The story kicks off with Reed studying an enlarged photo of something mysterious their spaceship captured on a past mission. However, the serious tone quickly turns lighthearted as we see Marvel’s First Family roughhousing with each other—this time, surprisingly initiated by Sue Storm! It’s a charming reminder that Reed and Sue are soon to be married, adding a nice personal touch to their dynamic.

Of course, peace never lasts for long when you’re the Fantastic Four. The Frightful Four waste no time springing into action with a new scheme to defeat our heroes. Their first move? Capturing Sue Storm, with Madame Medusa posing as a new designer at an exclusive Eastside fashion house. News of Sue’s disappearance quickly hits the papers, and the remaining members of the team jump into action to save her.

The Frightful Four aren’t hiding, though—in fact, they want the Fantastic Four to find them. The trap is set in a secluded Pacific island, where they’ve planted a powerful Q-Bomb capable of wiping out the team.

A fight between the two teams ensues, with the Fantastic Four seemingly rescuing the Invisible Girl. Unfortunately, victory comes at a price: their transportation off the island is crippled, leaving them stranded. Desperate, they uncover the bomb just before it detonates. But there’s no time to disarm it. Their only hope is Sue’s invisible shield, which she uses to protect them from the Q-Bomb’s devastating explosion.

Story

On the whole, this story is a lot of fun. The pacing is strong, and Marvel’s First Family once again shows us that, above all else, they are family. They come together, support one another, and face danger as a united front.

By contrast, their fearsome counterparts, the Frightful Four, are held together by little more than their shared hatred of the Fantastic Four. They bicker, fight for leadership, and rely on brute power rather than teamwork. This stark difference between the two groups adds a compelling dynamic to the story.

Characters & Development

The story ends with our heroes trapped in the Pacific, seemingly powerless—a fantastic (pun intended) development! It ramps up the drama and sets up an exciting cliffhanger for the next issue. Sure, we know the Fantastic Four will find a way out of this mess, but the tension feels real in the moment, keeping readers hooked.

Originality & Continuity

The idea of using a massive explosion to destroy your enemies—or as a way to ensure victory—isn’t exactly new. One recent example that comes to mind is X-Men #9. However, what sets Fantastic Four #38 apart is that the bomb actually goes off. Our heroes don’t stop it in time. Instead, they face the consequences of their failure, and for once, the villains win—at least temporarily. This bold choice adds genuine stakes and ensures readers will eagerly pick up the next issue to see how the team bounces back.