Title
- The Heart of Darkness
Title
- The Heart of Darkness
Issue - 4
Writer - Jim Lee / Brandon Choi
Art - Jim Lee
Summary:
Reed tracks an object that was released from the cosmic anomaly that irradiated them to the jungles of Wakanda. Together with the Black Panther they investigate but are ambushed by Wyatt Wingfoot. Panther, Reed, and Sue awaken in strange surroundings and are then greeted by none other than Doctor Doom.
Comments:
A short final page appearance. It also serves as a great entrance for the character. Something is a little Dracula about it actually. Jim Lee's art is surprisingly not that out of step with the FF. He renders an excellent Doom. The last page is exquisite however I'm reluctant to call it a must have for anyone who is not a completionist.
Bottom Line: Skip It!
Title - Auld Acquaintance
Issue - 5
Writer - Jim Lee / Brandon Choi
Art - Jim Lee
Summary:
Doom reveals the object that crashed landed in Wakanda and it is revealed to be the Silver Surfer. With his own scientists unable to create a machine to absorb his cosmic power, Doom forces Reed to do it for him. Meanwhile, the real Wyatt Wingfoot informs Ben and Johnny about Doom's trap. Together they travel to Latveria and battle Doom's war-bots. The fake Wyatt Wingfoot eventually betrays Doom and uses the device created by Reed in order to imbue himself with the power cosmic. His skin transforms and exposes his true identity as a Skrull agent, now Super Skrull thanks to the Surfer's power.
Comments:
Who needs the Essential Fantastic Four volume 1 when you have right here. Lee and Choi do an incredible feat here by combining the earliest of the FF's adventures into technically one epic story. The Mole Man, Doom, Panther, and now the Skrulls. Even more shocking is that it all makes sense. The only part that i would dispute is Doom having to force Reed to build him the device to suck the Surfer's powers. I would have been happier had they done it together. The way it is presented here its as if Doom couldn't do it at all. Hardly something Doom could let slip and still claim to be his superior in intellect. The highlight of this issue is a retelling of Doom's origin, at least Reed's side of it. The Reborn universe really hit a good idea when they put Banner, Stark, Richards, and Doom all at the same university. You can see that some ideas are just too good to pass up because even in today's Ultimate Iron Man title, Tony Stark is a student at the same school that Reed will attend. If there is an issue of Heroes Reborn FF that you must get, make it this one. Bottom Line: Buy It!
Title - Retribution
Issue - 6
Writer - Jim Lee / Brandon Choi
Art - Jim Lee
Summary:
The Super Skrull begins his rampage inside the castle Doom. Thing and the Black Panther battle him while Doom and Reed work to reverse the device Reed made in order to return the Surfer his power. With some help from Sue, energy from the Super Skrull is diverted back to the Surfer who revitalizes himself. The two battle and the Skrull is defeated. However Doom realizes that his castle's power core is going to breach and explode. The FF, the Panther, and Wyatt Wingfoot make their escape while Doom attempts to avert the disaster. The castle is destroyed in a massive explosion. Reed doubts that Doom survives and so the team departs. Amongst the rubble, the Surfer arises triumphant. He sealed the breach in return for the FF's compassion towards him.
Comments:
A wonderful end to this little arc. Once again, tying the Surfer and the Skrull is a neat trick. This is more to my liking in that Doom and Reed have to work together to reverse the machine. I find it interesting that the FF just leave when Doom tells them that the power core is going to blow. Granted, Doom tells them to leave, but he reminds them that lives are at stake and yet they didn't insist. I like that the scene allowed for some of Doom's concern for his people to show. Bottom Line: Buy It!