The New Fantastic Four

Written by Dwayne McDuffie

Art by Paul Pelletier

Marvel

Due to two recent major events in the comic book industry, I determined this should be the book of the month that I selected. Last month, the comics industry was shocked when we lost an extremely talented individual named Dwayne McDuffie. Whether you know who he is or not, chances are he’s had an impact on your comic reading experience. He wrote entertaining stories for many different companies, and had a major role in the animation field as well, giving us Static Shock and writing many of your favorite Justice League Unlimited episodes.

Also last month, the Fantastic Four lost the Human Torch to the devastating Annihilus hordes from the Negative Zone, in a way disbanding the team. The news made headlines worldwide, and was spoiled days before the issue had even hit stores. Because of these two events, one story in particular jumped out at me from a few years ago, and I find it very fitting that this Book Of The Month selection is sort of my own personal tribute to Dwayne McDuffie, may he rest in peace.

The New Fantastic Four debuted in Fantastic Four issues 544-550, taking place after Marvel’s Civil War event. Sue and Reed needed a break and decided to take a second honeymoon while trying to resolve some issues between them, while T’Challa and Storm need a new Wakandian embassy for the time being as the one in New York was just bombed. Seeing an opportunity to help out Reed and Sue, Black Panther and Storm set-up home at the Baxter Building and join the team as the new husband and wife part of the equation.

Spanning from cosmic battles against Galactus and his heralds, to battling the Fearsome Five on the moon Titan, McDuffie and Pelletier keep us the reader entertained to the max. McDuffie had said in prior interviews that writing the Fantastic Four was a lifelong dream for him, so you can absolutely tell he put heart and soul into this collection. It really is a great tribute to the Fantastic Four stories of old, and has the perfect mixture of fun, science-fiction, and glorious illustrations. Paul Pelletier kills it on art, and has the cast rendered beautifully throughout while at the same time gives us exciting scenes of cosmic proportions.

Whether you’re a new fan or old fan of the Fantastic Four, McDuffie gives us longtime friends and foes for everyone to enjoy including the Watcher, Silver Surfer, the Wizard and so many more. Do yourself a favor and pick this trade up, because it really demonstrates how talented McDuffie was, and maybe it will inspire you to checkout his other masterworks as well.

Click here for past Book Of The Month reviews!

Episode 150! Can you believe it? I’m pretty sure I can. Pick Of The Week goes to Bryan Q. Miller & Pere Perez for Batgirl #17 (DC). Fast Five picks include Heroes For Hire #2 (Marvel), Birds Of Prey #8 (DC), The Infinite Vacation #1 (Image), Black Panther #514 (Marvel), and R.E.B.E.L.S. #24 (DC).

See you all in another 150 episodes!

Spectacular week for comics! The pick of the week goes to none other than the Crimson Comedian, the Regeneratin’ Degenerate, the Merc With A Mouth, that’s right; Deadpool #2 (Marvel)! Fast Five picks include Captain America #42 (Marvel), Hellboy: The Crooked Man #3 (Dark Horse), The Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall And The Death Queen Of California (Marvel), Superman / Batman #52 (DC), and Black Panther #41 (Marvel).

Marvel truly did dominate this week, and with Deadpool leading the way, how can you go wrong?

In this Skrullicious episode, New Avengers #44 (Marvel) reigns supreme. Fast Five picks include Final Crisis: Rogues’ Revenge #2 (DC), Northlanders #9 (Vertigo), Black Panther #40 (Marvel), Justice Society of America #18 (DC), and Kick-Ass #4 (Icon).

Half crossovers, half kick-ass vikings this week. Seriously; it was a great week for comics.

Huzzah! Cammy’s Comic Corner is back, and ready for action! Pick of the week this time around is Green Lantern #33 (DC). Fast Five picks include Black Panther #39 (Marvel), Dynamo 5 #15 (Image), Thor #10 (Marvel), Joker’s Asylum: Two-Face (DC), and Wolverine #67 (Marvel).

And to think; this time last week I was busy editing all those Comic-Con videos!

Top pick this week was Marvel’s Kick-Ass #1 (Icon). Fast Five picks include Black Panther Annual #1 (Marvel), Doctor Who #1 (IDW), Daredevil #105 (Marvel), Blue Beetle #24 (DC), and Thor #6 (Marvel). Have you hugged your local comic geek today?