X-Men/Fantastic Four #1 Review
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Terry Dodson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
One of the reasons the X-Men work and has been so popular for decades is that they are a parallel for the real world. Mutants are one of the marginalized groups in the Marvel Universe that for so long have been met with hate and fear. No matter what they do, or where they go, the hate and fear follows them. In ‘X-Men/Fantastic Four’ we see friction grow between the two groups due to Reed & Sue Richards’s son Franklin being a Mutant. Should Franklin join his mutant brethren on Krakoa, or should he stay with his family in New York?
I have to say this was one of the best comics I have read in so many years. There is such a correlation to what is happening in this story to the state of the real world. Anyone that would say as humans we have seen the final days of racism, homophobia, discrimination, sexism etc is lying to themselves. The same is true in the Marvel Universe. Recently the mutants have formed their own nation which is recognized by the United Nations, but they still are met with fear and hatred. Even from some of their longtime friends. Previously in ‘House of X/Powers of X’ we saw some conflict between the Fantastic Four and the mutants regarding mutant diplomacy. Also during that altercation Cyclops mentioned that Reed and Sue’s son has a home on Krakoa. Fast forward to today and Franklin is showing struggles with his powers, while also questioning his place in the world. The most obvious place for him is with his fellow mutants, even Xavier and Magneto see this. They can help him, and he can learn what it is to be a mutant. On the other side, Reed and Sue still feel that he is still a child and his place is with his family. So who is right?
Well in this situation no one. What this issue so beautifully shows us is that people get so caught up in their beliefs, their feelings, their wants that they close their eyes to anything else. We even see characters getting physical because they are so caught up in themselves and what they want that they fail to even ask what’s best for the child or what does the child want? There are even some great points made on each side but they seemingly fall on deaf ears. Just pop onto any social media comment section and you are going to see battles like this going on where neither party is listening or even cares about the other side.
I think that’s what really struck a chord with me. That these two groups, the mutants and the Fantastic Four, used to be friends. They like any friends have had fights before but they are so at odds with each other now, I fear they may never be able to mend this relationship. We see this in real life as well, especially with topics of coming out gay/lesbian/bi/queer or as transgender or gender non-binary. Some people are willing to just throw years away because they don’t agree with who you are or what you want.
Overall this book is a social commentary lesson that we all would benefit from reading. We are only one issue in and already this mini-series has asked a lot of very important questions. Mix that with some great fun art, some touching moment’s between Kate Pryde and Franklin Richards, and you have a must read series. Don’t miss out on this absolute gem!
Artist: Terry Dodson
Publisher: Marvel Comics
One of the reasons the X-Men work and has been so popular for decades is that they are a parallel for the real world. Mutants are one of the marginalized groups in the Marvel Universe that for so long have been met with hate and fear. No matter what they do, or where they go, the hate and fear follows them. In ‘X-Men/Fantastic Four’ we see friction grow between the two groups due to Reed & Sue Richards’s son Franklin being a Mutant. Should Franklin join his mutant brethren on Krakoa, or should he stay with his family in New York?
I have to say this was one of the best comics I have read in so many years. There is such a correlation to what is happening in this story to the state of the real world. Anyone that would say as humans we have seen the final days of racism, homophobia, discrimination, sexism etc is lying to themselves. The same is true in the Marvel Universe. Recently the mutants have formed their own nation which is recognized by the United Nations, but they still are met with fear and hatred. Even from some of their longtime friends. Previously in ‘House of X/Powers of X’ we saw some conflict between the Fantastic Four and the mutants regarding mutant diplomacy. Also during that altercation Cyclops mentioned that Reed and Sue’s son has a home on Krakoa. Fast forward to today and Franklin is showing struggles with his powers, while also questioning his place in the world. The most obvious place for him is with his fellow mutants, even Xavier and Magneto see this. They can help him, and he can learn what it is to be a mutant. On the other side, Reed and Sue still feel that he is still a child and his place is with his family. So who is right?
Well in this situation no one. What this issue so beautifully shows us is that people get so caught up in their beliefs, their feelings, their wants that they close their eyes to anything else. We even see characters getting physical because they are so caught up in themselves and what they want that they fail to even ask what’s best for the child or what does the child want? There are even some great points made on each side but they seemingly fall on deaf ears. Just pop onto any social media comment section and you are going to see battles like this going on where neither party is listening or even cares about the other side.
I think that’s what really struck a chord with me. That these two groups, the mutants and the Fantastic Four, used to be friends. They like any friends have had fights before but they are so at odds with each other now, I fear they may never be able to mend this relationship. We see this in real life as well, especially with topics of coming out gay/lesbian/bi/queer or as transgender or gender non-binary. Some people are willing to just throw years away because they don’t agree with who you are or what you want.
Overall this book is a social commentary lesson that we all would benefit from reading. We are only one issue in and already this mini-series has asked a lot of very important questions. Mix that with some great fun art, some touching moment’s between Kate Pryde and Franklin Richards, and you have a must read series. Don’t miss out on this absolute gem!
A Look Inside
