Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by Jim Muniz; Scott Hanna; Jim Royal; Derek Fridolfs; Brian Reber; & Dave Sharpe
Collection Cover Art by Greg Land; Mark Morales; & Justin Ponsor
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics in 2005, this 144-page paperback compiles Marvel Knights 4 # 13-18 (from 2004-2005). Although the initial two-parter appears untitled, it’s evidently named after the French horror movie it homages: “Eyes Without a Face.” With the Fantastic Four now back to its normal business, Mr. Fantastic takes the Thing and Human Torch on an interdimensional mission exploring a possible distress signal. Unbeknownst to the team, the psychotic Puppet Master has become obsessed with restoring the eyesight of his blind niece, Alicia Masters.
After multiple horrific failures, the Puppet Master abducts a mesmerized Invisible Woman to forcibly acquire her cosmically-enhanced eyes for surgical transplant into Alicia. Both drugged by her uncle’s hypnotic clay, Alicia and a powerless Susan Storm Richards are on their own to fend off an axe-wielding Puppet Master. Daredevil, Captain America, & Iron Man make cameo appearances.
Next up is the four-part “Divine Time,” as eight minutes of reality have gone missing. With their celebration of young Franklin’s Little League team victory interrupted, the team accepts an enigmatic mission correcting chronal anomalies. With Reed, Sue, & Ben Grimm trapped in pre-Ancient Egypt, their best chance to return to the present-day lies with the last person Mr. & Mrs. Richards expect to see.
Meanwhile, Johnny Storm finds himself in a parallel Earth’s alternate future where Dr. Doom is its ultimate despot. Encountering someone eerily familiar, Johnny realizes the Richards family’s youngest child has become this world’s last hope.
In the present-day, Franklin and H.E.R.B.I.E. are being held captive by the vindictive Ramades the Pharoah (and one-upping son of Kang). Once reassembled, the Fantastic Four realizes that it’ll take three resourceful generations of the Richards clan to thwart the power-hungry Ramades … that is, if there’s still time.
Note: Issues # 13-14 closely mirrors the 1976 horror movie, “Mansion of the Doomed,” as it’s titled in the U.S. More significantly, both plots date back to the 1960 French horror film, “Les Veux Sans Visage” (aka “Eyes Without a Face”).
REVIEW:
Solidly illustrated and competently plotted, Marvel Knights 4, Volume 3: Divine Time is a relatively good read. Though unlikely to attract new readers to the franchise, the unrelated storylines split the difference between fantasy-horror and an all-ages time-travel adventure. Though instances of obvious gore are only implied, the initial two-parter has enough chilling moments that excludes “Eyes Without a Face” as a kid-friendly read.
Exploring “Divine Time,” younger readers may find its time-traveling ramifications confusing, or, even to some degree, boring. Still, writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacassa (no matter how improbably) incorporates Franklin’s sub-plot well enough that kids should be able to relate to its visuals. Also, each of the Fantastic Four (plus the unofficial fifth member, whether or not it’s son Franklin, daughter Valeria, or H.E.R.B.I.E.) receive welcome opportunities to shine.
Overall, this volume isn’t necessarily a long-term keeper, but Fantastic Four buffs should still be pleased.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A half-page briefly summarizes prior Marvel Knights 4 storylines. Each full-page cover precedes its story. The cover artists are: # 13 (Frank Cho & Chris Sotomayor); # 14 (as seen above); # 15 (Steve McNiven, Mark Morales, & Morry “MO!” Hollowell); # 16 (Tony Harris); # 17 (McNiven, Morales, & Hollowell); and # 18 (Mike Deodato Jr.).
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
