So it's possible to weave in stories from previous arcs in order to create a better narrative? I ask, because it seems that superhero books in recent years have forgotten this. Thankfully, Mark Millar pulled that old trick out of the bag this week and, in doing so, authored a brilliant comic book.

For those who have not been reading, Millar's last two FF arcs are as follows. First, the FF were called to assist with, and then save, the Nu World, a replica earth created by Reed Richards' ex-girlfriend's current husband. Second (and currently), the Human Torch was kidnapped by a gang of superheroes from the future, including his some-time girlfriend and the Invisible Woman of the future. This future, of course, is a horrible dystopia; thus, the heroes of that age have decided to move the entire populace to 21st century earth. Seems like a great solution, eh?

OK, forget the dense plot in the prior paragraph and enter the current issue. Here, the current FF discover the plot of the future heroes. Rather than thwart their plans, they divert the transfer of future people to the Nu World. The moment at which this was revealed was great! I actually felt great that I had read the prior arc (which seemed at the time to be quite average). The other reveals were exciting as well - the fact that the leader of the future hero gang was Wolverine (very cool), the draining of Galactus, and the revenge taken by Dr. Doom on the future Sue Storm.

This comic had the feeling of an old Avengers book, perhaps in the late '70's era, as it bobbed and weaved through Marvel esoterica without losing the occasional "Clobbering Time". It may not have expanded my mind like a great issue of Fables or Swamp Thing, but it was clearly not meant to do so. Rather, it was good entertainment.

Even the art seemed designed to entertain rather than to provoke. The colors were certainly far from realistic, and the lines (especially the faces) were highly stylized. Although this is not my preferred comic art style, it works here. And Bryan Hitch draws a great Thing.

Apparently, the arc ends next month, as the team deals with Dr. Doom's slaying of future Sue Richards. OK, but the book had enough resolution that another issue dedicated to this story seems a bit unnecessary. A more important question is what will happen to Galactus? Marvel cosmic stories over the past few decades have suggested that Galactus is a necessary part of the Marvel meta-cosmos. As an aside, as a biologist, I have always thought of Galactus as the apoptosis of the universe. Put simply, apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death - the way that the body consumes and resorbs cells that are no longer useful. This is critical - necessary to allow development of the embryo and fetus in utero and to prevent cancer in the adult. Will the loss of Galactus cause the galaxy to become "malignant"? I would love to see a great Marvel cosmic writer explore this concept. Certainly, it would be more interesting than an 11th hour - oh, Galactus isn't really drained, he's just tired and needs some rest.

In summary (after some philosophical meandering), this is the near-culmination to a great arc. Millar seems to get more out of the dystopian future than any writer at this time. Buy his books while they are Fantastic.