Fantastic Four #4
As promised from last issue, just in time for Valentine’s Day, issue number four of Fantastic Four is central to Reed and Sue’s relationship, and is with every issue so far, all about family, and the family that’s so core to all of them.
Writer: Matt Fraction | Artists: Mark Bagley, Mark Farmer, & Paul Mounts
Cover: Bagley, Farmer & Mounts | Publisher: Marvel
Fraction basically takes continuity and chucks it out the window, creating a new story for Reed and Sue, one that’s more attuned to the 21st century, and the woman that Sue really is. Normally I’m a stickler for continuity but in comics if you’re going to be difficult about it, you’re going to get upset a lot, so I’ve let this slide.
If you’re bitter and lonely for Valentine’s Day, there’s comfort in knowing that you’re not the only one, Ben is feeling just the same, and for the rest of you, take in Reed’s love letter to Sue and reflect on it, and feel moved by the immense amount of affection that this one man has for this one woman. This issue is just one giant love letter with a foreign planet and aliens that worship Sue belaying it.
There are also glimpses of the beginning of Sue and Reed’s relationship, and it’s sweet, and sickly and cute, and perhaps the update that Sue needed, because the times have changed and Sue is a fiery woman, as seen especially when her motherly instincts kick in and she has to deal with rowdy children in the form of Johnny and Ben, and perhaps her backstory needed a freshener to reflect upon that.
To really enjoy the series, you kind of have to be a little softhearted; it’s a story about family after-all. Or you have to love space. Bagley has done come neat creations with every new alien species that we’ve seen so far; this issue is not an exception. If either of these two catches your fancy, Fantastic Four wields a terrific story, with immense trouble slowly brewing—no family is perfect and Reed has kept his secrets, but in light of everything, things may just be about to change, because he’s a family man first and foremost now, and the solidarity that he has to ensure that nothing ever happens to them is remarkable. Not to mention that he’s incredibly selfish as well in his need to always have them with him as well, which on Fraction’s part is a great understanding of character, and it’s always great to see what he’s going to do for the Fantastic Four.
While I’m not big on the love story so close to Valentine’s Day (not entirely my thing), I do like space, so I remain satisfied for the issue, and look forward to what’s to happen as the bonds of family are tested in future issues.
Writer: Matt Fraction | Artists: Mark Bagley, Mark Farmer, & Paul Mounts
Cover: Bagley, Farmer & Mounts | Publisher: Marvel
Fraction basically takes continuity and chucks it out the window, creating a new story for Reed and Sue, one that’s more attuned to the 21st century, and the woman that Sue really is. Normally I’m a stickler for continuity but in comics if you’re going to be difficult about it, you’re going to get upset a lot, so I’ve let this slide.
If you’re bitter and lonely for Valentine’s Day, there’s comfort in knowing that you’re not the only one, Ben is feeling just the same, and for the rest of you, take in Reed’s love letter to Sue and reflect on it, and feel moved by the immense amount of affection that this one man has for this one woman. This issue is just one giant love letter with a foreign planet and aliens that worship Sue belaying it.
There are also glimpses of the beginning of Sue and Reed’s relationship, and it’s sweet, and sickly and cute, and perhaps the update that Sue needed, because the times have changed and Sue is a fiery woman, as seen especially when her motherly instincts kick in and she has to deal with rowdy children in the form of Johnny and Ben, and perhaps her backstory needed a freshener to reflect upon that.
To really enjoy the series, you kind of have to be a little softhearted; it’s a story about family after-all. Or you have to love space. Bagley has done come neat creations with every new alien species that we’ve seen so far; this issue is not an exception. If either of these two catches your fancy, Fantastic Four wields a terrific story, with immense trouble slowly brewing—no family is perfect and Reed has kept his secrets, but in light of everything, things may just be about to change, because he’s a family man first and foremost now, and the solidarity that he has to ensure that nothing ever happens to them is remarkable. Not to mention that he’s incredibly selfish as well in his need to always have them with him as well, which on Fraction’s part is a great understanding of character, and it’s always great to see what he’s going to do for the Fantastic Four.
While I’m not big on the love story so close to Valentine’s Day (not entirely my thing), I do like space, so I remain satisfied for the issue, and look forward to what’s to happen as the bonds of family are tested in future issues.
A Look Inside
Comments
I bought this but have not read it.. the last issue wasn’t particularly memorable or interesting. I'm always shocked when I remember this is the same guy writing FF and Hawkeye. Maybe it's the art that makes the other books so good.
Funny, I feel the same way. Hawkeye is great fun. I could take or leave Fantastic Four (okay, I'm leaning toward leave it after 4 issues). But I am enjoying FF. I'm guessing I'm probably one of the few in that regard...