New Beginnings - Fantastic Four #1 & FF #1 (MARVEL NOW)

Over just a year ago Marvel separated out one of its franchises into two separate titles, Fantastic Four and FF. Both titles are back as part of Marvel Now. In what could be a stroke a genius (or madness) Matt Fraction is writing both titles, with different artists penciling the titles. For Fantastic Four he teams with Mark Bagley and on FF it's Michael Allred.

Now I know that there is an old adage saying that you should never judge a book by its cover, but considering that both these comics are penned by the same writer you could certainly get the chance to ignore that rule. However, with that said, I think the distinct difference in artwork between the two will divide the camps.

Personally I prefer Bagley’s work and as a result felt the Fantastic Four comic was far more appealing. Michael Allred’s art style is most definitely a marmite decision - either loved or hated. For me I’m the former. Whereas Bagley uses much cleaner and finer lines, Allred’s work comes across as a far more basic with a greater emphasis on bold linework and colouring too. One thing that can be said is that it is incredibly distinctive.

Fantastic Four was purposely released two weeks ahead of FF as it sets up both titles. Fantastic Four will follow the path of a sci-fi safari and a medical crusade, while FF takes the arduous task of creating hope and a safer future world too.

Reed has made another discovery, and one that isn’t favoured by him at all. He is dying. It turns out that the cosmic force that gave the Fantastic Four superpowers is also now ending it. There is nothing in the known universe that can save them, so it is the unknown universes that must be explored and used to provide a cure. There is a lovely little aspect to it as well which I enjoyed - even though they will go through a lot they will only lose four minutes of our time. Something I will return to.

This also leaves a second dilemma. If the Fantastic Four are away then who will be responsible for the world in their place? This is the pitch for the new FF title. Interspersed by “interviews” with the Future Foundation children, issue #1 works to establish pretty much all of the characters involved. Due to the quick punchy method it uses, it doesn’t necessarily give you everything but does work to establish their characters. For example the opening shot with Val and Franklyn, where you have a super genius child being eloquent and educated - able to understand and communicate effectively - whilst her older brother is pulling faces in the background. Quite impressive for a child who is possibly one of the strongest mutants there is - casually broaching it with a comment that he has a pet Galactus.

The meat of the story follows the main Fantastic Four players visiting allies and essentially recruiting them into the fold to look after things while they are away. Each of them uses their own style tailored to whom they were speaking with. It is only Ant-man who shows some apprehension as his elation of being a Fantastic Four member wanes when he realises that entails also being the Future Foundation babysitter too, something that I feel most readers will realise he has underestimated completely.

The thing I liked most, as I mentioned earlier, is that throughout this it is made clear that Reed feels that this will only be for four minutes and yet none of our heroes find this strange, odd or out of the ordinary. It’s a quirky element to pick on I know but I liked it. The reverence that is held and understanding that even in such a tiny amount of time so much can happen is right there.

Looking at both comics, and even though they have the same writer, I know I will gravitate towards Fantastic Four simply because I like the artwork as well as the story. Fraction’s quality shows on both titles, but I think you’ll need to be a fan of Allred’s work as well for the full impact.

This is a split decision for me as I know the story will be great but I don’t know my eyes will agree.

Matt Puddy is not responsible for this review being so late.

The Mane Event - Fantastic Four #600

In November 1961 Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created their first superhero team, the Fantastic Four. This month we are celebrating the 50th anniversary with a bumper 100 page issue #600. Bumper is also not a word to be used lightly, especially as there are only six or seven pages that are set aside for adverts and letters. The rest is filled with Jonathan Hickman’s new stories and a variety of artwork by different artists. Unlike other landmark Marvel issues, this isn't filled with reprint material which makes a nice change.

It is also worth mentioning now that this is an issue that both follows on from and creates a divergence in the storyline of the relatively new Future Foundation comics. It’s fair to say that FF has been building to something big with the numerous Reeds, the return of Blackbolt and the Inhumans, The Other Side of Zero or an impending Kree invasion (all of which would merit a storyline of their own) and so it’s understandable that not all of these are addressed deeply within the issue.

However, there is one central point which things revolve around and it’s a good one. The return of the Human Torch.

For those who were not aware, Johnny “died” in the Negative Zone just before the Future Foundation title began, meaning it was an emotional and fraught beginning.

Now if I’m honest I don’t think that anyone was prepared to believe that Johnny was gone forever and his return creates the backbone of the issue, beginning with a trademark quip.

What follows next is a fantastic little retrospective of what happened after the door was closed. It’s vibrant, colourful and engaging. Most of all, it’s all new! It also has enough depth in it that I was left with questions and an unconvinced outlook that everything will just be fine or normal as a result. Given that this could have gone anywhere and potentially created a spin off miniseries on its own, Hickman has done a great job in succinctly covering it all in such a small space of time.

Now with this being the bulk of the issue it would be easy to get overwhelmed by the main story. But Hickman just keeps going. Following on from this major bombshell you still have three more smaller stories. Each of them follows a slightly different aspect and even expands on who Galactus is.

Most intriguingly is the final almost childlike story which looks at Reed's rather gifted son and a mystery character who has taken to guiding him.

When all of the elements come together you are left with a strange mix of satisfaction, from the return, and questions which leads you to want to know more. Knowing that FF is going to continue as a title in its own right with Doom and the kids, whilst Fantastic Four is renewed and recreated leaves you with a dilemma. Is there room for both titles on my pull list? And if not which do I choose?

Personally I am also wondering if they’ll keep the new updated uniforms and what is really going on with Johnny so depending on the calibre of FF stories I could be swayed away and back to the original line up. But whichever the reader chooses there is definitely a huge wealth of stories and action that can, and no doubt will, be called upon.

In a title that isn’t one of my main or favourites it is very easy to say that there are some very exciting and interesting times ahead. Even if you’re not an avid fan I would encourage you to read this issue and it will change your mind too.

Very well worth a read!

Matt Puddy suspects Johnny Storm is in for a rough ride.

New Beginnings - FF #1

Since November 1961, we have had the Fantastic Four - a family based super-hero team with incredibly strong morals and ideals. Time after time they saved the world from many different threats, both terrestrial and alien. They put their lives on hold for the greater good many more times too but, and this is the critical part, it couldn’t last forever, recently we have seen the death of one of the team.

Following the sacrifice they made, their wish was for the remainder of the team to carry on, to keep strong and become better. They never stopped helping and kept trying to better the world. With this in mind, combined with an idea that Reed had created, the Future Foundation has been properly formed.

The story itself, written by Jonathan Hickman, is a good opening for both new and old Fantastic Four fans. I’ve not had a giant amount of exposure to previous adventures or arcs but I did find myself feeling comfortable and completely in my depth. Even taking into account the massive personal event that they have had to overcome, to the casual reader this is an easy place to join in without feeling out of place or overwhelmed.

As the plot opens out, it is a welcome to those reading. There are new beginnings and opportunities littered throughout it without the story looking too coincidental or easy. In a herald back to the origins of the comic we see not just one notorious adversary (and considering my lack of FF knowledge even knowing who this person was is a good indication) but a second arch villain with the typical FF twist or conundrum attached to it. Yes, as a new reader, there are times when you are left with questions about who people are or what they can do but this all adds to the story.

The artwork by Steve Epting is good but I wouldn’t say outstanding, however, this I think has more to do with the fact that I have not seen much of his work previously. I find myself making comparisons and contrasts to other artists I have seen. I can see various influences in his work and there is a peculiar current yet retro feel to it for me. I have really liked Paul Mounts use of shadow and colour a lot. There are sections where we see parts of the remaining Fantastic Four really struggle with what has happened and where, in other pieces I have reviewed, the shadow has been sinister and foreboding, there is a real solemn and almost emotionally desolate feel to the frames. Considering this is black we are seeing used here, I see it a feat achieved well.

I’ve tried not to reveal which member of the FF sadly met what seems to be an untimely fate, although if you read Fantastic Four #587 I’m not convinced that this is the last we will see of them. I think that this is a good starting point for anyone to pick up and learning that knowledge first hand adds to the experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this first issue and depending on the ongoing quality of the stories I will also be following this title. Definitely worth looking at from anyone who is looking for something new but equally carrying that established feel to it.

Matt Puddy would like a suit made of Unstable Molecules

Tripping the light fantastic...

OK folks, soapbox time. Gather round.

It's time to talk about four people. A family. Adventurers, scientists and heroes.

Their first film was rubbish. Their second film was marginally better.

I refer, of course, to the Fantastic Four.



For a long time, the Fantastic Four book was fairly insipid and uninspiring. Then JMS took over and crafted some interesting stories, but his run was largely hamstrung by the needs of the larger Civil War storyline (this in turn seems to have frustrated JMS enough to make him refuse to continue writing Thor as the universe moved towards the current Siege crossover).

After JMS came Dwayne McDuffie. I have no time for McDuffie's writing and in the last few years he's been reportedly fired from writing the JLA by DC and the FF by Marvel. 'Nuff said.



Then with much fanfare and ceremony came the Ultimates wunderkinder, Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch.

I adored this run, it was everything I wanted from the Fantastic Four. Heroics, exploration, adventuring to the very edge of imagination! Grand ideas, incredible imagery, heartbreaking deaths and crazy temporal mechanics. All this and a quick holiday to Scotland and the worship of an Cthulhu-esque monster. I kid you not.

If I have piqued your interest, the Millar-Hitch run is collected in two volumes - World's Greatest and Masters Of Doom. Read them in that order.

Now I did think this was the zenith of the Fantastic Four. Then Marvel announced Jonathan Hickman was taking over. Hickman redefined sequential comic art for me with some of his creator owned work at Image including Nightly News, Red Mass From Mars and Pax Romana. He did things that graphic designers drooled over.

But his work on the Dark Reign Fantastic Four miniseries was merely serviceable in my opinion. I was a little disappointed and assumed his ongoing run would be another slump in Fantastic Four storytelling.

I was wrong.



Hickman has managed to completely bowl me over in just a handful of issues. He is adeptly crafting one and two issue long stories that pack as much in as most modern comics writers do in six issues, without seeming as twee as the Golden Age comics often do. That's no mean feat. Comic Book Resources spoke to him as this new run began.

Reed Richards has joined other versions of himself from alternate universes in the hope of fixing... well... everything? The revelations surrounding Valeria continue and Franklin has had a fairly incredible birthday present. We've had trips to the Moloid Underworld kingdom and even this fella...



Family and science fiction superheroics - this has always been the core of the Fantastic Four. This title deserves to be read and savoured. Jonathan Hickman has just spoken to Newsarama about what comes next for the Fantastic Four, please do check it out.

Hickman also has another Marvel project in the pipeline. It's starts in April. It's called S.H.I.E.L.D. I want to properly rave about how excited I am about this title, so I'll say no more for now but leave you with this teaser image...