Fantastic FourWorld's Greatest
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Bryan Hitch
2009
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
Fantastic FourThe Masters of Doom
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Bryan Hitch
2010
Available now from Islington Libraries
You can reserve this item for free here:
http://www.library.islington.gov.uk/TalisPrism/
In my head this forms the final part of an unofficial Mark Millar trilogy with Part 1 being Wolverine: Enemy of the State and Part 2 being his Spider-Man Down Among The Dead Men/Venomous/The Last Stand story arc. The common thread between them all is that - they all take on popular Marvel characters, they all take place inside mainstream Marvel continuity (which leaves out all the "Ultimate" stuff) and there's a strong argument to be made that each of them are the best, purest versions (as in: distilled to their essences - rather than buried under unnecessary add-ons - new costumes or powers or whatever) of their characters. And - basically - they're all just really really fun to read and enjoy. So... yeah.
And of the three - these two collections of Fantastic Four stories may be the best of the bunch. Taking in one multi-faceted story (that still has time for a Christmas special!) these books not only have the best artwork (long time collaborator Bryan Hitch who previously worked with Millar on the critically acclaimed The Ultimates) but also everything somehow feels as if it's been crystallised to perfection and it has that lovely reassuring feeling that only really tends to come when you're in the safe hands of someone who's spent many many years mastering their chosen form (a bit like watching a Woody Allen film - but with more time travel and parallel dimension fun).
It's worth noting that Millar has previously done stellar work with these character before in Ultimate Fantastic Four - and for a guy who seems most of his time making things as dark and horrible as possible (he sure likes his torture) it's just such a blessed relief to read something where it's all about the fun and sunshine instead of stormy pain clouds.
In a word: Outstanding. Check them out.
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Links: Too Busy Thinking About My Comics Review: The Very Moral Mr Mark Millar: The "Fantastic 4" & How The Richards Family Swallowed Up The Entire World With Compassion & Decency / Mark Millar & Bryan Hitch's "Fantastic Four" # 554: The Quietest Child Of A Rowdy Bunch Fails To Make Friends With All Of The Neighbours, Weekly Crisis Review of #554.
Further reading: The Ultimates, Wolverine: Enemy of the State, Spider-Man: Down Among The Dead Men / Venomous / The Last Stand, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four: 1234, Fantastic Four: First Family.
Profiles: Mark Millar.
All comments welcome.
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