Fantastic Four 2099 #1 Review

Written by: Karla Pacheco
Art by: Steven Cummings
Colors by: Chris Sotomayor
Lettered by: Travis Lanham
Published by: Marvel Comics

Hmm… what can I say? Before I say anything, I’ll say, read this comic! It’s the reading of the comic that will give you all you need to know about how it is perceived. Some will love it, some will hate it, but it’s worth the read through because no matter your feelings, you’ll feel something when you read this comic. So, that’s why I say, read it.

The first family of Marvel Comics has seen a lot of iterations, some good, some bad, and some that live up to the name fantastic. It’s 2099 and Doom rules over the futuristic city, Miss Venture is tasked by our familiar pal H.E.R.B.I.E. to find some “special” individuals. On her quest, she meets the quirky, tinkerer Andie Mugh who seems to have an extraordinary skill to communicate with machines. In an interesting sci-fi concept, Andie travels a vast bypass endlessly while working away on her ride. This is one of the elements writer Karla Pacheco weaves in this futuristic story to flesh out the world. Andie then introduces Venture to her hot-headed friend Sian Cortez. Andie and Sian’s relationship is reminiscent of Reed and Ben’s; the brain and the brawn. Earlier in Venture’s investigations, she learned from Sian’s wife that their daughter had been taken and this gives Sian the motivation needed to join their group. In her prison, Sian’s daughter, Bela befriends a kind young stranger who goes by the name “Boy”. The boy has the peculiar abilities to turn invisible; he’s the invisible boy. Venture, Andie, and Sian eventually arrive at where Bela is being held and the five duke it out against a group of Norse/Asgardian fanatics called the Thorites. In this scene, the four use their powers ala Fantastic Four #1’s Monster Isle moment. And with this, the new Fantastic Four is born.

The Fantastic Four has always been about family and this group is no different. As I said, Andie & Sian harken back to Reed/Ben. But Bela being Sian’s daughter strengthens that idea. And, Bela’s brief interaction with the lonesome “Boy” brings them together with the mutual feeling of being young outsiders. The moment they share is touching and after being introduced as someone fending for himself, he has now found a family unit to call his own. Venture is the only one who doesn’t have an intimate connection with any of the members. Since this was all just a mission she was given by H.E.R.B.I.E., I wonder how she’d fit in; she does have a very Nick Fury feeling to her (not just the eye), maybe she could point them towards their missions.

The art by Steven Cummings is fantastic (or a less cheesy synonym). It is futuristic and intricate. Its detail is breathtaking, and the composition is fluid. Chris Sotomayor must be given a medal for how perfectly he matches the intricate line work with intricate coloring. The two work in tandem to make this seem effortlessly beautiful. The art would have been the main draw to this book, and still is a huge one, if not for…

So, if you’re reading this after you read the comic, maybe you thought I missed something or maybe my issue lost a few pages. It’s time to talk about that thing (yeah that one). My review above is accurate, until the end of the issue. The end sort of changes things. This is where the controversy will be at. I read it and had those above thoughts. I thought, “Okay, we’re in the future, we got to get the gang together, and have our fight.” It had interesting ideas and themes, some hints at some future conflicts, but I missed the biggest hint of all. Some will call the end shock value or cheap, but the classic Alfred Hitchcock anecdote comes to mind about two men sitting at a table. If the table suddenly explodes, you have shock, but if you show the audience that under the table is a ticking bomb, you have suspense. So, when the ending of this comic ends, I was left thinking, “Oh yeah! That character was acting strange! OMG, how did I not see that coming.” I was thinking that because I was left speechless, and that’s why I give this comic the review I give it because it was right there, so when I was floored I had to tip my hat because it was earned not forced.

It doesn’t matter if you love it or hate it, you should experience it. It’s such a short and sweet (bitter to some) tale that it should be felt, the keyword, without being spoiled. It’s something that can only happen sparsely because now I, and others who read it, will be on their toes. But as of now, you got me. Bravo.