Fantastic Five?

Look! Up in the sky! *To be continued...* (This story continued in KW Comics #263)

Moderators: dANdeLION, aTOMiC, sgt.null

Post Reply
User avatar
sgt.null
Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
Posts: 47250
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
Location: Brazoria, Texas
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 6 times

Fantastic Five?

Post by sgt.null »

Despite the Fantastic Four'sname, this legendary group is much more than a mere quartet. In fact, they recently added two new members. Numerous heroes have teamed up with the group over the years during their countless adventures. This impressive roster is even larger when you consider the Richards family, including Franklin and Valeria, as well as The Thing's wife, AliciaFantastic Four #24 takes a look at Iceman's team-up with the group.  Here, Johnny Storm takes umbrage at the idea that Iceman is a member, but by the end of the issue, Bobby Drake is officially a member of the Fantastic Four.

When Iceman gives Franklin a ride home, the Baxter Building recognizes the legendary X-Man as a member of the Fantastic Four. Drake enters the building and greets the rest of Marvel's First Family, but one member of the team gives him the cold shoulder. Storm angrily tells Iceman that he's never been a member of the Fantastic Four. The two heroes argue over Drake's relationship with the team, and a flashback reminds everyone what happened when Iceman teamed up with the group.

Years ago, he and Storm temporarily left their respective groups.  When the Fantastic Four has to deal with a public weapons demonstration by Advanced Idea Mechanics, Iceman arrives to literally put out the fire. The team is immediately struck by Drake's polite nature, which stands in stark contrast to Storm's cocky attitude. Iceman is a natural fit in the group, so the Fantastic Four welcomes him aboard.

Storm remains unimpressed with Iceman's description of his adventures with the team. The Human Torch minimizes Drake's contributions at every turn, unwilling to acknowledge Iceman's merit. In the flashback, Storm happens to see the new Fantastic Four's adventures on the news, and watching Drake take his place instantly makes him jealous. Storm attacks Iceman and tells him he doesn't deserve to be on the team. Thankfully, cooler heads prevail, and the two rivals work together to help the group defeat Khankwestaa, an extra-dimensional creature. Iceman opts to return home, having proven himself to the X-Men, but Storm's hostility pushed him out the door. Still, Drake reveals that, when he left, Reed Richards gave him an open invitation to the group. Once Drake finishes his story, he realizes why Storm has been upset with him.

Iceman points out that Storm's frustration didn't stem from the team's collaboration with another hero. Instead, Storm felt like Drake was invading the family. In a moment of substantial growth, Storm sheepishly admits that he was wrong. He then describes the valuable lesson he has recently learned. "This family only gets better the more people it welcomes in," Storm says. Having gotten over his arrogance, Storm offers Drake a seat at the family table, which officially makes Iceman a member of the Fantastic Four and, by extension, the family. In the span of one issue, Storm grows significantly, as he's able to put his ego aside and display his impressive newfound maturity.

Storm is known for being a hothead. He's classically attitudinal, and even the slightest threat to his self-importance can set him off. But in Fantastic Four #24, Storm grows up. Having watched Franklin and Valeria become teenagers and Ben Grimm adopt two kids with his wife, Alicia, Storm realizes that he has to pick up the slack. Thanks to his relationship with Sky, he knows he has the opportunity to find the same happiness his teammates have. To do so, he knows he was to model the wisdom that Reed has often demonstrated over the years. So instead of perpetuating his grudge against Drake, Storm embraces him, which allows Iceman to cement his status as a member of the Fantastic Four.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
User avatar
sgt.null
Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
Posts: 47250
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
Location: Brazoria, Texas
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 6 times

Post by sgt.null »

I believe this would be a fantastic idea. [See what I did there?]

Iceman continues the elemental theme of the Fantastic Four.

Mr. Fantastic = Water.
Invisible Woman = Air.
Human Torch = Fire.
the Thing = Earth.

Unlike some others the Four have tried in the past (Luke Cage, Thundra, Spider-Man) he has a long history of being part of a team. His power fits the elemental theme unlike some past members (Medusa, She-Hulk, Namorita, Black Panther.) And his power isn't just a copy of a current member (She-Thing, Ms. Thing)

Other past members fit the team well, but are more associated with other teams. (Crystal, Storm.)

Plus the Human Torch and Iceman are an Obvious pairing.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
User avatar
aTOMiC
Lord
Posts: 24588
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:48 am
Location: Tampa, Florida
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Post by aTOMiC »

Although Iceman would be an interesting addition to the FF I believe a fifth member ought to provide something significant that the other four members lack. Ice powers are fine as a compliment to the Torch but the real question is...what CAN'T the Fantastic Four do?
Or to put it another way, given the Fantastic Four's range of abilities, for what task or challenge would they require assistance and what form would that assistance take?

One note characters have uses. Johnny Storm's powers involve heat-flame. Not useful in some instances. Bobby Drake's powers involve intense cold-ice, again not useful in some circumstances. Ben Grimm's powers are chiefly super strength and invulnerability with a minor in tactics and leadership.

On the other hand Reed Richards not only has stretching and leadership abilities but is also a genius level intellect, tactician and inventor. Susan Richards abilities involve invisibility, projecting force fields, leadership and intelligence.

I think what the FF needs is a member similar to someone the Avengers have benefited from from their beginnings. Iron Man, a virtual walking swiss army knife.

But the FF doesn't need Tony Stark and his armor specifically. Reed has proven he can create his own super powered exo-skeleton as he did when creating a Thing suit for Ben when he lost his powers for a time. Reed could build on that design and create a brand new hero with some unique Reed Richards trademark innovations. The only question would be what non powered FF associate character would wear the suit and become this new hero?
"If you can't tell the difference, what difference does it make?"
Image

"There is tic and toc in atomic" - Neil Peart
User avatar
sgt.null
Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
Posts: 47250
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
Location: Brazoria, Texas
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 6 times

Post by sgt.null »

Sharon Ventura aka She-Thing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Ventura

She's been a member. She has a plethora of issues to work through. She was dating Wyatt Wingfoot.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
User avatar
aTOMiC
Lord
Posts: 24588
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:48 am
Location: Tampa, Florida
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 7 times
Contact:

Post by aTOMiC »

sgt.null wrote:Sharon Ventura aka She-Thing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Ventura

She's been a member. She has a plethora of issues to work through. She was dating Wyatt Wingfoot.
Interesting. Although it was Wyatt Wingfoot who was the first person I thought of to wear Reed's super powered armor.
"If you can't tell the difference, what difference does it make?"
Image

"There is tic and toc in atomic" - Neil Peart
User avatar
High Lord Tolkien
Excommunicated Member of THOOLAH
Posts: 7376
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 2:40 am
Location: Cape Cod, Mass
Been thanked: 3 times
Contact:

Post by High Lord Tolkien »

sgt.null wrote:Sharon Ventura aka She-Thing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Ventura

She's been a member. She has a plethora of issues to work through. She was dating Wyatt Wingfoot.
That was a horrible story arc for me.
Art was bad and the writing was dumb.

Medusa and Crystal have kinda been unofficial 5th members in the past.
I liked those runs.
https://thoolah.blogspot.com/

[Defeated by a gizmo from Batman's utility belt]
Joker: I swear by all that's funny never to be taken in by that unconstitutional device again!


Image Image Image Image
User avatar
sgt.null
Jack of Odd Trades, Master of Fun
Posts: 47250
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 am
Location: Brazoria, Texas
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 6 times

Post by sgt.null »

I don't see Wyatt wanting to play hero. Sharon is still wanting to play hero. And why not another woman on the team as HLT mentions.
Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
Post Reply

Return to “dANdeLION's Comics Cave”