Fantastic Four #11

After reading Fire and Ice as the first comic from this new comic book day, today's read was the last of that two day pick up, although it was hardly because it was the least.

Fantastic Four #11 by Ryan North, Iban Coello and Jesus Aburtov sees the family continue to live at the rural Grimm House as Ben unwillingly adopts a seemingly stray dog which has taken an interest in him. However, that isn't the strangest thing for when he wakes the next morning he finds everyone but the dog missing and the house endlessly freefalling down a deep hole.

I've been loving Ryan North's Fantastic Four run so far but, I must admit, this was the first issue where I struggled to be invested in the story. What I initially thought was going to a Wizard of Oz homage (a dog, a flying house, 3 missing friends who portray brains, heart and courage. It seemed pretty spot on) really ended up telling a far less interesting story that seemed far too short also.

The art style by Iban Coello and Jesus Aburtov continues to be one that I like but, while the work was solid, it didn't really enhance an issue that wasn't vibing with me to a place where it was less uninteresting.

This is a short post and maybe rightly so, because I'm not a fan of crapping on a book. However, this issue was a bit of dud in my eyes. I like Ben and I get his popularity, but after the Thing heavy Slott run, I think I'm all burned out on him and would prefer greater focus on Reed, Sue and Johnny (probably the latter two)

Still, the series as a whole has been great and I'm not about to drop the whole series based on one bump in the road. Hopefully, issue 12 will bring back the quality I've come to expect.

Fire and Ice: Welcome to Smallville #1

This New Comic Book Day just come and gone, and I found myself struggling with a choice about what to read first. One comic was a new title and the other something already established.

The question was; do I risk the new, unknown quantity first or last on my list.

Well, it was first as I read Fire and Ice: Welcome to Smallville #1 by Joanne Starer, Natacha Bustos and Tamra Bonvillain, which saw Beatrice Da Costa and Tora Olafstatter (the respective titular heroines) relocating to Smallville for some quiet reflection after some large scale problems arise from their heroics (which i kind of want to go back and read).

This series hit my pull list after the recent abrupt removal of Uncanny Avengers and I have to admit, I was a little worried. With Uncanny's failure to impress reminding me that no comics are perfect, along with the recent Adventures of Superman flop (in my opinion), I did fear I was setting myself up for another fall.

That said, Joanne Starer has written a very charming first issue to a story which, in this issue, feels very reminiscent to the recent Rainbow Rowell She-Hulk series in both its tone and direction. It isn't perfect in my eyes because Fire comes across as very Booster Gold here as she seeks superheroic fame. However, given that I am basing it on her depiction of Justice League Generation Lost only, there is always the idea that this is how she is, as well as this fiery temperament nicely contrasting with Ice's ... well, 'cooler' head.

Meanwhile, Natacha Bustos and Tamra Bonvillain provide absolutely stunning visuals to this story with a look that gives off a Darwyn Cooke vibe with with a far richer colour pallette. Because of this look, it gives Fire and Ice this very Babs Tarr on Batgirl of Burnside feel to it as it gets off of the usual beaten path and making this comic look truly awesome.

After the previously mentioned disappointments, I must admit that Fire and Ice is a nice breathe of fresh air that has really connected with me. I look forward to the rest of the series now and am sure glad I took the plunge and added it to my pull list at the eleventh hour.

Ultimate Invasion #3

I'm a week late on writing this but, with the kids going back to school, as well as a return to my bike to go to my work, writing time has been a little difficult.

However, I did, when it came out, read Ultimate Invasion #3 by Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch.

This issue saw Howard Stark, in the aftermath of events from the prior issue, learn the truth behind the world's powers and the Maker's role in it. However, before he can make plans to combat it, he must first assist the Maker by working with a very familiar name. Meanwhile, forces from the future intent on stopping the Maker are revealed.

This issue felt like a very quiet issue and one certainly in keeping with what I dub 'third issue-itis' (I.e. an issue just before the finale which feels like a set up for that finale). However, that doesn't take away from the eeriness of the world as Hickman continue to build a new Ultimate universe which is so very different from either its predecessor or the 616.

The thing about this issue is that it seems to bring to light ideas that could conceivably be an accurate depiction of our world now. However, given how (as Howard puts it) insidious the notions are its doubtful, but it is certainly hard not to make comparisons.

As for the art, there seems little more that I can say that I haven't said prior about Bryan Hitch's contributions. Once again it really feels/looks like Hitch was the only and obvious choice to bring Hickman's vision for this story to life.

As the finale tetters ever closer, Ultimate Invasion is coming across as more and more of a captivating read. While this issue was certainly slower, I think it's gotten me appropriately salivating for the end ...

... although I do have that fear in the back of my head that the returning Ultimate universe may make it more anticlimactic that I want.