Issue- 0
Title- Doomsday!
Writer- Marc Sumerak
Art- Scot Eaton
Summary:
Reed Richards plans to unveil his latest invention, the quantum converter, a limitless source of power, after a parade in the FF’s honor. After some bickering over the Thing’s mp3 player, between Johnny and Ben, the team enjoys the praise of the city. Suddenly, members of the adoring crowd’s skin begin to melt away revealing Doombots. The robots attack on the orders of Doctor Doom. A short conflict quickly takes place where Doom reveals that he will continue his attacks on the city until reed surrenders the converter. Unwilling to allow innocents to come to harm, Reed orders Sue to hand over the device. Later, the Human Torch and Thing question the wisdom in giving Doom the converter. Sue then reveals that she and Reed were one step ahead of the villain and that she didn’t hand over the converter. Back in Doom’s castle, the monarch discovers that the converter he so desired was switched with a certain blue-eyed Thing’s mp3 player.
Comments:
This is the first of Marc Sumerak’s original FF stories aimed at a younger audience. It’s part of the MARVEL Adventures series that is replacing the MARVEL Age line. Whereas MARVEL Age focused on retelling classic stories for a younger audience, Adventures will take MARVEL’s iconic characters into original adventures. This first example is quite enjoyable and certainly has the air of simplicity of the Lee/Kirby days however lacks the depth of character. You could say that since this is intended towards young readers it doesn’t have to be deep. On the other hand, the original FF comics were not meant to be read by rocket scientists and they didn’t dumb down the stories. Hopefully in future Sumerak will take advantage of the blank slate to write new stories to provide material that will be both enjoyable and insightful to MARVEL’s younger readers. Also of note is that Doom’s costume, like that of the rest of the FF, has been retrofitted to mirror his upcoming theatrical counterpart’s. This is not good. If you’re shopping for a younger sibling, buy them the Essential FF, Bottom Line: Skip It.