An obsessive scientist delves into the secrets of the universe perhaps best left unknown to humankind, leaving himself and three others warped in strange and horrifying ways.What horrible secrets lie in the new dimensions they have discovered? And can humanity survive the discovery? Midnight Fantastic Four #1 helps kick off the launch of the “Midnight Unvierse” and delivers a familiar but interesting concept and direction.

The “Midnight Universe” is Marvel’s latest line of comics, these infused with a dash of horror, taking familiar characters and concepts and mixing it up. Written by Benjamin Percy, Midnight Fantastic Four #1 is a solid start to the series getting down the basics of the Fantastic Four but taking the characters in new directions. At its heart, the Fantastic Four is about science and exploration. It’s a different take on the many classic sci-fi stories where a group comes together, at times a family, and goes on a strange adventure. It could be to new worlds or within the body itself. There’s always a sense of wonder to those stories but with a hint of danger.

Midnight Fantastic Four #1 keeps up that tradition with the basic characters we’d expect, Reed Richard, Victor Von Doom, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, except each is slightly different than the characters we’ve known. Reed is pill popping and obsessive, delivering a reckless abandonment in the pursuit of something. That recklessness causes an injury after being fired from his teaching position. Enter Sue Storm, the CEO of a tech company who employs Ben and Johnny and needs Reed’s talents and vision for… something. The issue builds, giving us a Reed Richards who is far more dangerous in his pursuits than normal.

The art by Kev Walker with color by Frank D’Armata and lettering by Joe Sabino fits the series well. The visuals for the comic help create the unease of it all, a comic where small details tease something is going on. Walker and the team create horror out of nothing leaving readers to guess what is real and what is not and if Reed is seeing things or being haunted by something out there. It keeps up the tradition of scary visuals that leaves readers guessing what’s real and what’s not. The design of the characters too tell a story. The difference between Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny in their looks, there’s history for each there, especially Johnny who has a tragic past hinted at. Doom’s tragedy builds into a more Frankenstein feel, and a rivalry for revenge we know is going to come.

Midnight Fantastic Four #1 is a solid start to the series with a slow build that eventually reveals what may or may not be out there. But, it does that using familiar characters and concepts succeeding on infusing horror for a new spin to them all. It’s a solid start, giving us a darker superhero universe where the sci-fi adventure is likely one that deliver dread instead of excitement and wonder.

Story: Benjamin Percy Art: Kev Walker
Color: Frank D’Armata Letters: Joe Sabino
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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