It's odd that Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch, who turned in blockbuster work on The Ultimates and The Authority, seem to be struggling to achieve the same success with their run on the Fantastic Four.Their work is as good as ever - but so far, it doesn't seem to be translating into the same kind of sales that the other books enjoyed. (Of course, a voice inside my head says, "Sales, Shmales." Smart voice I have there.)
Perhaps the difference is the nature of the comic. Where the other two series were dark, depressing, violent and vulgar, the FF is by its nature fun, positive and uplifting. Maybe we're all suffering whiplash at the change in direction.
There's certainly no slippage in the efforts of artist Bryan Hitch, who creates some amazing panoramas in this issue, including Galactus imprisoned, the FF soaring across the New York skyline at night, and an awesome throw-down between the FF and the group known as the New Defenders. I'm still not sold on his choices for covers - once again, it's a busy and oddly framed composition.
And Mark Millar provides the kind of cosmic-sized story that fits the FF so well, as the team tries to prevent the destruction of the world and save billions of lives while rescuing both Johnny Storm and Dr. Doom.
But I don't mean to make it sound like this isn't an entertaining comic. If you've been following the story from the beginning of Millar and Hitch's run, you'll see several stories pay off here as Reed, Sue and Ben face overwhelming odds and a certain surprise guest star.
If you haven't been picking this one up (perhaps the covers have put you off buying it), you're missing an excellent series.
Grade: A-
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