This is the first “arc” of Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s run. Their first couple of issues were done-in-ones designed to bring readers back to the series and re-brand it as something sweet and charming. Now we get our first multi-issue story, and the title is an unpronouncable series of symbols. The comedic tone is maintained in this story, wherein Reed Richards creates a new device that comes alive in the form of personified data.

It forces Thing down a hole. I haven’t gotten to use my “Thing in a Hole” tag in a long time!

Thing also does math.

And talks to the “previews” guy who does the voiceovers for movie trailers.

After the “foe” is vanquished, Reed plays Magic: The Gathering with his son.

The villain is dumb, but the story is fun and extremely well written, making this a well-above-average story.