Is anyone following this series? I just got done reading the latest issue and I'm honestly enjoying it. I keep hearing things about Millar's story being considered as alternate reality and most of Masters of Doom being ignored but there seems to be a lot of stuff from Millar's run that is being acknowledged. Like Valeria's hyperintelligence and Nu-World.
 
What got me last issue was that Valeria claimed to be smarter than her father and backed it up by solving an equation that took 100 scientists to solve the first time around. Does that mean that Valeria's the smartest person on Earth?
 
And what happened to the new Defenders/Fantastic Force, that was kind of messed up.

I've been reading. It was pretty messed up with what happened with the Fantastic Force. Since Hickman started writing, Valeria is definitely portrayed as a super genius. I think the issue you just read explains that they obviously have some plans for her. Seems like to me a lot of the older stuff is still there, but they are trying to move the story forward and focus on the Fantastic Four being a team once again.

" I've been reading. It was pretty messed up with what happened with the Fantastic Force. Since Hickman started writing, Valeria is definitely portrayed as a super genius. I think the issue you just read explains that they obviously have some plans for her. Seems like to me a lot of the older stuff is still there, but they are trying to move the story forward and focus on the Fantastic Four being a team once again. "

Well that is what has been said in interviews with Hickman, that he plans to focus on the team. It hasn't really happened yet though. The story arc with Reed and the Council was supposed to fortify that Reed will no longer be the center of attention and the focus being taken off of him and back to the FF. 
 
It seems like besides the story with the Council, that things are really being left unfinished. The Wizard clone kid came first. The most recent issue seems like it was all wrapped up and that is the end of that as well, although I feel it needs a little more attention. After all, that was one of Millar's big stories. It seems that Hickman kind of changed everything about it and left it to oblivion. I hope to see more about that as well as the Wizard clone.

When Hickman came as the writer it was the first time I tried a Fantastic Four comic, 4 issues in and so far I've loved the entire run

I can honestly say that I haven't enjoyed the Fantastic Four this much since the Mark Waid run. Hickman is doing a fantastic job with the books. I love the fact that he's developing Valeria into her own. I can't wait to see what he does with the team as a whole, and admittedly what he has planned for Sue. 
 
I have to say that for the moment the highlight of his run has to be when he had Reed choose his family over his want to solve everyone's problems. It showed quite a bit of growth, especially when you had the flashback scenes between a young Reed and his father.

" I can honestly say that I haven't enjoyed the Fantastic Four this much since the Mark Waid run. Hickman is doing a fantastic job with the books. I love the fact that he's developing Valeria into her own. I can't wait to see what he does with the team as a whole, and admittedly what he has planned for Sue.   I have to say that for the moment the highlight of his run has to be when he had Reed choose his family over his want to solve everyone's problems. It showed quite a bit of growth, especially when you had the flashback scenes between a young Reed and his father. "

I don't think we are supposed to know what it means, but it is leading to this:
 
 http://www.comicvine.com/galactus/29-2149/marvel-says-its-time-to-save-the-world/92-526563/

" I don't think we are supposed to know what it means, but it is leading to this:
 
 http://www.comicvine.com/galactus/29-2149/marvel-says-its-time-to-save-the-world/92-526563/ "

Well, when I saw the 'dead must not be forgotten', I automatically thought about Galactus (Whose death might happen in the upcoming Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk series).
 
 
 That's pretty awesome you noticed the members of the Council in that picture. I didn't catch that. It's good to know we will see more of them. 
 
It was said that the message was from Valeria in the future. Obviously, the future man is not Franklin, since he delivers the message. What's weird to me is that it seems Franklin may be responsible for some trouble in the near future. 
 
Another article about upcoming events: 
http://www.comicvine.com/fantastic-four/65-3804/will-the-fantastic-four-survive-2010/92-526350/ 

I@jloneblackheart said:

" . Obviously, the future man is not Franklin, since he delivers the message. What's weird to me is that it seems Franklin may be responsible for some trouble in the near future. 
 

" Well, when I saw the 'dead must not be forgotten', I automatically thought about Galactus (Whose death might happen in the upcoming Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk series).
 
 
 That's pretty awesome you noticed the members of the Council in that picture. I didn't catch that. It's good to know we will see more of them. 
 
It was said that the message was from Valeria in the future. Obviously, the future man is not Franklin, since he delivers the message. What's weird to me is that it seems Franklin may be responsible for some trouble in the near future. 
 
Another article about upcoming events: 
http://www.comicvine.com/fantastic-four/65-3804/will-the-fantastic-four-survive-2010/92-526350/  "

Based on G-Man's article, I would say no. It seems he is the cure, not the cause.

Hmmm. I suppose we'll have to wait and see. I'm still curious to know how he meets his 'end' though.

Last he was seen, he was in Son of Hulk. He became addicted to the Old Power because of Skaar. Then Hiro Kala poisoned him with it, telling him he would die if he ever consumed it again. It seemed they parted ways but on Marvel's site there is a solicit for Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #2 due out in March that claims Galactus is the herald of Hiro Kala. 
 
 

Hail Galactus, Herald to the Son of the Hulk?! As the SON OF HULK, Hiro-Kala, sets loose a chain of events that forever alters Jarella's World and threatens the entire sub-atomic Microverse, a vision reveals his future metamorphosis into a god-like being, with an enslaved Galactus at his control! As his dark destiny unfolds, Commander Rann and Princess Mari arrive on the planet K'ai, as Rann's obsessive quest to find an Enigma Force cure to his deadly radiation disease finally takes it's toll… but are they too late? 
 

"Based on G-Man's article, I would say no. It seems he is the cure, not the cause. "

Why would Galactus become addicted to Old Power? Did it act as sustenance to him just like the energies of planets? Oh boy. Something tells me I'm not going to like this.

TBH i've read so much fantastic four that I'm getting sick of Franklin Richards stories..

Why would Skaar spite the people like that? Because why else would he do that and endanger so many lives? So now we have an addict Galactus running about who can pretty much go crazy from the sounds of it. Like I said... I don't like how this is sounding already. 
 
It is wrong that I just had an image of Galactus going to rehab? =S

HAHA. It's going to be one giant collection of super powers to get that intervention going.
 
Well, the Surfer tried to reason with Skaar, but he didn't want to give up the planet (and his mother, Caiera, who was part of the Old Power of the planet) so he decided that is what he was going to do instead of leave the planet and save billions of lives, inclusding those of Sakaar. Even his mother disagreed with him and banished him to Earth through a wormhole, but right before he went through he blasted Big G with some Old Power, making him crazy for the stuff.

Wait. Wait. Wait... Caeira has been making appearances in this book?! Holy crap why wasn't I told  this earlier? Caeira has certainly been one of my favorite newer characters you know... up until Marvel killed her during the end of Planet Hulk. But she's kinda back so I may have to pick these books up now!
 
Still, I'm not sure I'm keen on the direction they've taken with Galactus with this. I just can't see Galactus addicted to something to the point of going crazy. He's been neutral for so long now that anything else just seems wrong, you know?

Skaar, like the spiteful little bastard he is, turned Galactus into a cosmic crackhead looking for his next fix. I really hope Galactus kicks his addiction. 
 
I'm still stuck on what four cities are going to war. If Subterranea is earth, Atlantis is water, what could possibly be Air and Fire? The flying city of Red Raven's Bird-People?

I'll never get over an addict Galactus. Just the thought seems wrong on so many levels. It almost feels like they've cheapened his character. Maybe I'm overreacting but it just seems that way. 
 
I'm curious as to that too. Unfortunately nothing is coming to mind for Air or Fire. Perhaps Asgard for air since it's floating? Although it's going to be embroiled with Siege so I'm not so sure.

@Captainess Boricua said:

"I'll never get over an addict Galactus. Just the thought seems wrong on so many levels. It almost feels like they've cheapened his character. Maybe I'm overreacting but it just seems that way.   I'm curious as to that too. Unfortunately nothing is coming to mind for Air or Fire. Perhaps Asgard for air since it's floating? Although it's going to be embroiled with Siege so I'm not so sure. "

It does sound kind of dumb but if you read skaar son of hulk, it explains it in a much better way and sounds much more natural 

@iLLituracy said:

"Skaar, like the spiteful little bastard he is, turned Galactus into a cosmic crackhead looking for his next fix. I really hope Galactus kicks his addiction.   I'm still stuck on what four cities are going to war. If Subterranea is earth, Atlantis is water, what could possibly be Air and Fire? The flying city of Red Raven's Bird-People? "

I would assume asgard is of air. im not sure what the fire city would be but that could be the tie in bringing hiro-kala to earth for the fall of hulks and the end of seige in to an all out war.

"It does sound kind of dumb but if you read skaar son of hulk, it explains it in a much better way and sounds much more natural "

there are times when i almost stopped picking the book up but the end ties it up nicely and changes the total perspective of Hiro.

How many issues long is it?

Wait a minute... Caiera and Hulk had two sons?! I mean I kept hearing you mention Hiro Kala and I wondered if that was some name someone had given Skaar... and now I'm not so sure.

"Wait a minute... Caiera and Hulk had two sons?! I mean I kept hearing you mention Hiro Kala and I wondered if that was some name someone had given Skaar... and now I'm not so sure. "

" @DEGRAAF: Alright this is some massively lazy writing. So there was no indication whatsoever of another Caeira/ Hulk son and all of a sudden Hiro Kala is related to them? I'm curious to find some validity in this too. Ugh, this sucks because the stories involving Planet Hulk and Skaar were pretty damn enjoyable (at least the first 3 or 4 issues of the Skaar series that I did read) and now all of a sudden they're going to throw this into the mix and confuse everyone? Meh, maybe Hiro is another 'piece' of Skaar. Skaar obviously took after Hulk and Hiro definitely takes after Caeira... what if the Old Power did something to split both facet of this child born of two worlds? Granted it's a long shot and it seems out of there but it would make more sense that just randomly throwing in "Oh.. .and Hiro is also son of Caeira and Hulk!" "

Really? Hmmm. It'll be interesting to see how they spin this little mystery. It seems out there.

"Really? Hmmm. It'll be interesting to see how they spin this little mystery. It seems out there. "

Ugh, if they don't than what was the point of introducing his character like that? The writer has to figure that the fans want to know how exactly Hiro came to be! So then it was Hiro Kala and not Skaar that got Galactus doped up on the Old Power?

i think Son Of Hulk is a really good read, best of the rest of the Hulk family books...
wait i mean F4 is a good read, wait...the hell are we talking about here?
 
and for the record i doubt Hickman will intertwine the Son Of Hulk stories into F4. 
F4 currently is a fairly self contained story, as is Son of Hulk, despite their appearances
in larger arcs even.

You can comment on both, CATMANEXE. *Lol.* From what I have read of the Skaar books I thought it was an awesome read myself but I haven't kept up with what's going which I will need to do so now especially with all the info Degraaf was kind enough to share.
 
And I would have to agree 100% about the Fantastic Four. Fantastic read if anything.

Well, Subterrania is one of the 'four cities' based on the preview of issue #575 that's in a few books this week.

"Ugh, if they don't than what was the point of introducing his character like that? The writer has to figure that the fans want to know how exactly Hiro came to be! So then it was Hiro Kala and not Skaar that got Galactus doped up on the Old Power? "