Fantastic Four #11 – A Future For Everyone

Invincible Woman is defeated. The Fantastic Four are victorious. What comes next? The Sue Richards who used her powers without care, remorse, or morals is gone. Under the careful care of Maria Hill and S.H.I.E.L.D., Maria approaches the Fantastic Four with a new proposal. How would the team feel about a new Future Foundation?

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!

Creative Team

“Future’s Foundation”

Writer: Ryan North
Penciller: Pat Boutin
Inker: Serge Lapointe
Color Artist: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Humberto Ramos
Cover Colorist: Edgar Delgado

“The Digger In The Dark”

Writer, Artist, Letterer: Stan Sakai
Color Artist: Brittany Peer

Writing

In the main story for this issue, Ryan North really poses an interesting question. When the Fantastic Four’s biggest villain, Dr. Doom, is nowhere to be seen, what is the team’s goal? One of the things that I have really enjoyed about North’s run is the willingness of Sue to push back on Reed. This shines through in this issue as well. North writes Sue as a really powerful grounding rod for Reed’s crazy ideas. It’s through Sue that North tries to remind us that despite Reed’s best efforts, it’s going to take more that just sheer intellect to solve the problems of the world.

Fantastic Four #11 also shows off another of North’s strong points with these characters, which is his ability to touch the core of what Ben Grimm is about. I love the glimpses into the relationship between Ben and Alicia that North has given us throughout his run on the Fantastic Four. While Ben has always had the support of his fellow team members, Alicia provides him with the support in the way only a life partner can and that really oozes through in this issue. There was a moment between the two that genuinely caused me to tear up. This is also just kind of a silly classic Fantastic Four-style story. It provides a nice palette cleanser after the intense last arc of the series.

Stan Sakai’s short story at the end of this issue was really enjoyable. He wears lots of hats for this one and manages to craft a story that feels right at home in the Fantastic Four universe but is distinctly his. The writing feels like Silver Age Fantastic Four stories with a new twist.

Art

Pat Boutin takes over for Humberto Ramos this issue on penciling with Serge LaPointe taking over for Victor Olazaba on inking duties. The transition between the two visual art teams is as seamless as can be. While Ramos is a legend, Boutin comes out strong with bold, clear lines that pop. While the obvious intention is to keep the look of the series going, Boutin works to still make each character his own.

Serge LaPointe does an amazing job on the inks. The use of shading and shadow with the inks creates great contrast with the bright colors throughout the issue. Colors from Edgard Delgado continue to be a highlight of the series. The color on Alicia Master’s face and the shade created, deserve particular praise as it shows a masterful understanding of lighting a panel. Joe Caramagna makes the right words pop in each word bubble. In particular, his work on Johnny Storm really captures Johnny’s personality well.

Stan Sakai’s story provides a sharp contrast in the best way. His art is so detailed and the line work is incredible. Whether it’s the detailed scales of a monster or the cracks throughout The Thing, there’s really impressive line work. Sakai’s characters are easily distinguishable as the classic team and some of their villains but each character also display’s Sakai’s unique art style

Final Thoughts

One thing this series is going to do is provide the heartfelt family moments, and this issue has them in loads. Ryan North really captures the heart of the Fantastic Four and what makes each of them unique. While not as action packed as the previous Invincible Woman story arc, it feels like a fresh batch of hope after the Fantastic Four looked down the barrel of certain destruction. I will always be a fan of any story that gives me more of the beautiful relationship between Ben and Alicia.

Overall Grade: 9/10

Excited to see where Fantastic Four goes now? Let me know in the comments