It's been a few weeks since I last posted and that wasn't intentional. Unfortunately, I've come to discover that with the Christmas period comes more work, more Christmas preparation, more to do. In fact, more of everything. As such, I've not been able to find the time (or maybe even the energy at some points) to read the small backlog I've built up in my pull list.
However, with Christmas fast approaching, I thought I'd make a concerted effort to get through at least half of my pull list backlog (Antithesis will just have to wait until the new year). Therefore, in order to allow me to catch up on all the FF 26 spoilers on my podcast list, I decide to burn through the outstanding issues of the FF regular series as well as the Road Trip one-shot.
So, let's get started.
First up was Fantastic Four #24 which saw the ever extending First Family come together to celebrate their new arrivals (namely the Kree and Skrull children from Empyre). However, the good cheer is short lived when Franklin's return brings with it the appearance of Iceman, leading to the revelation of his tenure on the team and his rivalry with Johnny.
Now, this was a fun little one-and-done issue which I rather enjoyed. I thought it was nice to finally get an answer to the question that had been in the back of my mind since the series had returned; when was Iceman part of the FF? Now, maybe it wasn't as big as the delay in the telling the story might have made it seem, but still I enjoyed it for its somewhat SIlver age vibe that I got from it.
In fact, the art was what really made me think about this issue being a callback to the silver age because Paco Medina not only keeps the present in the style I've been loving since he came on the book but also the flashback pages which look so incredibly silver agey in their style is fantastic (pardon the pun) suit the period perfectly. Medina's art is really awesome here like all his prior issues and I have to confess that I'm a little sad to be seeing him (along with Sean Isaakze) leaving the book.
Otherwise, the book has some fun moments. The new kids are showing some nice dynamic with Ben and Alicia (although, I'm curious about how they legally adopt these kids who are Aliens? Maybe it's to do with more their fit as parents than the kids being in any adoption system. But I digress). Meanwhile, Sky has a nice bit here as her presence appears to assist in Johnny's bout of growth (at least for now). I have to admit though that there is still something about her that feels like a waste, including that she's still kinda forgetable and could easily replace her with any girl (or guy. Just saying). That said, she's a lot less prickly to me now than her initial appearance, though I struggle to see what her overall arc is beyond Johnny's latest arm candy.
But anyway, regardless of the last few thoughts, this was a very simple and fun issue. If I don't think about the rest of this series and its controversial moments (selling the Baxter building, Ben as the lead, the retcon of their origin), this issue is a reminder to me of how fun the FF truly are.
Meanwhile, Fantastic Four #25 saw secrets revealed as an unknown, but all-powerful creature and his master invade Earth seeking some mysterious item amongst the world's most hidden vaults. Unfortunately, this just so happens to include one at the Baxter Building as one of Reed's oldest secrets is let out in the open, spoiling the teams domestic and professional bliss', while also leading Franklin to a lack of identity.
Unfortunately, while the prior issue reminded me of how fun the FF are, this one didn't really follow up on that as I found I didnt like this issue as much (although after a second readthrough, I found that it wasn't as bad as initially believed).
I think the main problem I had with it was that it felt so crowded, as if Slott was trying to cram in far too much setup in preparation for some grand story arc. As such, and maybe due to the cast now being so big (eight characters were here, not including Sky or Wyatt Wingfoot), it really felt like no one got any real focus (in fact I barely remembered Johnny appearing).
That said, a few of the characters did have some good moments, so maybe I'm being unfair when I say no one had any focus. For one, it was nice to see Sue get some more focus than usual as her recent mini (which I need to read) was tied in. I found it interesting when she commented about her family never noticing her gone, was that a real show of the family dynamic or some kind of meta-commentary towards her obvious lack of use in this run? I also found the Franklin tease towards the end interesting, and not just because I've been hearing so much about it online. Finally, the Doom/Reed banter was a fun little moment for me, although that as well as Reed's praising his daughter did little to make up for my dislike for another installment of the character assassination of Reed Richards which this run seems to make a habit of.
Fortunately, the arrival of R.B. Silva on the art helped make up for things with me, as I felt his work was like a nice evolution of the Izaakse/Medina styles that I had come to love with this series. Of course, it wasn't all perfect as I'm not a fan of the new costumes (which look far too 'ultimate' for my tastes) but it was overall a beautiful feast of panels, my favourite of which had to be the scene set in jo-venn and N'kalla's bedroom which I liked very much. The Watcher backup story which picked up from after Empyre was ok. I have to admit that I felt it was a bit redundant, although it was worth it to just once more get a little bit of Medina art in the book.
Unfortunately, after issue 24, which had me reinvested, issue 25 was, to me, a pretty bad 180. While the second readthrough made me realise that it wasn't as bad as I first thought, this was an issue I found I couldn't connect with. Hopefully it would read better when it is part of (what I assume is) the upcoming arc but, I have to admit, it has made me a little hesitant of the next instalment.
Next up was Fantastic Four #26 which saw the First Family deal with the fallout of the previous issue as they attempt to control the Forever Gate while also finding a way to protect from whatever may attempt to come through.
Now, I have to say that this issue had me intrigued. Like 25, I really thought that it suffered from a case of having far too much crammed into it. However, what intrigued me was the feeling I got that all of the plot threads from Slott's run were being tied up (or at the very least were at the beginnings of having them tied up). This issue saw the Future Foundation return (before summarily being moved off stage) along with Lyra the Lazerfist (how did she get there? Was that something I missed in the Future Foundation mini?), who is obviously there to bring the end of the Sky/Johnny romance.
Finally, there is the controversy (if you can call it that) surrounding Franklin's mutant status. Now, I've been hearing rumblings on the web but have tried to avoid and I must admit that, after reading it, I'm not too fussed. In truth, where Slott has gone has made sense for the character, who has done everything from make himself a grown up to create universes, so the idea of him making himself a mutant in order to connect or feel a sense of belonging works. My theory, by the end Slott will return him his powers and then they'll say that he's actual a Celestial.
Otherwise though, this issue felt pretty standard to me and on the same lines as 25 in terms of enjoyment. While it had a couple of cool moments; Reed and Sue at the press conference and Nikki and Jo 'defending' 4 Yancy Street, I struggled to get invested (although it was less of a struggle than the prior issue I'll admit).
Again, Silva's art is breathtaking and saves the day for this issue. The art is where this series has been strongest in my opinion and I think getting Issakze, Medina and Silva has been its major coup. Here though, I think Silva really takes things to the next level, especially with the portal scenes are tremendous. If this is the final arc then I think Silva's ... Epicness will do it nicely. Also, I've gotta say, I really love Brooks' cover. It is breathtaking!!!
So again, not a strong issue, but I found that this one was a slight improvement on the last one. Hopefully, my intrigue over what is to come, along with the notion that it might be Slott's final story on this book, will not be in vain as the next issues fare better.
Lastly I read Fantastic Four: Road Trip, which saw the Richards/Grimm clan go on a family vacation to a remote cabin (detouring for Reed's scientific curiousity). However, things start to unravel (literally) when the team find their bodies start to fall apart.
Now THIS was a 'fantastic' read (pardon the pun, but it's valid). I absolutely loved this issue from beginning to end. I've been hearing Christopher Cantwell's name here and there and how he does good work but, seeing it for myself, I've got to admit I'm in awe of how great a story he's put together here. I found the story completely compelling, tremendously paced, Cantwell seemed to get the characters perfectly, I just couldn't put it down. Of course, there were some questions that came to me after reading this such as why did Valeria regress to a toddler if she's now a teen/pre-teen? Was it a case that the 'virus' inverted their powers, so if hers is her hyper-intelligence then inversely she'd regress to something akin to a toddler? Also, if this story took place after the Point of Origin arc, then where is Sky? Surely, as she's new to the world (and Johnny's betrothed) she wouldn't be left behind. That said, these questions didn't affect my thoughts that this was an awesome story.
And then there was the art. Oh my god the art is phenomenal. Filipe Andrade's art style in this issue is hauntingly brilliant (especially the page breaking down the house, I really love those images). While the art seems unusual for the team to begin with, I really thought that each character had take on their powers traits visually (e.g. I really thought Reed looked stretch out when he was proportioned 'normally', with gangly fingers and everything) and I wonder if this was intentional. If it was, I loved it. However, as the story progresses, every facet of the world seems to become more disturbed and insane to match the characters problems. I could maybe gush on this art forever, but I'll just quit while I'm ahead by saying I loved every panel of this comic.
(As a side note, it occurs to me that every FF one-shot has been of a specific genre. Noir, Sci-fi and now horror. I don't know if that's intentional but I'm liking it).
Road Trip is a fantastic comic and without a doubt one of the best I've read this year. There is the old adage of saving the best to last and, with this, I'm pretty sure I did and gladly so. I hope I can read more of both creators stuff in the near future.
So, there it is!! I'm done for the year (well reading wise sadly, because I rarely if ever get time to read over the Christmas break). It was a shame I didn't get a chance to read Antithesis, but I guess that's just one more series to look forward to for 2021.
So, until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (well, I really hope so)!!
No comments:
Post a Comment