Fantastic Four #282 Review

Issue Review
Fantastic Four #282

Direct Market Release Date: May 28, 1985

Credits

Title: Inwards to Infinity!
Script: John Byrne
Pencils: John Byrne
Inker: Jerry Ordway
Editor: Michael Carlin
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Lettering: John Workman
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Summary

After finishing rebuilding the Fantastic Four's Reducto-craft, Reed Richards debates whether or not they should use it to go after the Psycho-Man, or stay where they are and deal with the Beyonder's threat. Sue Richards, still shaken from being possessed and transformed into Malice by Psycho-Man, expresses outrage that the Beyonder should even be a consideration after all she has been through. After awakening from a nightmare, Franklin Richards stumbles into the middle of the argument, and Sue snaps at him. Concerned with Sue's temper and need for vengeance, Reed Richards decides that it's best to leave the Beyonder to everyone else, and support his wife.

The Fantastic Four board the Reducto-craft, and head to the Microverse, where they are swiftly captured by Psycho-Man.

Quotes

She-Hulk: Well, Reed, is it ready yet?
Reed Richards: Yes, She-Hulk. I made a few adjustments in the original design, dictated by recently acquired information... plus, of course, working with unfamiliar Avengers equipment slowed me down somewhat... But, yes, it's finished.
She Hulk: "Slowed you down?!" Working completely from MEMORY, You've re-created one of the single most complex pieces of equipment we had before Doctor Doom BLEW UP the Baxter building... and you did it in under six hours ! Almost from scratch! Tell me something, Torch. Is your brother-in-law USUALLY this modest?
Johnny Storm: Not usually, no.

Sue Richards: I don't believe this!! Dreams! Alien invasions!! Monsters!!! And every time I've had to be calm and quiet and understanding!
Johnny Storm: S-Sis?
Sue Richards: Well, NO MORE! Franklin, you get back to your room this instant!
Reed Richards: Sue.. Darling! The lad is upset. This is most unlike you. I really don't think...
Sue Richards: No, you DON'T, Reed! you NEVER think unless it's about some impossible invention or unstoppable menace! Well, I say ENOUGH! I've spent most of my adult life following you into COUNTLESS battles, risking everything, everyone I love, to save the world ONE MORE TIME!

Commentary

Secret Wars II lands in the middle of what is considered to be the best run on Fantastic Four since Lee and Kirby started the title in 1961. John Byrne has a fantastic grasp of the characters personalities, and even though the mid-80's haircuts are in full effect here, Byrne's artistic renditions of the characters are flawless.

That being said, this issue isn't the highlight of Byrne's run. Nearly the first half of the book is spent depicting Franklin Richard's nightmare, which in reality is a 9 page Power Pack commercial. The fact that half of the dream sequence is wordless makes it far to quick of a read. The remainder of the book features a nice insight into Sue Richard's motivations and character, but in the end all that happens is Franklin dreams, the Fantastic Four stand around and talk, and then journey to the Microverse. Don't get me wrong - it's a very well done issue, but if you're new to the Byrne FF era, this issue probably wouldn't entice you to pick up any other issues.

Johnny Storm's bowl cut, and Sue Richard's femullet are a nice historical look at haircuts popular in the mid 80's. Yes, people really did look like that, once!

As far as crossovers go, if you spent $0.75 of your hard earned cash on this book expecting Secret Wars II to continue in this issue, you might be disappointed. The Beyonder is barely mentioned, and only appears in one panel while Reed Richards wonders what he's up to at that instant.

Up next...

Secret Wars II continues in Secret Wars II #3!