With the promise that came with the amount I read at the beginning of the week, I really thought the rest of it would be a pretty straightforward affair.
But life is anything but straightforward, especially when I'm trying to read comics.
This week, with nine floppy comics left from my pull list by the side of my bed (including one brand new this week), I thought I'd take a shot at getting through four of them. This seemed especially fitting when those four were all related to Marvel' First Family (which was a nice coincidence).
I started this second half of the week by reading Fantastic Four: Life Story #3, which took Marvel's family into the 80's as Reed continued to obsess and work towards defending the world from the coming of Galactus, Johnny finds himself being forced to grow up as he plays a middleman between Reed and Sue as well as taking care of Franklin after his parents' separation. However, as Reed contests the current government to invest in his plans to protect the Earth from extra-terrestrial forces, another classic villain comes out of the woodwork to utilise this plan for a more nefarious ending, leading to a major sacrifice by one member of the FF.
Now, I don't know what happened during my month off but, while I recall the series thus far being a pretty good read, I really felt that issue 3 was a lot better than its preceding two issues. I enjoyed how Mark Russell fit the story around some of the real life aspects of History and used it to his advantage (such as it makes perfect sense that Reed would have dreamed up the Star Wars project) as well as it again looking like it fit in nicely around the Spider-Man life story plot. I also enjoyed that Ben and Reed, finally feel like the pair I've come to know in the main run of the comics as they seemed like very much best friends here.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the reveal of Jose Santini's alter ego and his subsequent appearance, not expecting the character's appearance, as well as the shocking final twist of the issue which has me intrigue how the rest of the story will go. I want to say that I loved the art as well but, at this point, my total affection for Sean Isaakze's work is well documented and I thought here it was just as 'Fantastic' (pardon the pun) as it has ever been on this team's books. All in all, this issue had me looking forward to the next instalment as well as the final two beyond it.
Fortunately, that wait wasn't long because Fantastic Four: Life Story #4 was the next comic I read, as the remnants of the FF continue their preparations for the arrival of Galactus into the 90's. For Ben, however, this new decade brings with it new opportunities as he encounters the love of his life. Unfortunately, his plans for this new future might all be for naught when a mysterious entity glides its way toward Earth.
Issue 4 was, again, another good issue although didn't feel quite as good as it, instead, came across to me like a very 'calm before the storm' type issue or that moment at the top of a rollercoaster before it heads downhill. I really thought that this entire issue was very sombre and introspective instalment as it seemed to live in the wake of its predecessor with the characters continue to suffer from the loss they went through.
What really stuck out for me was the art because, while I have continued to sing the praises of Sean Isaakze's artwork on every Fantastic Four comic he's drawn, it was this issue of the series which really stood out and topped all others in my mind. I loved the pencils here, I loved Francesco Manna's colours and I loved how the two together just wowed me with every page. I loved the very Heroes Reborn look of the FF costumes, which I thought was a nice touch given that this is the decade for that infamous event. I also thought the depiction of Alicia was just dazzling, and really helped sell the idea that Ben had found his soulmate. I also thought how phenomenally the Herald of Galactus was depicted in this issue, looking both beautiful and deadly in equal parts.
Lastly, I also loved the way how Reed is shown to literally pull back the years from his face, as though he needs to maintain some degree of youth or strength. This, along with the final few pages, has me curious if there is something more occurring with Reed and if it will play into the finale. As such, this issue, much like the last certainly has me invested (like that was ever really going to change) and I'm eager for issue six to get here and answer my questions.
However, while Issue six of Life Story wasn't possible as the next read, I did find myself fortunate as it was instead Fantastic Four #35, the bumper size issue celebrating the 60th anniversary of the World's Greatest Comic Book Magazine. This issue, picking up from where #34 left off, saw the FF return to the newly rebuilt Baxter Building with a super-powered Human Torch in tow. However, before an explanation and cure to Johnny's new predicament can be found, part of a mysterious device is unearthed inside their home, leading to four differing incarnations of Kang the Conqueror to attack four different iterations of Marvel's first family at four different times to claim it.
Now, for me, while the Slott run has had some ups and downs, but (certainly of late) has remained reasonably consistently good, I thought that this anniversary issue was a truly amazing addition to the series. I absolutely loved this issue from beginning to end as its story, while not feeling all that important towards the overall arc of the series, was fun and engrossing regardless. It also felt rather inspiring to me (as all good FF stories should be for some reason). As for the art, I have to confess that JRJr's style was a little bit struggle for me to get into to begin with. However, as the book progressed, it really grew on my and I ended up really loving the look.
Meanwhile, i thought the two backup stories matched the main event nicely. As, expected (given my love of his run on the bool) I thought Mark Waid's story was really beautiful one. I will admit that it felt like it was almost a repeat of a prior speech which appeared in his run over an updated origin story. Nonetheless, this still felt like a incredibly poignant, matched only by the sublime art from Paul Renaud who I hope makes it to their Book full time in the very near future. As for Jason Loo's two page story, that was a fun little tale which, while quirky in both story and art, really seemed to sum the character dynamic rather nicely (much like the other stories).
I could probably go on and on about this issue, gushing over plot point after plot point, panel after panel. While I love the Fanraatic Four, I don't remember loving a specific issue as much as I do this one. Hopefully, all the issues going forward can start matching this quality.
Fortunately, it didn't seem to be long to put that theory to the test as my final comic of the week was Fantastic Four #36. This issue picked up from the events of #34 (mostly) with Reed and the family attempting to find a cure to Johnny's recent overcharge at the hands of Doctor Doom. However, while it turns out to be an upsetting predicament, this turns out to be the least of Johnny's woes as he has to face his past in the form of an ex with her claws out.
Now this issue, while not as excellent as the anniversary issue, I found to a really enjoyable read in its own right. While the focus continues to stay on a single character, it is nice that it's now someone other than Ben (although he still has plenty of presence). I loved this issue for Johnny as I thought that not only is it Heartbreaking but it also digs deep to one of his core weaknesses; his hotheaded impulsiveness. While I have no doubt that his current physical predicament won't be fixed in short order (say, within 20 issues), It does make me wonder of the big change marketed prior to issue 35 will be Johnny's emotional growth and recognising that there are consequences to his actions.
That said, I do continue to have concerns about the use of the female characters in this series as, while I felt the underutilised Sky got a fairly better exit than the presumed one three issues back, I do think that Sue has gotten short shrift in this run and this issue is no exception. I'd say it is almost like she is a bit part in this book, a character who wouldn't even make it into the main credits if it was a TV show.
Meanwhile, while I've been gifted to some great art on this run recently, I once again loved the art in this issue as provided by Nico Leon. While it isn't Izaakse, Medina or Silva, this art reminded me of the great work done in issue 35 by Paul Renaud as well as Olivier Coipel's work in Action Comics #1000 a few years back in its understated, cinematic and almost Adam Hughes-like as well as the awesome redesign of Sky.
After this issue, I'm interested to see how this unfolds. I can think of some ideas in where things could go: Consult with Galactus and the Surfer? Transfer to Franklin? Force Doom's hand (something Sue would certainly do)? But whether one of these is what happens or not, I have to confess im deeply invested in Johnny's upcoming journey (as well as intrigued by whatever was hinted at happening on Yancy Street).
So now I'm all caught up on Fantastic Four and my pull list outstanding pile consists five comics, all issues of Heavy Metal's limited series, The Modern Frankenstein.
However, I probably won't read that for a week or two because next week I really need to get back to proper reviewing of comics ...
... because my inbox has gotten quite full of worthy comics deserving my attention in the last few weeks.
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