Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Paco Medina
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 4, 2019

While the Fantastic Four book has been a bit inconsistent with its ongoing narrative, I have still enjoyed it. Sure, I want to love it, but the heart can’t always have what the heart desires. This month, we take a look at the Fantastic Four’s past…is it a fun walk down Memory Lane? Let’s find out…

The issue opens with our heroes attending an exhibit of their original Marvel-1 rocket. It’s a nice beginning that shows how each of the team looks back at the troubles that changed their lives forever. Yea, there are no real shockers here and we’ve seen a lot of this a hundred times before over the years, but I did love Val and Franklin throwing shade at Reed for how archaic the rocket is compared to their fancy ships and gadgets they have now. Kids, right!

We do get something new…Colonel Duchman and Captain Sanders are in the house and Dan Slott catches you up on the fact they were the two pilots that Sue and Johnny screwed out of being superheroes by jumping in the rocket in their place. He also catches you up on the really big fact that they are just straight-up assholes!

When they leave and go home, we get Reed getting that “it’s time for an adventure” look on his face and Johnny pretty pumped up as well. This leads to a flashback to the beginnings of that faithfull flight and Johnny’s improbable road to being an astronaut.

This issue is all about some good old nostalgia and that continues with Reed and Johnny working together old-school style …on the Marvel-2! Yea, they want to complete their original mission, but Ben wants nothing to do with it. Slott set it up well which makes it even better when Ben changes his mind because…well, I’ll leave that for you to see for yourself because it’s pretty hilarious! I also wonder if anyone else will get the slew of old-time radio and television catchphrases coming out of Ben’s mouth as he realizes he has been played!

I liked this issue, probably more than I should have since Slott keeps throwing us in different directions and really, this isn’t mind bending stuff here by any stretch. It is fun, however, and sometimes that’s enough for me. Paco Medina’s clean and cartoony art fits it all perfectly as well.

Final Thoughts:

Dan Slott takes the Fantastic Four down Memory Lane and then into the stars. It’s a fun issue that will put a smile on your face even if it continues the trend of not doing much else. For this one issue, though, it is enough for me to recommend it.

8.0/10