Fantastic Four #3

   This issue wraps up the opening storyline, bringing the Fantastic Four back into the mainstream Marvel Universe (for which we can all be grateful). 

   I wish the comic featured a better story, but to complain about it seems ungrateful - and it's not a bad story at all, it's just lacks the grandeur we'd expect from Marvel's landmark title, finally back in business after too many years.

   The story tries to be big. It has a vast number of guest stars, including everyone who has been a member of the team (however brief or tenuous), all gathered to fight an unbeatable opponent.

   But it spends so much time on side bits of business, getting the core four back together again, that the whole thing feels almost laconic, when it should have a sense of urgency.

   Next issue promises a fun event, as a long-awaited wedding finally takes place - and we should get some touching family moments.

   Again, I'm thrilled to have the series back - but it still hasn't reached its old heights yet. This is the World's Greatest Comics Magazine - fans deserve nothing less.

Grade: B

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