Fantastic Four #554
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Company: Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four. Two words that when put together form the name of one of comicdom’s most prized creations, one that has a long lineage of excellence that ranges from the momentous founding tales of the Lee and Kirby days to the superb stories put forth by John Byrne to the updated and ultimately fun romps of Mark Waid and the more recent adventures of Dwayne McDuffie. There are many more high notes that could be mentioned, a few low ones as well, but seriously, Fantastic Four is a staple of the world of comics, one that’s been around for almost fifty years. It’s also, by the way, one of the hardest books out there to write. Getting a handle of the feel of the book, the general upbeat tempo that the stories need to have while at the same time making a book about a fun loving family of superheroes interesting and appealing, is quite the challenge. So, when a few months back it was announced that Mark Millar, the action crazy writer that was behind some of the more inaccurate characterizations of these characters in the smash hit Civil War, was coming on board to put his mark on this classic team, it was hard not to think that we were about to witness a train-wreck of monumental proportions.
Turns out, that unseemly train-wreck that was to come in fact never took place. Instead, the result of Millar taking the reigns of the book led to an opening issue that, quite unexpectedly, entertains and surprises. Sure, it wasn’t the knock you right out of the park kind of awesome, nor was it so amazing that it that it went out of its way to reinvent the Fantastic Four wheel. No, the end product was a bit more of a subdued kind of awesome. More importantly though, it was just nice to see that Millar could step things up a notch and actually write a story that was, for all intents and purposes, a true Fantastic Four story without succumbing to some of his more over the top tendencies. It was humorous in the ways that it was supposed to be, the characterizations were all spot on, and there was a bundle of action and grandiose ideas that certainly had the correct feel of a Fantastic Four storyline for Bryan Hitch to draw the heck out of.
As for what exactly takes place in this issue, that would be quite a bit. Overall, the story is a bit meandering at times, which could be a problem for some stories, but it fits in the context of an issue that in some ways is a new start. Millar does a fine job of reintroducing and slightly updating the characters for both new and returning readers, giving a gander at who they are and where they stand in the grand scheme of things. There are some fun moments spread out through the entire issue, both action and character oriented, but the one that really stands out is a relatively small scene that involves Reed Richards and Ben Grimm visiting an elementary school as a favor to a friend of Ben’s. What takes place at the school is not only one of the more laugh out loud moments of the issue, it’s also extremely telling of who Reed Richards really is at his core, and it was nice to see that Millar really does understand the character and can write him well.
On the art side of things, Bryan Hitch provides us with his always impressive “widescreen” style of storytelling. The sheer amount of detail and dynamic movement that he puts into his work is slightly awe inspiring, though there have been times in the past where his work has looked static and hurried. With Fantastic Four, neither of these problems ever enter the picture. His characters have a tinge of photorealism but but they still feel energetic enough that it works, and the backgrounds, everything from the scenes that take place in the Old West to the interiors of the Baxter Building, are just as detailed and believable. Beyond that though, my biggest concern for the look of the book was the new costume designs. For me, they didn’t gel at first glance and were almost too reminiscent of what Grant Morrison had his New X-Men wear. More to the point, they looked a little too realistic for the true superheroes that the FF are. In practice though, on the page, the new designs work well and give the team a more jazzed up look and feel.
All in all, a fine first issue that ends with a neat cliffhanger that’s something right out of a Douglas Adams book, which is quite perfect really. I’m still not completely convinced that Millar is the perfect man for the job, but this issue goes a long way to assuaging those fears. Here’s hoping that the dynamic duo of Millar and Hitch can keep the entertainment level as high as it was here.
This is an advance review. Fantastic Four #554 hits the comic racks 2/13/08.
Loading ...
sorry Nick to use this space to get off topic but I had a question. Last night I was excited to finally dip into the first trade of the Goon that I had bought a while back. As soon as I opened the first few pages I got slapped in the face with a strong smell, smelled like it was probably from the ink. I got the book from a reliable store and it was brand new.
I tried to ignore it and keep reading but after a while I couldn’t take it because it felt like I was getting light headed. So I closed it up and I think I might just sacrifice it and kick down for another one. Damn, 17 bucks too. Am I overreacting or has anyone else gotten a trade like that. I mean, it was strong and I swear I could feel it in my head.
It was the first trade to be like that, but not my first trade. Does anything think it is possible to get high off printed pages? like the same one would get from wood varnish?
I checked and it was a first printing from 2003 of the trade, maybe Dark Horse was being cheap back then and only kicked down for some cheap Chinese printing with hazardous chemicals. I checked the Goon #2 trade that I had as well, I could still smell it a little but it was bearable, so I think I’ll keep that one. Man what a buzzkill. or actually, it did a little bit of the opposite, but then killed it.
09 Feb 2008 at 2:22 am
QuoteWow, that “cheap Chinese printing” line was a joke. But I just checked and it was printed in China!!!!!!!! I am in shock and I can’t believe it. I thought all trades were printed in Canada.
I knew I wasn’t crazy, I was getting buzzed from that weird smell. Jesus, I am still in shock as I write this. I will have to contact Dark Horse. I mean why would they use China? The recent news stories have provided warning that anything goes over there. What other companies don’t print their materials in Canada?
Well, that was my first and last Dark Horse experience. Too bad too, because I was looking forward to checking out the Goon and B.P.R.D.. Obviously lots of other people have read those series so maybe I just got a couple of books from a bad printing run.
I know for sure there is at least lead in my copies. I could tell by holding the book up to the light and moving it around. Non-toxic ink doesn’t look that shiny. Hopefully I wasn’t exposed to anything else that was too bad. Man, hopefully I didn’t lose too many I.Q. points.
Hey, i”m sorry to type this here, but a warning to all, I would avoid the China books from now on.
09 Feb 2008 at 3:57 am
QuoteAnd to parents…keep an eye on your children and where their comic books come from. I am old enough to realize the smell wasn’t good, but I can’t imagine if a younger child got a hold of this copy.
Sorry again Nick to crash your review comments. It was a good review.
09 Feb 2008 at 4:21 am
QuoteI read the first six pages of this issue when they put them up on Newsarama, and I have to admit it wasn’t as disastrous as I’d thought. I still think Millar is being over-the-top where he shouldn’t be (the “joke” with Johnny about forming a rock band is the kind of broad-stroke characterization that turns me off Millar’s work), but the over-the-topness did seem to work with the opening action scene.
I still don’t know if I’ll pick this issue up just to give it a try, though your review is pushing me in that direction. This might be a Millar book that I’ll be able to stomach enough to enjoy the fun that it might bring. I’ll also admit that Hitch’s work delivers the energy that the FF needs, though it’s unfortunate that Sue still looks like she’s posing for photo-shoots in every panel, and her new costume is a bit revealing.
09 Feb 2008 at 5:35 am
QuoteYou have Sue Richards using mild profanity at her husband in front of her kids.
Yeah, that’s not the FF.
Also interesting how accurate the American Indians are with 19th century rifles on horseback. I thought only Imperial Stormtroopers were that accurate. Though I am surprised Marvel allowed a non-PC panel like that.
09 Feb 2008 at 6:37 am
Quote*** edited by D3 to remove his own rant about the evils of Chinese goods ***
Anyways, I’m actually pretty interested in reading this issue after thumbing through it the other day. I’ve normally been more tolerant of Millar’s characterizations than the rest of The Panteon, and there was a specific splash page that really caught my attention.
09 Feb 2008 at 9:14 am
QuoteSince I didn’t catch this the first time around, and would agree with you that it wouldn’t feel right to have Sue using profanity at her husband in front of her kids, I decided to read the issue again.
And I’m not seeing any profanity besides the “Aww…Crap” that Been states once. Other than that, the issue is fairly PG with one mild case of innuendo. Maybe I’m just missing the bit of dialogue that you read, I don’t know.
09 Feb 2008 at 10:08 am
QuoteI’ll probably wait for trade on this but I’m looking forward to it. My opinion is in the minority in some places (like here), but Millar writes superhero books just about the way I like ‘em. I still prefer Mark Waid as far as superhero writing goes, but Millar’s “bull in a china shop” approach entertains me. Although I know it’s this very thing that turns a lot of people off.
09 Feb 2008 at 1:18 pm
QuoteNice to see Millar write something good again. I used to really enjoy his stuff, but since ultimate Fantastic four…..start I thought he lost alot of his charm.
09 Feb 2008 at 5:15 pm
QuoteI wasn’t going to bother with this (I generally can’t stand Millar or his writing), but the positive review is making me reconsider. I just may give it a look.
10 Feb 2008 at 12:22 am
QuoteI gotta say, I’m not as wild about the FF as Nick, but I don’t think this is a particularly egregious misstep on Millar’s part.
I mean, they’re being attacked while riding a timeship in the Old West, and her kids are in danger… I don’t think a little “oh, crap” or something of that nature is wildly beyond the pale.
I promise you, if my daughter almost falls out of my car while indians are attacking me, she’s going to hear a lot worse than “oh, crap.”
Fortunately, I don’t think that kind of thing can happen twice to one person.
10 Feb 2008 at 3:24 am
Quotewow bob me personally if it comes down to a choice between Mark Millar or Mark waid on the FF I take door three.
10 Feb 2008 at 4:15 pm
QuoteHey guys since i’m always such a naysayer I figure here’s a good place to blow minds by liking somthing!
except a whimpy Amerian DR DOOM second FF movie quite good. I got a big laugh out of the Silver surfer turning green when he got weakend “oh my god he’s got tarnish!”
Anyway it’s a fine movie on it’s own but against the first i’s freaking Hamlet.
11 Feb 2008 at 1:50 pm
QuoteWaid did nothing for me on FF (and - being the heretic that I am - was about as appealing as Byrne on the title… that is to say… Not).
Millar’s Ultimate FF started off well enough and I thought that his characterizations were pretty good. However, there wasn’t always enough “there” there for my tastes.
Occasional cleverness might work for some titles, but I guess I expect more from Fantastic Four.
I will certainly be giving this creative team a look, as I’d love to be picking up the FF again on a regular basis (which McDuffie almost got me to do).
I’d still like to see Kesel get the writing chores for more than just the occasional (good) fill-in. Or Priest.
13 Feb 2008 at 10:13 am
QuoteI thought Waid did an ok job asuming he wanted to make Doctor DOOM A villan you just want DEAD and also waid’s sense of time and space was messed up I was never sure how time went between arcs or what MATTERED from the last arc
14 Feb 2008 at 4:53 pm
QuoteThat’s not Sue saying “Aw Crap,” that’s Ben as he’s flying through a wall.
14 Feb 2008 at 11:51 pm
Quote