I’ve done the impossible! I have actually avoided spoilers for a big issue of a Marvel comic! I know, I’m surprised too! Usually I get spoiled the day before because Marvel is stupid to think this attempt at news is actually working at this point. So with that in mind, I came in with a fresh mind into the return of the ‘Fantastic Four’! Even though it’s clear this team is not going to be called that again in the near future. Still, there’s a lot to like in this anniversary issue then complaining on renaming and renumbering.

Overall what got me to like this issue was the main story with Epting on art. It’s basically an ending, of sorts, to the current story arc as Hickman brings all of the various story elements into one big issue. The Kree are invading Earth, Annihilus is invading the Baxter Building again, and Doom is still at the mercy of an Evil Reed Richards. While not all of these get finished in this issue most of them do and how Hickman handles these finales (and start new beginnings) were fun to read. Although everyone else is spoiled of it by now, I will not reveal what actually happened here. In short, it was painfully obvious this was going to happen and basically everyone called it the day of Fantastic Four #587. But it’s still a surprise on ‘how’ we end up at the end of the first story and Epting, as usual, makes everything look so beautiful along the way. It’s hard to find more praises for Epting but basically; if you aren’t wowed by what you see here then you must be crazy.

The rest of this big ass issue deals with side stories for obvious, future predicaments for the team. The first deals with the backstory on how the big reveal at the end came to be. Hickman does the best he can without making it feel like a big ‘F.U.’ to readers but it basically feels like his take on ‘Planet Hulk’. The art by Carmine Di. Giandomencio is great to look at but towards the end it feels like you’ve seen it all before and the magic disappears. The next story involves Medusa and Black Bolt and I love the way Ming Doyle handles Black Bolt in this ‘form’ (hard to explain). I also like how he puts various plot developments in the background of these panels to make sure you don’t get confused on what they’re referring to. Hickman also handles the awkwardness of Black Bolt having 5 new wives, but I’m glad he didn’t go for the full comedic approach. My favorite back up comes next with Hickman dealing with Galactus and how he may come into play into the future. Hickman is great at writing Galactus and I would love to see a mini involving him in some capacity. But the real star is Leinil Francis Yu’s art. This guy needs to get more ongoing work because he does some of the best pencils in the industry today. The scale is perfect with Galactus tumbling over Reed and Sue. But the various effects, from explosions to showing something in Galactus’s eye, is gorgeous to look at. If we could have more Yu on Fantastic Four I’d be okay with that. Finally, we end on a cute story involving Leech and Franklin Richards on the alternate dimension that was created so many months ago. It doesn’t feel like it’s in continuity but with the presence of a figure (who’s outline looks familiar to someone in Hickman’s other book, SHIELD) it may be huge in the coming run. I do like the art by Farel Dalrymple, who’s style fits the aesthetic of a child’s mind but has a lot of detail in as well.

It’s a big issue, it’s an action packed issue, and it’s also a great issue. While renumbering and the return of this book is so stupid to me; I can’t complain on what’s inside. The stories by Hickman are fun to read and he puts a lot of mystery into what’s going to come in future issues. The artists he assembled all fit for each story in here with Epting and Yu leading the pack. While I have no idea what is in store for Marvel’s First Family in the near future; Hickman sure has me excited for it. Even with bullshit renumbering, this is as great of an issue you can find in this great run by Hickman.