It’s a new volume of Marvel’s first family with Fantastic Four #1. While I’ve read Fantastic Four off and on over the decades, I can’t say it’s a series that regularly hooked me. There’s few runs I’ve read that really jumped out to me and I often stick around for an arc here and there. So, with a new debut, new creative team, and new direction, I thought I’d give it a shot and see what’s going on. And, while the first issue is entertaining, I can’t say it hooked me.
Fantastic Four #1 has Ryan North taking over for writing duty. And while at times you might think of the Fantastic Four as grand in a galactic multiversal way, this start is very focused and kind of subdued. The Thing and Alicia are on a road trip and that has taken them to a small town in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, something odd is going on. The town should be a ghost town. It’s stuck in the past. And… it resets every day. It’s up to these two to solve the mystery and just maybe fix the problem.
While we think of the Fantastic Four as this big family, it’s interesting North keeps the start small and focused on just two individuals. There’s also not some grand galactic mystery to solve, or really even a villain. Instead, the issue feels more Scooby Doo than anything else. The duo must solve a mystery. It’s quite simple and North’s delivery is fun.
North keeps the story focused in a few ways. There’s the relationship between the Thing (Ben) and Alicia. That ties in nicely with what they eventually discover. North also keeps things going with a lot of humor. Even the tense moments are delivered with a bit of a smile. The deliver is lighthearted and fun, the type of read that puts a smile on your face.
Iban Coello‘s art is solid. With Jesus Aburtov on color and Joe Caramagna on lettering the visuals pack a lot in. There’s great work in sending the duo to a town frozen in time but what really stands out is some of the panel work. There’s pages with 15 panels on it. And it works, it works really well. The full page is used and not only does the visuals deliver the jokes and body language but the lettering doesn’t overwhelm the rather packed in panels.
As a one-shot, Fantastic Four #1 works really well. As a break between arcs, an annual, or even a one-shot special, it’d be a fun and entertaining read. But, as a debut issue that’s supposed to hook us, it doesn’t quite get there. The story and art is quite good, but there’s a lack of excitement and barely a tease of what’s to come to try to get readers to come back. As the start of a new volume, it’s a bit of a headscratcher.
Story: Ryan North Art: Iban Coello
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
