Fantastic Four #564 Review- 'The Christmas Monster'

Fantastic Four #564

Writer: Mark Millar

Artist: Bryan Hitch

Colouring: Paul Mounts

Editor: Tom Brevoort

Ah, and FF is back on its monthly schedule, having missed the equivalent of two months during the Millar/Hitch run. The internet, being the internet, has decided this constitutes absolutely ludicrous ridiculous delays- by curious coincidence, proving the internet's predictions absolutely right. Isn't twisting things to meet your predetermined view oh-so-fun? :D

FF 564 is both the weakest issue of the HitLar run so far and one of their strongest. But mostly weakest. Which is a long way from saying its bad, just not that distinguished.

This issue has its strong points and weak points and, paradoxically enough, they're the same. The beautiful spreads Hitch gets to draw are very easy on the eye, but after a while- at least six pages in this book are spreads- you do kind of wish for more. Make no mistake, what story we do get is a charming enough little tale. It has some really good character moments, does a good job building tension as we wait for the 'secret' to be discovered, and has some wonderful "Only in Fantastic Four" touches like the Christmas presents. 

Iron Maiden commented, and I think its accurate, that the story baears resemblance to the early Byrne issue (Around 240, if my mind serves me correctly?) where the FF visited Aunt Petunia, and I think that's a fair comparison. Both of them have a similar air of sinister brooding, although this probably has more character moments and that was far from Byrne's best. The Scottish setting is a nice departure from normal,. even if it is a little cheeky from Millar.  The art, as ever, is excellent and detailed- particularly in the aforementioned splashes. My only other real problem with the issue is that it does to some extent break up the momentum of the 'Masters of Doom story', and you can see that it was not originally at this point in the storytelling order.

I do think that could have been fixed just by a few extra lines and a panel or two, but it seems it was pretty much unedited to fit into its new place in the line, weakening the story quite a bit.

Rating: Six and a Half out of Ten. Not the best from HitLar. 

Fantastic Four #563 Review- 'Mr and Mrs Thing'

I now return you to your regularly scheduled FF with a review of the latest issue of Millar/Hitch's Choose One: Critically Acclaimed / Critically Spurned run which has been Choose One: Fantastic/Terrible thus far. 

Fantastic Four #563: "Mr. & Mrs. Thing"

Writer: Mark Millar

Artist: Bryan Hitch

Coloring: Paul Mounts

Editor: Tom Brevoort

And here we are again, another issue of the book which never fails to split the fans. This issue had two main functions; advancing the subplots of the book such as SmartVal and of course the Thing and Debbie, and laying the foundations for future plots, such as the upcoming 'Scottish vacation story' and above all the 'Masters of Doom' that now looms over us on the immediate horizon. All things considered, Millar/Hitch FF seems to work best in between the big beats and this issue is no exception.

The Thing/Debbie plot is a strange beast. All things considered, we haven't seen a great deal of Debbie, nor has she really been delved into. Which is a pity, because everything AROUND her in this plot works brilliantly; the Thing's proposal last issue, Sue's talk here, the general way this plot is being handled... everything except Debbie herself, who remains largely a cipher. Her conversation with Sue here is a great character moment for Sue but we still don't know a heckuva lot about Bens' Bride To Be. Johnny also has some great characterisation as his genuine concern for Ben is clear beneath the posturing. And as always, Reed and Ben are the two Millar has nailed down to a tee. The conversation with Tony is nice in both simultaneously grounding this in Marvel, setting up what is to come while remaining low-key. And I continue to enjoy SmartVal, who serves *far* more of a purpose in the family than the old Valeria ever did and actually feels like a part of this wacky dynamic. 

And of course, we see the Masters themselves- the Marquis of Death and his mysterious partner. The scene of them in their alternate Earth is quite chilling. Millar reminds me of Morrison in the way that he created an entire backstory and whatnot for this world (As he's noted in interviews) only to utterly destroy it- and the ruin of this world's New York is chillingly rendered by Hitch- though not as chilling as the destruction of the Sun. The sense of menace that pervades these scenes is palpable, and our Earth is quite screwed when they arrive. And the very last page only added to the chill. As I presume Millar intended, the sense really is that if this is something Doom answers to... hohboy.

Oh, and though I'm not sure it was Millar, the intro page was very well done, and continues a tradition of inventive Marvel intro pages I've seen in recent years in 'Hercules', and 'Damage Control' among others, a trend I really like.

That said, I did have problems with the issues. As mentioned above, the Debbie plot is far too fast when we scarcely know her. Moreover, the Defenders are forgotten just a little too easily to me, and the fact that half the issue is spent in an alternate worlds means many characters- noticeably Johnny and Ben- don't get as much time as you might expect. The art is also a tad rushed in places, generally early on, although it's Hitch's typical phenomenal standard in the Masters scenes.

Score: Eight out of Ten- Pretty Good, but this team have done better

Scheduling

Well, it has become quyite evident that any number of factors mean that for the foreseeable future, it's going to be impossible to keep this updated with anywhere NEAR the regularity I had initially hoped. With that in mind, I'll going to chug on anyway, but I'll try and focus more on thoughts and reviews and skip the solicit run-downs. I'll also make the Dark Reign updates more infrequent. I may only be able to post once a week or so, but dammit, this blog will live!

Anyway, wow, since this blog started, we've had three important FF issues and not yet one review. So let's get a-retcifyin' that! 

Dark Reign Update... of DOOM!- The Reign Begins

The first Dark Reign Update o'Doom since the Dark Reign began, so let's hit it! Please note that this is an FF blog, so the Summaries will only summarise what happens with Fantastic Four characters. Likewise, the review and value will evaluate these for fans of the Four and their extended circle.

NEWS AND INTERVIEWS

1) Hudlin talks about Doctor Doom in 'Black Panther'

Response: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Hudlin and Doctor Doom. Does anything more need to be said?

Status: As before, Terrified Trepidition

2) Jonathan Hickman talks Dark Reign: FF at a couple of places with images 

Response: With the news that Hickman and Eaglesham are the future of the FF, this has become a lot more important as an indicator of how they'll do. I'll put up my full thoughts on their announcement later tonight!

Status: As before, Cautious Anticipation

3) Preview of Dark Avengers #2- Including Victor! 

Response: Hmm, it's funny to see them date Victor more precisely- "37 years ago". As ever, trying to reason with women just doesn't work out. In all seriousness, I'm interested to see how the Doom/Morgana fight is handled- though if the Dark Avengers are needed, I'm guessing Doom isn't doing too well.

Status: Anticipation

REVIEWS

WARNING: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS

DARK AVENGERS #1

FF Connection: Doctor Doom plays a minor role but it seems important in setting up what will be happening with him in the future of the title, where he looks to be playing a major role.

Summary:  Morgana Le Fey seeks the one who has betrayed her- Doctor Doom- (Presumably when he missed their date back in Mighty Avengers #11, true believers!) and discovers the Cabal. In the present day, Doom is transported back to Latveria by HAMMER, but they have scarcely landed when Morgana attacks him and he reciprocates, beginning a magical duel!

Review: This issue is likely to be an important one for fans of 'Dark Reign' and the good Doctor in general. While not all that much happens, as I noted in the FF Connection, it looks like Doom will be a cast member of this book at least for the foreseeable future, and the first mission of the Dark Avengers has been triggered by Doom's actions back in Mighty Avengers. While Doom doesn't speak here, when he does, it's decent, if unspectacular, so between this and the 'Dark Reign' special, Bendis seems to have a somewhat better grasp of Doom's speech than he displayed in the unfortunate aforementioned Mighty Avengers story. He also continues his focus on Doom's magical side, which is an interesting one that will hopefully be explored more.

Rating: 

FF Fans- 0 Stars- Nothing for fans of the Foursome here 

Doom Fans- 4 Stars- I suspect 'Dark Avengers' and 'Fantastic Four' are the two Must Have titles for those following Doctor Doom in the coming year, but there isn't enough Doom in just this issue to justify a full rating.

UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL 

FF Connection: A LOT of Namor this issue!

Summary: Some time ago, Sebastien Shaw considered adding Namor to the Hellfire Club as White King and has Emma chat him up. When offered the position, Namor becomes offended as he considers himself Atlantean first, and a Mutant second, and threatens to kill Shaw, storming out. Emma later attracts his attention on Shaw's orders and stays with him, causing both to be attacked by Sentinels, which Namor deals with. He then tracks them back to Shaw, but Frost's mind is wiped and Shaw warns him that he is always surrounded by telepaths and is untouchable. 

Back in the present day, it seems Namor was pretending he didn't know Emma for her protection, and they later meet and forge a secret alliancee- he will protect her physically and she will shield him telepathically. To prove her loyalty she gives him Shaw's head on a plate, although unbeknownst to him, she has tricked him and Shaw lives. 

Review: Well, this issue had a great deal of Marvel's First Mutant in it, for starters! He was well characterised here, both in the past and in the present- as amorous and haughty as ever.  His rejection of Shaw's offer and his subsequent threat are particularly nice touches, reminding us of how imperious and deadly Namor could be. While I don't quite buy that he'd come to the meeting in the first place, he acts exactly the way he should once he's there. In the present day, it's nice to see his relationship with Emma expanded, and it doesn't feel forced or unnatural either, but helps build ties across the Marvel Universe between the X-Men's world and that of the FF. The 'Alliance within an Alliance' of Emma and Namor is another excellent little detail, and it'll be interesting to see how this plays out in Dark Reign- of all the Cabal members, it seems to be Namor and Doom who are up to the most double dealing!

Rating:

FF Fans- 0 Stars- Nothing for Pure Foursome fans here

Namor Fans- 5 Stars- Lots and lots of Namor here, including a relationship, context and some developments which should be very, very interesting as Dark Reign plays out.

THOR #600

FF Connection: None until the very last page, but this should have huge impact in the months to come for Doom fans!

Summary: Loki tells the Gods of Asgard that she knows of a land where they can live and hunt, a land of snow-capped mountains and church steeples, and that its kind has invited them all to live there. The land's name is Latveria, and it's king is Victor Von Doom.

Review: Well, well. Of course, this was foreshadowed back in Thor #5, but I had then assumed that just foreshadowing for the Cabal. It seems not! So that makes another 'alliance within an alliance' in the Cabal- Doom and Loki have their own scheme, which means trouble for Thor. Doctor Doom and Thor have very rarely crossed paths before- the most notable incident in recent memory being the Thor/Iron Man/Avengers crossover where Doom was acting behind the scenes- but here Doom appears to have a massive role in the 600th issue of the book! This can only mean big things to come, and it'll be very interesting to watch. It's always great to see Doom appear around the Marvel Universe.

While we can't yet judge how in-character Doom is, as he hasn't had any lines, JMS has written Doom before- back in issues 536 and 537 of his FF run. While I can't say I was a fan of JMS' FF, his Doom seemed to have just the right voice and had at least two memorable moments, and his Thor run has been white-hot these days. This unexpected development makes this issue a must-have for fans of the Doctor, however little a role he may play directly.

Rating:

FF Fans- 0 Stars- The Four have had little role in the Reign so far!

Doom Fans- 4 Stars- Only one page, which is why it doesn't get full marks, but it hints at colossal things to come! 

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI-13 #10

FF Connection: Doom has a small, though interesting role

Summary: Doctor Doom meets with Dracula on the Moon. (Just typing that sentence has made my day.) Dracula wants a Non-Aggression Treaty, and though Doom scorns his heritage and his racism, he appears fairly positive about this, referencing his Cabal allies. Dracula later fumes over Doom's imperiosity, threatening to "make that peasant his slave".

Review:  The issue itself was fantastic... for fans of the Four or the Doc, not so much. There are some interesting points and great touches like referring to Dracula by his first name- Tepes- , his having shards of the True Cross in his armour and his dismissal of both Tepes' heritage- 'little prince-' and his racism. The latter in particular simply seems like a shot at the much-maligned 'Racist Doom' of Black Panther #19. While it was a great scene, it wasn't that important for those who aren't reading the title, and I doubt Doom will play much of a role in future issues.

Rating:

FF Fans- Yet another 0 Stars

Doom Fans: 2 Stars- A nice scene, but unremarkable and unimportant. We'll see if Doom makes another appearance in future issues. 

NEW AVENGERS #48

FF Connection: The FF themselves pop up (FINALLY!) and help the New Avengers try to find the Cage child

Summary: With their baby missing, Luke and Jesicca Cage- with the New Avengers- come to the remnants of the Baxter Building post Secret Invasion. While initially reticent, the second she hears about the child, Sue summons the rest and they immediately go into overdrive helping the Avengers try to find their child, with Reed using his tech to help them try to locate the Skrull who took it. They are unsuccessful.

Review: While their role wasn't much, I always like seeing the FF in situations like this. With their child missing, it made perfect sense for the Avengers to turn to Reed, and rather than delivering some useless line about being busy, they actually helped, hunting down criminals for leads, with Reed using his tech to their advantage. Even if it didn't work, it legitimately felt like they had explored an important option before Cage turns to Osborn at the end of the issue. Not very much here for Four fans, unless you just like seeing them play a role in other books or are a completionist, but they were here nonetheless!

Rating:

FF Fans- 2 Stars- A small and fairly unimportant role, but a role nonetheless

Hopefully the next Update will be along much sooner than this one! 

Back from the Dead

Wow, sorry I haven't been updating in a while-3 weeks!- I had a brief trip away and then all sorts of other factors caught up with me- and I still haven't got around to that FF #2 review as a result! Well, lots has been missed and I'll be working overtime on this blog to get us up to date over the next few days! To give a brief summary of what you can expect:

-A Dark Reign Update (Of Doom)- 'Dark Avengers', 'Captain Britain and MI-13' and 'Thor' have all hosted Dark Reign related appearances of the FF's Greatest Foe, while Namor has popped up in an X-Men Annual, and there's a Doom-related preview of Dark Avengers #2!  Reviews, summaries and thoughts all coming up!

-Fantastic Feedback- The first new issue of FF since the blog started! Full review on it's way!

-A new creative team for the World's Greatest announced, lots of interviews to link to and lots of thoughts from yours truly!

-And between all this, I may be able to squeeze up the FF #2 review as well! Keep your eyes peeled! 

April 09

Some FF-related goodies from April 2009.  When I say 'some', I mean a lot. Because I expected to have maybe a TPB or two, FF, Fantastic Force and Marvel Adventures. But I was wrong. So wrong. So very wrong. LOTS of FF guest appearances, and far more than that, LOTS of Doom and Namor and even a Silver Surfer appearance or two. It's going to be a big month for fans of the FF extended family! I will be judging each title both on how much I'm asnticipating it on a scale which I make up as I go along, and on how strong a connection to the FF it has, and what aspect it connects to.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #590
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils & Cover by BARRY KITSON
Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant by PAOLO RIVERA
FACE FRONT Part 1 of 2
An adventure from Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four's past is about to have a profound effect on their future...That's if Spidey and the Torch can stop fighting long enough to notice! What's the cosmic-level rift that's dividing two of the Marvel U.'s best friends? Plus, a dark turn for Harry Osborn. A new role for Mr. Negative. And the start of a story that's going to effect almost every title at Marvel Comics! We kid you not!!!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #591
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils and Cover by BARRY KITSON
FACE FRONT Part 2 of 2
The gloves are off! The MASK is off! And for Spidey and the Torch? It's on! One of the deepest friendships in the Marvel U. is about to take a sudden turn...
Plus, life kicks into high gear for practically EVERY member of the supporting cast! Big changes, big surprises, and, like we promised: an event so HUGE, it's going to be felt in almost every Marvel title! This one's a gamechanger, Marvellites! Miss it and you'll miss out!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Hmm, this is worth watching. The Johnny/Spidey relationship is an old one, and the FF/Spidey team-up likewise a golden oldie, but this genuinely sounds like something pretty big. Also nice to see the FF appearing around the Marvel Universe.

Reaction: Anticipation

FF Connection: Significent Foursome

DOCTOR DOOM AND THE MASTERS OF EVIL #4 (of 4)
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by PATRICK SCHERBERGER
Cover by ROGER CRUZ
She predates the birth of man. She manipulates matter at will. She can merge with the shadows. She’s Selene, the original vampire, known as the Black Queen, and in her possession is something Dr. Doom desperately needs, but she’s not going to give it up without a fight. Luckily for Doom, he’s brought along a few friends, like Princess Python, Magneto, and a platoon of Sentinels reprogrammed into Witch-Hunters!
32 PGS./All Ages ...$2.99

The first issue of this is out this week, so I can judge. From what I've seen, it's absolute, phenomenal, FANTASTIC fun for any fan of Doom, even if it is All Ages, so-

Reaction: Very Excited!

FF Connection: Very significent Doom

DARK REIGN: THE CABAL
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN, MATT FRACTION, PETER MILLIGAN and others!
Pencils by ADI GRANOV, KYLE HOTZ and others!
Cover by DANIEL ACUÑA
Doctor Doom! Emma Frost! The Hood! Namor the Sub-Mariner! Loki! They’re the members of Norman Osborn’s secret Cabal of villainy, united in common cause as they move to change the very landscape of the Marvel Universe! Now, in five all-new stories, learn how each member of this sinister syndicate intends to capitalize on the situation—and perhaps how they intend to deal with each other should it prove necessary!
48 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99

NEW AVENGERS #52
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils by BILLY TAN & CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by BILLY TAN
Who is the new Sorcerer Supreme? The entire Marvel Universe hangs in the balance as the Avengers race to help the fallen Doctor Strange battle the forces of the Dark Dimension as they make their earthly power play.
32 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99

DARK AVENGERS #4
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MIKE DEODATO
Young Gun Variant Cover by STEFANO CASELLI
The Dark Avengers’ first mission shows Norman Osborn all the plusses and minuses of the choices he has made for his team. So changes must be made. Some come, some go, and not everyone is happy about it. Also, the Cabal reunites for the first time since the Dark Reign began, and they are REALLY not happy.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #12
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art & Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
Pepper Potts takes flight! Maria Hill fights back! And Iron Man heads for a Stark Lab hiding somewhere in the briny deep where Norman Osborn dispatches PRINCE NAMOR to take him out. Man oh man is THAT gonna be a fight for the ages. By Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

I lumped these Dark Reign books together. Please note that I don't actually know whether or not there is a Doom connection with New Avengers, but it's been dealing with the Sorceror Supreme and Dark Reign, and we know Doom's a candidate, so I stuck it in there. Anyway, more typical Dark Reign business with Doom and Namor appearing all round the place. The cover of Dark Avengers looks particularly interesting. I'll lump it all together and say:

Reaction: Anticipation (Albeit unenthusiastic)

FF Connection: Significent Doom, Significent Namor

DARK REIGN: FANTASTIC FOUR #2 (of 5)
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by SEAN CHEN
Cover by PASQUAL FERRY
The fallout of Reed's machine results in Sue, Ben and Johnny finding themselves in the middle of a super hero Hyborian-age civil war, while Reed searches for answers to questions that can only be found in alternate timelines. Back on Earth, it's Val and Franklin versus the agents of H.A.M.M.E.R.!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Don't know the writer, and the concept is... interesting, so let's tag it as

Reaction: Cautious Anticipation

FF Connection: Significent Foursome

MIGHTY AVENGERS #24
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils by RAFA SANDOVAL
Cover by KHOI PHAM
"CHASING GHOSTS
The SCARLET WITCH is back and her brother wants answers! Join QUICKSILVER as he races around the globe, hunting down the MIGHTY AVENGERS! Plus, what's HANK PYM'S problem with MR. FANTASTIC? And what does NORMAN OSBORN have in store for Earth's Mightiest Heroes?
Guest starring QUICKSILVER, and featuring appearances by the YOUNG AVENGERS and the FANTASTIC FOUR.
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Dan Slott's writing a lot of FF this month, which is interesting as I heard him mention at Dublin Comic Con that he would like to write them some day. Based on what I know of him, I'd say this is a very good thing- but be wary, this issue will probably be bad for Mister Fantastic. I'm expecting from the solicit it will be tying in with... *shudder*... Clor...

Reaction: Anticipatory Dread

FF Connection: Solid Foursome

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #12
Written by PAUL CORNELL
Penciled by LEONARD KIRK
Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant by TBA
In issue 3, Pete Wisdom let loose hordes of Magical villains in order to fight the Skrulls. His chickens are coming home to roost as Dracula has united these forces. They’ve begun to rip MI13 apart and take England for their own. Treaty with Doctor Doom or not, their threat will not be contained to Great Britain. And there’s nothing Pete can do about it...
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

It remains to be seen how much of a role Doom will play in this whole thing, but this is an awesome book anyway so you should all buy it regardless! 

Reaction: Very Excited!

FF Connection: Tenuous Doom

FANTASTIC FORCE #1
Written by JOE AHEARNE
Pencils by STEVE KURTH
Cover by BRYAN HITCH
FROM THE PAGES OF FANTASTIC FOUR: The Hooded Man! Lightwave! Banner! Natalie X! Psionics! Alex Ultron! They’re the last six superhumans from a devastated future! They’ve rescued the remnants of a devastated humanity by relocating them to an artificial planet in the present day! Now they face their greatest challenge—to create a better utopian society! But there are vast forces from across the Marvel Universe who will move against them—plus a threat from their own era they thought they’d left behind! Plus, 8 pages of Director's Cut Extras!
40 PGS./Rated T+...$3.99

I've already outlined my thoughts on this, but I should note that the Director's Cut Extras will almost certainly not justify the price tag. Also, it's since emerged that Joe Ahearne is the next FF writer, so it's worth keeping an extra eye on this.

Reaction: Cautious Anticipation

FF-Connection: Significent Foursome, Very significent Fantastic Force

FANTASTIC FOUR #566
Written by MARK MILLAR
Pencils & Cover by BRYAN HITCH
THE MASTERS OF DOOM Part one of four. It begins here! The final storyline of the Millar/Hitch run on FANTASTIC FOUR, culminating all of the plot threads they’ve set up so far! From across the universe they come, returning to the Earth after a twenty year journey of genocide and sadism. They’re the men who tutored Doctor Doom in the ways of villainy—and their re-emergence signals the greatest conflict the Fantastic Four have ever been party to!
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

Well. No way this doesn't get a post of it's own tomorrow. For reasons I shall outline in time:

Reaction: Total Dread / Mouth-Watering Excitement

Connection: Very significent Foursome, very significent Doom

HULK #11
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & 50/50 Covers by ED MCGUINNESS
Wolverine Art Appreciation Variant by TBA
Variant Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
THE DEFENDERS/OFFENDERS WAR! The good news? Hulk’s got help on his side in the form of Namor, Doctor Strange, and the Silver Surfer! The bad news? Rulk’s got pals of his own. When the original Defenders face off one-on-one with Rulk, Tiger Shark, Baron Mordo, and Terrax, it’s anybody’s bet who will win... but who exactly is betting on these fights? A smash-, splash-, and cosmic-flash-fest that could ONLY have come from the minds of award-winning superstar writer Jeph Loeb and everybody’s favorite Hulk artist Ed McGuinness!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99

No real strong feelings here. There's an FF connection through the Surfer, but the Thing has previously appeared in this. Basically, it's totally mindless but semi-fun action, and little else.

Reaction: Meh

FF Connection: Solid Surfer

MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA #5 (of 6)
Written by KURT BUSIEK
Pencils & Cover by JAY ANACLETO
Black and White Variant Also Available!
The Hulk destroys a town! The FF get a new HQ! X-Factor debuts! The Sub-Mariner joins the Avengers! The Masters of Evil attack! Magneto goes on trial! Big news. But where's Phil Sheldon? Is he covering the stories? Can he? As we approach the fateful finale, Phil faces a deadline -- and old friends rally round.
32 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99

I haven't been following this, but the FF are there, so there you go.

FF Connection: Solid FF, Solid Namor

FRANKLIN RICHARDS: APRIL FOOLS!
Written, Art & Cover by CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
It's that time of year again. Springtime, baseball, April showers and most importantly April Fools Day! Franklin has a plan to make everyone in his family the butt of his practical joke, but the joke's on him. Join Franklin, H.E.R.B.I.E. and new addition, Puppy, in this all-new foolish special with stories to tickle your funny bone. Hey, wait--there's a giant spider on your shoulder! April Fools!
32 PGS./All Ages ...$3.99

I don't buy this title, but I hear very very very good things, and it's certainly connected, so I may make an exception now that I've a blog to maintain!

Reaction: Anticipation

FF Connection: Very significent Franklin

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #47
Written by PAUL TOBIN
Penciled by PERE PEREZ
Cover by JON BURAN
We all know the story: an accidental exposure to cosmic rays turns Reed Richards, along with Johnny and Sue Storm, into the Terrific Three---the World’s Greatest Fighting Team! Unfortunately, tragedy strikes when their close friend, Ben Grimm, is bathed in gamma radiation due to a horrible mishap during a Gamma Bomb test---transforming Ben into the Incredible Hulk, the greatest threat the world has ever known! And then...umm, wait...DO we know this story? Who’s playing with the past? And why?
32 PGS./All Ages ...$2.99

I also don't buy Marvel Adventures, and shall not be making an exception, or a judgement call, but there it is, and it's FF related!

FF Connection: Very Significent Four 

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE SUB-MARINER VOL. 3 HC
Written by ROY THOMAS
Penciled by JOHN BUSCEMA, GENE COLAN & MARIE SEVERIN
Cover by JOHN BUSCEMA
Imperious Rex! Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner has returned for another MARVEL MASTERWORKS adventure! Writer Roy Thomas and a trio of definitive Sub-Mariner artists are going to take comic’s first anti-hero on one of his greatest adventures of all time! It’s Atlantean vs. Inhuman when Namor faces off against Triton. Then, our hero must march through Attuma and the bloodthirsty Tiger Shark, in his first appearance, but the truly epic confrontation begins when the man called Destiny returns and his Helmet of the Ancients is revealed to be the powerful Serpent Crown. It’s evil influence threatens the lives of 
Namor and his love, the Lady Dorma, and sends them across the seas to Lemuria to destroy the Crown or be destroyed by it! We couldn’t forget the all-time classic, earth-rattling face-off between Namor and the Thing, not to mention the touching return of one of the Atlantean prince’s friends from all way back in comics’ Golden Age. It’s Marvel’s mer-man at his very best! Collecting SUB-MARINER #2-13.
272 PGS./All Ages ...$54.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3487-9
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE SUB-MARINER VOL. 3 HC – VARIANT EDITION VOL. 120
272 PGS./All Ages ...$54.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3488-6

This is a brilliant idea and I'm very glad it's happening! Namor is a great character, I've never read these stories and I absolutely look forward to doing so!

Reaction: Strong Anticipation

FF Connection: Very Significent Namor

ULTIMATUM: X-MEN/FANTASTIC FOUR PREMIERE HC
Written by ARON E. COLEITE & JOE POKASKI
Penciled by MARK BROOKS & TYLER KIRKHAM
Cover by ED McGUINNESS
The unthinkable has happened as the X-Men find themselves reeling from the devastating events of Ultimatum. A band of humans have stolen Sentinel technology and attacked Xavier's mansion -- killing any mutant they see. With the X-Men locked in battle with Magneto -- can anyone save these students? Their greatest hope might rest in the hands of their worst enemy as the Weapon X program returns! Also, Ultimatum has hit the planet hard and the Baxter Building was ground zero. Johnny is still missing. Dr. Storm is dead. And Reed has taken off to parts unknown. Sue's life hangs in the balance and rests in the hands of untested pilot Ben Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing, and Dr. Arthur Molekevic, now better known as the megalamonical Mole Man. Collecting ULTIMATE X-MEN #98-100 and ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #58-60.
144 PGS./Rated T+ ...$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3432-9
Trim size: standard

...It's Ultimatum. You love it or you hate it. I'm probably in the latter category. The book loses one connection rating for being only half FF though.

Reaction: Meh

FF Connection: Significent FF 

IRON MAN: LEGACY OF DOOM TPB
Written by DAVID MICHELINIE
Penciled by RON LIM & BOB LAYTON
Cover by RON LIM & BOB LAYTON
Dr. Doom returns to menace Iron Man in the chilling and long-awaited conclusion of the Camelot Trilogy! Mephisto has apparently found a way to bring about the End of Days, and Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom must form an uneasy alliance to try and stop him. But all may not be as it seems. And it takes a journey to Hell itself before the shocking truth is revealed! Iron Man legends David Michelinie and Bob Layton are joined by penciler supreme Ron Lim to bring you an epic literally decades in the making! Collecting Iron Man: Legacy of Doom #1-4.
112 PGS./Rated T+ ...$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3463-3

What can I say? If you're a true Doom fan, you'll already own the issues and / or the hardcover, but this is great value!

Reaction: Strong Anticipation

FF Connection: Very Significent Doom 

Dark Reign Update....OF DOOM!

..Sheesh, that labels far is filling up fast since this  is the first week and I'm trying to do a few regular features. :p Anyway, it strikes me that since two FF supporting characters are after all key members of the Cabal, there's probably going to be some fairly frequent updates on FF-related news from Dark Reign. To that end, where relevant I'll do a summary of Dark Reign related news every so often as it relates to those characters or our Favourite Foursome! For our first update-

1. Black Panther preview and Interview-

http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.6574.Tuesday_Q%26A~colon~_Reginald_Hudlin

This makes me pretty terrified. Both Doctor Doom and, from these preview pages, Namor, will be in Hudlin's revamped Black Panther as part of Dark Reign. Last time Hudlin got near him, it was the worst Doom I've read in many long years. Oh dear....

Status: Terrified Trepidation

2. Dark Avengers #1 preview and Interview-

http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/943/943754p1.html

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/010912-Bendis-Tapes.html

The preview features Morgan Le Fey looking at the cabal in her cauldron, and we know from solicits that she'll be very angry at a member of them... which has a 99% chance of being Doom since Bendis ended his last pre-SI Mighty Avengers arc with him snubbing her due to the minor technicality of being in jail. Also, Bendis made a comment which stood out to me- "For example, you'll see plenty of the Doctor Doom and Namor duo in Dark Avengers leading to a bigger story...NOT AN EVENT". The Doctor Doom and Namor duo, eh? Sounds like something important for fans of FF supporting characters to be following. Fortunately, as someone who likes the concept, I was planning on following anyway. :) And while I liked their scene together in the special and the idea of the old Super-Villain Team-Up duo (And indeed, FF 6 duo!) coming back, Bendis' Doom from Mighty Avengers and Hobo Namor from the special do haunt me somewhat....

Status: Cautious Anticipation

3. Dark Reign: Fantastic Four Interview

....But now I can't remember where. I swear there was one, I'll dig it up! Obviously this is the most important and relevant one for FF fans. Somewhat surprisingly, Doctor Doom will not be showing up, which I guess is because he has starring roles in both Dark Reign and Fantastic Four so the idea of him appearing at all in Dark Reign: Fantastic Four is obviously madness. Hickman also mentioned that it took him a while to find the character's voices, which I think is preferable to writers who claim they had it perfect straight away, and that we can expect to see Doombots and Norman Osborn after issue three. He also said that it will deal with Reed trying to work out what has gone so wrong and where his mistakes have been since Civil War, Secret Invasion etc, which is an intriguing premise which hopefully doesn't grow too stale. But I've never read any of Hickman's work, the continuity here already makes my head hurt and no Doom and no Namor in the FF's part in an event where they are integral players is baffling, so...

Status: Cautious Anticipation

And thus we conclude our first Dark Reign Update.... of DOOM! Next up, hopefully, a full run-down of FF #2. Because clearly, the one thing we have not had enough of at this stage is Skrulls!