If you want to talk about marketing this review is not for you...

This story was perfect. When people ask, "What is an essential Fantastic Four story?" Although, you may be tempted to hand them any of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's run, you can hand this arc by Hickman and Epting with just as much confidence. I say this as a devout FF fan, they drew me into comics as a child and have the same devotion to them as Ron does to the X-Men.

Why was this perfect?
1. Sue lays the down the law on Namor. The relationship has always been a bubbling cauldron and in this issue it finally boils over.

2. Galactus is bad ass. Devourer of planets? How about Destroyer of Planets.  It is so rare we see his true power and it was an unexpected and truly a bad ass moment for the character which I think has been scaled back for a long time.

3. Johnny goes out in glory. How could any fan not love him going out blazing after screaming "Flame On." It was a perfect ending. Quite frankly, being such a big FF fan, it made me cry it was so perfect.

4. As much as Hickman is writing an incredible story, Epting is worth equal praise for the story he is telling with his art. The opening 3 panel caught us up and could easily be panels of the week or hanging up as art works in any comic fans homes. The full page of Franklin, Johnny, and Ben, AWESOME. This panel sold me on Franklin after being somewhat indifferent towards him for years.  Moving a couple pages forward, Epting takes the Namor/Sue fight to another level. Also he does an awesome Galactus. And then honestly, I feel like it was Epting who told the LAST STAND OF JOHNNY STORM. It was incredible. So incredible it made me cry. Perfect story telling.

Get over the marketing talk. This story was perfect for the long devout fan of Fantastic Four and perfect for people who never gave them a fair shot. It has got it all.

This is the pick of the year for me. Easily. Going to be hard to top.