We get some fill-in art with this issue, the sixth in the new direction for the title. I love Mike Wieringo's work, but it's hard to miss his stuff when presented with the playful visuals that Mark Buckingham offers. One element that remains consistent is the writing. Waid's script boasts two main plotlines -- one continues from previous and the other is a new one that brings out the stoic Reed Richards's sense of humor. And together, both make for an entertaining, clever and light read.
The Fantastic Four may be a group of adventurers, but first and foremost, they're a family. And like many families, they face a little household problem: a little infestation. The difference here is, though, that the pest in question is an other-dimensional bug of a slightly intimidating size. Meanwhile, Johnny takes a sample of unstable-molecules fabric to a manufacturer for development for uniforms for emergency workers, but the FF's new business partner -- and a couple of Johnny's underlings -- have self-interest, not selflessness, as their motive.
Buckingham's artwork here isn't nearly as slick as the work we've seen in previous issues by Wieringo and Karl Kesel, but that's fine. He has a more raw quality in his pencils, and it harkens back to the FF's beginnings. Buckingham's Thing reminds me a great deal of the late Jack Kirby's take on the character, as does the mish-mash of technology that makes up the team's home. The colors aren't as bright as what Paul Mounts gave us in previous issues, though, and the more muted tone isn't entirely in keeping with the lighter atmosphere of this issue.
Johnny's been coming off as quite the stooge thus far in Waid's run on the title, and I'm pleased to see some intellect (tempered with the typical Torch attitude, of course) shining through here. Johnny may be in over his head when it comes to being a corporate number cruncher, but he's no slack-jawed idiot either. I'm pleased to discover that Waid resolves that subplot with humor, though.
Speaking of humor and adding depth to character, Waid surprised me by turning the Thing (and Johnny's "problem") into the punchlines to Reed's jokes. We're used to seeing a colder side to Reed Richards, and when there's an emphasis on personality, it's to explore his warm, caring father and husband roles. Here, Reed is portrayed as something of the older brother of the group, having some fun with his "younger siblings." His amusement at the Thing's altered voice was a riot.
