From trips to the literal afterlife to a "hidden" floor of the Baxter Building that acts as a mathematical playground, the "imagination" factor is dialed to eleven. Waid leaned into Reed Richards' obsession with the unknown, reminding us that the FF are explorers first and fighters second. Why You Should Read It Now
In an era of gritty reboots, the Waid/Wieringo run is a breath of fresh air. it is heartfelt, funny, and visually stunning. It reminds us that at its best, the Marvel Universe is a place of infinite possibility and unbreakable bonds. Fantastic Four By Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo -...
Many writers struggle to make Doctor Doom scary again. Waid succeeded by leaning into the character's vanity and cruelty. In the "Unthinkable" arc, Doom trades his scientific genius for forbidden magic, leading to one of the most chilling and personal confrontations in FF history. It redefined Doom for a new generation. 3. The Vibrant Art of Mike Wieringo From trips to the literal afterlife to a
The late Mike "Ringo" Wieringo brought a sense of joy and kinetic energy that the book desperately needed. His style was clean, expressive, and slightly cartoony, which perfectly captured the wonder of the Marvel Universe. He didn't just draw superheroes; he drew characters with souls. 4. High-Concept Sci-Fi it is heartfelt, funny, and visually stunning
Before this run, the Fantastic Four had drifted toward generic superhero tropes. Waid and Wieringo pivoted back to the core: they aren’t just a team; they’re a functional (and sometimes dysfunctional) family. Whether it’s Ben and Johnny’s relentless pranking or Sue acting as the true emotional glue of the group, the domestic moments feel just as high-stakes as the cosmic ones. 2. "Unthinkable": The Ultimate Doctor Doom Story