!

Ryan North takes over the Fantastic Four with a brilliant, beautiful first issue! I am impressed with the art and the ambitious panel layout. North pushes the medium with extra half panels on the top and the bottom. God I really think this book is in good hands. His Alicia is probably the best I have read

[Adam Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confusing but enjoyable

After finishing Slott's overall average run last week I picked up this is and wondered if I missed something!

The story of this issue with Ben and Alicia was good and heartwarming but it was a bit jarring as the start of a new run.

I know things will clear up as the story moves so right now I am happy with it.

[John Threebreadt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always had my reservations with comics, especially superhero comics. But you never change your mind if you never give it a chance to change.
This one is about the Thing and his partner lost in a time loop. The Clobberin Time does not help much here. So, what to do?
I love the peaceful solution and cute relationship interactions.

[Thaddeus Tuffentsamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another reboot of the series. Back to “issue number 1” to get a boost in sales. The comic itself was fun. Thing and Alicia in a town stuck in time and must help them break free. We’ll see where the series goes in this rebooted, new direction.

[Vijay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit sad Reed, Johnny, and Sue weren't physically in this issue but after the mid 2010s F4 drought I'm unfortunately used to it. And it's nice knowing they'll return soon.

I'm curious about the political climate of Cedsr that allowed an interacial marriage to occur in the 1950's but the heartfeltness of this story makes me forget about that a lil less.

[Cooper Hillier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything Fantastic Four and I thought this was very good. Loves the artwork and dialogue. The characters are really good and I didn’t expect the story to be sad towards the end. Exited to see where it all goes

[Femme Power Comix · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[David Cassady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the message of the book and genuinely thought it was a cute story

[Darryl Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan North knows the score

A great first issue of the new FF. The essay at the end shows the goal that Ryan wants for the series, and the first issue delivers it in spades.

[***Dave Hill]

A great srart

A quirky but excellent start to the new run. North demonstrates he knows these characters from the get-go. Looking forward to more!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish we wouldve seen a bit more of the other members but still liked seeing the thing work without the others. The twist at the end was cool.

[Norrin Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome. Great storytelling all around. It works as a solid one shot too, and the last reveal has me excited for the next issue!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Lorenzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stelle solo per questo quadro di Ross.

[Charlie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah it’s great can’t wait to see where Ryan smith takes the fantastic four

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good attention grabber to tread lightly before a complete dive in.

[BMountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. After almost a decade away from comics, this issue and the second issue reminded me why I was once a massive fan. Please read it.

[Mrs Mandy Reads Holverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thing saves the town.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: N/A
Writing: ✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️
Details: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Characters:🧡🧡🧡🧡