Reading the Fantastic Four comics from the start. Writer Jonathan Hickman’s cosmic mega-epic has ended, but there are still some details to follow up on, most notably Johnny becoming ruler of the Negative Zone during the time everyone thought he was dead.

Issue #605: Because the FF changed the future in the recent cosmic storyline, time-traveling Nathaniel Richards no longer has knowledge of the future. So he and Reed build an observation platform, to observe but not interact with the future. They witness what appears to be utopian New York with multiple Baxter Buildings, and Franklin and an aging Ben leading a new Fantastic Four.

Reed deduces that Ben is aging slowly, and he and Nathaniel travel another thousand years ahead. Ben gives a graduation speech to the Future Foundation… of the future, made up of hundreds of kids, human and alien. Then it’s another thousand years ahead, where an older Ben is saddened, pining for the good old days. In another thousand years, an immortal Franklin returns from space to attend Ben’s funeral. Back in the present, Reed has a beer with Ben while Ben enjoys a TV boxing match. Ben says, “I’ve missed you too, stretch.”

In FF #17, we learn that the “Peter and Johnny are roommates” gag that ended the epic wasn’t a gag. Also, they’re not roommates at the new Baxter Building, but in Peter’s apartment. Johnny’s fun-loving lifestyle conflicts with Peter’s new professional job at Horizon Labs, so Peter is looking for an opportunity to kick Johnny out.

But then Johnny holds a huge party in the apartment, and Peter joins in, having too much to drink. The next morning, while hungover, Peter finds Annihilus in their bathroom, and he finally tells Johnny to leave.

Gimmie a gimmick: Suddenly we’re in the world of wacky comics numbering as the next issue is Fantastic Four #605.1. At the time, Marvel promoted these “Point One” issues as the big cool thing. Was it?

Things get uncomfortable in issue, as we’re in an alternate universe where the Fantastic Four’s origin is retold… in Nazi Germany?!? It’s the old alternate history where the other side won WWII thing. This version of Reed is pure evil, eventually becoming ruler of this world, defeating all the other superheroes and obtaining the Infinity Gauntlet. He loses control and destroys the Earth. But then, all alone in space, he invents the Bridge, which puts him in contact with the interdimensional Council of Reeds.

Issue #606 has the FF exploring an alien environment, confined to their spacesuits and confronting blob-like aliens. It’s pretty obvious what’s going on, that we’re doing a Fantastic Voyage remake, with them having shrunk down and swimming around inside a person.

In a flashback, it’s revealed that this is happening inside old mailman Willie Lumpkin, who’s developed a deadly tumor. The doctors say it would take a miracle to save him, and Ben says, “Does that guy have any idea who he’s talking to?” The heroes manage to teleport the tumor out of Willie, who makes a full recovery.

In FF #18, Johnny acts as substitute teacher for the Future Foundation. One of the Moloid kids asks him about procreation. He tries to be nice about it, and says it’s all about love. But the Moloids and the Atlantean kids were bred in large groups of hatchlings, while Dragon Man and Bentley-23 were grown in science labs. To teach the kids a lesson about love, Johnny offers a field trip to the Negative Zone, where he’s still a big deal after acquiring Annihilus’ Cosmic Control Rod. Once there, everyone learns that a rebellion is under way to overthrow Johnny, and his generals have joined this rebellion.

We cut to outer space, where Franklin and his future self are using Franklin’s reality-bending powers to heal the sun of Hala, the Kree homeworld. Reed encourages the Inhumans and the Kree to stop fighting and start making peace. But Black Bolt, who was brought back to life to destroy the Kree Supreme Intelligence, only wants to fight. Future Franklin seals Black Bolt in some sort of energy cube and convinces him that he’s needed back on Earth because something very bad is coming.

In the Negative Zone, the rebels are confined to a single city held under siege. Johnny meets with the generals, who demand free elections among the Negative Zone creatures. This leads to a lengthy discussion among the Future Foundation kids about democracy. The generals agree, and the Negative Zone holds its first election. Johnny loses, which he expected, but then there’s a surprise where Annihilus wins by write-in vote. Johnny says, “At least it was fun while it lasted.”

Unstable molecule: Nathaniel is apologetic to Reed for missing so much of Reed’s youth, but he says that Reed would appreciate time travel more than playing catch.

Fade out: Sue of course uses her force fields in various ways during the Fantastic Voyage takeoff, including sealing a hull breach. But she’s also in a scientist/leadership role, detailing to the others the perils of the environment.

Clobberin’ time: Ben’s slow aging is explained by the Future Foundation kids giving him the ability to be human for one week per year, with him only aging during that one week. Also, future Ben has a big beard made of his rocks. Not sure how that works.

Flame on: Among Johnny’s antics is a portal to the Negative Zone in Peter Parker’s closet, serving as a reminder that he’s the ruler there.

Fantastic fifth wheel: Is Spider-Man still a member of the team, or not? He’s no longer included on the opening text pages that half-heartedly catch readers up to speed.

Reed has yet another new version of H.E.R.B.I.E., called a “Herbot.” No idea is this one of the H.E.R.B.I.E.s that was built from old Doombots. Freakin’ H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot.

She-Hulk and Luke Cage are seen among the Avengers trying to stop evil Reed in the alternate WWII universe.

Four and a half: Franklin’s future self is still hanging around, and still using godlike powers to do stuff. Future Franklin is basically the Beyonder at this point, and I wonder where they’re going with this character. Another question is what does present-day pre-teen Franklin think of his future self? He seems cool with it, but in the 2020s Fantastic Four comics, Franklin is a frustrated, disaffected teen. Could that be fallout from everything he’s seen in these issues?  

Our gal Val: Valeria takes something of a back seat in these issues. In the Negative Zone conflict, she says she wishes Franklin was there, setting up the reveal that Franklin is with the Kree.

Foundational: Bentley-23 watches the boxing match alongside Ben and Reed, saying he likes the violence. He’s later disappointed that there’s an election in the Negative Zone instead of a battle.

Moloids Mik and Turg are at Johnny’s party. It’s suggested that they’re getting drunk with everyone else, but this is not made explicit.

Trivia time: Peter Parker started working at Horizon Labs during the “Big Time” event. The idea was that Peter is finally living up to his potential by getting a high profile, well-paying job – hitting the big time, as it were. My pet theory is that Horizon Labs was a metaphor for the Marvel movies, where Marvel also hit the big time by becoming the biggest name in Hollywood.

Fantastic or frightful? Jonathan Hickman gives us some issues that are less plotty and more character-based, and it’s refreshing. We can see his more humorous side, and it’s such a nice change of pace from all the cosmic mumbo-jumbo we’ve been through. I could’ve done without the Nazi stuff, though.  

Next: Talk the talk-anda, walk the Wakanda.

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Want more? Check out my novel MOM, I’M BULLETPROOF. It’s a comedic/romantic/dramatic superhero epic! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XPXBK14.