Fantastic Four Antithesis #3 (of 4)

 

   This series has certainly been fun, especially for a fan of Neal Adams (like me).

   I'm also a fan of Mark Waid's writing, so I admit I was predisposed to like this mini-series.

   Happily, Fantastic Four: Antithesis doesn't disappoint.

   It gives us a big ol' cosmic challenge as the FF must find a way to defeat a cosmic monster powerful enough to (nearly) destroy Galactus!

   Adams is really swinging for the wall here (inked by the always excellent Mark Farmer with color art by Laura Martin and Andrew Crossley), loading in his usual amazing amount of detail and characterization, and Waid gives him lots of big concepts to depict and a chance to do some redesigning on the classic team.

   I'm still struggling with this version of the Thing, who seems just a bit too much off model, but it's a small quibble and doesn't take away from the story at all (artists gotta art, after all). 

   Next issue wraps it up, so we'll see how they stick the landing (especially after that surprise cliffhanger). 

   Can't wait!

Grade: A-

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New Comics Day

    Here's what I picked up at the comic book shop today:

- ACTION COMICS #1026 - The Kent family faces death incarnate!

- FANTASTIC FOUR: ANTITHESIS #3 - More powerful than Galactus?

- LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #10 - First kiss!

- SHANG-CHI #2 - Family feud!

- STRANGE ACADEMY #4 - That's one crazy library!

  And I received these comics for review:

- ADLER #5 - A battle in the sky!

- THE AUTUMNAL #2 - That is one creepy hometown!

- GIGA #1 - What happens to giant robots when they die?

- HEAVY #2 - Ready to team up with the person you hate the most?

- WASTED SPACE #16 - A god is born!

   And that's it!

New Comics Day

   Slim Pickings today! Here's what I picked up at the comics shop today:

- Fantastic Four #25 - A turning point for the team!

- Iron Man #2 - Has Tony Stark really changed?

     And I received these comics for review:

- Blade Runner 2019 #11 - Back home after a trip off-world.

- Engineward #4 - The truth about the Terran Seed!

- Heist #7 - Everything goes wrong.

- Rai #8 - Welcome to Utopia!

- Sera and the Royal Stars #8 - The history of the daughters is revealed!

- Shadow Service #3 - Gina's ally is working for the demonic forces?

- Vagrant Queen: A Planet Called Doom #5 - The planet runs out of time.

   And that's it!

Superman #26

    It's the small details that get under the skin.

   I've really been enjoying Brian Michael Bendis' take on Superman - but the beginning of this issue shows one of his weaknesses. 

   The story opens with Superman fighting a  powerful alien in front of the Daily Planet - and in the fight we see his "civilian" clothes being burned off, revealing his costume beneath.

   But later in the issue, when he fights the alien he's already removed his civvies. 

   I'll admit that's a minor point, and the rest of the issue is very good.

   We get more about Superman's "regular" life now that he's revealed his secret identity, we see some unexpected ways in which Superman protects his friends (and the world in general), and we see what happens when he encounters a truly alien opponent.

   So, the issue isn't perfect - but it is a lot of fun.

Grade: A-

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New Comics Day

    Here's what I picked up today at the comics shop:

- Avengers #37  - Wrapping up the Moon Knight monstrosity.

- Batman's Grave #11 (of 12) - War in the streets!

- Green Lantern #8 - Into the Antimatter universe!

- Hawkman #28 - Death comes calling!

- Strange Adventures #6 (of 12) - Alanna and Mr. Terrific take a walk.

- Superman #26 - Alien assault!

- Usagi Yojimbo #13 - A village under assault!

    And I received these comics for review:

- Bleed Them Dry #4 - The city demands blood.

- Bloodshot #9 - Can he stop hell on Earth?

- Carmine #1 - A new soul bearer!

- Devil's Red Bride #1  - Can the warlord's daughter save the clan?

- Doctor Who 13th TP Vol. 4 Tale of Two Time Lords - Teaming up to deal with the Weeping Angels and the Autons!

- Life is Strange: Partners in Time #1 - A new era!

-  Loan Slone HC Chaos - The next chapter in Druillet's saga!

- Miranda in Maelstrom #1 - A supernatural storm!

- Vampire the Masquerade #3 - A new breed of enemy!

   And that's it!

Norse Mythology #1

    This was a happy surprise! I had read and enjoyed Neil Gaiman's adaptation of the original myths that make up his book Norse Mythology, and now those stories are being adapted into comic book form, guided by P. Craig Russell.

   These are the original tales as sorted by Gaiman, who brings numerous Norse myths and adventures together is a package for modern audiences, while retaining that raucous fun and cosmic carryings-on from the original myth-makers.

   Russell provides the layouts and the artwork for the opening story, which outlines the structure of the three worlds connected by the World Tree, Yggdrasil.

   The second story's art is by Mike Mignola, and it explains how Odin gained wisdom.

   The third story, which is continued into the next issue, has art by the wonderful Jerry Ordway and tells the story about one of Loki's biggest pranks - and how an angry Thor forced him to scramble to set things right.

   Just an amazing comic, based on a terrific book, with some of the top creators in comics at the peak of their game.

   Highly recommended!

Grade: A

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New Comics Day (Plus one)

    My schedule kept me from dropping by the comics shop for my usual Wednesday visit - but here's what I picked up today:

- ADVENTUREMAN #4 - The new team arises!

- FIRE POWER #4 - A night out becomes a nightmare!

- NORSE MYTHOLOGY #1 - Gaiman and Russell, together again!

- THOR #8 - Why is Thor giving away his hammer?

- YOUNG JUSTICE #19 - The power of Zeus!

 And I received these review copies:

- ADLER #4 - The game's afoot!

- DOCTOR WHO TIME LORD VICTORIOUS #2 - The Daleks are scared!

- HORIZON ZERO DAWN #3 - Based on the award-winning game.

- MONEY SHOT #9 - Pursed by the Space Knights!

- NO ONE'S ROSE #3 - The future is crumbling!

- VAMPBLADE SEASON 4 #10 - The Danger Doll Squad is back!

- ZOMBIE TRAMP #74 - Meet Mummy Tramp!

  And that's it!

Shang-Chi #1

    As a fan of the character since his first appearance, I'm glad to see Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, back in his own title again

   The character's genesis was tied into the Kung Fu craze of the early '70s, though those comics eventually moved in different directions - but the character's core decency and incredible fighting skills were always at the center.

    Happily, that seems to be continuing in this series, as it embraces some traditional martial arts movie tropes.

   Here we learn some background on Shang-Chi's father - it was Fu Manchu in the original comics, but licensing rights have lapsed, so his father is now referred to by his Chinese name.

    This issue finds Shang-Chi (well known as a hero and an Avenger) working in a small restaurant, where he happily tries to sort out his life - and then danger comes calling in the form of a cult with ties to his father - and other twists along the way.

   It's a great start to the new series, mixing terrific artwork, martial arts action, an actual dragon, and both new and familiar faces.

   So far, I like it a lot!

Grade: A-

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