Fantastic Four #561 – Review

By Mark Millar (writer) Bryan Hitch (art), Paul Neary (inks), Paul Mounts (colors)

The Story: Mr. Fantastic, the Thing, and the Invisible Woman pursue her future self to the New Defenders floating head quarters.  In customary fashion, they arrive just in time to save the Human Torch and prevent the transportation of 8 billion refugees from the future Earth to the present one. In the course of the battle between the two teams, the “Hooded Man” of the New Defenders, who besides having possibly the worst name in comic book history, is revealed to be a familiar character with interesting connections to another one of Millar’s current projects.

What’s Good: This is definitely the best issue in the second arc of Millar’s F.F. run. Plotlines and past developments are tied together nicely, and even though some reveals are predictable, they are still pulled off in novel enough ways to keep the story engaging. Millar employs interesting time travel concepts that remain cool even after basic logic disrobes them some. Hitch’s art tells the story perfectly and the action scenes are clear and full of detail and interesting perspective.

What’s-Not-So-Good: Perhaps in many corners of the industry it is heresy to criticize Hitch’s art, but the characters’ faces he draws for this series in non-action scenes look strange and inconsistent. Also, Galactus’s role in this arc is useless, and his fate is frustrating and unsatisfying.

Conclusion: Millar has single handedly made me interested in the Fantastic Four again with these high-concept stories and faithful, sometimes sensational, interpretations of the first-family of superheroes. Hitch’s art keeps me rereading issue after issue, mesmerized by the detail and layout he produces. If you haven’t been reading this series, now is a great time to jump in, as one arc concludes and another begins. Plus, the trade of this arc is due out soon.

Grade: B+

-Rob Galinsky