Ultimate Fantastic Four: The Fantastic (Fantastic Four)

Rating:
Summary: Best Ultimate Comic Ever
Review: "The Fantastic" storyline follows the events leading up to the classic family's transformation and their first adventure in this fun new addition to the Ultimate universe.

Bendis' and Millar's story here seems more forced and problematic than their corresponding Ultimate titles. Although the book collects the first six issues of the series, (and probably due to Marvel's decompressed style of storytelling these days) the origin story seems rushed and several plot elements aren't completely believable. While the writers should receive credit for trying to remain true to the original stories, the first villian and his monsters seem completely unbelievable given that the Ultimate universe is supposed to take place in the real world; and Ben Grimm's sudden appearance prior to the accident which transforms the characters also seems fake.

Adam Kubert's work here is very good as he captures the characters perfectly. The colors by Stewart are also good as they perfectly convey the different settings with appropriate realism.

Although not as strong as other Ultimate titles (Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimates), "Ultimate FF" is still good and wide open to a great variety of new stories (here's to Warren Ellis, the new writer who is better suited for these type of stories).

Rating:
Summary: Next to the Ultimates, this is the best Ultimate title
Review: Aside from the Ultimates, I'm not much of a fan of Marvel's Ultimate universe, but the recent, and for many eagerly awaited, Ultimate Fantastic Four greatly kicks off the Ultimate version of Marvel's first family courtesy of co-scribes and Ultimate vets Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Mark Millar (Ultimates) and artist Adam Kubert. Collecting the first six issue arc called The Fantastic; young and misunderstood genius Reed Richards' discovery of another dimension leads him to the Baxter Building under the tutelage of Dr. Storm. Later, Reed, along with his childhood friend Ben Grimm, Dr. Storm's two children Sue and Johnny, and his newfound rival Victor Van Damme (yes, Bendis changed Doom's name), are seperated during an experiment with Victor missing, and the other four with extraordinary powers. Bendis' snappy dialogue suits the book well, and Kubert's art gives it a flashy, polished look. While this first collection is a solid work, the second storyarc, entitled Doom, is penned by Transmetropolitan scribe Warren Ellis, and is something really special.