Fantastic Four

by Peter David

Scientific genius Dr. Reed Richards's lifelong dream is close to being realized--a trip to space and to the center of a cosmic storm to unlock the secrets of the human genetic code. Financed by rival-turned-billionaire-industrialist Victor Von Doom, Reed's crew for the mission includes his best friend, astronaut Ben Grimm; Susan Storm, Von Doom's director of genetic research and Reed's ex-girlfriend; and Sue's hot-headed younger brother, pilot Johnny Storm. With benefactor Von Doom in tow, the four set off for the exploration of a lifetime. But something goes terribly wrong, as cosmic radiation irrevocably alters their DNA...and their future. Back on Earth, the effects of the exposure are quickly Reed gains the ability to stretch and contort his body into any shape he can imagine...Sue is able to render herself invisible and to create and project powerful force fields...Johnny can now engulf his body in flames and take flight at will... and Ben, whose freakish transmutation is the most shocking, becomes an orange-colored, rock-like, superhumanly strong creature. Together, they turn tragedy into triumph and catastrophe into coalition, and must use their unique and formidable powers against Victor Von Doom--who has also not escaped the effects of the cosmic storm unscathed.... Adventurers. Super Heroes. Celebrities. To the world, they are the Fantastic Four. To each other, they are a family.

Genres: Marvel, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Media Tie In, Fiction

369 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novelization of the 2005 Fantastic Four movie, not an original first family adventure, so the primary duty of David was to novelize the script by Mark Frost, Simon Kinberg, and Michael France, not to change or improve it. It wasn't a very good script or a very good movie and was indeed in need of some changes and improvement, and considering the constraints I thought he did both of those things pretty well, adding quite a bit of character depth, to Ben and Victor particularly. David had been a comics writer for a very long time, so he knew and understood the characters and the Marvel universe intimately. It's not a brilliant piece of fine literature, but it's not supposed to be. It's a helpful companion to the film, I guess, and certainly more coherent. I wish they would have let David write the story and then filmed that! But he did his job pretty well... I recommend the original FF novel he wrote a couple of years later, What Lies Between, for true clobberin' time fun rather than this one, however.

[Audrey Hacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

god I wish the film was this good actually

[luciddreamer99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember liking this book a lot, and I did on this read, too. As I remember, I read it before watching the film it adapts. The film is not bad, either, though in some ways, the novel suffers from being an adaptation of an adaptation. There is some corny humor, as in the film version, but the story is mostly straightforward adventure. It's not exactly like the film, and that's a good thing. I suppose the writer wanted to leave some surprises for the movie, or he was working from a different script. In the end, I would recommend the book for a fan of the Fantastic Four comic books, or any fans of the film this is based on, or alternatively Peter David fans, as he does put in some good writing here.

[Chica Novocaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiene algunas partes graciosas.

['Nathan Burgoine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I'm that big of a geek.

For a time, as the Marvel Movies were hitting the big screen, I read the movie tie-ins because I wanted to know the plot A.S.A.P., and - as dumb as this sounds - because I found it fleshed out the movie while I watched it. I know, I know. Geek.

That said, this wasn't one of Peter David's best (though really, what did he have to work with?) The movie written down, as most tie-ins are, but this added very little. Not a whole lot of extra thoughts, mental processes, or extras.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peter David wrote this novelization of the film based on the screenplay by Mark Frost, Simon Kinberg, and Michael France, which is, in turn, based on the Marvel comic book. Reed Richards is a weenie. Ben Grimm clobbers stuff. Johnny Storm needs a smack upside the head. Sue Storm is played by Jessica Alba in the movie, which is more than enough reason to watch it. The book is ok. The comics are better.

Published in mass-market paperback by Pocket Books.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hey, kids! Do you want to read a novelization of a really bad movie?

[Victor Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool. Drags at some points but is well told in various sections. This movie was a bit meh at times but I really like it and am happy to have read the novelization. B-