Fantastic Four #551

Fantastic Four #551, published in 2007, represents a significant turning point in the series as it features the beginning of the acclaimed run by writer Dwayne McDuffie. Stepping into the role after J. Michael Straczynski, McDuffie brought his characteristic focus on intricate plotting, social commentary, and character-driven narratives to Marvel's First Family. This issue serves as the launch for the 'Death of the Invisible Woman' arc, set against the backdrop of the post-Civil War landscape where the team's dynamics and public perception were profoundly strained.

The interior art was provided by Mike McKone, whose clean, dynamic style helped define the look of the Fantastic Four during this mid-2000s era. Working in tandem with McDuffie's scripts, McKone was tasked with grounding the fantastic elements of the team—such as the cosmic scale of their adventures—within the personal, often tense domesticity of the Baxter Building. The issue was generally well-received by fans and critics of the time, who praised the series for maintaining its high-stakes legacy while navigating the complex shifting allegiances of the wider Marvel Universe.