Fantastic Four: Negative Zone # 1 2020 NM

Fantastic Four: Negative Zone # 1 2020 is an extra-sized one-shot that revisits one of the team's most dangerous discoveries. The issue is split into two distinct stories. 

"Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Science"

Written by Mike Carey with art by Stefano Caselli, this story focuses on the consequences of Reed Richards' past scientific curiosity. 

• The Conflict: Years ago, Reed Richards began a biological experiment involving a sentient "bio-globe" of organisms. This experiment has evolved and now poses a threat that requires the Fantastic Four to return to the Negative Zone to "set things straight".
• The Twist: The organisms within the bio-globe have developed a resentment toward Reed, viewing him as a creator who abandoned them.
• Outcome: The mission becomes a battle for survival when the team's presence is detected by Blastaar, the Living Bomb-Burst, whose fleet attacks both the FF and the bio-globe. 

"What Are the Fantastix For?"

Written by Ryan North with art by Steve Uy, this story provides the first solo adventure for the Fantastix, a team of young heroes who took over the Baxter Building while the original FF were away. 

• The Theme: The story explores the team's struggle to establish their own identity as "knock-offs" of the original Fantastic Four.
• The Plot: While attempting to perform small acts of service for citizens, the team is forced to step up when a supervillain calling themselves the "Skrulltastic One" appears. 

This one-shot was part of a series of "point-one" style issues (including Grimm Noir and 4 Yancy Street) that expanded on the team's status following their 2018 return. It also served as a thematic bridge to the Annihilation: Scourge event, which saw the Sentry and other heroes battling a new threat within the Negative Zone.