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Marvel 2-in-One (Collected Editions)
Marvel 2-In-One, Vol. 2: Next of Kin
Powerless and lost, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm must fight for their survival in a savage wasteland ruled by...the Spider! But will this dreaded enemy destroy them - or will the shocking revelations they face do it first? Then, it's a new life in a new town on a strange world. Everything has changed for the broken people once known as the Thing and the Human Torch. But can they repair things before one of their oldest villains puts the fi nal nail in the coffi n of the Fantastic Four? Wait, did someone mention the FF? They're back! But there's something not quite right about them... Join Ben and Johnny in the fight of their lives!
COLLECTING: MARVEL 2-IN-ONE 7-12, ANNUAL 1
COLLECTING: MARVEL 2-IN-ONE 7-12, ANNUAL 1
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2019
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
874 books861 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 18, 2019
Wow, what a letdown after volume 1. Apparently, the Fantastic Four relaunched during the middle of this volume. It totally sucks the air out of the book. Each issue is like a deflating balloon with Zdarsky caring less and less about finishing the story. Ramón K. Pérez's art looks like unfinished layouts that he left the colorist to finish. It looks terribly amateurish.
November 20, 2020
Marvel Two-In-One: Next of Kin collects Marvel Two-In-One Annual 1 plus issues 7-12.
I'm a Fantastic Four fan from way back and Fate of the Four was pretty good so I eventually picked this up.
This volume sees Ben, Johnny, and Infamous Iron Man (aka Doctor Doom) bouncing around the multiverse with Dr. Koul, a scientist with ulterior motives. I liked this one but not as much as the first volume. I think it's the way it ended, with things back to status quo for the Fantastic Four, even though that's one of the reasons the book was shelved in the first place.
Zdarsky writes a great Fantastic Four book, though. His Doctor Doom, Thing, and Human Torch all felt authentic, as did his Mad Thinker. Ramon Perez's art was pretty slick. He was no Jack Kirby but the story was more personal than a Lee and Kirby cosmic extravaganza.
The story ticked all the boxes like alternate worlds, alternate versions of characters, and giant monsters so I was satisfied overall. I just thought the ending was a little abrupt, probably due to Dan Slott taking the reins of the main Fantastic Four book. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I'm a Fantastic Four fan from way back and Fate of the Four was pretty good so I eventually picked this up.
This volume sees Ben, Johnny, and Infamous Iron Man (aka Doctor Doom) bouncing around the multiverse with Dr. Koul, a scientist with ulterior motives. I liked this one but not as much as the first volume. I think it's the way it ended, with things back to status quo for the Fantastic Four, even though that's one of the reasons the book was shelved in the first place.
Zdarsky writes a great Fantastic Four book, though. His Doctor Doom, Thing, and Human Torch all felt authentic, as did his Mad Thinker. Ramon Perez's art was pretty slick. He was no Jack Kirby but the story was more personal than a Lee and Kirby cosmic extravaganza.
The story ticked all the boxes like alternate worlds, alternate versions of characters, and giant monsters so I was satisfied overall. I just thought the ending was a little abrupt, probably due to Dan Slott taking the reins of the main Fantastic Four book. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
April 15, 2022
This was fun I guess!
So it starts with an annua showing Doom fight some other version of him and meeting the council of reeds and well it showing that the villainous version might be returning soon and them travelling to what seem like wastelands except it being ruled by the spider and well a betrayal by Rachna and they trapped there and somehow managing to survive and fighting off against a returned Mad thinker with his team and them fighting him off and gaining powers and returning, Ben and Reed team up (post their return in the main FF ongoing by Slott) and well its a fun convo and shows Reed's mission about saving doom and its a fascinating reason and finally Sue and Johnny alone time but well Mole man comes in and the family coming together in the end! <3
Its a fun story and yeah its not that good compared to the previous volume but its still alright and I love the family feel here and them hinting at like the return of the FF and actually doing it and giving various other characters their moments and showing them together in the end was awesome and I love the use of Mad thinker, Mole man ad Dr Doom here and it feels like the run was cut short with the return of the main FF ongoing but its still a great attempt at an interesting story and it wraps up neatly and makes for a short sweet run! <3!
So it starts with an annua showing Doom fight some other version of him and meeting the council of reeds and well it showing that the villainous version might be returning soon and them travelling to what seem like wastelands except it being ruled by the spider and well a betrayal by Rachna and they trapped there and somehow managing to survive and fighting off against a returned Mad thinker with his team and them fighting him off and gaining powers and returning, Ben and Reed team up (post their return in the main FF ongoing by Slott) and well its a fun convo and shows Reed's mission about saving doom and its a fascinating reason and finally Sue and Johnny alone time but well Mole man comes in and the family coming together in the end! <3
Its a fun story and yeah its not that good compared to the previous volume but its still alright and I love the family feel here and them hinting at like the return of the FF and actually doing it and giving various other characters their moments and showing them together in the end was awesome and I love the use of Mad thinker, Mole man ad Dr Doom here and it feels like the run was cut short with the return of the main FF ongoing but its still a great attempt at an interesting story and it wraps up neatly and makes for a short sweet run! <3!
January 13, 2019
I loved volume 1, but this volume was not very good at all (They went from facing a reality-eating Doomlactus in vol 1 to knocking around the Mad Thinker in this one. It's like they weren't even trying here). Many of the issues and stories seemed really random, Mr Fantastic had some God-awful reasons why they left, the art (particularly in the annual) wasn't great, and the return of Reed and family was incredibly anti-climactic.
April 11, 2020
The "What if ?" feel continues into this second volume of the newest version of the Marvel Two-in-One Thing and Human Torch search for the wayward Reed and Sue Richards. Opening with the annual and a focus on the reformed Victor Von Doom with decent art by Declan Shalvey and a pretty good story by Zdarsky the story continues into the issues #7 - #12 of the monthly series with very spotty art from Ramon K. Perez that to my eye looked unclean and unfinished. That or just a horrible ink job that took away from a rather so-so story that had it been a movie would have been accused of some horrible editing.
Without giving anything away there were too many jump cuts. The story actually could have used a few doses of the old fashioned caption boxes which this long time comic fan really misses in modern comic books. The art doesn't always tell the story.
I was also a bit put off by the Torch's flames. They were not looking like flames to me. More like a blob-like yellow force field of sorts than a nimbus of fire. It took away from the story to me.
Without giving anything away there were too many jump cuts. The story actually could have used a few doses of the old fashioned caption boxes which this long time comic fan really misses in modern comic books. The art doesn't always tell the story.
I was also a bit put off by the Torch's flames. They were not looking like flames to me. More like a blob-like yellow force field of sorts than a nimbus of fire. It took away from the story to me.
December 27, 2019
A very personal story between the Hot-headed members of the Fantastic Four trying to Find Mr Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. It was really good and highly recommended.
March 9, 2019
Although the original plan for Marvel 2-In-One was for Chip Zdarsky continuing to write the paired-up adventures of the Thing and the Human Torch, but due to the big relaunch of Marvel’s First Family with Dan Slott writing the Fantastic Four, Zdarsky had to conclude following twelve issues. Due to this sudden conclusion, does the second volume end on a high note?
Before we continue with the main storyline where Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm going on a road trip to find out what happened to their fantastic family, we take a detour with the only annual from this run. Pairing up with Ben is the Immortal Iron Man AKA Victor von Doom (formerly the Fantastic Four’s greatest enemy) as they find themselves in another universe’s Castle Doom, where they encounter its own Doctor Doom. During a bloody confrontation between the two Dooms, the Immortal Iron Man is suddenly transported into the reformed Council of Reeds.
Although I have never read any of Brian Michael Bendis’ Immortal Iron Man comics, how Zdarsky handles the character in his run still nails the antagonistic egotism of Doom, even if he has partnered himself up with his former enemies. Interacting with a multiversal group of his greatest rival, Doom is a man still wrestling with his past demons, including his power stripped away from him by Reed Richards during the 2015 event Secret Wars, to his tough upbringing in Latveria where he had to stay strong at an early age within the poverty of his home country.
Very much a character study where there is outlandish science and the story cuts to two areas of flashbacks, it helps that artist Declan Shalvey and colourist Jordie Bellaire bring their skills in this annual. Having previously worked on Injection with writer Warren Ellis, the work here by Shalvey and Bellaire isn’t quite as dark and surreal, but their presentation is pleasantly off-kilter and fits appropriately with the title’s premise of visiting other versions of the Marvel Universe.
When the foursome that is Ben, Johnny, Victor and Dr Rachna Koul continue their journey, which leads them to Battleworld, each of them have their own agendas, some of which are not revealed to others, leading to huge repercussions. For Ben, in particular, he is keeping away from Johnny knowing about their family have died. When the two of them are left stranded in this world where powers are slowly degrading, not only do they have to come in terms with their powerless humanity, but also mistrust ensues when multiple truths are revealed.
Zdarsky may be known for having a funny bone that is evident in a lot of his work, but he knows how to deliver the heart as the relationship between Johnny and Ben is built more on a brotherly love than a typical male friendship. It’s just a shame that most of the art in this volume never lives up to Zdarsky’s writing. The art by Ramón K. Pérez always looks rough and unfinished with characters being drawn with ugly facial expressions and distorted body anatomies. There is a handful of large panels where Pérez puts a bit more detail, but for the most part, he’s pretty unremarkable.
As I mentioned in the initial paragraph, the return of the Fantastic Four is what left 2-In-One suddenly finishing as evident in the final two issues, which is basically a two-part coda about reunion and reconciliation. It may wrap things a bit too neatly, but the final page sparks a positive comeback to Marvel’s First Family and makes you excited to see what Dan Slott has in store.
Before we continue with the main storyline where Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm going on a road trip to find out what happened to their fantastic family, we take a detour with the only annual from this run. Pairing up with Ben is the Immortal Iron Man AKA Victor von Doom (formerly the Fantastic Four’s greatest enemy) as they find themselves in another universe’s Castle Doom, where they encounter its own Doctor Doom. During a bloody confrontation between the two Dooms, the Immortal Iron Man is suddenly transported into the reformed Council of Reeds.
Although I have never read any of Brian Michael Bendis’ Immortal Iron Man comics, how Zdarsky handles the character in his run still nails the antagonistic egotism of Doom, even if he has partnered himself up with his former enemies. Interacting with a multiversal group of his greatest rival, Doom is a man still wrestling with his past demons, including his power stripped away from him by Reed Richards during the 2015 event Secret Wars, to his tough upbringing in Latveria where he had to stay strong at an early age within the poverty of his home country.
Very much a character study where there is outlandish science and the story cuts to two areas of flashbacks, it helps that artist Declan Shalvey and colourist Jordie Bellaire bring their skills in this annual. Having previously worked on Injection with writer Warren Ellis, the work here by Shalvey and Bellaire isn’t quite as dark and surreal, but their presentation is pleasantly off-kilter and fits appropriately with the title’s premise of visiting other versions of the Marvel Universe.
When the foursome that is Ben, Johnny, Victor and Dr Rachna Koul continue their journey, which leads them to Battleworld, each of them have their own agendas, some of which are not revealed to others, leading to huge repercussions. For Ben, in particular, he is keeping away from Johnny knowing about their family have died. When the two of them are left stranded in this world where powers are slowly degrading, not only do they have to come in terms with their powerless humanity, but also mistrust ensues when multiple truths are revealed.
Zdarsky may be known for having a funny bone that is evident in a lot of his work, but he knows how to deliver the heart as the relationship between Johnny and Ben is built more on a brotherly love than a typical male friendship. It’s just a shame that most of the art in this volume never lives up to Zdarsky’s writing. The art by Ramón K. Pérez always looks rough and unfinished with characters being drawn with ugly facial expressions and distorted body anatomies. There is a handful of large panels where Pérez puts a bit more detail, but for the most part, he’s pretty unremarkable.
As I mentioned in the initial paragraph, the return of the Fantastic Four is what left 2-In-One suddenly finishing as evident in the final two issues, which is basically a two-part coda about reunion and reconciliation. It may wrap things a bit too neatly, but the final page sparks a positive comeback to Marvel’s First Family and makes you excited to see what Dan Slott has in store.
January 26, 2019
In a far flung future, Ben and Johnny try to keep a low profile - alone, powerless, and with no way back home, they attempt to eke out a meagre living. But one of their oldest foes has other plans... Then, the Fantastic Four are back! But can they just pick back up where they left off so easily? All this, and the Infamous Iron Man!
...Eh.
There are three great issues in this trade, and then four that I could easily have lived without. The four issues surrounding Johnny and Ben's trip to the future are too long and not that interesting, even with the arrival of the Mad Thinker and his Fantastic Faux. It's depressing, and a far cry from the high stakes story of the first volume.
The last two issues of the main series though are great. Pairing off the Four into Reed and Ben, Sue and Johnny, we get some time spent with each character to really highlight how much they've missed each other, and how their absences have affected one another. Plus there's Doctor Doom and the Mole Man, so you know. Oh, and Zdarsky wraps up his Rachna Koul subplot in a nice little bow as well, and the art by Ramon Perez is fun if a bit more pedestrian than his usual fare.
The annual which opens this trade is easily the best issue though - it's Johnny, Ben, and the Infamous Iron Man, who was basically a third main character in the first six issues of the book, on an interdimensional adventure that shines a light on the idea that Doctor Doom might not have to be as bad as everyone expects. Plus the art here is by Declan Shalvey, which is always cause for celebration.
With the Fantastic Four actually back in their own series, this half of Marvel Two-In-One is a bit superfluous overall, but Zdarsky manages to use it to explore the relationship between the Four in a way that the main series hasn't just yet. It's just a shame that he takes the scenic route to get there.
...Eh.
There are three great issues in this trade, and then four that I could easily have lived without. The four issues surrounding Johnny and Ben's trip to the future are too long and not that interesting, even with the arrival of the Mad Thinker and his Fantastic Faux. It's depressing, and a far cry from the high stakes story of the first volume.
The last two issues of the main series though are great. Pairing off the Four into Reed and Ben, Sue and Johnny, we get some time spent with each character to really highlight how much they've missed each other, and how their absences have affected one another. Plus there's Doctor Doom and the Mole Man, so you know. Oh, and Zdarsky wraps up his Rachna Koul subplot in a nice little bow as well, and the art by Ramon Perez is fun if a bit more pedestrian than his usual fare.
The annual which opens this trade is easily the best issue though - it's Johnny, Ben, and the Infamous Iron Man, who was basically a third main character in the first six issues of the book, on an interdimensional adventure that shines a light on the idea that Doctor Doom might not have to be as bad as everyone expects. Plus the art here is by Declan Shalvey, which is always cause for celebration.
With the Fantastic Four actually back in their own series, this half of Marvel Two-In-One is a bit superfluous overall, but Zdarsky manages to use it to explore the relationship between the Four in a way that the main series hasn't just yet. It's just a shame that he takes the scenic route to get there.
April 18, 2019
A huge step down from the first volume. The artwork, in particular, by Ramon Perez is some of the worst I've seen in a book from a major publisher for some time. The stories weren't as good this time out, either, with a big jump from Ben and Johnny lost in the multiverse to Ben talking to a newly-returned Reed Richards. Talk about continuity gaps. Anyway, I'd guess from the last page of the last issue that this series isn't going to continue and that's probably for the best...
February 13, 2019
Zdarsky continues to be one of my favorite writers right now. He instills "heart and soul" into his stories and this is no exception, by diving into the relationship between Ben and Johnny, Doom and the FF, and Reed to the rest of the team. The story does seem to be a little unfocused in the middle but does carry some weight to it, uplifting the rest of the themes.
A couple things detract from it overall though: One is the art. After Chung's beautiful, clean work on V1, this volume devolves very quickly into a rushed, well...unclean style. In addition, the final explanation for the disbanding of the team (which motivated this story), falls a little short. It seems like a slap in the face (and it was to some of the characters) but the explanation just doesn't seem important enough to justify what was done.
A couple things detract from it overall though: One is the art. After Chung's beautiful, clean work on V1, this volume devolves very quickly into a rushed, well...unclean style. In addition, the final explanation for the disbanding of the team (which motivated this story), falls a little short. It seems like a slap in the face (and it was to some of the characters) but the explanation just doesn't seem important enough to justify what was done.
August 31, 2019
Tenho percebido uma constante nas histórias que o Chip Zdarsky escreve e que me parece um defeito da sua forma, não de escrever, mas de criar as hist��rias. Invariavelmente, todos os seus enredos acabam se desviando para uma realidade alternativa, onde ele se sente mais à vontade para desenvolver os personagens. Neste segundo e último volume de Marvel Dois em Um: Coisa e Tocha Humana, não é diferente. Mas aquilo que acontece na realidade alternativa praticamente não tem justificativa para se passar nesse lugar. E em certo ponto fica confuso na cabeça do leitor se os personagens que depois nos defrontamos são versões alternativas ou se são versões regulares, como eles mesmos se declaram. Isso não é apenas uma problema de Zdarsky, é um problema também de orientação editorial na Marvel, que não se assegurou do autor passar a mensagem corretamente. A história até é legal, os desenhos de Ramon Pérez funcionam, mas essa parte das realidades alternativas desnecessárias me deixaram bastante cabreiro. Isso é uma pena. Bem, agora é aguardar para ver o que nos aguarda o retorno esperado do Quarteto Fantástico!
January 28, 2021
A confusing letdown.
The first volume in this series is a seriously great superhero comic. This volume is a confusing mess that attempts to wrap up the series.
The art by Ramon K Perez is some of the worst I've encountered in a comic in a long time. It's uninspired, messy and downright ugly.
The story is confusing as developments with the Fantastic Four destroyed the crux of the series. There is some nice character moments but overall the story is nothing worth remembering.
Overall it's disappointing to see a series with such promise end so poorly.
The first volume in this series is a seriously great superhero comic. This volume is a confusing mess that attempts to wrap up the series.
The art by Ramon K Perez is some of the worst I've encountered in a comic in a long time. It's uninspired, messy and downright ugly.
The story is confusing as developments with the Fantastic Four destroyed the crux of the series. There is some nice character moments but overall the story is nothing worth remembering.
Overall it's disappointing to see a series with such promise end so poorly.
October 5, 2019
N sei se gostei muito da explicação do pq parte do quarteto estar desaparecido e isso interferiu a nota do quadrinhoo,vamos ver como será a volta dele agora...
November 24, 2019
[Read in single issues]
Again, it didnt need to end. It could have just continued with just little adventures with Ben and Johnny.
IT DIDNT NEED TO END
Again, it didnt need to end. It could have just continued with just little adventures with Ben and Johnny.
IT DIDNT NEED TO END
April 13, 2020
Yeah it ties up neatly and all, but boy did Zdarsky take the boys on quite a heavy emotional journey. As uncomfortable as it was, I actually wish we’d had another few issues of that slow boil to where we are now. Zdarsky has an eye for relationships that we haven’t seen much of before now, and I’d like to see more of this.
December 9, 2018
Not as good as the first arc but still a fun story. I don’t like the art at all, it started with amazing art in the first 6 issues, I’m just not a fan of Ramon Perez’s style. It almost felt like Chip Zdarsky was rushed to finish this.
May 24, 2019
The odd multiverse adventures of Johnny and Ben continue here, though this time they are a little all over the place. Highlights:
-We start with an annual edition where Torch, Thing, and Doom end up in a universe where Doom has killed the Fantastic Four and had been living without them for sometime. Wanting to put themselves to the test, the Dooms' face off against each other. During the battle, our Doom pulls a kind of teleporter from the body of that universe's Reed. Upon pushing the button, he arrives at a meeting of the Council of Reeds', an organization that is made up of Reed Richards' from all different universes. Our Reed is there and tries to show Victor that he is not his enemy and they can work together.... though it doesn't really work.
- Ben, Johnny, Victor, and Rachna continue their search. They end up on Battleworld and are put in the arena as gladiators. During the battle, Victor takes out one of the opponents and Rachna loses it. Turns out that she wasn't trying to lock on to Reed and Sue, but Disha, her sister. The Battleworld Disha is the first one she has found that would be a viable body to take back and use to fix 616 Disha.
-Upset, Rachna runs away and uses the Multisect to escape, accidentally taking Victor with her, but leaving Ben and Johnny stranded on Battleworld. They adapt and live there quite a while, soon losing their powers. While they are there for quite some time, suddenly a new Fantastic Four shows up consisting of Thinker (previously Mad Thinker) and 3 goons has gifted powers to, matching the FF.
-Battling them, then trying to escape the pursuit from Spidey, Johnny and Ben end up laying in the desert, where they are visited by Sue, communicating from another universe, who gives them back their powers?? (No matter how many times I looked at this, I couldn't figure out how) Re-powered, they go kick the fake FF butts, and then they decide to go home.
- The last two issues deal with Johnny and Ben's rejoining of Sue and Reed and Valeria and Nathaniel. (I was saving the first Volume of Fantastic Four till I got done reading this, but apparently they ran this title for two more issues after the family was reunited in the main title.) Reed and Sue try to explain why they left them behind and didn't tell them where they were going, but the reasoning ends up coming off cheap and odd.
Overall, I liked the first Volume of this title, but this one wasn't so great. Felt like they were trying to expand the title for a few more issues to allow the family to reunite. Maybe I'll feel better about this one after I read Fantastic Four Vol 1.
Recommend, but with slight hesitation.
-We start with an annual edition where Torch, Thing, and Doom end up in a universe where Doom has killed the Fantastic Four and had been living without them for sometime. Wanting to put themselves to the test, the Dooms' face off against each other. During the battle, our Doom pulls a kind of teleporter from the body of that universe's Reed. Upon pushing the button, he arrives at a meeting of the Council of Reeds', an organization that is made up of Reed Richards' from all different universes. Our Reed is there and tries to show Victor that he is not his enemy and they can work together.... though it doesn't really work.
- Ben, Johnny, Victor, and Rachna continue their search. They end up on Battleworld and are put in the arena as gladiators. During the battle, Victor takes out one of the opponents and Rachna loses it. Turns out that she wasn't trying to lock on to Reed and Sue, but Disha, her sister. The Battleworld Disha is the first one she has found that would be a viable body to take back and use to fix 616 Disha.
-Upset, Rachna runs away and uses the Multisect to escape, accidentally taking Victor with her, but leaving Ben and Johnny stranded on Battleworld. They adapt and live there quite a while, soon losing their powers. While they are there for quite some time, suddenly a new Fantastic Four shows up consisting of Thinker (previously Mad Thinker) and 3 goons has gifted powers to, matching the FF.
-Battling them, then trying to escape the pursuit from Spidey, Johnny and Ben end up laying in the desert, where they are visited by Sue, communicating from another universe, who gives them back their powers?? (No matter how many times I looked at this, I couldn't figure out how) Re-powered, they go kick the fake FF butts, and then they decide to go home.
- The last two issues deal with Johnny and Ben's rejoining of Sue and Reed and Valeria and Nathaniel. (I was saving the first Volume of Fantastic Four till I got done reading this, but apparently they ran this title for two more issues after the family was reunited in the main title.) Reed and Sue try to explain why they left them behind and didn't tell them where they were going, but the reasoning ends up coming off cheap and odd.
Overall, I liked the first Volume of this title, but this one wasn't so great. Felt like they were trying to expand the title for a few more issues to allow the family to reunite. Maybe I'll feel better about this one after I read Fantastic Four Vol 1.
Recommend, but with slight hesitation.
July 18, 2019
Sometime during the course of Marvel Two-In-One by Chip Zdarsky, the original premise had to change as Marvel relaunched the Fantastic Four title, bringing back Reed, Sue and the Future Foundation kids. The original story of the Thing and Human Torch searching the multiverse for their family shifted into the two of them dealing with the return of their family and the reason they had left in the first place. The change was handled as well as could be, but the sense of loss and stakes never amount to what they were beforehand as all of the most important events need to happen in another series.
In this set, Marvel collects issues 7-12 with the series but actually begins with the Annual that focuses more on Doctor Doom and a counsel of Reeds. It was a story that felt out of place with the rest of the series, though I'm glad it's included. The rest of the book picks up with Johnny and Ben in another universe, their powers leaving them (eventually totally) while being pursued by both the Mad Thinker (trying to replace the Fantastic Four) and a Spider-Man/Mad Max mashup intent on eliminating them. One of the best parts of this trade was when Johnny and Ben (without powers) need to fight a whole new Fantastic Four group, but use their experience with the abilities to come out on top.
Once Sue and Reed return, the entire premise is quickly shoved aside for more emotional dialogue driven stories. First up is Ben asking why he was left behind, before ending with Johnny dealing with his whole family lying to them. As a whole, the book was fine but a bit of a letdown after the excellent first volume. On art duties, while I loved Declan Shalvey on Thunderbolts, I didn't as much care for his work here on the annual, much preferring the Ramon K. Perez pages consistency throughout the rest of the issues.
In this set, Marvel collects issues 7-12 with the series but actually begins with the Annual that focuses more on Doctor Doom and a counsel of Reeds. It was a story that felt out of place with the rest of the series, though I'm glad it's included. The rest of the book picks up with Johnny and Ben in another universe, their powers leaving them (eventually totally) while being pursued by both the Mad Thinker (trying to replace the Fantastic Four) and a Spider-Man/Mad Max mashup intent on eliminating them. One of the best parts of this trade was when Johnny and Ben (without powers) need to fight a whole new Fantastic Four group, but use their experience with the abilities to come out on top.
Once Sue and Reed return, the entire premise is quickly shoved aside for more emotional dialogue driven stories. First up is Ben asking why he was left behind, before ending with Johnny dealing with his whole family lying to them. As a whole, the book was fine but a bit of a letdown after the excellent first volume. On art duties, while I loved Declan Shalvey on Thunderbolts, I didn't as much care for his work here on the annual, much preferring the Ramon K. Perez pages consistency throughout the rest of the issues.
December 11, 2022
This series runs pretty hot and cold. It starts strong but by the time you get to volume two it's kind of spinning its wheels a bit, though it is still kind of entertaining. It's hampered a bit bny the change in artists. Perez isn't a bad artist but it is a bit of a tonal change from volume one to volume two. also hampered by the fact that Chip Zdarsky was not slated to take over the main FF book when the first family was finally reunited leaving a feeling of...hollowness (?) that maybe wouldn't have been there if this rolled into a regular monthly FF book? It's possible that reading this in real-time as the issues were coming out and the announcements were being made has coloured my overall view of it as a story. If you're just reading this as a story between the Robinson run and the Slott run it probably reads fine and feels like a legit placeholder.
Anyway, decent story but ultimately fell a bit short for me in the end.
Anyway, decent story but ultimately fell a bit short for me in the end.
October 12, 2019
What a disappointment.
The first volume was a 5 star read for me with excellent artwork. This just wasn't.
Firstly the change of artist was a major step down, Perez artwork is indistinct and unfinished are lacks any of the joy of the previous issues.
The story of Ben and Johnny losing their powers I found quite interesting but then there was a massive skip of story which I assume was covered in the new Fantastic Four run that I didn't pick up. This left me confused and out of the loop and I felt the writer probably felt this way as well.
The last two issues deal with everyone back together but in my mind neither Reed or Sue did anywhere enough grovelling. Especially Sue. If I'd let my brother think I and my kid was dead I'd expect him to rip me a new one when I just turn up again!
FYI: I read this as issues not the trade.
The first volume was a 5 star read for me with excellent artwork. This just wasn't.
Firstly the change of artist was a major step down, Perez artwork is indistinct and unfinished are lacks any of the joy of the previous issues.
The story of Ben and Johnny losing their powers I found quite interesting but then there was a massive skip of story which I assume was covered in the new Fantastic Four run that I didn't pick up. This left me confused and out of the loop and I felt the writer probably felt this way as well.
The last two issues deal with everyone back together but in my mind neither Reed or Sue did anywhere enough grovelling. Especially Sue. If I'd let my brother think I and my kid was dead I'd expect him to rip me a new one when I just turn up again!
FYI: I read this as issues not the trade.
July 30, 2023
*I've read A LOT more than I've reviewed, so it's time for some knee-jerk reactions!*
A book about dealing with grief and about learning who you are and how your relationships change in the face of that grief. About families learning to trust each other. About the potential for both good and evil in everyone. About reunions.
Oh, and also Mad Max-esque coliseum fights headed by a deranged Spider-Man.
You know, your usual comic book stuff. :-)
A book about dealing with grief and about learning who you are and how your relationships change in the face of that grief. About families learning to trust each other. About the potential for both good and evil in everyone. About reunions.
Oh, and also Mad Max-esque coliseum fights headed by a deranged Spider-Man.
You know, your usual comic book stuff. :-)
June 29, 2020
I really liked this even though other stories started taking the toys (missing Fantastic Four, Dr. Doom) away from Zdarsky. Probably his would have been better than Slott's run (without saying I disliked Slott's run) but so be it.
I didn't think that there was real resolution with Rachna Koul who was kind of an alternate center to the series.
I didn't think that there was real resolution with Rachna Koul who was kind of an alternate center to the series.
December 22, 2018
50/100.
El estilo de Ramón K. Pérez no me gusta para nada. La historia de Chip Zdarsky es de peor nivel que el anterior volumen; se nota que le metieron prisa por el regreso de los Cuatro Fantásticos. Una pena, pero bueno, el primer volumen quedará para el recuerdo.
El estilo de Ramón K. Pérez no me gusta para nada. La historia de Chip Zdarsky es de peor nivel que el anterior volumen; se nota que le metieron prisa por el regreso de los Cuatro Fantásticos. Una pena, pero bueno, el primer volumen quedará para el recuerdo.
February 2, 2019
Collects Marvel 2-In-One issues #7-12 and Annual #1
This was a great series that ended too soon. I appreciated the Multiversal action, and by the end of this series...
SPOILERS:
...the Fantastic Four are back together.
This was a great series that ended too soon. I appreciated the Multiversal action, and by the end of this series...
SPOILERS:
...the Fantastic Four are back together.
November 29, 2018
Zdarsky's got such a good handle on the characters that even if they've been around for decades they feel like they've still got things to reveal.
November 30, 2018
Da la impresion que la historia original, fue abortada por los nuevos 4F. Lastima.
December 2, 2018
More fun with the Thing and the Human Torch as they search for the rest of their team, and family. This volume spans stories that occur both before and after the completion of that quest.
March 29, 2019
Needs some transition between books that continue plot lines from other titles
Read
August 4, 2019Initially very downbeat, subsequently a little disjointed, one gets the feeling this book wasn't harmonised as well as it migh have been with the return of the Fantastic Four title proper.
November 3, 2019
A real let down after the fantastic first vol. They lose Doom and the evil girl and end with the most anticlimactic reunion possible.
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