Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Iban Coello
Color Artist: Jesus Aburtov
Cover Artist: Alex Ross
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: StoryBabbler
It’s the beginning of a new run for Marvel’s first family as the Fantastic Four series gets a relaunch with writer Ryan North. Now that the Reckoning War, Doctor Doom’s wedding fiasco, and the bittersweet family reunion has happened, the superhero family are looking forward to future. See what new dangers and adventures await the team in the new Fantastic Four #1!
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Fantastic Four #1 Review.
Review:
Now, that Dan Slott’s run is over, some readers might believe that the worst is behind them and things can get back to normal with the Fantastic Four. After reading this issue from start to finish, it’s hard to say whether or not the Fantastic Four’s immediate future is going to be something I’m looking forward to. For now, let’s dive right on into the review.
The issue starts out weird with a couple of pages on repeat as far as the character, narration, location, paneling, everything. For at least a couple of pages, everything’s the same for a small time motel owner until our very own beloved Thing shows up with his wife Alicia Masters. From there, things take a wacky turn for the happily married couple with little explanation as to how or why they’re taking this trip without the rest of the FF. At least, until you get to the ending.
Before delving into spoilers, I’ll say what works for this issue and then go into what doesn’t work. First off, Ryan North seems to know how to write a comic with some fine fun-loving characters and can tell a tight story in a single issue, something not done as often in most Marvel Comics series these days. He makes sure to have both Ben Grimm and Alicia contribute to the plot and that they both get to have things to do in the story. What also works is the art by Iban Coello who knows how to capture a wide range of emotions in the characters, does a fine job with locations, and has art that lends itself well to action-oriented, sequential comic book storytelling.
Of course, there are some bad things and this is where the review goes into full SPOILER MODE. So, if you don’t want to be spoiled what the plot of the comic is, then please stop here and skipped to the “Final Thoughts” section. But the thing is, the plot has already been spoiled in the synopsis for the issue. All I’ll be doing is going into some details. For readers old and new on the fence, I only have one thing to say to them: Wait. Honestly, give this series some time and jump back in after at least five or six issues have come out so you can have a better impression on what the series will turn out to be.
SPOILERS:
The first problem is that the plot of this comic is basically a weird misadventure for The Thing and Alicia and seems to be meant as a slow start to this relaunched Fantastic Four series. The synopsis gives you all the main details about how this time loop story is really just Ben and Alicia getting away from trouble the FF caused in New York, but the comic makes you wait till the end to even know about it while dropping a few hints here and there. Mind you, there’s no exciting, thrilling, or adventurous plot here. There’s no cool, weird, or terrifying villain or monster to face. They’re just hanging around and trying to break the time loop. And while the story’s fine enough, it’s not a great first issue and comes off more as a Sci-Fi slice-of-life story with hijinks that feels like it should’ve come a little later in the series as a cool down issue.
What’s worse is that the story ends on a dour ending, and shows that Ryan North might be taking pointers from Zeb Wells’ current Amazing Spider-Man run. The ending reveals that Reed caused a big disaster that not only turned New York against him but may have split the team up. Then, the comic has a letter from North in the end where he talks about everything that makes the Fantastic Four as characters and the stories they have special and he gives the impression that the series will have fun, excitable, and Sci-Fi oriented stories. The problem is, the dour ending does not inspire confidence in this reviewer that the story going forward will be an enjoyable one. But we’ll see, I would like to be proven wrong on this.
Final Thoughts:
The new Fantastic Four #1 tells a fine story that’s funny at times, but it’s not a great first issue. Readers will get a nice misadventure with the newly wed Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, and Alicia Masters that’s drawn well by Iban Coello with Jesus Aburtov’s coloring, but that’s about it. The ending is what truly gives readers an impression of what may be in store for them and the Fantastic Four in the next few issues, and hopefully there’s a great story there.