There were high hopes among Fantastic Four fans for the run on this series by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch.Both are top-tier talents (in terms of sales and ability), and both specialize in big stories that play out on a cosmic scale.
Some of the stories they created here have been quite good, and the art has always been outstanding - but many of the stories weren't particularly memorable.
This final arc came close, as the Fantastic Four face off against the Marquis of Death, the being who first instructed Dr. Doom.
Sadly, the storyline fizzles at the end for several reasons: it's confusing to watch as hundreds of alternate reality FFs attack "our" FF; the powers of the Master are never defined (he can do anything); the ending seems rushed and stitched together; they tried to cram too much into the issue; and a character is changed through impossible means that will probably be completely ignored the next time he or she appears.
But it really seems to sputter because the creators who started it all aren't really here. Millar only provides the plot, and Hitch only does the cover. Which is not to slam their replacements - the script by Joe Ahearne is quite good, and Stuart Immonen's art is excellent as always.
Despite the disappointment, this was a decent finish to what's been an interesting and entertaining run. I have to admit, it's the first issue I read this week, because I was anxious to see how the story was resolved.
Here's hoping Millar and Hitch's next project brings them back to the full-octane level. Now, it's on to the next creative team - time for someone new to take a shot at the First Family of comics.
Grade: B+
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