Guest Review - FF #10

Stepping into the Guest Review batting box is my pal James Cassara, who gives us a look at the companion comic to the Fantastic Four: FF.

A comics reading friend of mine (of course most of my best friends are comic readers!) says he is prepared to give up on the Future Foundation, feeling it is “just too weird.”

On the one hand I see where he’s coming from. Weird is an adjective that is frequently attached to many a Mike Allred project, and while he is providing only the art - with regular Fantastic Four scribe Matt Fraction providing scripts - somehow this title seems to be his baby.

There are so many subplots and back stories going on - even though each issue does an excellent job synopsizing the one before it - that a casual reader would have a tough time making heads of tails of this. Johnny Storm an old and seemingly insane man? Dragon Man a reptile-like version of the Family Affair’s Mr. French? There’s also a cross dressing alien named Tong and a bevy of strange characters populating the Baxter Building: it’s all a bit much and I readily admit to being at times confused as to what is what.

But there’s no denying this title is also a lot of fun, and issue 10 is no exception. Alex Power, whose parents are being held captive by Dr. Doom, is exposed as a mole.

Ant-Man continues to try and hold the group together but, fearing his criminal past might return to haunt him, is clearly losing his grip on things.

At times She-Hulk and Darla Deering (who gave up a successful superstar singing career to join the group) seem the only ones in control. They’re two of the strongest female voices in comics, which only add to the pleasures found herein.

This issue also features “guest stars” series editor Tom Brevoort along with Fraction and Allred. It brings to mind the occasional fourth wall appearances of Stan and Jack. And if you have to ask “Stan and Jack who?” you’re reading the wrong column!

Circling back to my friend’s concern I do wonder where all this is going. There’s an awful lot going on - often to the detriment of the main story line - and I don’t get the sense that things are really moving forward.

In that regards FF may just be the comic book equivalent of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: it often seems weird for weird sake.

But I stuck with Twin Peaks to the bitter end, so, despite my reservations, as long as Fraction and Allred are on board I feel inclined to do the same here.

Still, a bit of normalcy (as normal as any comic about super powered beings can be) would go a long way.

Grade: B

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FF #1

This one, I suspect, is going to be a lot of fun.

Jonathan Hickman just wrapped up his excellent run on FF, which was tightly linked with the regular Fantastic Four title. Now the comic is in the hands of Matt Fraction, but the title (for now) will stand alone - so he sets up an interesting premise, spinning off the events in the "new" Fantastic Four comic.

The original FF is planning a trip through time and space, which Reed Richards estimates will take all of four minutes. But just in case, he wants to make sure the kids who make up the FF (Future Foundation) will be protected, so he sets out to assemble a "stand-in" Fantastic Four.

And an odd group they are, including the She-Hulk, Medusa, Ant-Man and what appears to be a woman wearing a Thing-like body. Your guess is as good as mine.

This issue serves as an intro to both the new team and the existing members of the FF, and it looks to be an odd mix.

But what really sold me on the series was the art by Mike Allred, which just bubbles with energy and a sense of fun. Allred is something of a throwback to the Silver Age (in the best possible sense) - his art is out of the ordinary, but captures the sense of Jack Kirby's style without ever being a direct copy.

This is a title that's walking a different path, and it's not going to be for everyone.

But from where I sit, FF is a title to watch.

Grade: A-

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FF #15

You definitely get the feeling that this title - since the "return" of the original Fantastic Four title - should be called FF Jr.

But I don't mean that as a put-down. Instead, it reflects the fact that for the past few issues, this comic has focused largely on the young people who make up the "Future Foundation," including Val and Franklin, the children of Reed and Sue Richards.

But it's definitely not a book for kids, as the capable young people are working their part of the huge story that's been playing out in the Fantastic Four's comic - both stories run parallel to each other, but rarely cross paths.

It's a virtuoso performance by writer Jonathan Hickman to keep both plates spinning, both stories arresting, without running into the usual glitches.

He adds to the fun this issue with a guest appearance by Power Pack, a sadly under-utilized super-team made up of kids. It's wonderful to see them again, and they have some fun bits of business along the way.

I like the artwork by Nick Dragotta - he has a clean, classic style, and he manages to keep things moving despite the hordes of characters involved in this story.

I don't know if this title is crucial to following the main story in the other "FF," but it's very good all by itself.

The story is building to a big finish (which you'd expect, since it includes a group of Celestials), and I'm anxious to see where it all goes next.

Grade: B+

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FF #11

Happy Halloween, everyone!

It's not unusual for the creative team on the Fantastic Four to go to the stock supporting characters and villains, but few (if any) have done so in as many creative and unexpected ways as writer Jonathan Hickman.

His latest story has been winding its way through the Human Torch-less FF and is reaching its climax with next month's Fantastic Four #600.

He's using some of the book's classic characters in unusual ways - for instance, the Inhumans have been retooled, the Kree are back in a big way, and the Earth is facing deadly threats from several different angles. Oh, and there's still no sign that Johnny Storm is still alive (wink, wink).

The main criticism of Hickman's series is that you can't just pick up an issue anywhere and follow along - and that's true. But if you have been following, you've been treated to a big story that never forgets the heart at the core of the FF family.

The art by Barry Kitson (and a small army of inkers) is outstanding, and he gets to draw a few mind-blowing events in this issue.

The series is highly recommended, especially to those who've been around long enough to know the characters involved. They're in very good hands here.

Grade: A-

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FF #8

For quite a few issues of FF the story has been mostly concerned with moving all the characters into place (don't get me wrong, this has all been happening in a very entertaining manner, as you'd expect from writer Jonathan Hickman) - but with this issue, the action part of our program kicks into gear.

The four cities have gone to war, and the result is a chaotic battle that includes the return of a major character who was thought to be dead (no, not the Human Torch), the assembling of an army of super-villains, a diminished (but still potent) Fantastic Four (sorry, I mean FF) and a menace that just might destroy the world.

And that's just part of it all - we have inter-family squabbles, Reed's daughter trying again to outsmart her dad, and a scene I've been waiting for.

Dr. Doom has been treated poorly by writers in recent years - he was beaten badly - twice - killed, had his brain damaged, and forced to turn to his most bitter foe to be rehabilitated. Doom should be Marvel's most formidable foe, not a punching bag.

But in this issue - finally - we see a glimpse of the real Dr. Doom, and it's mighty satisfying - and, I suspect, just the beginning.

The art is by Steve Epting with colors by Paul Mounts, and they turn in some impressive work here, illustrating cosmic events, a cast of thousands and some Kirby-sized battles.

There are just four issues left until we (presumably) see the return of the Fantastic Four, and a story this big will no doubt take that many issues just to sort things out.

Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

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FF #3

I stand in awe of the juggling act writer Jonathan Hickman is presenting in the pages of FF (the comic formerly known as Fantastic Four).

In his relatively short time on the title, he has populated it with a number of new allies, enemies and potential future threats for the team, and with each issue he draws the net tighter around the cast.

At the center is Dr. Doom and his goddaughter Valeria (who is the daughter of Reed and Sue Richards). Here an amazing cast of characters are gathered to find a way to defeat Reed - but not the one you might expect.

We see plots unfold, odd alliances form, and a very real threat of worldwide destruction building, all playing out on a cosmic scale. It's a complex, challenging story, but one well worth tackling.

The art by Steve Epting continues to be spot on - dark and ominous, but powerful with striking layouts and great characterizations.

If you like your stories simple and straightforward, then this comic isn't for you.

But if you're looking for a smart, intelligent story, this is one you should not miss.

Grade: A

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FF #2

Dr. Doom can be Marvel's greatest villain - when he's handled properly.

But it's something very few writers have been able to manage.

Now Jonathan Hickman is taking a whack at it, by doing the unexpected - having Doom join the Future Foundation (which, as I keep forgetting, is what the FF now stands for).

But this is a different Dr. Doom. He recently had his mind partially wiped, so he's just a shadow of his former self. For reasons of her own, Reed and Sue's daughter Valeria has brought Doom to the FF to have his memory restored - and she also comes up with the solution in a funny two-page sequence.

The writing is sharp, clever and the voices of each character are clear. I especially like the way Spider-Man is shown to be quite intelligent, instead of just being a buffoon (the usual version).

The art by Steve Epting is a bit unusual for a Fantastic Four comic - it's dark and moody - but it's a perfect fit for the storyline, and his depiction of Doom is especially powerful.

Just two issues in, the "new" series continues to maintain the high standards of the "old" FF - and it's laying the groundwork for some powerful stories ahead.

Highly recommended!

Grade: A-

FF #1

This issue is supposedly a new beginning, but to be honest it feels like more of the same - just with new costumes.

But don't think that's a criticism - in the case of FF, it's a compliment, considering what came before was an original and outstanding run on of the Fantastic Four.

Here we see the team and its extended family picking up the pieces after the (apparent) death of the Human Torch. The first order of business is lining up his replacement - Spider-Man, who obviously wasn't busy enough in his own comics and as a member of both the Avengers and the New Avengers (only Wolverine has a more hectic schedule).

The issue, written by Jonathan Hickman, gives us a quick overview of the new setup and launches right into a new adventure, as a classic villain makes his move. We meet the primary members of the Future Foundation - Reed, Ben, Sue and (now) Peter - and their support, made up of a diverse group of characters. The most surprising addition is saved for the last page (which I won't spoil here, of course).

The artwork by Steve Epting is outstanding, although I'm still warming to the new black-and-white suits (although I actually prefer the black version to the white one). I also like the graphic design of the groups' new logo, although I have to admit I'm not sure what it represents.

Spider-Man seems like a good fit for the team, as he takes up the smart-alec end of things - but shouldn't one member of the team be able to fly?

At any rate, it's a good beginning for a series that has some big stories bubbling just below the surface. The Fantastic Four has been a "must-buy" for the last few years, and this comic continues that tradition with ease.

Grade: A

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