- "It's about damn time."
- ―Johnny Storm
| "Signal in the Sky" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fantastic Four | |
| Title: | "Signal in the Sky" |
| Volume: | 6 |
| Number: | 6 |
| Cover price: | $5.99 |
| Cover date: | October, 2018 |
| Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
| Credits | |
| Chief: | C.B. Cebulski |
| Writers: | Dan Slott |
| Pencilers: | Sara Pichelli |
| Inkers: | Sara Pichelli; Elisabetta D'Amico |
| Cover artists: | Esad Ribić |
| Cover inker: | Esad Ribić |
| Cover colorist: | Esad Ribić |
| Colorists: | Marte Gracia |
| Letterers: | VC's Joe Caramagna |
| Associates: | Alanna Smith |
| Editors: | Tom Brevoort |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | — |
| Next: | Fantastic Four #2 |
"Signal in the Sky" is the title to the first story featured in issue #1 of the sixth Fantastic Four ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The story was written by Dan Slott with artwork and inks by Sara Pichelli and additional inks by Elisabetta D'Amico. It was colored by Marte Gracia. The second story is called "Our Day of Doom & Victory", and features the character of Doctor Doom. It is written by Dan Slott, with artwork, inks and coloring by Simone Bianchi, and additional coloring by Marco Russo. The third story is called "What the Pop?!" and is also written by Dan Slott with artwork and inks by Skottie Young. It is colored by Jeremy Treece. All stories were lettered by Joe Caramagna of Virtual Calligraphy. The book was edited by Tom Brevoort with Alanna Smith as associate editor. This issue shipped with an October, 2018 cover date and carries a cover price of $5.99 per copy (US).
Since the end of Secret Wars, there’s been a gap in the Marvel Universe. A void no other team can fill. And it’s time for the world to move on. But can it? A life-changing decision by the Thing! A momentous declaration by the Human Torch! A clarion call-to-arms that summons Doctor Doom! And a signal in the sky that heralds the return of hope to the Marvel Universe! All this, and Alicia Masters adopts kittens! So cute! Plus, the Impossible Man!
"Signal in the Sky"[]
Is there no hope for the Fantastic Four?
Somebody fires off a Fantasti-Flare and the citizens of New York City look up, hoping that this signifies the return of the Fantastic Four. As it turns out, it is two youths from the Yancy Street Gang, who had broken into Ben Grimm's apartment and stole a Fantasti-Flare. The Human Torch, responding to the call, finds them on a rooftop and turns them in to the New York City Police Department.
Meanwhile, Ben Grimm is enjoying an afternoon with Alicia Masters. Against Ben's better judgment, Alicia purchases some kittens. The two share a tender moment, but Ben ignores seeing the Fantasti-Flare, as he does not believe that Reed Richards, Susan Richards and their children are still alive.
Ben goes back to his place on Yancy Street with his friend, Hiram Sheckerberg, and finds the spot where the Fantasti-Flare was taken from. As he pokes through various belongings, Ben regales Hiram with a "Lost Tale of the Fantastic Four", involving an alien woman named Astronomica and Johnny's supposedly angelic singing voice.
Later, Ben asks Alicia to marry him, and she enthusiastically says "yes". He calls Johnny Storm to meet with them and Ben asks him to be his Best Man. Johnny flies into a rage because as he sees it, only Reed Richards should be Ben's Best Man, and the fact that Ben would ask him means that he has given up hope that Reed, Sue and the kids are still alive.
Elsewhere, on some far distant world, Reed Richards manages to cobble together some piece of technology that enables Susan and he the ability to return to Earth. Reed fires off a real Fantasti-Flare, and Ben & Johnny, and millions of New Yorkers look to the sky, for they know for certain now... the Fantastic Four has returned!
Featured characters
- Mister Fantastic, Reed Richards
- Invisible Woman, Susan Richards
- Human Torch, Johnny Storm
- The Thing, Ben Grimm
Supporting characters
- Alicia Masters
- Astronomica (In flashback only)
- Franklin Richards (In flashback only)
- Jennifer Walters
- Valeria Richards (In flashback only)
- Wyatt Wingfoot
Villains
Minor characters
- Adrian the Cat
- Crystal Amaquelin
- Hiram "Shecky" Sheckerberg
- Luke Cage
- Medusa, Medusalith Amaquelin
- Rocky the Cat
Organizations
- Fantastic Four
- House of Agon (Cameo appearance only)
- New York City Police Department (Cameo appearance only)
- Yancy Street Gang
Races & Animals
- Altered humans
- Humans
- Inhumans
- Kittens
- Skrulls (In flashback only)
Locations
- Earth's moon
- Negative Zone (In flashback only)
- New York
Items
- Fantasti-Flare
- Transmaterializer (1st appearance)
- Stellarex Stone (In flashback only)
Vehicles
- Reed Richards' rocket ship (In flashback only)
- Space vessels (In flashback only)
Powers
Miscellaneous
- Space travel (In flashback only)
"Our Day of Doom & Victory"[]
| "Our Day of Doom & Victory" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title: | "Our Day of Doom & Victory" |
| Credits | |
| Writers: | Dan Slott |
| Pencilers: | Simone Bianchi |
| Inkers: | Simone Bianchi |
| Colorists: | Simone Bianchi; Marco Russo |
| Letterers: | VC's Joe Caramagna |
| Editors: | Alanna Smith; Tom Brevoort |
Zora Vukovic is a citizen of Doomstadt in the country of Latveria. Having evaded the servo-guards, she breaks the mandatory curfew and infiltrate Castle von Doom. She bypasses a horde of Doombots until she finally reaches Victor von Doom. She bows before Doom in supplication, pleading with the monarch to once again become a hero to the people. At first Doom is dismissive, but something about Zora reminds him of the man he once was. Donning the metallic mask that Zora regards as the "True face of Doom", he flies out among the masses.
Featured characters
- Zora Vukovic (1st appearance)
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
Items
- Assault rifles
- Axe
- Battle axe
- Doctor Doom's armor
- Doombots
- Handguns
- Power armor
- Rifles
- Scythe
- Servo-guards
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
"What the Pop?!"[]
| "What the Pop?!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title: | "What the Pop?!" |
| Credits | |
| Writers: | Dan Slott |
| Pencilers: | Skottie Young |
| Inkers: | Skottie Young |
| Colorists: | Jeremy Treece |
| Letterers: | VC's Joe Caramagna |
| Editors: | Alanna Smith; Tom Brevoort |
Impy, the Impossible Man, finishes reading the first issue of Fantastic Four, Volume 6. He is furious that the full team doesn't really appear together in the issue. A postal carrier, who looks suspiciously a lot like Willie Lumpkin, walks up to him and hands him a letter. It is from the editorial staff of Marvel Comics, who promise him that the full team will be back together in issue #2. Impy is suspicious of this, and taking the form of Uatu the Watcher, tells the Marvel execs that he will be "watching" them.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Uatu (Impy's shape-shifting)
Organizations
- Fantastic Four (Referenced only)
- Marvel Comics editorial staff (Behind the scenes only)
Races & Animals
- Humans
- Poppupians
- Watchers (Impy's shape-shifting)
Locations
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Fantastic Four were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby. They first appeared in Fantastic Four, Volume 1 #1 in November, 1961. By and large, the roster of the Fantastic Four has remained the same over the years, consisting of Reed Richards as Mister Fantastic, Susan Storm as the Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm as the Human Torch and Ben Grimm as the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. Occasional transitory members of the FF have included Crystal Amaquelin, Luke Cage, Scott Lang, and T'Challa.
- This series is rated T+ for Teen.
- This issue shipped to retailers on August 8th, 2018.
- This issue is UPC barcode number 759606090365 00111.
- This issue is Legacy number 646. Fantastic Four 646 redirects to this page. The previous issue from the previous volume was Fantastic Four, Volume 5 #14, which is Legacy number 645.
- This issue is reprinted in the Fantastic Four: Fourever trade paperback collection, which was released on March 6th, 2019 and carries a cover price of $15.99 per copy (US).
- This issue has a special page count of fifty-two pages.
- This issue shipped with fifty-two variant covers, which includes virgin covers, white blank variants, and sketch cover variants.
- This is the first Fantastic Four comic book series published since February, 2015.
- This issue includes a dedication to artist Steve Ditko, who passed away on June 29th, 2018. Included here is an excerpt from Ditko's work on Amazing Spider-Man #33 from February, 1966.
- Carlos Lao is credited as a graphic designer on this issue.
- "Signal in the Sky" includes a brief recap of events from Fantastic Four #1 and their first fight with the Skrulls from Fantastic Four #2.
- The song that Johnny Storm sings to activate the Stellerax is "Danke Schoen", which was popularized in 1963 by Wayne Newton. It is also well-known for being a song sung by the fictional character Ferris Bueller in the comedy film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
- Ben Grimm proposes to Alicia Masters in this issue.
- This is the first appearance of Andronomica.
Recommended Reading[]
See also[]
External Links[]
- Fantastic Four, Volume 6 #1 at MDP
- Fantastic Four, Volume 6 #1 at Comics.org
- Fantastic Four, Volume 6 #1 at Comic Vine
- Fantastic Four, Volume 6 #1 at Amazon.com
Gallery[]
