Waid Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four 68-73

As far as I can recall, this is the best Doctor Doom story that I’ve ever read.  Let’s figure out why.

I’m not a parent, but I can tell you that attacking the FF through their children is the best (worst) way to tilt them.  And Doom’s first move is magnificent in loading the smallest utterance with the most chilling implications.  

It reminded me of Purple Man’s machinations in the recent Jessica Jones arc:

Waid once again demonstrates his ability to kick his heroes’ peril up a notch past standard comic book levels.  The suffering they endure as Doom tortures them stings more than this sort of thing normally does.  It’s the combination of Wieringo’s art (I would never have pegged his cheery art as capable of something this disturbing) and Waid’s choice of words, I think.

Doom is attacking Reed from a different angle this time around.  Magic, it seems, is the major weakness for both Mr Fantastic and Superman.  Reed is unable to fight something that he refuses to understand, but it doesn’t come across as my old gripe about the FF being stupid.  Doom is exploiting a genuine, believable character flaw, and his victory feels earned.  

His taunting challenge to Reed - “Learn magic.” - is perfect.  Reed’s inability to stretch beyond his rigid, scientific method is one of his few failings, and Doom entraps him in that cage.  If it weren’t for Doctor Strange (who Doom also had the foresight to take out of play.  If only he had done it better), his revenge would have been secure.  Strange’s ability to articulate and address the difference between science and magic is great:

How magic works is not nearly as important as that it works.  There are forces beyond our ken.  I realize it is in your nature to question them.  Don’t.  Accept their existence.

The ending is a little too precious.  Hinging the victory on Reed vocalizing that his inability to understand magic is too cute by far.  But at least it’s a sign of character growth, so that’s something.  And Doom’s parting gift ensures that this battle will not be forgotten (at least for the remainder of Waid’s run).  

Tons of fun, and even better than I remember.  Another sign of its quality is how much I want to keep reading it.  Which I really do.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

Regret buying? No

Would buy again? Yes

Would read again? Yes

Rating: Good