Road to Avengers: Doomsday - Fantastic Four: Interlude Review

 

We're back to the Road to Avengers: Doomsday. This time around I'm reviewing a Doctor Doom story where the Fantastic Four don't show up. So how is it a classic then?

Fantastic Four: Interlude is a 1983 story published by Marvel Comics and can found in issue #258 of the 1961 volume of Fantastic Four. John Byrne both wrote and drew the comic.

The story is, we move away from the Fantastic Four to get a look at how Doctor Doom runs his country of Latveria. But while Doom is doing his usual duties as the country's ruler, we also witness him wanting to regain the Silver Surfer's powers.

• Negatives

I've got nothing.

• Mix

My only slight issue was the pacing. Not in the sense that this felt like a long read, no. You can easily get through this. The minor problem stems from how we get a lot of time jumps. One moment we're here and next thing we boom! It's several weeks later. Sure it keeps the issue tight, but then the whole deal with the cosmic powers can feel a bit rushed.

• Positives

First thing I want to praise is John Byrne's art. While he'll always be one of the top ten Superman artists to me, his art is this is great. He drew a beautiful two-page spread of a rebuilt Latveria, even in his armor we can see Doom's expressions, his layouts are good, and while some may look at it as just as gimmick, the idea have having Doom's hand tear at the cover to give us a sneak peak at the first page I found to be cool.

But my biggest praise goes to the writing. In this issue we get a deep dive on Doctor Doom. We see how much of a benevolent dictator he is, we see him as stern but paternal figure to a young boy, we see the brilliant scientist and strategist. While at the same time we also see that every present egomaniac who explodes if someone so much has gives a hint of someone possible being a powerful rival to him. All of this is such great storytelling and I love it! I love it when comics like this take a step back from all of the action and dive deep into the character's mind whether they're the villain, hero, or in Doctor Doom's case, the villain as the hero in his own story.

Guys I strongly recommend you this if you want to understand Doctor Doom. Sure I mentioned some pacing problems, but above all else it's a great read.

My final rating is, Great.

That's all for now. Due come back on Thursday, May 21st, for my review of the final season of The Boys. Until then, enjoy the rest of your day.