The Terrifics #1

   Its clever of DC Comics to realize that there's a big gap in the world of comic books - namely, there's no Fantastic Four comic - so they've created one of their own.

   Good on 'em, sez me.

   It's not a perfect analogy. The Terrifics "team" is headed up by the super-intelligent Mr. Terrific (Mr. Fantastic). It includes a big, strong, misshapen, slightly tragic, thinks-with-his-fists kinda hero, Metamorpho (The Thing), it's got an elastic, stretching hero, Plastic Man (Reed Richards again), and a beautiful girl who becomes intangible, Phantom Girl (the Invisible Woman). 

   I'm surprised they didn't bring Legion hero Sun Boy along as a Human Torch substitute. Maybe they didn't want to be too obvious.

   The story starts out at top speed and never slows down, bringing the heroes together to deal with a cosmic problem. It's fast and fun with terrific art and a great surprise appearance on the last page.
   
   The team's not quite a family - it'll be interesting to see why they decide to remain together after this adventure is over - but it's a very entertaining comic, with terrific art by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado, and a strong script by Jeff Lemire.

   It's no FF, but it's a pretty good substitute that helps fill that empty spot in my comic book soul.

Grade: A-

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