Marvel has been going “retro” lately exploring concepts, characters, and teams of the past. In some cases, the stories have been just entertaining nostalgia. In others, they’ve added to the previous experience and characters. New Fantastic Four #1 kicks off the latest example of that. We return to the day when Spider-Man, Hulk, Ghost Rider, and Wolverine teamed up. Why? I honestly don’t remember, it was such a long time ago and I was an FF reader then so didn’t really care. The debut issue doesn’t really remind us why either, instead dropping the reader right into the action as the team must take on a demonic villain.
Peter David returns to the team and for the most part, the comic feels like a retro adventure. There’s something both good and bad about that. The issue would have generally felt at home during the original run as the start of a new arc but one that doesn’t feel like it’s going to deliver much. As I said, some of these types of series have added to the history and characters but so far, this debut just feels like a comic. That’s not necessarily bad and while the comic has its entertaining moments, it also isn’t enough to really excite.
Joining David is Alan Robinson on art. With color by Mike Spicer and lettering by Joe Caramagna, the comic sticks to its classic feel in look as well. Beyond the printing and coloring being modern, the art style feels like it’d fit in well with the past iterations. There’s some fun and funny moments but the comic lacks that punch that one might hope for to excite.
New Fantastic Four #1 isn’t bad but it also doesn’t excite. The best moment involves Spider-Man and the Vulture and then a later joke involving the Vulture. It sets things up nicely but doesn’t do it in a way that you have to read the next issue. It sadly feels like a forgettable spin-off miniseries or a short story arc where you just wait for the next bit thing. Nostalgia is great but we need a bit more than this.
Story: Peter David Art: Alan Robinson
Color: Mike Spicer Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Source: Graphic Policy
