Fantastic Four #1 Review: Marvel NOW!
*SPOILER FREE REVIEW*
Writer: Matt Fraction
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Jonathan Hickman just ended his highly-regarded run on Fantastic Four. I plan on going back and reading Hickman’s FF stories, but for now, Matt Fraction is taking the car keys over for the Marvel NOW! relaunch. Fraction himself is coming off a long run on Invincible Iron Man. Fraction wants to take Marvel’s “first family” on a field trip for the ages, and we’re all invited along for the ride.
What I Liked
Since the purpose of Marvel NOW! is to attract new readers, Fraction did a nice job of letting each team member get their shine on. Reed, Sue, Johnny and Ben all got panels to display their personalities. Even Franklin Richards got some page time. Valeria was the only member of the family that didn’t get to show readers much about herself. It was hard to pick who’s side-story was the best. If I had to choose, I’d go with the Human Torch, with The Thing’s a close second. Seeing Johnny’s idea of a nice date locale and Ben being caught on “NewToob” made for hilarious comic relief.
I also liked the reason for the family field trip. In interviews it sounded like the team was taking this year-long trip just for kicks. But we find out there is an important reason for it, which makes sense and goes along with the type of adventures the Fantastic Four undertakes.
Another bonus is that we don’t have to wait long to see their story continue, since in two weeks we pick right back up with FF #1.
What I Didn’t Like
Not much to dislike with this issue. Only negative I can find is that Valeria did not have much of a speaking role. We also did not get a patented “It’s Clobbering Time!” from The Thing, but that isn’t a prerequisite from each issue.
One thing that doesn’t make sense to me is the amount of time the family is going to be gone. Reed says it will be a year for them, but only feel like a few moments for everyone else. If that’s the case, why even go through the trouble of finding a replacement FF? Can so much really go wrong when the Fantastic Four aren’t around for a few moments?
“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine” is off to a trailblazing start. New adventures, new science and new frontiers are ready to be explored. Fantastic Four #1 is one of the early Marvel NOW!’s best efforts.
This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network. They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
