FF (Vol. 2) #1
Parts of a Whole
Now
Asked to stand in for the Fantastic Four while they are on a mission through time and space, Ant-Man interviews the children of the Future Foundation so that he can learn what they are all about. He first meets with Valeria and Franklin Richards who explain that the Future Foundation was formed after their father, Mister Fantastic, got tired of the lack of innovation among the scientific community. That the Future Foundation exists so that the next generation of geniuses can work together to solve everything.
Then
Earlier, Ant-Man meets with Mister Fantastic to help on the flying devices that he has constructed to help him get around at ant-size. While they work on the device, Mister Fantastic explains that he has invited Ant-Man to join the team in order to move on following the death of his daughter, Cassie Lang. Reed explains that all he is asking is for Ant-Man to stand in for them as they will hopefully be gone for only four minutes, but just in case, he needs someone to stand in if something goes wrong. When Reed tells Scott that he is to be the leader of this replacement team, Lang finds this insane.
Now
In the present he meets with Bentley-23 and Dragon Man, while Bentley tries to impress Lang with his super-villain roots, Dragon Man explains that the Future Foundation includes a representation of various races including Moloids, Uhari, an android and a clone.
Then
High above New York City, the Invisible Woman pays a visit to the Inhuman city of Attilan where she is greeted by Crystal and Lockjaw. She is brought to the queens of the Universal Inhumans and seeks an audience with Medusa. The two spend a private moment where they discuss the challenges posed by their marriages. Medusa explains hers, being one of five Inhuman queens to Black Bolt and that the politics surrounding their union makes her want to run away at times. Hearing this, the Invisible Woman makes Medusa an offer to join the replacement Fantastic Four.
Now
Back in the Baxter Building, the meetings with the Future Foundation children continue. Scott Lang meets with the Moloid children, Tok, Tong, Korr and Mik. They explain how they were abandoned by their fellow Moloids due to their enhanced intelligence and how they worship the Thing, as he saved them from a life of imprisonment.
Then
The Thing is in the training room with the She-Hulk. As the pair train together, Ben gets around to asking her to join the group as well.
Now
Lang meets with the Uhari children Vil and Wu as well as the Wakandan girl named Onome. Onome finds it difficult to explain the speechless Uhari children.
Then
Johnny Storm wakes up from a nightmare in bed with his girlfriend, pop-star Darla Deering. Checking his cell phone for his agenda, Johnny isn't sure what he meant when he wrote: "ask somebody about that thing." Johnny takes this to mean that he needs to get Darla's opinion about the Thing and calls the job done.
Now
At the Baxter Building, Lang continues his interviews and meets with Alex Power and the mutant children Artie and Leech. Alex explains his past history as a youthful super-hero, and how the point of the Future Foundation is to accommodate children with special needs.
Then
While Medusa, She-Hulk, and Darla Deering agree to join the Fantastic Four for the four minutes asked Ant-Man refuses to join. He walks away from the meet-and-greet with the Future Foundation. Reed follows after him and convinces him that taking care of the Future Foundation is just what Ant-Man needs. However, Lang is still mourning over the loss of his own daughter, Reed convinces Scott that this is what he needs. Despite his reservations, Ant-Man, Medusa and She-Hulk meet with the Future Foundation children to learn what they are all about...
Recurring Characters
Fantastic Four (Ant-Man, Medusa, She-Hulk, Miss Thing, Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thing), Future Foundation (Franklin Richards, Valeria Richards, Alex Power, Dragon Man, Bentley-23, Leech, Artie Maddicks, Onome, Turg, Tong, Korr, Mik, Vil, Wu), Crystal, Lockjaw, Universal Inhumans (Oola Udonta, Aladi Ko Eke, Onomi Whitemane, Avoe)
Continuity Notes
This story takes place between Fantastic Four Vol. 4 #1 and #2.
Ant-Man is still reeling over the death of his daughter Cassie Lang, aka Stature. At the time of this story, she was recently killed circa Avengers: The Children's Crusade #8. However, she is later resurrected in Avengers World #16.
