Fantastic Four No. 25 is heartwarming and heartbreaking

As a dedicated comic book enthusiast with over three decades of collecting under my belt, I can confidently say that Ryan North’s run on Fantastic Four has been nothing short of extraordinary. This series has managed to delve deep into the emotional lives of Marvel’s First Family while maintaining the wild and cosmic adventures we’ve come to expect.

Ryan North’s take on the Fantastic Four has been quite unexpected yet delightful. Typically, Marvel’s First Family delivers top-notch content, but this run stands out. It centers more on the emotional journeys and family bonds of the team as they embark on their usual mix of wild, everyday exploits and universe-altering adventures. After 24 issues filled with heartwarming scenes, I should have suspected something poignant was brewing in this comic series. And indeed, it unfolded in issue No. 25.

Reaching issue 25 is a significant achievement for a comic series, as many are terminated before reaching these milestones. Some even fail to make it through printing. Thus, when a creative team arrives at issue 25, they ought to produce something exceptional or, in this instance, extraordinary… or should I say, fantastic! Writer Ryan North chose to transport Reed, Johnny, Sue, and Ben to another planet so that the Human Torch could find love among the aliens, specifically Angelica of the Shore.

“We got to live it, Johnny, our impossible love.”

Johnny has never discriminated when it comes to love. However, the other women he’s been with usually look humanoid (Crystal, Lyja, Medusa, etc.). The ones on this planet resemble bugs. Nevertheless, while Reed looked for a way to return to Earth, Johnny and Angelica of the Shore continued to get close. They even found ways around their anatomical differences. It was beautiful until disaster struck.

Reed uncovers that they’ve been on Earth all along. An event on their version of Earth (inadvertently triggered by nuclear explosions from the U.S. aimed at Dr. Doom) caused its disappearance. With only one Earth surviving, it left the Fantastic Four and Angelica of the Shore with a difficult choice. The future of both species rested in their hands, and Johnny was infuriated.

Johnny was unable to harm Angelica and her people, nor could the Fantastic Four. Yet, Reed, Sue, and Ben also have their own families to consider. Ultimately, Reed devised a solution that allowed both of their universes to coexist. Regrettably, this meant that Johnny and Angelica couldn’t be in a relationship because their realms would crumble if they were with each other or visited one another.

For the very first time, Johnny expressed that he had found someone and wasn’t ruining it. This came as a surprise to him, leaving him feeling a mix of disbelief and relief. To console Johnny, Angelica said something truly heartwarming: “Most people only save their love or relationships, but ours… ours has the power to save everyone.” As Reed’s invention corrected everything, Johnny and Angelica shared one final embrace and kiss. When the Fantastic Four returned to their home planet, all that was left for Johnny was a lingering hug where Angelica once stood.

On the ride back home, Johnny’s rather reserved. Ben suggests comforting him with a hug, yet Johnny refuses. A moment later, Johnny proposes an evening filled with movies, booze, and snacks instead. Ben expresses his enthusiasm for joining in this plan.

As the Fantasticar passed by the moon at last, Johnny appeared to be gazing at it – a sight he had shown Angelica for the first time earlier in this issue. Her reaction then, of finding it the most breathtaking sight she’d ever witnessed, makes me wonder what thoughts might have been swirling through Johnny’s mind as they flew past that celestial body.

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2024-09-16 16:31