Mark Waid is writing the Fantastic Four I've always wanted to read. The Fantastic Four has been a group of characters that has rarely appealed to me, but I've always seen what other people saw in them. The family aspect, the celebrity aspect, the explorers of the unknown aspect... Waid has combined all of these, with enough super-hero action to keep it fast-paced, and has me interested in the book on a level I haven't been since Byrne's legendary run. It's icing on the cake that Waid is once again working with his former Flash collaborator Mike Wieringo, whose artwork here looks as good as it ever has, supported by inks from veteran Karl Kesel and strong colors from Paul Mounts.
Too many writers have made the mistake of writing the Fantastic Four as just another superteam; the Avengers as a family or the X-Men without the angst. In his first three character-intensive issues, Waid has gotten to the heart of the team, beyond just the "they're a family" aspect that every writer trots out. They are a family, and that's important, but they're not a normal family. In this issue alone, Waid and Wieringo have Reed working invisibly on scientific equations in the middle of Times Square and Ben Grimm taking his adopted nephew and niece on a very unusual field trip, not to mention all the background elements of celebrity like the Human Torch's public service announcement or the Thing's special movie chair.
Just as interesting as the celebrity aspect, however, is the element of discovery and weird science that the Fantastic Four lives with. Sure, a sentient equation may seem like a somewhat silly idea on the face of it, but no sillier than cosmic rays granting power, and Waid and Wieringo deliver some truly creepy moments from this new adversary. His abilities, combined with a total disregard for humans as anything other than "products" makes for a nasty confrontation and a strong cliffhanger.
Then there's the exploration of Johnny Storm. Johnny has grown up in past runs, getting married and showing some more maturity, but his regression back to the eternal teenager is certainly believable. More importantly, it gives Waid room to tell a really interesting story that focuses on the family relationship of Johnny and Sue. As interesting as Johnny's struggle with his new job is, I found it even more fascinating to see Ben talking to Sue Storm about whether she was overcompensating. It's that type of insight that gives Waid his well-earned reputation for solid characterization.
Of course, the book wouldn't be anywhere near as good if it wasn't for the artwork, and the art team is terrific. Wieringo's energetic and animated style gives Reed and Sue a touch of youth that they've long been missing, and his version of the Thing is one of my favorites, obviously big and powerful but with the gentle good humor showing through as well. The work that's done on this issue's adversary is also fantastic, and I have to give a hand to Paul Mounts for making it seem to glow right off the page. Fantastic Four looks as good as it reads, and given the humor and insight that Waid has brought to the book, that's saying a lot.
