In 700 issues, the Fantastic Four have faced one antagonist more than any other. This extra-sized anniversary issue shows why Doctor Doom is among the greatest foes in comics history, but also his greatest weakness.
Ryan North, Iban Coello, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna kneel as Doom arrives in this volume for the first time in time for Fantastic Four’s 700th issue.
The Four need to lie low while the FBI is still in pursuit after last issue. That means Aunt Petunia Grimm’s farmhouse is the perfect place. However, the farmhouse appears to be haunted… by none other than DOOM.
North separates this issue into three chapters, each one able to stand on their own. It’s a smart use of the double issue, and is based heavily in the characters. Seeing the Four losing their intelligence in the opening chapter, then watching Doom’s hubris doom his efforts (pun fully intended) works on a plot level. But it’s made much more satisfying thanks to the character beats within it.
Coello makes the entire issue visually engaging. The Four’s desperation is clear on their faces as they lose language. The layouts pace the action so it continually feels like the pages are in motion. He even nails body language as you can tell everything Doom is feeling, even through we can’t see his face. It’s a great-looking issue all throughout.
Aburtov’s colors are bright, but that feel realistic. His colors on Doom’s fake ghost are eerie, and captures the unnatural glow we’d expect from a ghost for example. He makes the pages feel like a comic without feeling fake, in the best ways. Caramagna takes the narration heavy adventure of Doom in the issue’s third act, and makes Doom’s verbose thoughts feel like part of the art as much as it drives the story.
Fantastic Four #7 is available now from Marvel Comics.
In 700 issues, the Fantastic Four have faced one antagonist more than any other. This extra-sized anniversary issue shows whyCOMICONRead More