Fantastic Four #3

I don't even know where to start so I'm just gonna wing it. I frickin' LOVE this series and this issue continues to impress. Fraction is capturing these characters in a way we haven't seen in a loooong time. I feel like I'm reading the series before the 90's and some of the horrible things going on in the industry then. Fraction writes everyone with the personalitys they were originally written with and I can't gush over it enough. Ben is a bit over-the-top and rough as a cobb, Johnny is a prankster and cracks jokes, Sue, though a bit stiff, is the solid foundation and Reed is the curious man of science as always holding on to his secrets. It's amazing to see such character and personality. Character driven story is something I pine for and Fraction delivers. This issue, sort of a stand alone, sees the family finding a planet and wanting to explore but get more than they bargained for. It's truly good writing and entertaining as it gets. I laughed and shouted at some of the things that happened, its that involved. All I can say is flying Thing. 'Nuff said.

Bagley continues to draw these characters beautifully and with a very classic look. His backgrounds and splash pages look great. Every time he draws space I take it in and look at what he has done because he draws it so well. They picked just the right man for the job. This is a very classic book in both writing and art and Bagley channels it well. I really hope he sticks with it.

This is without a doubt a buy issue. I hate that the series doesn't get as much attention as it should, because if it keeps this up it'll earn my best book in print, easily. Fraction is impressing me and a part of me is waiting for the drop point, because I have such a fear of his work, but if it does suddenly flop downhill, I will still respect what has happened so far. Excellent work on this book. Buy it!