Fantastic Four #542

Marvel

Writer: Dwayne McDuffie

Pencils: Mike McKone

Inks: Andy Lanning & Cam Smith

Cover: Adi Granov

 
Former Fantastic Four scribe J. Michael Strasznisky is one of my favorite comic writers working today, so it comes as a real surprise that this issue from new writer Dwayne McDuffie is shaping up to be my favorite Fantastic Four story of the last few years. I'm getting pretty tired of typing "Civil War tie-in", so let's just say that this issue, entitled We Used To Go To Hyperspace Just For Donuts, revolves around the reasons behind Reed Richards' decision to alienate his family and friends by supporting the superhuman registration act. While the answers provided seem to absolve him of some responsibility for his actions, the way in which they are presented provides for an entertaining read.

 
Opening in a coffee shop with Johnny Storm flirting with a cashier, this issue is mostly dialogue, with a brief aside to Ben Grimm fighting Hydra in French. But the characterizations and relationships are what really make the story work. The first part of the issue has Johnny and Reed discussing the registration act, with Reed taking on his standard paternal tone with the Human Torch. Advancing the idea that his actions are based on a mathematical prediction as opposed to personal conviction, Reed eventually turns to the Mad Thinker to check his calculations, and it's here that the book really begins to take off. Though the Thinker dresses like Slipnot without the cool masks and is approximately as scary as a robotics nerd from MIT, Richards and the Thinker have a kind of grudging respect for each other. It's a sort of mutual admiration that compliments their mutual hatred, like Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty, or M&Ms and Smarties. Their repartee is brisk, and McDuffie weaves in some Isaac Asimov towards the end of the issue, as well as the beginnings of a confrontation with the Invisible Woman, so for an issue that's essentially one long series of arguments and a bunch of math, it's pretty exciting.

 
As for the art, regular series artist Mike McKone continues with the simple, energetic work that compliments the book so well. His bright, sunny pencils for the Fantastic Four always have a flat but upbeat quality reminiscent of illustrations in children's literature. But while the Fantastic Four is certainly not a Marvel MAX title, it's not strictly for kids, either, and the simplistic pencil style contrasts nicely with some of the more adult concepts in the story. But the highlight of McKone's work in this issue has to be his rendition of the Thinker. For a man dressed in what appears to be a sanitation worker's uniform and galoshes, he's not entirely laughable here, as McKone hoods his eyes, furrows his brow, and gives him hair like a ginger Kurt Cobain. But there's still enough levity, both in the Thinker's appearance, and elsewhere in the book, to make it a true  Fantastic Four comic, and one that promises an exciting new beginning for the long-running series.

Rating: 8 on 10

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