Defeated By Doctor Doom!
Man, oh man; that cover! If that doesn't make you wanna read this one, I don't exactly blame you. Though, even if it is a bit of a by-the-numbers read for a Fantastic Four issue, the majority of this thrilling conclusion to last month's story is more than satisfactory. The central problem however lies in the fact that Lee attempts to flesh out a third act into 23 pages as a result of this experimental two-parter thing, and in turn creates a much less immediate and exciting escapade for our heroes. Not once or twice, but three times we see the Four split up whilst something related but entirely different (dependant on their own weaknesses, of course) happens to them as Doctor Doom prepares for his next strike against the Four—all the while threatening to country in order to get a position in the President's cabinet. Doom lets us know how modest he is; but all he does is reassure us that he's a bit doo-la. So yeah; coincidences, deus-ex-machinas and pseudo-science permeate the majority of the comic's action sequences which are borderline fine (with the unacceptable re-appearance of Torch's damned flaming mirage power) but have been done better in this series. What works better here is the characterisation all round, particularly with Ben who is getting funnier and more likeable with every issue. Oh, that and we find out the fantastic instagrowth properties of Reed Richard's Fantastibeard when he's stressed. Get used to it, Sue.
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