Doom makes a deal with Kate Pryde and Franklin Richards in X-Men/Fantastic Four #2, by writer Chip Zdarsky, artist Terry Dodson, inkers Rachel Dodson, Karl Story, and Ransom Getty, colorist Laura Martin, and letterer Joe Caramagna. As the X-Men and Fantastic Four clash over the whereabouts of the Richards kids, can Doom be trusted to keep his word? What else is he hiding?

Cyclops tries to calm down the FF, but Sue is having none of it. The team decides they need to go to Krakoa to find their children. Meanwhile, Kate Pryde wakes up on Doom Island with the Richards kids and her crew. Doom tells them this is where he has put Latveria’s mutants while he’s trying to figure out what to do with Krakoa’s offers. Back on Krakoa, the Quiet Council discusses their next move just as the FF attack them. The two teams clash and just as it looks like the FF is about to be overpowered, Sue is able to save them… which is all part of the X-Men’s plan to find the Marauders and the Richards kids. On Doom Island, Kate goes to the rest of Marauders and tells them that Doom has decided to help Franklin with his powers and free them. Everyone is a bit a leary of Doom and rightfully so, as it’s shown he’s building something terrible on the island.

Zdarsky is doing a great job with both teams in this comic. He captures Sue’s anger over her children’s disappearance and gives her a line that a lot readers probably agree with- that the X-Men aren’t heroes anymore. They’ve teamed with villains and are being both shady and domineering. He also perfectly illustrates the bond between the FF. This is a family and they think that members of their family have been taken, so they spring into action. Conversely, the X-Men know that dealing with the FF isn’t going to be easy, so they plan for losing. They may have the numerical advantage on the FF, but the FF is one of the best in the business. Planning on losing to them is always a good thing to plan for.

Doom is being a bit too nice and readers definitely get the feeling that something is up throughout the issue. Doom does have a soft spot for the Richards children, especially Valeria, but he’s not going to help them for nothing. He tells them that his help comes with a price, but it’s one that Zdarsky holds back from readers. Doom is willing to help others but in the end, he’s always out for himself. The rise of Krakoa has added a new paradigm to the world, one that Doom has to be ready for. The last page reveal shows what direction he may be going with his preparation.

The art by Terry Dodson is much more consistent this issue than the last one. That’s a very good thing. It makes the action set piece of the issue work that much better. Throughout the book, his character work and their acting is pretty good. Readers can tell without dialogue what a character is thinking and that makes the whole thing work that much better.

X-Men/Fantastic Four #2 raises the stakes from last issue. Zdarksy does a great job with each team, presenting them both as equally proficient without playing favorites. He sets up a good hook with the last page of the issue. What exactly is Doom up to? Readers will definitely come back to find out. Terry Dodson’s art is an improvement over the last issue. All in all, this is a solid, fun comic.

Grade: B