Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four 572

Hickman & Eaglesham's first arc has been a success and it only took 3 issues. Wish that happened more often. Absolutely loved the interview in the back: "What do you think was wrong with the current run?" Hickman: "It was too Mr. Fantastic-centric. Oh wait. Mine is too. But..." LOL Good stuff. At least he took off from both Millar and his own Dark Reign mini, while pushing his own sense of style and attitude to the forefront. It should be interesting to see his take on Human Torch, Thing and the other focal points of the book once his run starts expanding. And yes, Mr. Fantastic laid off the juice in this ish.

4/5 Bags&Boards - Excellent

It stinks.

Loved it.

I think that 616 Reed will go back at some time, "you always come back" I thought it was good to see him choose his family over all that mess though. But no matter who is writing the book, I'm sure he will forget again. So Ska what did you hate about the book?

I loved it! Good to see 616 Reed has that one thing that separates him from all the others, his love of family and friends.

I loved it as well. Hickman has made this book one of my favorites in only 3 issues (well, actually his first issue made it one of my favorites and the second two have kept it there).

Loved the thing in the back with him explaining what he thought was wrong and what he'd do.

The art was great as well

Can't wait for the next issue.

Yeah, Hickman sold me on his FF back in DR FF so I got the first issue of his run and man oh man did he come out swinging.

Great way to end Solve Everything, loved how they play up Reed's relationship with his father and how it made him who he is, so much so that he chose his family over "Solving Everything" which would be nearly irresistable to Reed. This is some of the best character work I've seen in a FF book in quite a while as you get glimpses of just about everyone and where they stand within the family, especially the scenes with Reed and Sue.

Can't wait for next issue with the vacation on Nu Earth, should be awesome.

Hickman has really shot up the list as one of my favorite writers with his amazing work here and on Secret Warriors. This is what a Fantastic Four book should be like! "Fantastic" cosmic-level stories that still maintain that family dynamic. Hickman blends the two masterfully. And he makes sure to give us that human element to Reed, via the flashbacks with his father, that often times gets overlooked. He's not just a big brain in this. Plus, I love what Hickman's done with Val and Franklin. He's making them a relevant part of this book and I think that's a very good idea.

On top of all that, the art by Dale Eaglesham is just gorgeous! His work on the Celestials was some of the best I've seen in awhile. He's got the whole family down too I think. Overall, this first short arc by Hickman was great, and I'm almost certain he will build off these concepts and we'll see the Council of Reeds again down the road. I can't remember the last time I was this excited to read a Fantastic Four book...I hope Hickman and Eaglesham are on this book for a very long time.

I'm going to echo everyone's sentiments here and say this was wonderful.

Starting with the art. Eaglesham is made for this book. His work is just perfect for the Fantastic Four. I liked his art on the JSA but this is a level above that. One thing I expect though is that he's not going to be able to produce 12 issues a year. I absolutely loved those few panels where read just got through the bridge in time cutting off the Celestial's hand with the hand just about to grab him. Great stuff!

I think what shows Hickman as being an intelligent writer is the fact that he chose to make this first arc focus on Reed even though (as he says at the back) the FF has been too much about Reed and Reed alone in recent times. Hickman obviously realised this story had to be told to bring Reed back to his family. Reed's been off the rails for a number of years and I think with this story arc Hickman's brought him back to what's important. However, there's always that threat now that he'll be lost to his family in pursuit of bigger thing and I think everyone knows that threat has always kind of been there without openly saying it anyway.

The other thing I've loved which I don't always in comics or movies is the kids. I think Hickman's making them a fun part of this book. In particular I think he's got a good handle on Valeria. He's writing her as super smart but still a kid which I think is just right. I didn't particularly like how Peter David wrote her in the recent issue of X-Factor where she comes across as an adult in a child's body. I don't think that's right. She hasn't matured just because she's smart. She's self aware but still a child at heart. Anyway, I think Hickman's doing a great job with Franklin and Valeria.

In summary, the FF are back!

Aussiemandias wrote:I'm going to echo everyone's sentiments here and say this was wonderful.

Starting with the art. Eaglesham is made for this book. His work is just perfect for the Fantastic Four. I liked his art on the JSA but this is a level above that. One thing I expect though is that he's not going to be able to produce 12 issues a year. I absolutely loved those few panels where read just got through the bridge in time cutting off the Celestial's hand with the hand just about to grab him. Great stuff!

I think what shows Hickman as being an intelligent writer is the fact that he chose to make this first arc focus on Reed even though (as he says at the back) the FF has been too much about Reed and Reed alone in recent times. Hickman obviously realised this story had to be told to bring Reed back to his family. Reed's been off the rails for a number of years and I think with this story arc Hickman's brought him back to what's important. However, there's always that threat now that he'll be lost to his family in pursuit of bigger thing and I think everyone knows that threat has always kind of been there without openly saying it anyway.

The other thing I've loved which I don't always in comics or movies is the kids. I think Hickman's making them a fun part of this book. In particular I think he's got a good handle on Valeria. He's writing her as super smart but still a kid which I think is just right. I didn't particularly like how Peter David wrote her in the recent issue of X-Factor where she comes across as an adult in a child's body. I don't think that's right. She hasn't matured just because she's smart. She's self aware but still a child at heart. Anyway, I think Hickman's doing a great job with Franklin and Valeria.

In summary, the FF are back!

Totally agreed! Especially regarding Franklin and Val, he writes them perfectly.

Fantastic Four #573

Johnathan Hickman doesn't want to destroy, ruin, or ignore previous FF-writer Mark Millar's oft-criticized ideas. Rather, he builds off these threads, making them more accesible for new readers, or fans of the more acceptible, recognizable runs of FF (see: Byrne or Waid).

No matter what, some people will just not let Millar off the hook; even if the ideas of Nu-World were in his best trade arc of FF "World's Finest." Nope. Hickman sends Ben and Johnny along with the kids on a vacation that ends up in this sketchy world of dysotopia; of course someone is captured, cosmic monsters collide, mathematic problems need to be solved, and something's just got to give. It's great that Hickman takes all these classic elements of Fantastic Four that many have been begging for the last few years and employs them in a tight done-in-one book that allows the author to simply mark his checklist and move on.

The fact Hickman's even bothering to acknowledge much of Millar's material so far should have you thinking. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't so bad after all. Regardless, the true essence and feel of the pages screams Fantastic Four. Even with Reed Richards taking this month off (after what was pretty much a solo title to begin the run, I don't blame him), the book covers all the angles. I wonder what Hickman thinks of Dr. Doom's "Masters of Doom"? Now that'll be a challenge.

4/5 Bags&Boards - A complete arc done in one issue? Holy cripes!

LOOSECANNON wrote:Fantastic Four #573

Johnathan Hickman doesn't want to destroy, ruin, or ignore previous FF-writer Mark Millar's oft-criticized ideas. Rather, he builds off these threads, making them more accesible for new readers, or fans of the more acceptible, recognizable runs of FF (see: Byrne or Waid).

No matter what, some people will just not let Millar off the hook; even if the ideas of Nu-World were in his best trade arc of FF "World's Finest." Nope. Hickman sends Ben and Johnny along with the kids on a vacation that ends up in this sketchy world of dysotopia; of course someone is captured, cosmic monsters collide, mathematic problems need to be solved, and something's just got to give. It's great that Hickman takes all these classic elements of Fantastic Four that many have been begging for the last few years and employs them in a tight done-in-one book that allows the author to simply mark his checklist and move on.

The fact Hickman's even bothering to acknowledge much of Millar's material so far should have you thinking. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't so bad after all. Regardless, the true essence and feel of the pages screams Fantastic Four. Even with Reed Richards taking this month off (after what was pretty much a solo title to begin the run, I don't blame him), the book covers all the angles. I wonder what Hickman thinks of Dr. Doom's "Masters of Doom"? Now that'll be a challenge.

4/5 Bags&Boards - A complete arc done in one issue? Holy cripes!

Yeah I really liked this one issue story too. I love how Hickman doesn't run from inconvenient continuity, he takes it head on and makes it work towards what he wants to do. Also, Hickman's use of Franklin and especially Val (super genius!) has been great. I'm just so glad Marvel's First Family is in such great hands right now.

I didn't think #573 was as strong as Hickman's previous three issues. All seemed a little rushed. Actually, unlike Loosecannon's view above I actually think this issue had nothing to do with paying respect to Millar's previous run I actually think it was to close off Millar's plot threads. I am all in favour of that as I thought Millar's FF run was pretty ordinary.

I do dislike how it seems Marvel is largely ignoring the whole deal with Dr. Doomer from Millar's arc. They could have easily worked with that and create something better. It would have made a great back drop for a large scale event, especially with Marvel essentially hitting the reset button with Seige. In any case, I feel Hickman's run has alot of promise but is not delivering. Most stories have a largely episodic nature to them, with little makingme wonder why I should care or tune in. In many ways, I'd be better off reading about it on Wikipedia.

Fantastic Four #574

Hickman continues his already epic run on this book. I can't believe how much he's turned the Fantastic Four around for me in just a handful of issues. The first half was very well done, focusing on Franklin's birthday and of course Spidey's appearance. Then the second half just got crazy good. Hickman is perfectly mixing the family aspect of the team along with the crazy cosmic stuff their known for. Plus what he's done with Val and Franklin is just great...I was quite surprised by the end with Frank!

Bigtymin504 wrote:Fantastic Four #574

Hickman continues his already epic run on this book. I can't believe how much he's turned the Fantastic Four around for me in just a handful of issues. The first half was very well done, focusing on Franklin's birthday and of course Spidey's appearance. Then the second half just got crazy good. Hickman is perfectly mixing the family aspect of the team along with the crazy cosmic stuff their known for. Plus what he's done with Val and Franklin is just great...I was quite surprised by the end with Frank!

I thought this was just going to be a kind of cute issue (which is fine now and then - it hits home the family aspect of this book perfectly) but there was some very interesting stuff at the end and in the letter column.

First the party - the big surprise for me was Alex and Julie Power (I'm assuming Julie, although never identified, was the short haired woman/girl that was seen standing next to Johnny in some scenes). I was out of comics for 15 years but when I finished up those 2 were still pretty young kids. Now Alex is 19 and from the way she's drawn Julie's not too far off that age either. Those 2 sure seem to be aging at a faster rate than Franklin, Katie and Jack!

Adult Franklin's appearance was intriguing and obviously setting things up for the future. I get the feeling with Hickman that he's a writer that plans things out meticulously so I'm thinking there were a few clues in what Franklin told Valeria. I know the next story arc is called the Prime Elements arc or something like that so it was interesting to see diagrams depicting the elements in the kid's drawings in the background.

The other thing that was of interest was the mention of Nathaniel Richards having a role in the new SHIELD book that Hickman's doing. I'm looking forward to that series.

2010 teaser:


Looks good!

FF #574

Finally got this book! My LCS was slacking off the past two weeks. I was actually quite happy with the lone birthday celebration--ala JSA's Liberty Belle ish--but of course Hickman's writing it, so things get a little looney. Wasn't that Spider-Man introduction bonkers?

I'm not so sure about the art in this book as Eaglesham was pretty great another than the roided-out Reed. Too many of the children's faces looked the same, and not very emotional. Funny how a letter in the back of the issue names Hickman & Eaglesham the next Lee & Kirby and had "Val" just baffled...not sure if this means Eaglesham is off the book or they're just humbled by the compliment.

Another really good issue of FF.

4/5 Bags&Boards - I see this one becoming a HUGE fan fav.[b]

Yup. It does look cool.

Seriously, I don't want to like the Fantastic Four, never really have been a fan of "Marvel's First Family" but man oh man has this really been the best arc in 20 years, and it just gets better.

"Happy Birthday Retard"

Don't know how much else I have to say, Franklin has his powers back and this book just went off the deep end....

LOOSECANNON wrote:FF #574

Finally got this book! My LCS was slacking off the past two weeks. I was actually quite happy with the lone birthday celebration--ala JSA's Liberty Belle ish--but of course Hickman's writing it, so things get a little looney. Wasn't that Spider-Man introduction bonkers?

I'm not so sure about the art in this book as Eaglesham was pretty great another than the roided-out Reed. Too many of the children's faces looked the same, and not very emotional. Funny how a letter in the back of the issue names Hickman & Eaglesham the next Lee & Kirby and had "Val" just baffled...not sure if this means Eaglesham is off the book or they're just humbled by the compliment.

Eaglesham is NOT off the book. He's the kind of artist who won't be able to do 12 issues a year. You sure like to jump to wild conclusions.

"not sure if this means Eaglesham..."

that means I AM NOT SURE? lol...no conclusion there...

Fantastic Four #575

I can't say enough how good this book has been under Jonathan Hickman. The guy just gets the Fantastic Four like I haven't read in awhile. The high concepts in here are exactly what this book should be about. I love that we got to see some of the "Four Cities" that were mentioned in the previous issue. The whole idea of the High Evolutionary creating an entire underground city for his accelerated evolution experiments then abandoning it is just awesome, not to mention it makes total sense for him. Also loving Eaglesham's art, he captures Hickman's high concept ideas really nicely. Hickman is so good he's gonna be sought after for a lot of books, but I hope he stays on this for a long time.

Dale Eaglesham was born for this book! The art in #575 was just wonderful. If it means ever 6 months he needs a couple of issues off to catch up, I don't care, just as long as he stays. Some of the scenes in this book were just beautiful I found myself spending more time than usual taking the art in.

And Hickman, well I don't know if he was born for the book but he certainly knows what should make it tick. I can just imagine Stan Lee and John Byrne reading this issue and nodding their heads in satisfaction. I suspect this is where Hickman's run is really going to take off.

I really can't say much more about the issue than that it was really, really good and I think now is the time this book deserves to be a top seller again.

Just on the letters page - I just will never understand people that don't get that what characters say in books (or in movies or television) is just that - they're characters not necessarily representing the writer's point of view. The way the Richards kids talk to each other sounds pretty real to me and who hasn't heard kids use the word that got the letter writers so upset before. I'm pretty sure I called my sister worse than that when I was a kid. It doesn't mean Hickman condones it, it just means that's the way real people talk. I found that very aggravating and I can only imagine how it made Hickman feel.

Bigtymin504 wrote:Fantastic Four #575

I can't say enough how good this book has been under Jonathan Hickman. The guy just gets the Fantastic Four like I haven't read in awhile. The high concepts in here are exactly what this book should be about. I love that we got to see some of the "Four Cities" that were mentioned in the previous issue. The whole idea of the High Evolutionary creating an entire underground city for his accelerated evolution experiments then abandoning it is just awesome, not to mention it makes total sense for him. Also loving Eaglesham's art, he captures Hickman's high concept ideas really nicely. Hickman is so good he's gonna be sought after for a lot of books, but I hope he stays on this for a long time.

How big must the High Evolutionary's ego be? Giant statues of himself all over the city!

Aussiemandias wrote:Dale Eaglesham was born for this book! The art in #575 was just wonderful. If it means ever 6 months he needs a couple of issues off to catch up, I don't care, just as long as he stays. Some of the scenes in this book were just beautiful I found myself spending more time than usual taking the art in.

And Hickman, well I don't know if he was born for the book but he certainly knows what should make it tick. I can just imagine Stan Lee and John Byrne reading this issue and nodding their heads in satisfaction. I suspect this is where Hickman's run is really going to take off.

I really can't say much more about the issue than that it was really, really good and I think now is the time this book deserves to be a top seller again.

Just on the letters page - I just will never understand people that don't get that what characters say in books (or in movies or television) is just that - they're characters not necessarily representing the writer's point of view. The way the Richards kids talk to each other sounds pretty real to me and who hasn't heard kids use the word that got the letter writers so upset before. I'm pretty sure I called my sister worse than that when I was a kid. It doesn't mean Hickman condones it, it just means that's the way real people talk. I found that very aggravating and I can only imagine how it made Hickman feel.

I had a feeling some people might have a problem with that line when I read it. I totally agree with you. Hickman was just writing EXACTLY how little kids her age talk, especially with their brothers.

Aussiemandias wrote:How big must the High Evolutionary's ego be? Giant statues of himself all over the city!

Huge ego, nearly rivaling Doom's!