Reading the Fantastic Four comics from the start. We’ve got both Galactus and Atlantis in issue #585. All these storylines must be building to something, but what?

Gimmie a gimmick: The cover continues this series of issues with a “Three” Countdown to Casualty logo, this time with a circled number 2.

We begin with the same scene as the last issue, but from Ben and Johnny’s POV this time. They drive up in Johnny’s car to see Galactus hovering over the new Baxter Building. Galactus says “Explain” to Reed. Reed tells him how the New Defenders needed their people to escape from an apocalyptic future, so they used future Galactus as a power source, killing him. Reed says he gave the body a proper burial because it seemed like the right thing to do. Reed then reveals that the New Defenders now live on an artificial Earth, which he says is on the other side of the galaxy. Galactus says, “Locate it.” The Silver Surfer can find it just by looking at the stars, and then Galactus departs for Nu Earth. What’s more, Reed accompanies him, instructing Ben and Johnny to watch the kids while he’s gone.

Cut to under the sea, where Sue is setting up the first negotiation between Atlantis and the recently discovered lost city of Old Atlantis. Andromeda of Atlantis does not like the terms Sue has set up, but Namor overrules her. Andromeda leaves, and Namor says she believes Sue doesn’t have Atlantis’ best interests at heart. Sue says she wants what’s best for everyone, and Namor says, “If only things were so simple.”

Reed and Galactus arrive at Galactus space station home, Taa II. They’re going to wait while the Silver Surfer searched Earth for a select group of others who also had exposure to the future Galactus’ remains. Galactus gets a lot more dialogue than usual, where he says he intends to prevent his future death. Then he says to Reed, “We have to talk about your son.”

At the Baxter Building, Ben is telling the kids of the Future Foundation about the time he defeated the Mad Thinker’s Awesome Android, and the kids are more interested in how the android worked than in Ben’s heroism. After the kids go to bed, Ben and Johnny discuss having children. Johnny says he definitely wants to be a father someday, while Ben assumed he never would. Now that he has the ability to be human one week per year, he muses on the possibility.

Elsewhere, a sinister figure called the Anti-Priest speaks to a large gathering. He says people’s dread comes from a fear of dying, but he has come up with an offer for everyone to live forever. Backstage, the Anti-Priest is revealed as an insectoid alien who contacts Annihilus. He and a bunch of the insectoids are planning to seize the Baxter Building and use the Negative Zone portal to unleash another Annihilation Wave.

In Thailand, the Atlantean negotiations begin. Old Atlantis wants access to certain parts of the ocean, but Andromeda will not budge. Namor tells the Old King that the world has changed while Old Atlantis was sealed up for hundreds of years. Namor says he agreed to this meeting to see what awakened from a long time ago. He says, “My course has been set,” and he attacks the Old King. He’s too fast for Sue to stop him, and he stabs the Old King in the chest. He declares, “There is but one king under the sea!”

Unstable molecule: Once again, Galactus considers Reed the only human worth conversing with. But, to be fair, Galactus does not when Johnny joins the conversation. I guess he’s just being polite.

Fade out: The particulars of this treaty is that Atlantis and Old Atlantis are to be treated as equals and have the same number of guards, but Andromeda wants Atlantis to outnumber Old Atlantis three to one. None of this ends up mattering during Namor’s confrontation at the end.

Clobberin’ time: The story Ben tells the kids is his version of the FF’s original encounter with the Mad Thinker way back in issue #15.

Flame on: Johnny’s admission of wanting to be a father someday is interesting. I think the intent is to show he’s a good person, but unintentionally it shows his character growth, and where he may or may not go in the future.

Four and a half: Franklin is shown alongside the Future Foundation kids, listening to Ben’s story. He is the first thing you see when you turn the page after Galactus says, “We have to talk about your son.”

Our gal Val: Valeria is quick to remind the other Future Foundation kids that the Mad Thinker’s creation was an android, not a robot.

Foundational: In their discussion of the Mad Thinker’s awesome android, Alex Power questions the android’s base DNA, Dragon Man questions the android’s power source, while the Atlantean Vil praises the Mad Thinker’s use of unstable molecules. Bently-23, however, points out that he’s met the Mad Thinker and dismisses his “limited facilities.”

Trivia time: Taa II is not the second of Galactus’ homes. It’s the same one he’s had all along. The “II” is because it’s named after his long-lost homeworld of Taa.

Like a lot of Marvel characters who’ve only had supporting roles, Andromeda’s continuity is difficult to follow. She’s spent a lot of time with Dr. Strange and the Defenders, and she was a major character in the Atlantis Attacks events.  A Marvel Handbook-style Defenders: Strange Heroes comic established her as returning to Atlantis leadership during this time.

Fantastic or frightful? Hickman continues these varying storylines he’s set up, with me wondering the whole time when or if they will build to something. If this were something from the Mark Waid era (era) then I’d know where going somewhere with this. If this is from the directionless ‘70s Fantastic Four comics, or the all-over-the-place nature of the Tom DeFalco years, then I’m nervous. EDIT: I did some reading ahead, and I see now that we are indeed heading toward a major event in FF history. Not sure how I feel about what’s to come, but we’ll see.  

Next: Black Hole High.

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