Fantastic Four by David, Peter (2005) Mass Market Paperback

by Peter David

After a freak accident aboard a test flight bombards them with radiation, permanently altering their genetic structures, four adventurers use their incredible powers for the good of mankind and to protect the world from the forces of evil...despite their very real problems, worries and arguments. But soon they must face the diabolical and destructive plans of their ultimate Dr Doom, a brilliant man hungry for forbidden knowledge and thirsty in his obsessive pursuit of profit and revenge...

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

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

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this originally back when the movie came out. Just read it again.

It’s a great adaptation of the movie. For the most part the movie is fun. Great cast, except Doom. The book doesn’t fix Doom but it sure elevates the dialogue and several scenes of action. David also kind of deepens the relationship between Reed and Sue. He adds several scenes involving them and it works. There are also a lot of Marvel Easter eggs, as David loves to do.

This is a really good adaptation of the movie that adds context and has fun with the characters.

[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-