FF#1
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Steve Epting
Ah the Fantastic Four, some of earth’s greatest heroes, Marvel’s first family. The team has always been a great combination of powers and dynamic personalities, each member serving a different purpose and representing a different voice of the Marvel U. And yet, I’ve never really enjoyed a Fantastic Four book, and can’t even remember a Fantastic Four story that stuck with me. With Jonathan Hickman’s dynamic new vision for one of the oldest teams out there, I think that might be about to change.
In the wake of the death of the beloved Human Torch, Johnny Storm, Reed Richards forms a new organization with the purpose of reclaiming science for the sake of bettering all life. Sounds noble. And so it is,. The FF (of Future Foundation) rises from the ashes of a great tragedy, bringing all sorts of interesting characters into the fold. As was Johnny’s wish, Sue and Reed invite Peter Parker to join them as the fourth member of their core combat/field team. The first issue really serves as a great introduction to the new direction of this book. Not wasting time on introducing any of the characters (of which there are many) Hickman assumes that most of, if not all, of his readers know who he’s playing with and focuses instead on what he plans to do with them. I love Hickman’s non-apologetic approach to this book. He’s changing things up, and you’re along for the ride whether you want to be or not, no intro, no long drawn out discussions. Boom. It’s done. I think it was a great way to do things, especially with a situation like the Fantastic Four that can so easily and has so often, become stagnant.
It’s hard to say exactly where this story is going in the long run (we do open with an arc involving the Wizard being broken free by rogue AIM agents) but with the inclusion of more than one unexpected character (no spoilers here) I think they’ve got something good in store for us. Personally I can’t wait for the second issue. It’s kind of refreshing, being excited about something involving the Fantastic Four, but hey, they do have badass new costumes.
4/5
-Vlaz
