Fantastic Five?
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2020 3:15 am
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, Alicia. Fantastic 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.
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.