(Image Source: Marvel / Erik M. Gist)
Fantastic Four #29 is more than a simple tie-in to One World Under Doom. By accident or by design, it tells a relevant tale that draws upon current political themes and messages through Doctor Doom and his war on vampires in the wake of Blood Hunt.
Fantastic Four #29 centers on The Thing and Invisible Woman as they take a day off to catch-up with She-Hulk. The terrific trio try to keep the conversation light, but the talk keeps coming back to Doctor Doom and his increasing influence on the world. Chief among their concerns are a propaganda war against vampires, many of whom are ordinary people forcibly turned during the Blood Hunt event.
(Image Source: Marvel / Cory Smith)
This comes to a head after the heroes encounter a mob trying to kill a family of vampires in the streets of Manhattan. Unfortunately, there is little the Fantastic Four can do that wouldn’t be instantly lethal to the ordinary humans in the mob. Moreover, the team is accused of hypocrisy, given they killed vampires throughout Blood Hunt. Despite some vampires being children, the people are now convinced they have a right to kill them before they become a threat thanks to Doom’s propaganda.
Fantastic Four #29 is hopeful, despite dark tone
(Image Source: Marvel / Cory Smith)
While Fantastic Four #29 uses vampires as a metaphor for minorities, the book is truly about how fascism encroaches a nation. The day off is prompted by Ben Grimm noticing that Sue Storm seems run down. Not by the direct fight with Doctor Doom, but by how easily ordinary people embrace what Doom is selling.
The irony is that for all his many sins, Doom is no bigot, yet he knows that giving people an enemy is the quickest way to unite them. The parallels to many real political movements is plainly apparent.
(Image Source: Marvel / Cory Smith)
Despite these parallels and the dark plot, the general tone of Fantastic Four #29 is a hopeful one. The ultimate message is that anyone can stand against tyranny — all it takes is choosing your battles, a positive attitude, and small acts of kindness.
This may seem odd as Fantastic Four is not normally associated with political themes. Nor is Ryan North seen as a political writer. And yet, Fantastic Four #29 is one of the most effective political parables ever presented in the superhero medium.
(Image Source: Marvel / Cory Smith)
The hopeful tone is well-reflected in the artwork. Cory Smith works subtle symbology into the background, such as American flags standing proud against the flags of Doom. The color art by Jesus Aburtov is visually vivid and the letters of Joe Caramanga are suitably strong.
Fantastic Four #29 is far from the first Marvel comic to speak truth to power in a quiet way. It is, however, the perfect allegory for the zeitgeist of 2025. It is also a thrilling event tie-in, for what that is worth.
Grade: 10/10
Fantastic Four #29 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
