Fantastic Five # 1 released on July 11, 2007, is the first issue of a five-part limited series titled "The Final Doom." This series is set in the MC2 Universe (Earth-982), a possible future timeline where the original Marvel heroes have aged and a new generation has taken their place.
The story finds the team at a crossroads as personal tensions and old enemies resurface:
- Internal Strife: Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and his Skrull wife, Lyja, consider leaving the Fantastic Five to form their own independent team.
- The Return of Doom: The "real" Doctor Doom returns with overwhelming cosmic-like power, seeking absolute revenge against Reed Richards and Namor the Sub-Mariner.
- Personal Dramas: Sharon Ventura (the former Ms. Marvel/She-Thing) returns to confront her ex-husband, Ben Grimm (The Thing).
The Team Roster (Earth-982)
In this era, the Fantastic Five consists of:
- Human Torch (Johnny Storm): The team leader.
- The Thing (Ben Grimm): Now utilizing robotic implants to supplement his power.
- Ms. Fantastic (Lyja Storm): Johnny’s shapeshifting wife.
- Psi-Lord (Franklin Richards): The adult son of Reed and Sue, possessing immense mental and energy powers.
- Big Brain (Reed Richards): A robotic drone controlled by the consciousness of Reed Richards, whose physical body is comatose.
Creative Team
- Writer: Tom DeFalco (architect of the MC2 universe).
- Artist: Ron Lim.
- Cover Artist: Clayton Henry.
- Inker: Scott Koblish.