Fantastic Four #35
- WRITER
- Mark Waid, Dan Slott, Jason Loo
- Artist
- Scott Hanna, Paul Renaud, Cam Smith, Jason Loo, JP Mayer, Mark Morales, John Romita Jr., Rafael Fonteriz
- Letterer
- Joe Caramagna
- Cover Artist
- Mark Brooks
- Publisher
- Marvel Comics
- Price
- 9.99
- Release Date
- 2021-09-15
- Colorist
- Jason Loo, Erick Arciniega, Paul Renaud, Marte Gracia
The Fantastic Four are looking pretty good for 60! Marvel's First Family celebrates its 60th Anniversary in Fantastic Four #35. Writer Dan Slott and artist John Romita Jr. are joined by Jason Loo, Mark Waid, and Paul Renaud for an oversized special that represents the team's storied legacy. The comic is filled with chaos and timely cameos that make it accessible to readers of all ages, ensuring that the next 60 years of Fantastic Four start in style.
Fantastic Four #35 begins with the Fantastic Four returning from Latveria after Doctor Doom's chaotic wedding. However, as soon as they walk through the Baxter Building's hanger, they discover a mysterious piece of machinery with chronal energy. The story then cuts to a meeting between Kang the Conqueror and his many forms, who have hatched a devious plot to retrieve a great prize from their ancestor, Nathaniel Richards. To ensure their success, the Kangs must defeat the Fantastic Four at various points in their timeline, retrieve four pieces of chronal machinery, and assemble them into one treasure. Can the Fantastic Four survive an assault across time or are they doomed to become relics of the past?
The main feature in Fantastic Four #35 is written by Dan Slott, who has perfected the art of oversized specials during his time at Marvel. He crafts a uniquely accessible story for the Fantastic Four that should grab the attention of new readers, bringing in Kang the Conqueror and the Time Variance Authority (TVA) fresh off of their Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances in Loki. Using these ideas allows Slott to jump across FF history and play with the heroes at distinct moments in their timeline. It also gives Slott an opportunity to juxtapose Human Torch's power upgrade against various times where the Things struggled with his appearance. Slott writes an incredibly heartfelt Ben Grimm and he always shines brightest in scenes with Johnny.
Legendary artist John Romita Jr. is paired with inkers J.P. Mayer, Scott Hanna, Cam Smith, Rafael Fonteriz, and Mark Morales for the different eras of Fantastic Four #35's time-travel storyline. JR Jr. has decades of experience at Marvel, but this is the first time that he's drawn a regular Fantastic Four series. His renditions of the Thing, Mr. Fantastic, and the Human Torch are all tremendous. However, it's the debut character, Scion, who truly steals the spotlight. Created as a new identity for Kang the Conqueror, Scion's design is a wonderful homage to Jack Kirby's artwork, with the signature JR Jr. style that has made him a fan-favorite creator. Colorists Marte Garcia and Erick Arciniega are crucial to this book's success as well, as their consistent color palette helps bring a level of visual consistency to the story as it moves through eras and settings.
Fantastic Four #35 also has two brief backup features. The first, written and drawn by Jason Loo, is a whimsical two-page story that shows the Fantastic Four fighting against the Mole Man. It's a fun and silly way for Marvel to sneak the first FF villain into the 60th-anniversary celebration. The second, by writer Mark Waid and art Paul Renaud, is a modern retelling of how the Fantastic Four got their powers. At this point, the FF's origin is well-traveled ground, but Waid and Renaud still find a way to present it in a new light by connecting it to Marvel's history. Waid's Fantastic Four run is considered by many to be one of the best ever, and he effortlessly slides back into the characters' voices. Renaud excels with the material as well -- particularly when drawing a double-page spread that showcases the team's many battles.
Overall, Fantastic Four #35 is a touching time-travel tribute to Marvel's First Family. The main story by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. is an epic showcase of the Fantastic Four's strengths, while the back-ups by Jason Loo, Mark Waid, and Paul Renaud provide loving looks back on the team's legacy. Additionally, the issue plants seeds for Fantastic Four: Reckoning War, making it a crucial read for the franchise. If the next 60 years of FF are as good as Fantastic Four #35, fans are in for a treat.