FANTASTIC FOUR #603

Review by: TheNextChampion

What did the
iFanboy
community think?

726
Pulls
Avg Rating: 4.6
 
Users who pulled this comic:
Users who reviewed this comic:
Story by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Barry Kitson
Cover by Mike Choi

Size: 0 pages
Price: 2.99

While I have been enjoying this run by Jonathan Hickman for months now, I still have a nagging issue. Look at the (horrible) cover for this month’s issue. Spider-Man is waaaayyy in the back, with his back turned, seemingly facing no body. That image right there is all you need to know about Spidey’s role in this series since joining the Future Foundation. I.e. ‘useless’ if you don’t get it by now. It’s been the only blemish of this run (sans Greg Tocchini) and with Johnny being back I don’t understand why Parker is even in this book anymore.

This might be the penultimate issue of this epic run by Hickman, at least that’s how it feels anyways. The Celestials are here to kick some ass and Galactus is seemingly the only person to stop them. Let me say that the Celestials are pure-Hickman and every time they talk it makes me smile. (I hope they sound like Daleks because if they do then get that man on Doctor Who!) Then you have them fighting Galactus and as short as it is, I couldn’t get enough of it. As it being a penultimate issue of the arc, the pacing goes a bit too fast for me it must be said. The family quickly reunites but then they have to fight the Celestials, and then all looks doomed, and then the big issue finish, and….well it’s a lot for only twenty-two pages. I know Hickman’s run is far from over but it feels like he had to rush to get this story finished in time. It’s still fun to read and there are great character moments peppered throughout. Hickman writes a great Sue and if anything her last stand saved what could have been a rushed issue.

You know if you can’t have Steve Epting, then get Barry Kitson. I say that a lot…..well maybe just in Fantastic Four reviews….and maybe just right now. Anyways, Kitson has been an absolute godsend since taking over the book. His style might be slightly more cartoony then Eptin’s but he matches the fast pace action quite beautifully. I think he’s feuding with Epting on Kirby Dots because there are so many of them I gotta think you will go blind if this were to actually happen. (Ala the Pokeman seizure incident) Seriously it’s like Kitson had an ‘explosion’ quota and decided to go all out for this issue. Paul Mounts might be going for the Eisner with the coloring too cause none of this wouldn’t be as good looking if it wasn’t for his colors. I think he’s a bit under appreciated as a colorist because, unlike Dave Stewart, I hear no one talking about him.

You know this is just another solid issue by Hickman and the gang on Marvel’s ‘First Family’. It might go a little too fast for my liking but Hickman must have some big finale in mind for next month. Let’s just hope after this story Hickman finds SOME use for Spider-Man down the road. Otherwise, let’s just stick with Amazing Spider-Man for all your web-slinging needs.

Story: 4 - Very Good
Art: 5 - Excellent

Comments

  1. Agreed about Kitson.

    Epting, Kitson, Edwards and Eaglesham have all done really good work on the Hickman-era FF.

  2. Wow, hell of a review, makes me wanna go and nab that issue to see for myself, which is a hell of a feat for a “0 pages” comic. :p

Leave a Comment