Reading the Fantastic Four comics from the start. The so-called Council of Reeds is a controversial subject among fans. In issue #571, we get to know them and learn what their deal is.

After the crises of Civil War, Secret Invasion, and Dark Reign, Reed has created a device called the Bridge, which allows him to see how his theories do and don’t work as they play out in alternate timelines. This is all in his new drive to, as he puts it, “solve everything.” Through the Bridge, Reed is contacted by a group of other Redes who tell him they can help him reach his full potential.

This issue begins with all the Reeds on another Earth, in battle against Galactus. The next morning, Reed joins the family for breakfast as they go over the guest list for Franklin’s upcoming birthday party. Sue gets Reed alone and fusses about how he’s spending so much time in his work. He says he won’t apologize for the work he does, but then he breaks down and asks her to give him one more week.

In another universe, one of the other Reeds shows off an entire planet used to grow wheat, to feed the hungry on his own Earth. He and the other Reeds encourage our Reed to think bigger, saying “Pretend there is no horizon.” Three days later, our Reed helps a wizard-like Reed fight an alt-universe Dr. Doom. Wizard Reed says the big decisions require necessary evils, and he demonstrates this by using a device to destroy Doom’s higher brain functions. This leads to an underground cavern called the Hole, where all the mind-wiped Dr. Dooms from across the multiverse are kept. Wizard Reed says he knows how Doom thinks because a small part of Dr. Doom’s DNA was spliced into his.

On day four, Reed and another alt-universe Reed grow to giant size, towering over stars and planets. They perform surgery on a star, saving the lives of 8 billion people on that universe’s Earth. Back at the Reeds’ HQ, the giant Reed asks our Reed, now that he’s seen what they have to offer, if he’s ready to join them and solve everything.

Back home, in the middle of the night, Reed can’t sleep. He has a flashback to his childhood. He’s upset because the other kids think he’s cool. He takes this as a sign that he’s different from the rest. Reed’s dad Nathaniel encourages him to use his talents to help people and change the world for the better.

On day six, Reed tells the other Reeds that he’s ready to join them. But then an alarm sounds, as invaders are breaking through the Bridge. One of the Reeds admits that people he thought were gods got into his mind and made him reveal everything the other Reeds were doing. Then we see these gods are the Celestials, who break through the bridge and attack.

To be continued!

Unstable molecule: As seen in the last issue, some of the Reeds have Infinity Gauntlets, complete with all six Infinity Gems. But the gauntlets are useless outside of their universe of origin. This detail was established in the landmark JLA/Avengers miniseries, so I guess that’s canon after all.

Fade out: Reed says that despite all his great accomplishments, Sue is the subject he’s studied most of all. This is what prompts him to ask her to give him one week on this “project.” Her response to this remains ambiguous.

Clobberin’ time: Ben is only in one scene, joking about how Reed looks like he needs coffee. He then encourages Reed to make good with Sue so the whole team doesn’t suffer.

Flame on: Franklin asks Johnny if he can invite Spider-Man to the birthday party. Johnny says he, as the Human Torch, will be there instead. Franklin says he thinks Spider-Man is cooler than Johnny.  

Four and a half: Franklin’s other birthday guests include Jack and Katie Power, two his former teammates from Power Pack, and Artie and Leech, two precocious kid mutants from various X-Men comics. Franklin befriended Artie and Leech during the Daydreamers miniseries.

Our gal Val: Valeria is in only one panel, giving Reed a hug as he shows up for breakfast.

Fantastic fifth wheel: In addition to working in Reed’s lab, the H.E.R.B.I.E. robots are also at work in the kitchen, serving food and doing the dishes. Freakin’ H.E,R.B.I.E. the robot.

Trivia time: Who are the Celestials, again? Godlike beings – or gods, if you prefer – who have been around since the dawn of time, and who create and cultivate life on other planets. In the original Eternals series, they were responsible for the creation of the Earth, although I don’t know how close Marvel holds this to canon. The Celestials are often depicted standing motionless in space, lost in deep contemplation, and only jumping to action when absolutely necessary.

The family is seen eating a “Hulk Smash” breakfast cereal. There really was a Hulk cereal, made in 2003 to promote the Ang Lee movie.

Fantastic or frightful? I’m tired of the whole multiverse/alternate realities thing, and yet I’m aware that this is what Marvel Comics is now – and this won’t change any time soon. Also, once again I thought we had resolved the thing about Reed spending too much time in the lab than with his family. But we’ve got a new writer on the series now, who’s using this as a starting point for Reed’s development. I suppose we’ve reached the point in Marvel history where there’s less character growth over time, and more keeping characters at a certain consistent familiarity. Or maybe I’m wrong. We’ll see where this goes.

Next: Worlds gone mad!  

* * * *

Want more? Check out my ongoing serial, THE SUBTERKNIGHTS, on Kindle Vella. A man searches for his missing sister in a sprawling city full of far-out tech, strange creatures, and secret magic. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid full of action, romance, mystery, and laughs. The first ten episodes are FREE! Click here for a list of all my books and serials.