They're running from Mickey.
Book of the week: Fantastic Four.
It says a lot for writer Jonathan Hickman that a week as strong as this one gets cast aside so casually by his first issue in the proper FF series. Hickman had recently done a Dark Reign mini starring Marvel's First Family, but issue 570 is where he truly makes his mark.
Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch had quite a bumpy run prior to this, but still, it was memorable and even enjoyable up until the last several issues. But this new team has succeeded in swatting them out of the way like flies. The story revolves around the idea that the world will end as a result of humanity's mistakes and that Reed must come up with a solution to... everything. I won't reveal how the story happens, but the crux of it is so brilliant that one must wonder why no one else had thought of it first?
Despite Hickman outshining the FF's most recent shepherds, he never forgets them. Several story elements mix concepts introduced by previous writers like Dwayne McDuffie and Millar.
But the coupe de gras comes from the talented pencils of Dale Eaglesham. Dale was a rising star over at DC, bringing the original Secret Six miniseries and Justice Society of America to brilliant life. While I miss the synergy that he and Geoff Johns briefly shared, his work at Marvel looks better than anything he's done before. His work is clean and vibrant. This is only his first project since he signed with Marvel, and I dare say this is only the start of great things from him.
In the end: FF #570 is a breath of fresh air that retains the familiarity of the classic Four. Both penciler and writer are obviously destined for greatness. Hop on board now.
My Skechers do the same thing to me.
Runner up: Flash Rebirth #4
Rebirth had been one of the biggest disappointments for me this year. Though I was against the resurrection of Barry Allen, I was drooling at the thought of a new comic from Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.
Sadly, the book fell flat, and the first three issues failed to impress. However, despite a slow start and a predictable villain, this book finally seems to be running on all cylinders.
While neither Johns nor Van Sciver is giving a career defining moment, they finally seem to be conveying the excitement they feel onto the pages. It's hard not to get caught up in all of it, in spite of the fact that most of the book is exposition about what's been happening as we gear up towards a big fight scene next issue. However none of that seems to slow the book's pace, and the overall effect is very satisfying.
My only complaint is that the revelations about the Speed Force don't make any sense whatsoever (even in comic book physics) but I have enough faith in Johns to see it through to the end.
In the end: if you'd abandoned this mini, come on back, the fun is just starting.
Not nearly as crazy as the story inside.
Runner Up: Detective Comics #856
It's almost unfair to the other books to put Detective Comics in the running. As long as JH William is artist, this will be one of my top picks each month. The man's work is so gorgeous and nuanced that it defies description.
This week continues where last month left off. Batwoman and her father are surrounded by monsters and killer cult members, and she's unconscious. Oddly, the monsters turn out to be something very different than what the appear. The story then shifts to a study of the relationships and psychology of Kate Kane and her family.
What's great is that Williams adjusts his art for each scene. Last month's sequences featured a dream-like style as Kate hallucinated. This issue starts with a very moody, organic style that fits monster-movie theme, then moves on to a more elegant approach as the Kane family attends a ball.
The Question back-up by Greg Rucka and Cully Hamner is also worth the cash, even though it's only a few pages. Though I am pleased with Rucka's work with Batwoman, I still argue that he and Williams should tackle the Question in the main series, with Batwoman as the back-up. Still, he and Hamner keep these all too brief moments fun and intense. Hopefully somewhere down the line, the adventures of Rene Montoya will merit their own monthly.
In the end: Greg Rucka and JH WIlliams III; why aren't you reading this book????
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