Why, do you ask? I give you three reasons.
1. Dwayne McDuffie really has a handle on what makes the Fantastic Four unique. It’s not just four people with superpowers; it’s a family. And even though that family is going through post-Civil War jitters, and Reed and Sue have been replaced with the Black Panther and Storm, they still work like a family. There’s a little bickering, a few jabs at each other, and a whole lot of let’s-work-together-and-beat-the-bad-guys. And there’s a wonderful scene where Storm overrules BP on a crucial decision, just as any good wife will when her husband’s wrong. (Note to wife if she’s reading this: Love you, sweetie!)
2. There’s a letter inside by Joltin’ Joe Sinnott, only the best slinger of ink the FF has ever seen. I’ve brought up my love for Sinnott before, and it’s nice to see Sinnott is still reading the book he made his mark on.
3. How can you not love this?
Is that the Black Panther on the Silver Surfer’s board? Why yes, that IS the Black Panther on the Silver Surfer’s Board.
If you need more to buy this comic than good writing (and nice art by Paul Pelletier and Rick Magyar), Joe Sinnott, and Wakanda’s best hanging ten in space, I can’t help you.
Not sure it’s the best from Marvel this year (although I can’t think of anything better, bad year so far with Marvel for me) but it definitely has a great Silver/Bronze Age flavor. It’s feeling a bit like Marvel Steve Englehart in a fun mood.