I haven't been this excited for the Fantastic Four in years. This big crazy arc is over and there are plenty of happy and sad moments.
The Good
FANTASTIC FOUR has always been one of my favorite series. The first issue I read was during John Byrne's run (issue #273). Ironically that issue also marked one of his first appearances. The series has had its ups and downs over the years but since Hickman took over with issue #570, we've seen the beginning of an epic new direction. Reading this issue shows you the seeds that Hickman planted nearly three years ago. There has been so many huge happenings and the battle against the Celestials along with Galactus has pushed the story into new boundaries.
With everything at stake, there's always the chance of things going wrong. There is a lot of talk about sacrifice and that's what makes the story great to read and also hard to take in. Hickman takes a bold direction and you have to wonder how he's going to top this adventure next issue.
Having Steve Epting handle the art duties makes this even more spectacular. There's a heavy mood and his art with Paul Mounts somber tones really plays up that feel.
There's a spectacular battle and you'll find yourself cheering and cringing as you turn the page.
The Bad
Heavy action with great art and colors, there's nothing bad here.
The Verdict
It's great when a writer can stay on a title for a while. It's even better when you get to see them take the book in the direction they wanted and tell the stories they have in mind. Nearly all of Hickman's run has maintained a high quality feel and you could see how everything he's done has been leading up to this point. We can look back now at past issues and see how everything happened for a reason. We sometimes see subplots developed that get lost or forgotten but that isn't the case here. Steve Epting's art makes this explosive issue even better by delivering exactly what we want and expect from him. We may not always get to see Epting and Hickman together but when they are, it's a definite treat. Hickman's run just makes me proud to be a fan of the Fantastic Four. I have no idea how he can top this massive story but chances are he's already busily working on the next big adventure.