Written by Nancy A. Collins & Illustrated by Paul Ryan
SUMMARY:
This original 305-page paperback was published by Boulevard Books in 1995. Once an insidious royal coup imperils Atlantis, a poisoned Namor the Sub-Mariner is forced to seek help from his trusted allies: the Fantastic Four. Saving Namor from a synthetic virus, the team deduces that Doctor Doom has evidently orchestrated this attempted assassination. It’s up to Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), the Invisible Woman (Sue Storm-Richards), the Human Torch (Johnny Storm), and the Thing (Ben Grimm) to reach Atlantis in time to help Namor thwart Doom’s scheme to seize an ancient undersea weapon capable of devastating Earth.
REVIEW:
Author Nancy A. Collins’ continuity-faithful storyline is solid, as are her character depictions. For instance, the Thing’s indignance early on being mistaken by onlookers for the Hulk is a nice touch. Yet, with the exception of Ben Grimm and a regal Namor, the plot becomes bogged down in pure formula because the other characters aren’t compelling.
Johnny Storm’s exuberant antics and Sue’s old feelings re: Namor merely play out as one might expect, as do Mr. Fantastic’s scientific deductions. Though the Thing scores some fun underwater action in the climax, there isn’t anything new or some unexpected twists in To Free Atlantis to generate fresh interest. If this story had existed in graphic novel form, perhaps it would make for a more compelling read (at least, visually). Though artist Paul Ryan’s black-and-white chapter illustrations are an asset, they only stoke a casual reader’s imagination so much.
Fantastic Four fans will likely enjoy this adventure, but anyone else may find it too bland to finish.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
Depicting an imminent scene, each chapter leads off with a Ryan illustration. The author acknowledges that her storytelling is meant in the spirit of comic book legends Jack Kirby and Bill Everett. She also indicates what three source books that she sought background material re: Atlantis. Specifically, those works are Robert Graves’ Cladius the God; The Who’s Who of Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology; and Suetonius’ The Twelve Caesars. An excerpt from poet John Milton’s “A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle [Comus]” leads off the story.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars
