Alicia has returned from a sculpture convention to discover the Fantastic Four have a new pet - an adorable new dog that everyone tells her she'll love. But when she first touches the creature, it's cold, it's wet, it's slimy and it's wrong - at least until a moment later, when suddenly, she feels the warm and soft fur she's expecting. Alicia is the only one who can see the truth: This is not a dog. This is something very wrong that has insinuated itself inside the Fantastic Four and which is making everyone think it's a dog. And this creature has designs of its own for both Alicia - and the entire planet Earth!
Fantastic Four #4 is another standout chapter in Ryan North's run, proving once again that science fiction is at its best when it asks "what if? and dares to find out. A blend of creature-feature chills and cerebral problem-solving, it's an eerie, clever, and perfectly-timed Halloween treat that captures what makes Marvel's First Family so timeless: curiosity, courage, and the conviction that every mystery can be solved. Fantastic Four#4 is a reminder that this team remains Marvel's purest expression of scientific storytelling, and that in Ryan North's hands, the best ideas aren't just smart. They're alive. Read Full Review
With inventive, science-based plotting and an energetic art team, Fantastic Four #4 is an exciting, accessible, high-stakes one-shot. It's a smart, fun read for both new fans and long-time readers, and it firmly solidifies Alicia's place as an essential member of the family. Read Full Review
Ramos delivers beautiful art throughout the issue. I really enjoyed the imagery and visual a lot. Read Full Review
Fantastic Four #4 is a perfect issue for readers wondering what the series is all about. North completely divorces it from larger concerns and delivers an easy to follow story that centers the family dynamic around a real world phenomenon. Ramoss art very effectively complements Norths storytelling. Fantastic Four #4 is a fun, charming story that will amuse readers both new and old. Read Full Review
Fantastic Four #4 positions itself to be the one where traditional side-character Alicia Masters gets her chance to shine and save the day. But by the end it can't commit to this and becomes a paint-by-numbers Fantastic Four story. Read Full Review
The list of my favorite things about Ryan North's FF is long, but how well he writes Alicia is certainly in the top 5. Ever since the 60's she's been one of the best characters in this series, but North really delves into her potential as a Lois Lane-style ordinary person who is clever and insightful enough to not be out of place in a room full of superheroes
Also, I know Ramos's art isn't to everyone's taste, but I adore that cover
Plot
Alice visits the Fantastic Four's farm and is introduced to a new pet, a dog named "Jellybean." However, Alice doesn't perceive it as a dog, but rather as some kind of slimy creature with tentacles. No one believes her when she says it's weird.
Alice is working on her artwork and can't get the idea out of her head, aside from the unpleasant sensation, so she visits Reed and asks him a hypothetical question: what would happen if she perceived something very different from everyone else's? Reed describes the psychological phenomenon called pareidolia, in which the brain interprets patterns or faces in ambiguous or random stimuli. However, since Alice can't see, this effect doesn't work for her. This creature controls pare more
I like the idea behind this story, but the way it is written, it just doesn't work. If the Alicia I know would find out that some unknown creature has invaded the FF`s home by posing as a harmless dog, she wouldn't wait until the existence of the alien is confirmed. She would see it as the immediate threat it is and warn the FF! I mean... if this isn't a reason to be alarmed, what is? It could be one of the FF's many enemies carrying out a nefarious plan. It could even be a planet-conquering alien species that wants to kill all of humanity - which it actually turns out to be, so WTF!!!
This issue is exactly the kind of retarded nonsense I've come to expect from Ryan North. Ramos's artwork - ironically - works better with such a more
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