A portal is closing on Nu-World and aggressive superhumans from the future are looking to take over.
FANTASTIC FOUR #573
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Penciler: Neil Edwards
Inkers: Andrew Currie
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: VC’s Rus Wooton
Cover artists: Alan Davis, Mark Farmer and John Rauch
Summary: Adventures on Nu Earth! Ben and Johnny have big plans for a much needed vacation in the company of refugees from the future - booze, ladies, misadventures…and two stowaways named Franklin and Val.
Review: Upon the recommendation of a friend and fellow comic nerd, I switched up my pull list anxious to try something new. I grabbed my first issue of Fantastic Four and it happens to be a great issue for someone not engrossed in the almost 50 years of history. Plenty of times, switching to a new title is daunting due to the chaos of retcons and galactic crises. With just a basic understanding of the F4 team, I was able to read the brief synopsis inside the front cover and enjoy the issue.
This super powered family of geniuses has had some instances of ultimate dysfunction throughout their lives. Minus the parental units Reed Richards and Susan Storm-Richards, the troupe is trapped on the faux Earth called Nu-World. This world was created by Ted Castle and Alyssa Moy, Reed’s former college girlfriend. The future of Earth proves catastrophic so people have fled through time to find a safe home.
Issue #573 starts off with a bang bringing readers a cover by Alan Davis, Mark Farmer and John Rauch. The interiors are perfectly adequate for this genre. Jonathan Hickman has been helming the title since #570 and has delivered an exciting space story mainly from the point of view of Marvel’s answer to Dennis the Menace, the young and precocious Franklin Richards. There will be opportunity for interesting brawls between Human Torch and Lightwave, Thing and Robert Banner, Jr. and of course the easily paired “bad girl sexy” Psionics with “girl next door” Sue. However, it looks like Hulk, Jr. will be setting off after Lightwave and he didn’t leave much left of Psionics except for a pool of blood. Nu-World is in critical danger and Ted Castle is prepared to die a matyr as long as he can ensure the safe exodus of the others. The adventure wraps up with an endearing birthday wish from mother to son.
If you’re remotely curious about the legacy of Sue Storm and the impact of her creators, I had the amazing opportunity to meet Joe Sinnott at a charity event this fall. Mr. Sinnott started inking The Fantastic Four series back in 1962 with issue #5 under the great pencils of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Sue has been known as the most powerful of the F4 team considering how she can do something as disastrous as create an air bubble inside someone’s brain and then expand it; but she’s the eternal matriarch of Marvel Comics. She’s a dutiful mother and has had to explain her marital problems when husband Reed neglects her. She’s dressed modestly for a superhero and yet manages to exude sensual appeal.
- Joe Sinnott video: Signing Amber Love dressed as Sue Storm
- Joe Sinnott video: Sketching at charity event
