FANTASTIC FOUR #536 ADVANCE REVIEW

[W. Molstad]

<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/ffv3-536.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/marvel/ffv3-536t.jpg" align=left alt="Fantastic Four #536" hspace=10></a>Reviewer: W. Molstad, mols0019@umn.edu
Story Title: The Hammer Falls

"I'm not seeing much of a tactical intent behind this battle." - Mr. Fantastic

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Mike McKone
Inker: Andy Lanning, Kev Walker, Cam Smith, & Kris Justice
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: VC's Rus Wooton
Assistant Editors: Andy Schmidt, Molly Lazer, & Aubrey Sitterson
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada
Published by: <a href="http://www.marvel.com">Marvel Comics</a>

Sometimes the ends influence the means too much in comic book writing. No doubt, when an editor wants something to return or something big to happen, it has to happen. Whether it works or not with a long-running book can sometimes be less important.

Fantastic Four has always been more of a moderate comic book sales-wise. Usually that's because when you buy the F.F., you know what you're going to get. Changing the formula might be a tad disastrous (See the 1990's F.F.).

Due to this, Dr. Doom will never, ever die. And it's hard to say that the F.F. will ever disappear either. That's something that is pretty much impossible for a comic reader to gripe about. What's easy to gripe about is how recent deaths just suddenly change to suit an event. There is little lead in to our famous villain and/or hordes of his self-titled robots showing up for a slugfest. We've all heard Reed Richards say, "That voice...", "No.. Oh, no.. it can't be...", and "Doom! But it's.. it's not possible!" so many times that it's practically lost meaning. He says all of them here. I'm going to stop there, as this is Dr. Doom.

The rest of the issue with Reed's calculating leadership, Ben Grimm's usual battlefield banter, Sue Storm's wifely concern, and the Human Torch's archetypal bad boy quips does work very well in building tension and entertaining through at-home conversations and a typical battle, just as it usually does. These four invented it after all. Straczynski wisely stays away from throwing in his usual mature themes into the book. I can't say though that there is much complexity in his plot, any current explanation of why the events are going on, or any creative dialogue. The issue reads like one giant cliffhanger, and feels slightly generic.

The main reason to buy this one would be the art. While a truckload full of inkers worked on it, the pencils are strong and smooth. It's like a cross between the stylized realism of John Cassaday and the lighter work of Ron Garney. McKone's pages don't always transition well due to the multiple inkers, but the coloring of Paul Mounts always keeps the action exciting and bright. It pops out of the page well.

I'm not saying that the storyline dealing with the large object on the front cover is going to be a disappointment. But I really can't say much of anything about it. This issue is a loud, by the book, pretty-looking piece of build up. Does it have anything to do with Civil War? There is a page of New Avengers: Illuminati #1 that interrupts the story. There are also two or three pages of buildup to a conflict between two of the characters that may have something to do with it. But right now, it's just too early to say anything about that or heavy hammers. It's like an ad for what the reader is waiting for.

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fffull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fffull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/fffull.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/ffnone.jpg http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/reviews/ffnone.jpg

Buy this issue online now from X-WORLD and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=66&cat=FANTASTIC+FOUR)

[Paul Shinn]

And this is why, while I'll most likely be picking up the main Civil War series, I'll stay away from the "tie-ins"...

I have to say, given the actual content of your review, I'm surprised you gave this 3 and a half overall...

[W. Molstad]

And this is why, while I'll most likely be picking up the main Civil War series, I'll stay away from the "tie-ins"...

I have to say, given the actual content of your review, I'm surprised you gave this 3 and a half overall...
what can i say... i'm bad with abstract numbers. good call anyway.

[BlingstonHughes]

Is this supposed to spark FF readership? The only people I know who conistently read FF are the old school collectors, and that's because of their desire to have a complete collection, not so much that they enjoy it. Marvel's first family just doesn't grab people like it used to - they feel generic. I certainly hope Civil War increases readership because they could certainly use the attention.

[Jodoria]

FF has actually been a really great book since they came back from the Heroes Reborn stuff. Maybe they just needs a more high profile artist.You know, someone who draws with the 90's Image style that doesn't fit this book to boost its sales. Hey, it worked for Batman and Superman... :rolleyes:

[david r]

I have been collecting FF nonstop since their relaunch in 1996. The current story has finally gotten me to drop the book.

I had high hopes for Stracyznski, but cannot believe how dull I find these stories.

[Statham]

I had high hopes for Stracyznski, but cannot believe how dull I find these stories.

What I find more annoying is his constant need to reimagine or touch up old origin stories, like he did with Spider-Man and the FF. Those origins were great, timeless -- How many other characters before or since have been given their origins by a radioactive spider?

(Don't answer that, please)

Putting this whole mystical spider bullcrap into play just stinks, because I could name numerous characters who get their powers from clans or religious followings.

But that's enough Stracyznski bashing. I liked Waid and Ringo's run on FF, because they did genuinely cool stuff in their run. This is just crap. Doom wouldn't ever be worthy of Thor.

Or are we going to get some retcon bull about Doom having Asgardian origins, and Odin deems him worthy of having his son's power? :rolleyes:

[anman4]

Umm....was there anything about the return of Thor in this issue?

[James Groves]

Umm....was there anything about the return of Thor in this issue?

I was wondering that meself. ;)

[W. Molstad]

Not really. That's why I said, "It's like an advertisement for what the reader is waiting for.".

[James Groves]

Not really. That's why I said, "It's like an advertisement for what the reader is waiting for.".

:LOL:

Same old tricks, then.

[Kurse]

Is this supposed to spark FF readership?
Uh, I'm pretty sure this issue sold out.

As for the dullness of JMS' run, the last arc was AWESOME! Not dull at ALL actually.

Seeing as I am such a HUGE Thor fan, of COURSE I am excited about this! I don't really like "set-up" issues when it comes to arcs with this much antiscipation, but hey, it's cool. All I can really say though, is that if Thor doesn't come back by the end of this arc, I will be outraged.

[Veritas]

I WAS completely excited for this issue...but then I read it...The front page...
:bleep: -ing bloody teasers...I'm over it...

[BlingstonHughes]

Uh, I'm pretty sure this issue sold out.

Note that I asked the question before the book was released. Easy to be sarcatic after the fact.

Also note, this arc ties in with the next big event. Continuity fanatics and tie-in lovers were pretty much mandated to pick this book up, based on whether it was a good ish or not.

Finally note that to have a whole issue lead up to what you could see on the cover is hardly captivating. This issue was nothing but filler to get to the beginning.

[AdamWarlock]

Pretty much filler. Ok filler, with a few good lines... but still filler. Thing's book on the other hand was great.