Comics Corner Review: Marvel 2-IN-One #4

Ben and Johnny begin their search for the rest of their team in earnest in this issue but their first stop isn’t where they want to be. Without Reed as the brains of the team, Thing and Human Torch enlist Dr. Rachne Koul to use her intellect to assist them in finding Reed, Sue, and the kids. But she might just have an agenda of her own. Regardless, the three head out into the multiverse on an adventure.

Issue: Marvel 2-in-One #4

Name: Fate of the Four, Part 3: Forward

Published: March 2018 by Marvel Comics

Blurb:

Creators:

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Valerio Schiti

Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Characters:

The Good: Thing aka Ben Grimm, Human Torch, aka Johnny Storm Wolverine, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Alicia Masters, Beast, Invisible Woman aka Sue Storm, Mr. Fantastic aka Reed Richards

The Bad: Doctor Doom, Galactus, Skrull

The Undecided: Dr. Rachne Koul

My Reading:

Ben and Johnny are desperate to follow the breadcrumbs to find Reed and Sue so they’ve enlisted the aid of Dr. Rachne to help them work the Multisect that Reed left behind. She’s got them chasing the cosmic radiation signatures of the missing heroes and they end up in a world that looks exactly the same as the New York they’re familiar with – up to a point. Of course there’s something off and it happens to be some kind of Superhuman Division of S.H.I.E.L.D. that’s run by Sue and features Wolverine and She-Hulk as ambassadors. Well not really, they are just the greeting committee for Ben and Johnny as they’re suspected of being Skrull agents. Inevitably a fight ensues, since Wolverine is involved, and blood is spilled. Once the locals figure out Thing and Torch are not Skrull, they take them to the Baxter Building to see Reed.

He’s grateful to see them but quickly figures out they’re not his friends but from a different universe. That’s when things get truly shocking as Beast explains how their universe reached the point where they are now. One simple change in history and Reed is a reclusive basket case and the Fantastic Four are nonexistent in this universe. I won’t get into the details since you really need to read this issue for yourself but suffice to say Doctor Doom and Galactus are involved and the triggering event hearkens back to events that happened way back in issue #10 from 1963.

What did I learn:

• Skrull bleed green blood.
• The multiverse has branches that spring from all kinds of different events.

My Thoughts:

This was a pretty shocking story and and the ending really twisted things around. I’m not really sure what to say other than I enjoyed this issue and it was a great read. Seriously, the emotional impact of the story told by Beast put me off reading any further comics the rest of the day as I tried to fit my brain around the implications of what was revealed about this corner of the multiverse. Speaking of which, I’m wondering what “number” Marvel will provide for this bit of alternate reality. Oh yeah and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion of what’s up with Human Torch in this universe…we’ll see if it’s revealed in the next issue.

In any case, this was a strong issue filled with great story telling, nostalgia and historical references, and cool art. I’m loving the build up this title provides for the eventual reintroduction of the Fantastic Four into the Marvel lineup and if their return is written like these few issues have been, I’m certainly gonna be reading it.

My Rating: A-

This comic can be found on Marvel Unlimited, Comixology or at your local comic book shop.

Comics Corner Review: Marvel 2-IN-One #4