lots of enjoyable stuff in here, but a bit inconsistent. makes me like the FF and the side characters, quality can dip randomly, both in writing and art. its best when its big picture though, and its best contribution to comics is probably setting up the secret wars stuff hickman does later. the stuff with johnny works, but it feels silly at times and a reminder of why big character events in marvel often don't work. also i love the respect hickman has for doom. nothing wrong with new takes on characters, but its good to acknowledge when you can't make your own villain that's as interesting or whatnot, and instead building up on classic characters. ( )

The Fantastic Four is Marvel's first superhero family with a heavy Sci-Fi theme. I heard a lot of positive comments about Hickman's run on Fantastic Four. And now I get to add mine as I agree positive comments are well deserved.

We get to see how Reed reacts after the failed Skrull invasion and Civil War aftermath. He searches for the answers to how to solve everything and in so doing finds a council of alternate universe counterparts trying to solve all the problems on their worlds. But their methods may not match his ethics... this sets off a fairly complex storyline with lots of things going on in the background with maneuvering by Doom, Moleman, The Wizard, and several groups including the Inhumans and the Atlanteans.

The two Richards children are key elements and hilarious hi-jinks ensure when the adults are out and Norman Oswald (the former Green Goblin) shows up as head of government law enforcement agency (Shield/Hammer) to take them into custody.

The writing was kept me turning the pages and immersed in the story. Very happy with this work. Much better than the two Fantastic Four movies.

Minor cons, the ending leaving you hanging (this is volume one), no page numbers, and no written intro from the author or anyone. The only extras are the 50th anniversary covers in the back of the book. ( )