Fantastic Four # 1 2018 VF/NM

Fantastic Four # 1 Volume 6, August 2018 written by Dan Slott and primarily illustrated by Sara Pichelli, marks the highly anticipated return of Marvel's First Family after a three-year hiatus, focusing on the team's absence and eventual reunion. The issue explores the personal lives and emotional struggles of the remaining members, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm, without Reed, Sue, and the children. 

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The central storyline revolves around the world moving on in the wake of the Richards family's disappearance after the events of the "Secret Wars" crossover event. The core narrative threads are: 

• The Thing's New Chapter: Ben Grimm is attempting to move on with his life and proposes marriage to his long-time love, Alicia Masters. She happily accepts, but the decision forces Ben to confront his sadness about Reed and Sue's likely absence. He believes they are truly gone and wants to forge a new future.
• The Human Torch's Despair: Johnny Storm, on the other hand, refuses to give up hope that his family is alive. He becomes furious with Ben for asking him to be his best man instead of holding out for Reed. Johnny sees Ben's proposal as an admission of defeat.
• The Signal in the Sky: In the climax of the issue, a real "Fantasti-Flare" (a signal in the sky) appears, fired from a distant dimension by Reed Richards. This signal confirms to a hopeful Johnny and a stunned Ben, and the world, that the Fantastic Four are indeed alive and returning home.
• The Fantastix: A new, corporate-sponsored "fabulous foursome" known as the Fantastix has taken possession of the Baxter Building in the FF's absence, setting up conflict for later issues. 

The extra-sized issue includes back-up stories that enrich the return: 

• Doctor Doom: A secondary story illustrated by Simone Bianchi features a wounded and melancholic Doctor Doom in Latveria, spurred back into action to reclaim his nation from evil forces and serve his people.
• Impossible Man: A short, humorous one-page entry written by Slott and drawn by Skottie Young features the Impossible Man commenting on the FF's return.