Written by Dwayne McDuffie.
Art by Paul Pelletier; Rick Magyar; Scott Hanna; Paul Mounts; & Virtual Calligraphy’s Rus Wooton.
Collection Cover Art by Michael Turner; Mark Roslan; & Peter Stiegerwald.
SUMMARY:
In 2008, Marvel Comics released this 168-page paperback reprinting 2007’s Fantastic Four # 544-# 550. After Marvel’s initial Civil War, Reed & Susan Richards’s leave of absence means an extended, off-world (and far-overdue) honeymoon. Settling in as their replacements (after the ominous bombing of New York’s Wakandan Embassy) is King T’Challa/Black Panther and his bride, Queen Ororo/Storm.
Along with a former Deathlok, astronaut Michael Collins, the new Fantastic Four takes on a cosmic mission putting them on a collision course with the Watcher Uatu, the Silver Surfer, and even Galactus. The fate of the presumed-dead teen hero, Gravity, is revealed, as the Thing wonders if an outmatched Black Panther has fled a seemingly unwinnable battle.
While working on scientific research with Hank Pym, Reed is unaware that Sue has been captured on Saturn’s moon, Titan, by a new Frightful Four. On a viewscreen from Earth, the team is horrified seeing their old foe, the Wizard, torture a defenseless Invisible Woman. Mr. Fantastic must lead the team on a rescue mission to save his wife that puts him into a vicious clash with the Wizard. Worse yet, one of the Panther’s oldest foes strikes for his own vengeance. Amidst a raging showdown, does an infuriated Invisible Woman pursue her own desire for retribution?
Completing their earlier cosmic odyssey, the team needs the additional help of Doctor Strange, the Silver Surfer, and one last hero to save the universe from imminent destruction.
Note: This title is also available digitally and in hardcover.
REVIEW:
Aside from the cruelty inflicted upon Sue as the Frightful Four’s prisoner, writer Dwayne McDuffie concocts a terrific series of Fantastic Four adventures. In addition to Sue & Reed’s martial sub-plot, McDuffie delivers high-caliber material meshing T’Challa & Ororo into a makeshift unit with the Thing and Human Torch. Incorporating some welcome bits of comedic relief, McDuffie is very much on his game. Equal to the task is the art squad, as their visuals are consistently well above-average. Completing this package are superb covers from Michael Turner’s Aspen Studios.
Invariably, nothing monumental happens impacting the Fantastic Four dynamic. It’s readily evident from the get-go that the classic status quo will resume come Issue # 550. Still, The New Fantastic Four proves a welcome read for fans in search of reliable Marvel entertainment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A summary-to-date explains the Fantastic Four’s shuffling after Marvel’s first Civil War. Appearing in a full-page format preceding its story, each cover is included. The cover artists are: # 544 and # 548-550 (Turner, Roslan, & Stiegerwald) and # 545-547 (Turner & Stiegerwald). The last page displays Pelletier’s Issue # 550 pencil sketches for pages 4, 12, 14, and 23.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
