By John Byrne
Collects Fantastic Four #241-250.
This is another classic collection: the FF and Avengers against Galactus, the FF teaming up with Dr. Doom against Zorba, the monarch of Latveria, and the FF versus Gladiator.
The first issue, âRender unto Caesarâ, was a pretty weird one. Thereâs a powerful energy source in Africa near Wakanda and so the SHIELD sends the FF to investigate. After a meeting with the Black Panther, the FF continues their journey on foot until a group of Africans takes them captive. The Africans are mute and dressed like Roman soldiers.
Once again the FF win by using their brains more than brawn, which is always nice.
The next three issues are the classic Galactus story: in the first one, Terrax, the former Herald, battles the FF and then raises the whole of Manhattan up to space. He uses the city as hostage and tries to blackmail the FF into destroying Galactus. However, when they break into Galactusâ ship, they talk with him instead. Galactus is very low on energy and thatâs why Terrax thinks that the FF can destroy him now. Of course, Galactus is still immensely powerful and takes way Terraxâs powers. Then, he needs to feed and the only suitable planet near enough is Earth. The FF and some of the Avengers have to fight him.
This is a truly classic arch and Iâm amazed that it took Byrne only three issues to get all the way to Frankie Rayâs destiny. Iâm also amused by the fact that Byrne is apparently an ElfQuest fan. The short theater scene is straight out of the early issues.
The next story is âChildhoodâs Endâ where Susan is being interviewed in TV when a mysterious man attacks the other FF. This issue deals with Franklinâs powers, as well.
Iâm always of a two minds when journalists are shown in comics. Itâs realistic, of course, but because the FF would be (if they were real) A-list celebrities so they should be practically hounded by paparazzis all the time. So, it feels like they arenât spotlighted enough. So, either the journalists should be ignored or the FF should be constantly showered with media attention the same way that real life celebrities are. Of course, it could become tedious quickly, so maybe these infrequent journalists are better. After all, they have other superfolk to chase after and maybe all of them arenât as suicidal as the worst cases in comics are shown.
The next two issues are Doom-centered and some of my personal favorites: âToo Many Doomsâ and âThis land is mine!â Doom is always entertaining and here we see another side of him: the monarch who loves his country.
The FF take Doomâs body to the Latverian embassy. However, another Doom is already at the embassy instructing the ambassador to lure the FF into a trap. Then each of the FF members has to fight a Doombot on their own. While they are fighting, the other bots restore Doomâs mind to his real body. When the bots are defeated, the real Doom shows himself and shows the FF what their earlier meddling has caused. Under the rightful king Zorba, Latveria has succumbed to poverty and crime and only Doom can save his beloved country!
There are a lot of things going on here. First of course, thereâs Doom and his love of his country and how Byrne subverts the whole ârightful kingâ trope; the rightful king is actually bad for the country and the usurper (Doom) has to save Latveria. Then the FF has to doubt their previous actions: could Doom be a good king after all? Finally, I love it when sworn enemies are forced to work together like the FF and Doom in this story.
The next issue is another weird science fiction one-off: âNightmareâ. The FF have been invited to Attilan for Crystalâs and Quicksilverâs daughterâs naming day (and a huge thanks for not calling it âchristeningâ by the way and for not giving the girl godparents when the real parents arenât, you know, Christian…). Suddenly, thereâs a disruption when a huge space ship tractors the whole Moon into the ship. Things get rapidly weirder.
The rest of the trade is a big fight: the FF vs. Gladiator from the ShiâAr Imperial Guard vs. X-Men vs. Spider-Man and Captain America. Generally, Iâm not a huge fan of mindless fisticuffs (but Iâm not against them, as such, either or I wouldnât be reading superhero comics in the first place) but this one I liked. Of course, Iâm a fan of Gladiator.
Iâve always found Gladiator to be a fascinating character. Heâs very powerful and honorable but honorable in his own way; heâs almost like a ShiâAr Superman but one who is loyal to the throne and whoever is currently sitting on it rather than to a person. This is, technically, how it should be in democratic nations; the people should obey the office (president, prime minister, mayor…) instead of the person. Yet, at least in fiction this is still rarely the case and so, Gladiator is the exception rather than the rule. The irony is, of course, that ShiâAr isnât a democracy but a monarchy.
Overall: many enjoyable stories here.