Ryan North, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, and Edgar Delgado’s Fantastic Four #3 delivers a fresh take on winning and losing, capturing the chaotic, time-bending conflict with a dynamic, almost frantic energy. The issue throws us right into the action, with the Fantastic Four trapped in a desperate struggle against an all-powerful Doctor Doom.
But what’s a supervillain to do when the Fantastic Four just won’t stay defeated? If you’re Doctor Doom, you cheat. In this issue, Doom has become the all-powerful Sorcerer Supreme and Emperor of Earth, using a clever “save state” to reset the universe every time the heroes get close to a win. It’s a brilliant, video game-style move that makes him virtually unbeatable, allowing him to learn from every encounter while the Fantastic Four are forced to relive their failures.
While it seems impossible to outsmart Doom, the heart of this issue lies in the unbreakable bond of the Richards family. When they discover a heartbreaking message from a future, dying Sue, it’s a gut-punch that reminds the reader that even when faced with impossible odds, the Fantastic Four never gives up.
The rest of the comic is a masterclass in strategy. Reed Richards uses his unparalleled genius to locate Doom’s time engine. At the same time, Johnny Storm comes up with a surprisingly simple but brilliant way to communicate with the team right under Doom’s nose.
They turn Doom’s biggest strength, his save state, against him, trapping him in an endless loop of defeat. The ending is both satisfying and profound, making a powerful statement about the true nature of power. There’s a powerful lesson here about learning from failure and always trying again, and I appreciate that.
The art is another standout, particularly in how it conveys the characters’ emotions and the story’s core themes. The faces of the Fantastic Four, in their moments of desperation and triumph, are incredibly well done. The visual of Reed Richards stretching his eyes to act as a microscope is a clever and striking way to show his immense intellect. Similarly, Johnny Storm’s use of hydrogen flames is depicted fantastically, with the comic explaining that the fire is invisible to human eyes, undetectable in daylight.
Edgar Delgado’s colors and Victor Olazaba’s inks really make Ramos’s pencils pop. The vibrant, rich colors bring the world to life, giving it a magical feel. There’s a cool contrast between the icy Antarctic landscape and the warm, fiery Human Torch, which looks great and helps tell the story.
Ultimately, Fantastic Four #3 is a testament to the fact that you can’t truly win if you never have to learn from a loss. It’s a fantastic comic that wears its heart on its sleeve, offering both a thrilling conclusion and a powerful message about human nature.
‘Fantastic Four’ #3 Review: True Victory Is in the Struggle
Fantastic Four #3 is a testament to the fact that you can’t truly win if you never have to learn from a loss. It’s a fantastic issue that wears its heart on its sleeve, offering both a thrilling conclusion and a powerful message about human nature.
