Taking place after the Fantastic Four acquired their powers in a teleporting accident, Reed Richards works on a project to permanently remove the FF’s powers so they can resume their normal lives. Meanwhile, Reed’s friend/colleague, Victor Van Damme disappeared after experiment went wrong. He becomes Doctor Doom and vows revenge towards Reed, the Storm siblings and Ben Grimm.
Ultimate Fantastic Four’s second storyline, “Doom” was officially published in 2004 (same year X-Men Legends came out) and was yet another commercial hit. As you already know, cast members of “The Fantastic Four: The First Steps” will reprise their roles in “Avengers: Doomsday.” This time they join forces with The Avengers & X-Men to square off against Doctor Doom. Mark your calendar, the highly anticipated Avengers movie will be released on December 18, 2026.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are present. Ultimate Fantastic Four’s second storyline is another dud.
Right & Wrong Aspects
Right: Stuart Immonen’s artwork glued my eyes to various panels giving the Action Sequences a cinematic quality.
One joke made me laugh. Reed’s pals tease him for coming up with Fantasti-Car.
Wrong: Warren Ellis didn’t do so well writing a solid storyline.
Issues 7-12 covers depict the FF in their 30-40s. In the actual comics, they’re in their 20s. Same shtick happened in issues 1-6.
Lack of emphasis between core members of the team. The OG version made them unique in the early ’60s which was groundbreaking at the time when they quarrel with each other as real people struggling with their powers and moral dilemma, but eventually they put their differences aside and continue to kick some bad guy butt. Ultimate Marvel’s version lacks the internal conflict.
As I’ve mentioned on my previous review of Ultimate FF’s first storyline, second story arc covers six issues. Short answer, Pacing’s too fast. Not enough material to expand the FF embarking on more than just one adventure. You know what’s way entertaining? Beavis and Butthead dancing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ cover version of “Love Rollercoaster” in “Beavis and Butthead Do America.” By the way, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of my favorite bands.
Doctor Doom’s origins and back story is completely butchered. In Earth-616, Doom didn’t obtain powers from a gosh darn teleporting accident. He’s a genius inventor and a master of sorcery. His ancestry’s tied to Dracula. Absolutely ridonkulus. And another thing, Victor’s last name is Van Damme. It’s supposed to be Von Doom. And I thought Doom was done dirty thrice in the 2005 movie, its sequel in 2007 and that god-awful reboot in 2015.
Doom controlling a crowd of hippies sounds stupid. In the OG Universe, he made robotic body doubles for crying out loud. The more I read, the more my I lose a portion of my intelligence.
The final battle between the FF and Doom felt short. At least The Ultimates’ first storyline tried its best to deliver an epic battle.
The Final Verdict: D-
Other fantastic flop of Marvel’s first family. Do not waste your spare time on this so-called “reimagining” of the Fantastic Four. Skip Ultimate Marvel’s iteration in favor of the classic comics in Marvel Epic Collection lineup or subscribe to Marvel Unlimited. The choice is yours.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 