Synopsis & Review by RachelGrey:
Synopsis: Mr. Fantastic and some soldiers prepare to transport another incarcerated hero, Wildstreak, into the Negative Zone prison. Reed tells himself to keep looking at the numbers and not the result when the soldiers upset the tube and allow Wildstreak to escape. The give chase, only to find Wildstreak has disappeared. Suddenly, something breaks through the glass of the Baxter Building and Wildstreak becomes visible again. And angry Reed says, “We have to talk” as his wife Susan appears and agrees with him. Reed tells Sue she’s broken the law and that they’ll figure out she helped Wildstreak. Sue says the law is wrong and that Tony and Reed are acting like Nazis. Reed angrily yells he’s doing it because it’s the law and its right. Plus, he’s doing it to protect Sue. This upsets Sue, who uses her force fields to crash through the Baxter Building and show she doesn’t need protecting. Sue tells Reed not to use her as an excuse for being afraid to go against his government and tells Reed she’s not the same Reed she knew and loved. Reed just tells Sue to leave. Sue leaves crying while Reed focus on the numbers again and how much damage costs will be for Sue’s display of power.

Later, Ben Grimm comes home and finds Reed. He asks if he had a fight with Sue, but moves to a different subject when Reed says he doesn’t want to talk about Sue. The Thing announces he’s leaving America because of the Civil War and going to France. And that means he’s leaving the Fantastic Four too. Reed says he’s out of arguments and tells Ben to just go if that’s what he wants. Ben turns to leave and then figures out Sue left. Reed just says his goodbyes to his friend.

Later still, Iron Man and Peter come over and Reed lets the two of them visit the Negative Zone prison (As seen in Amazing Spider-Man #535). Once they return, Reed explains his reasoning for joining the Pro-side to Peter, while Iron Man secretly listens in. reed talks about an Uncle who didn’t follow the law and was prosecuted during the McCarthy era. Peter then leaves with Iron Man, but tells Reed that uncle he thinks is wrong…well, he loved him. The two leave Reed in the dark to ponder.

Review: OK, anyone who read Civil War #4 knows Sue left Reed. However, she does it differently here. I like the Civil War way better as it leaves Sue with more dignity and it’s a more entertaining way (making love one last time lol). This leads to some continuity problems. The way I figure it, after the fight where Goliath dies, the events in FF #539 and Amazing Spidey #534 occur (the convoy attack). Then the funeral for Goliath happens (remember, Sue and Johnny are at the funeral). Then, Reed and Sue have their fight in this issue. Sue leaves. Ben says he’s leaving and begins to pack or whatever. Then Tony and Peter come and tour the prison as seen in this issue and Amazing Spidey #535. Then Sue returns home, which isn’t uncommon in most fights (get her things, etc.). She has her quickie with Reed and writes the note and then leaves with Johnny as Ben, who’s leaving the next morning or whenever he can get a flight, watches. That’s my taking on the Civil War schedule. There might be a fallacy in my thoughts so just be warned, lol.

McKone’s art seems better to me here. His art is very static and doesn’t make well for fights, but talking issues like this is where he really shines. I don’t like his Peter Parker too much though. Also, in one panel, Wildstreak has her goggles, then the next she doesn’t, and then she has them again. Funny, but not important. I have no clue who Wildstreak is either.

Overall, this is the best issue of Fantastic Four since the Civil War prelude. It really shows some of Reed’s thoughts…or maybe how he isn’t thinking. Reed just thinking about he numbers instead of the consequences and the more human aspects makes a lot of sense to me. The denial and removal Reed is playing kind of makes me understand his side a bit more, but I still don’t agree with it. It’s easy to see fallacies with Reed’s thinking between his failing story about Uncle Ted and how he says he’s doing it to protect Sue. Obviously, Reed isn’t sure about this either, but he seems to be making excuses and forcing himself to believe they’re reasons, which is a very human thing to do. He still seems very cold and jerk-like. Hopefully he’ll open his eyes soon. Sue’s little force field display is the best part of this issue. It really showed how powerful of a character Susan is physically and mentally. I also think it’s funny how today’s society compares everything to and everyone to Nazis nowadays (I blame the History Channel lol) but it’s appropriate here. Reed and Tony kind of are acting that way. I hope the quality of these tie-ins will continue to be on this level. This is the first time I’ve read an issue of these Civil War tie-ins and felt like it was worth it. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?