Fantastic Four #527
Quick Review
Let's kick off this quick review with a look at the two covers (I know there are others, but I only have two to share) for issue 527. On the left, we have the mass produced traditional cover. On the right, I'm pleased to share the retro variant which I especially liked. (Click on the graphic to launch a larger version of the image). Either way, these are great cover graphics for what turned into a truly fantastic issue of Marvel's original fab four.
If you've been reading any of my previous ramblings on the Fantastic Four [525 quick review] then you know that I was quite pleased with the work of Waid and Wieringo. I felt like I would miss them after they were gone, but tempered my concerns as follows...
"My fears were eased when I learned Joe Straczynski (whose work I’ve been enjoying in Supreme Power) was coming on board. Couple that with the art of Mike Mckone (Teen Titles, need I say more… that book is so good) and I was more than a little intrigued."
Okay, I expected it to be good but I didn't expect it to be the best thing I've read so far this month. All I can say here is "welcome aboard the Fantastic Four Mr. Straczynski". Were he and I sharing a conversation I would add "If you don't mind, please stay".
This issue was thoughtful, creative and humorous in all the right ways. The Bill Gates / grand canyon joke was an instant classic. Nick Fury finding a new copier ran a close second. On a more serious side, Reed watching as civilizations lived and died in the mater of moments then following that introduction with his comments to Sue stuck me as especially poignant. I also liked the way Straczynski tied the music at the end back to the start.
The main thrust of the new storyline is the government's attempt to create super soldiers by recreating the origin of the Fantastic Four exactly. An interesting premise, but a small part of a very well written issue.
While I'm adding a few final thoughts, I have to ask if you (yes you) are reading Supreme Power? If not, you should be. Supreme Power has a more serious tone than this issue of Four, but it just gets better and better each month. As Straczynski also writes Supreme Power, this seemed like a good moment to tip my hat in that direction.
In summary, if the mighty Marvel bullpen can crank out more titles like this all I can say is EXCELSIOR and bring it on! I hope the hype of the film brings new readers to this title. If they visit for 527, they'll be around for 528.
Official word from Marvel ...
FANTASTIC FOUR #527
COVER BY: Mike McKone /
WRITER: J. Michael Straczynski
PENCILS: Mike McKone /
INKS: Andy Lanning
THE STORY: "DISTANT MUSIC" – A NEW ARC BEGINS HERE!
Just in time for movie season, new ongoing creative team J. Michael Straczynski (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, SUPREME POWER) and Mike McKone (Teen Titans, EXILES) unite their talents to chart a new course for the world's greatest comic magazine! First up: an intriguing offer for a conflicted Reed, and a windfall for Ben!
32 PGS./Marvel PSR …$2.99
PRICE: $2.99
IN STORES: 05-25-2005
July 12th, 2005
