Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Unthinkable: Part 4
Written by: Mark Waid
Penciled by: Mike Wieringo
Inked by: Karl Kesel & Larry Stucker
Colored by: Paul Mounts
Lettered by: Virtual Calligraphy’s: Russ Wooton
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I feel I must chime in on the recent happenings with regard to the writing slot on FANTASTIC FOUR. 411mania’s own Starman Matt Morrison, summed up matters very well in his review of issue 499 (70), “…we must do whatever we can to keep Mr. Waid on this title!†Damn right! What is Marvel thinking firing Mark Waid? I’ve been reading FF since the 9-cent issue, when Waid started his run, and I’m done when Mark’s run ends with issue 508. I don’t care who the new guy is; I just can’t support this book. I dumped IRON MAN, when Marvel unceremoniously parted ways with Mike Grell, so it’s good-bye to FF as well.
With much of the hostility out of the way, the latest issue of FANTASTIC FOUR closes out the “Unthinkable†storyline in a big way. My expectations for “Unthinkable†were exceeded, and further illustrating Waid’s skill, the plotline didn’t go quite where I anticipated. Mark Waid certainly didn’t disappoint considering the major consequences for the titular heroes coming out of this anniversary event.
SOAPBOX BREAK
I really don’t want to, but I guess I should comment on the latest Marvel gimmick. This issue is numbered 500, and returns FANTASTIC FOUR to it’s old numbering. Without getting much further off track, I just want to say this is one of the finest and most hollow ideas I’ve seen. Yes this classic title should have it’s numbering restored, but it’s Marvel’s own cheap gimmicks that put this great book at the somewhat lackluster number of 71. I can respect the idea of returning this book to the original numbering, and I really don’t worry about the effects for those cataloging the title. The notion really is meaningless when Marvel just restarted Wolverine, which was their second longest running book, as far as numbering, at the time. As always with Marvel it’s just about a money grab, and spinning the story, with no real care for their product or fans.
NOW BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED REVIEW
Waid’s run has blended all of the classic elements of the FF, leading up to this mammoth confrontation with Dr. Doom. Waid is a comic historian, and has the characterization on all the players involved down to a science. His time on the book should be heralded, and go down as some of the best stories FANTASTIC FOUR has seen since men like Lee and Kirby, or Byrne worked here. Instead he gets booted out on his duff. Typical Marvel!
The greatest thing about Waid’s run has been the classic approach to storytelling. FF is one of the few Marvel books that have remained close to its roots. I sure hope that Marvel’s denials about the suburban comedy direction are true, because if the FF moves into a small town with Mole Man as their zany neighbor, the whole company should shutter operations. In any case, I’m sure the “New and Improved†FF will oddly enough have new costumes or sport some other gimmick quite similar to that in the upcoming feature film. With the way Marvel’s comic publishing is going I’m surprised Spider-Man hasn’t mutated and gotten organic web-shooters yet.
Mike Wieringo’s art certainly draws judgment from distant ends of the spectrum. I am in the camp that loves his work. The cartoony, strong-jawed visuals are wonderful especially when paired with Karl Kesel and Larry Stucker’s crisp inks. Merged with the vibrant coloring of Paul Mount, the imagery simply bursts off the page assaulting the senses.
Well I am truly sorry for the scatterbrained review. There are just a lot of things going on with this book, which makes it hard to write a straight review. It’s a disgrace that with the events over the past month or so, it’s become very hard to savor just how good this title is. How can you love a book so much, but feel so bad reading it? It’s the opposite of GODFATHER: PART III, just when I thought I was in, they throw me out. That’s okay Marvel, there’s lots of great books out there, and I certainly won’t beg you to take my money!
