Issue
- 2
Issue
- 2
Title - The Fantastic: Part 2
Writer - Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Millar
Art - Adam Kubert
Summary:
Dr. Arthur Molekevic lectures the resident students of the Baxter Building think tank on pulling their weight and making significant contributions. His tirade earns him ridicule as the students call him Mole Man behind his back. Young student Victor van Damme, impressed with his speech on failure, walks away disgusted. Meanwhile, Reed Richards continues his attempts to decipher a way to enter the N-Zone. Returning to his room he is shocked to discover Victor in his room and making alterations to his notes. Angrily, Reed throws him out even as Victor tries to explain that his calculations are wrong. Moments after he is gone, Reed realizes that he was right. Reed approaches him and suggests they work together, Victor agrees. At the same time, Dr. Storm, head of the school, has Dr. Molekevic dismissed under orders from General Ross. The military reviewed his encrypted files and discovered his illegal experiments. Five years later, Reed and Victor have completed the device which will allow them to transport matter via the N-Zone. The two however disagree on the coordinates. Reed's oldest friend, Ben Grimm, arrives to join him as they watch the first test. Victor, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben all stand before the platform which will attempt to transport an apple to Guantanamo Base. After the device activates, there is a flash of light
Comments:
As part of the Fantastic Four's "Ultimate" origin, I enjoyed the twist that here its Victor who walks into Reed's room and looks at his notes. Interesting to see how they reacted differently. Reed extended the hand of friendship, while Victor scorned him. Doom appears here and then disappears for the rest of the arc. This issue is significant if you want to see the whole "origin" of Victor van Damme. Bottom Line: *** out of 5
Notes:
First appearance of "Ultimate" Dr. Doom as Victor van Damme.
Victor von Doom's name in the Ultimate Universe is instead Victor van Damme. Brian Michael Bendis claims this idea was his in the letters page of #6.
For the first time the Doom character is directly incorporated into the accident which gave the Four their powers. The influence of this "Ultimate" origin can be seen in Doom's similar incorporation in the Fantastic Four (2005) film.
Collected in Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol.
1:
The Fantastic and Ultimate Fantastic Four Vol. 1 - Hardcover (pictured below):
