FANTASTIC FOUR #258
(Cover by John Byrne)
Published and © by Marvel, Sept. 1983
[Buy from Mile High]
“Interlude”
Synopsis: While seeing to the rebuilding of Latveria, Doctor Doom plots his revenge against Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four.
Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: Byrne
Inker: Byrne
Review: Writer/artist John Byrne follows up the previous month’s transitional issue (see Comic Bonze Age’s review of FF #257) with … another transitional issue! That’s OK, though, because this is another excellent, character-driven issue. This time out we head to Latveria to check in with Doctor Doom, a character Byrne imbues with exceptional depth. Noble and majestic, unpredictable and murderous, Byrne’s Doom is a fearful livewire. The only misstep is Doom’s re-empowerment of one of Galactus’ fallen heralds; it’s hard imagining the mad monarch would ever trust another living soul with the Power Cosmic — especially an uncontrollable miscreant like Terrax!
Grade: B+
Second opinions: “If you like Dr. Doom even a little bit, you need to read this comic.” — Kello, Four Freedoms Plaza. … “No exaggeration, this is probably one of the greatest issues of Fantastic Four ever published … 10/10.” — Matt C, Paradox Comics Group.
Cool factor: All Doom, all the time.
Not-so-cool factor: You know, Doom can be a jerk at times.
Notable: Captain America and Iron Man cameos.
Character quotable: “Doom needs no one.” — Dr. Doom, speaking in the dreaded third person sinister.
Collected in: Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne Vol. 4 [Buy from Mile High]
A whole comic devoted to Doctor Doom, written and drawn by ’80s John Byrne? Comic book heaven for me!
Matt:
Yeah, you didn’t give out many 10 out of 10s during your run of Byrne reviews. He did handle Doom well, didn’t he?
Cheers,
Andrew
One of my favorite FF issues ever. In many ways, Dr. Doom is more interesting that the heroes – which isn’t to say they are boring, just that Doom (when handled correctly) is such a complex, compelling character.