The solicitation for Ultimate Fantastic Four # 1 and a sneak at the cover has been released by Diamond. Here's what they say:
quote:“The Ultimate Universe at long last gets the fourth corner of its foundation as the World’s Greatest Comic Magazine finally last makes its long-awaited Ultimate debut! Witness the birth of The Four - Reed Richards, Johnny Storm, Susan Storm & Ben Grimm – superhero icons for the new century! High school genius Reed Richards invites his friends to join him on the journey of a lifetime - and the Ultimate Universe will never be the same! It’s a series about science, high adventure, and above all else, family, set in the most dynamic and unpredictable Universe in the comic book world!”
And here's the cover:
Posted by Icefyre on :
Sorry think I'll pass!!!!
Posted by superboymddjr on :
not interested. Posted by Star Boy on :
I love Ultimates and Ult X-Men... and was waiting with (almost) bated breath for this one. Until I saw the cover. And read that 'high school' bit.
And I'm amazed that I'm saying this (as I LOOOOVE Hitch's art), but the cover seems somewhat uninspired. The likenesses are... off somehow.
Ah hell... I'll probably be getting a copy anyway. Posted by Outdoor Miner on :
That's one unattractive cover.
Posted by DrakeB3003 on :
Anyone read this?
As usually happens with these Ultimate titles, it's a little odd to see characters we've known for so long getting their "start" in the modern age, but there are some interesting new twists on the old mythos.
Ben as Reed's protector from bullies is about as close to being war buddies as you can get for modern day teens I suppose -- highschool is war after all...
This is all about Reed the little brainiac and his transdimensional breakthrough. They do a good job of describing his home life and how much of an outcast he is. I imagine having the FF become his family will mean that much more to him considering what a bad father figure he grew up with.
We barely get a look at Johnny and Sue (and I expect Doom's lurking around that facility for gifted kids somewhere, but I guess we'll see...).
I wish we'd gotten more story, but that's the case with most comics these days. It's an interesting setup so far and I'll be around to see how they get their powers and what their status quo will be.
[ January 05, 2004, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: DrakeB3003 ]
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
Was it worth the price of admission? I've gotten burned out on the Ultimate Universe except for X-Men and the Ultimates (when they decide to release a new issue). Spider-Man went down hill big time, Team-up never got it together and I'd just rather forget Daredevil/Elektra. So I decided to give this one a skip.
Posted by Star Boy on :
I liked it - damn those that complain with comments like "But the original only took four pages to give us an origin! You're padding the story!"... I like a story with exposition, and that's what we're getting here. It's definately a Reed tale (with sidebar on Ben), but I'm sure Johnny and Sue'll get plenty of airtime in the next couple of issues.
I give it 4/5... Posted by DrakeB3003 on :
quote:Originally posted by Star Boy: I liked it - damn those that complain with comments like "But the original only took four pages to give us an origin! You're padding the story!"...
I hear what you're sayin', but sometimes it's not a case of a story being padded with characterization or meaningful details, but that not a lot actually happens in 22 pages. Something like "Supreme Power", whose story moves at a pretty slow pace is chock full of meaningful details. (it's also telling several origins concurrently)
Fantastic Four #1 isn't really such a bad offender of this though. While I do wish we had gotten more story, the stuff with Reed is all fairly meaningful to establish him since he's the crucial figure in the team and their origin.
Posted by DrakeB3003 on :
quote:Originally posted by Lightning Lad: Was it worth the price of admission?
That's a tough one. I guess it depends on how much of an FF fan you are and how much you're willing to invest on something that will probably be good in the long run. The first issue didn't blow me away, but is a solid way to establish Reed as an alienated child genius with a bully for a father, an ineffective mother and Ben as his friend and protector.
Posted by MLLASH on :
Sounds interesting. Maybe I'll get it as a TPB...
Posted by Star Boy on :
quote:Originally posted by DrakeB3003:
quote:Originally posted by Star Boy: I liked it - damn those that complain with comments like "But the original only took four pages to give us an origin! You're padding the story!"...
I hear what you're sayin', but sometimes it's not a case of a story being padded with characterization or meaningful details, but that not a lot actually happens in 22 pages.
Yeah - I agree. Sometimes stories are definately padded to 'make up the trade', but too often fanboys used to 22 pages of people getting smashed through walls tend to balk if they actually have to read some introspective conversation or interpersonal dialogue. Posted by icefire on :
Anyone reading the regular FF title it is so rockin' good right now!!!!
Posted by Semi Transparent Fellow on :
I'm going to pick this up. I was really impressed with Ultimate X-Men where they reintroduced Warren Worthington III. That got me hooked.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
So far Ultimate FF is very good. I'd like to see where this goes, I think the combination of Bendis and Millar writing it takes all of the bad qualities of both and puts them to the side (Bendis rattling on and on and Millar just being an asshole).
Hated to see Reed's head flushed in a toilet, but I was very pleased with this issue.
Posted by icefire on :
Might have to check this out!!!!
Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
quote:Originally posted by Lightning Lad: Was it worth the price of admission?
NO!
Like most modern comics in general, and the Ultimate line specifically, there is not nearly enough actual plot in any one issue to justify the cover price.
If the story at all intrigues you, this is one you'd be better off to wait for the eventual trade paperback on.
Posted by Portfolio Boy on :
quote:Originally posted by icefire: Anyone reading the regular FF title it is so rockin' good right now!!!!
I would have to disagree most veheminatly. I am not sure if it is Howard Porter's art, or is Waid's story is showing the mark of upper editorial meddling that was rumored to be happending just before his departure, but IMHO the entire Latveria arc has blown chunks!
I would have dropped the book but for Waid & Ringo being "re-hired."
Posted by Lightning Lad on :
Okay, the first two issues were not enough for me to want to add this to my hold list. But this news may just change that. From Newsarama:
quote:ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER MARVEL LEAK: ELLIS & IMMONEN ON UFF
With various sources citing a preview look at Wizard’s solicitation for issue #152, it appears that Marvel’s new creative team on Ultimate Fantastic Four will be Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonen, beginning with issue #7, shipping in June. According to the previewed solicitation for the magazine, issue #152 will feature a preview of the new team’s first issue. Newsarama has learned that the report of the new creative team is true.
In regards to confirmations or denials, Warren Ellis has been quite active recently on his Bad Signal mailing list, with two recent installments being seen by some as laying the foundation for his arguments in favor of his return to mainstream superheroes with a titles such as Ultimate Fantastic Four.
The first, which was released yesterday, February 17th was a meditation by Ellis on revamps and cover versions wherein he gave his thoughts on both revamps (“Revamps are at the heart of the commercial gig”) and cover versions and the role and importance of both in the comic book market, while, as always, extolling the importance of original material in comics.
Ellis’ Bad Signal from later yesterday was entitled “I’m Sorry,” a very…adult…apology with a dash of “get over it,” which, again, several readers are seeing as his move to cut off critics at the knees when they come at him with charges that he said he would never do superhero comics again.
Earlier in the week, Ellis revealed, via Bad Signal, that he had written an episode of the Justice League cartoon.
Meanwhile, on Brian Bendis’ messageboard, the writer added fuel to the already glowing fire, saying in a post entitled “Rumor Control Time…” that he had to “go write UFF…6.”
Immonen is exclusive to Marvel – the announcement was made last September.
Posted by Star Boy on :
Wow.
Posted by STU on :
Looks like they improved the cover a bit.
Sue, at least, looks less oddly drawn.
Posted by Star Boy on :
Agreed...
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
Lovers of the INHUMANS will want to check this out...
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... after reading the Ultimate version of THE DEFENDERS, I was afraid to see how THE INHUMANS would be 'ultimized'. That fear turns out to be unwarranted, as this issue provides an interesting... though chilly... variation on the characters.
Crystal's fun-- a genuine teen-age girl who comes across as girlish, powerful, vapid yet wise and silly at once, instincually rebellious but ultimately apparently conformist. A lot to accomplish in a debut.
I loved her.
And her dog, too.
The rest of the Inhumans don't make as vivid an impression as characters, despite very strong visualizations.
Ultimate Medusa doesn't bear the living mass of red hair, but instead has a colony of snakes growing out of her head, like her mythological namesake. She's commanding, and a bit petulant. Like in the 'real' Marvel universe, I miss the Medusa who ran away and had adventures.
Ultimate Gorgon is female... as the character always should've been, given the name. We never see her feet, so I don't know if she has the hooves and leg-strength of the 'real' version. She's plenty strong, though. And she wears a full-face mask. Interesting. Turn-to-stone vision/facade?
Ultimate Karnak appears an Asian sage, complete with flowing white goatee. He apparently shoots out some sort of lightning that seeks out his target's weakness and strikes it.
Ultimate Triton's barely in it... he seems to be reduced to the role of a guard along with a new Inhuman. He's ugly, like Lee's Triton in the 12 issue miniseries of a few years ago. (Boo! Bring back 'pretty' Triton! Maybe he just needs to spend some time in the sea... that lunar atmosphere can't be good for an amphibian.)
Ultimate Lockjaw's no different than the 'real' version. What if they were the same beast??!!! That'd be fun.
Ultimate Black Bolt didn't work for me. Why mess with one of comics' perfect looks? The half-white or light blue or silver cowl just looked odd. And though I think a skirt-wearing Inhuman would be fine... I don't think it should be Black Bolt.
Ultimate Maximus is prissy rather than drooling. Still Mad, I'm sure. This time, Crystal is expected to marry him (a fate worse than death)-- Ugh! This Maximus is worth a reappearance. First, I'd like to see *several* Inhuman stories not centered around this character in either universe, however.
The fate of Attilan was... unexpected. Should lead to something interesting.
I'm eager to read this group's next appearances.
I haven't read much of the Ultimate FF, so I'm not really familiar with them. LOVED Land's Johnny Storm on the cover, though. That might be enough to convince me to buy this regularly. Make Crystal a frequently appearing character and I know I will.
[ September 21, 2005, 09:29 PM: Message edited by: Mystery Lad ]
Posted by Tamper Lad on :
The inhumans were all very weird, quite rightly so I guess. I dont know what they were like in their early MU appearances but I guess you've got to start them as real outsiders so you can develop them slowly.
Pretty good issue, as all the Ultimate Annuals have been. Certainly a lot better than those stupid theme years that caused the demise of annual tradition. And from what I've seen on the shelves of the shops, commercially successful too. Maybe we'll get a new tradition.
Posted by Caliente on :
I dunno, I didn't really like it that much. Like the Ultimates 2 Annual, I felt like it was too much filler, not enough making me care. Unlike the Ultimates 2 Annual, which was redeemed because Nick Fury rocks so hardcore, I felt like the Inhumans just fell flat. Crystal was very contradicting and the fact that I don't really like her that much didn't help matters.
What can I say? Just wasn't my cup of tea.
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
Apparently I'm in the minority when it comes to this issue-- most of the reviews I've read have been pretty lukewarm, at best.
And here it was the book I enjoyed the most this week! <<snicker>>
Caliente, I'm curious... is it just Ultimate Crystal that you don't like very much, or Crystal in general?
Posted by Caliente on :
Crystal in general. I think she's a waste of a character. Actually, I'm really not an Inhuman fan overall. I pretty much only like Black Bolt and the dog.
Posted by MLLASH on :
I passed this by Friday at my CBS (though I couldn't help but take note of how cute both Crystal and Johnny looked on the cover; Land's art can make me buy a book I normally wouldn't, <see PHOENIX:ENDSONG> but I knew he was only doing the cover.
How's the art in the rest of the book, Todd?
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
Well, it's Jae Lee- the artist of the INHUMANS mini-series a few years ago, the one that debuted Boz and Tonaja .
I would've really liked to have seen Land's art on the story. Especially since he's going to be drawing the Inhumans as they reappear during the 'Tomb of Namor' storyline (supposedly).
But his art conveys the alienness of the characters. It's chilly- little warmth here(except for Crystal). Lee's Crystal here is light years ahead of the Crystal from the mini (his version of her there, along with Triton, was my one disappointment in the series). One thing I liked- Crystal's black stripe thingie seems to be a part of her hair now, rather than an ornament.
If there's any left at your CBS, give it a look.
Posted by MLLASH on :
JAE LEE?!?! I **LOVE** JAE LEE!
I'll get it. Wish I'd peeked inside it at the CBS yesterday.
Posted by ferroboy on :
quote:Originally posted by Caliente: Crystal in general. I think she's a waste of a character. Actually, I'm really not an Inhuman fan overall. I pretty much only like Black Bolt and the dog.
Even if you're not an Inhumans fan, the 12-issue mini from Jenkins and Lee a few years back was well worth the read. A great story and spectacular art.
Posted by legionadventureman on :
It is amazing how Black Bolt manages to keep from uttering a single word - is it will power or did he lose the power of speech since birth?
Posted by disaster boy on :
love lee and land enough to buy up all the recent ff's. i thought black bolt should have some sort of voice muffler mask in the "ultimate" universe. something more realistic...than him just holding it in.
the ultimate inhumans were interesting. ultimate johnny is hilarious.
and i am an inhuman lover!
[ September 26, 2005, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: disaster boy ]
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
Braggart!
[ September 26, 2005, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: Mystery Lad ]
Posted by disaster boy on :
am not!
we see gorgon's feet when thing knocks her and she seems to have normal feet.
Posted by MLLASH on :
I got it! Needless to say, I LOVED the artwork! And that smiling Johnny and Crystal on the cover... yummsville!
Ultimate Crystal was wonderful.
This will make a nice companion to the Jae Lee INHUMANS mini in my keeper box.
Posted by baycent54 on :
A word of explanation, Disaster Boy? Are you a lover of Inhumans or a lover who is inhuman?
Posted by legionadventureman on :
What is this Ultimate stuff? Seperate from the Marvel universe (that is, not in continuity?)
[ October 13, 2005, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: legionadventureman ]
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
quote:Originally posted by MLLASH: I got it! Needless to say, I LOVED the artwork! And that smiling Johnny and Crystal on the cover... yummsville!
Ultimate Crystal was wonderful.
This will make a nice companion to the Jae Lee INHUMANS mini in my keeper box.
Glad someone else enjoyed it! Supposedly, the Inhumans are going to be around in the next UFF storyline- one about Namor.
What'd you think of the other Inhumans?
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
quote:Originally posted by baycent54: A word of explanation, Disaster Boy? Are you a lover of Inhumans or a lover who is inhuman?
Or a lover with inhuman ability?
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
quote:Originally posted by legionadventureman: [QB] What is this Ultimate stuff? Seperate from the Marvel universe (that is, not in continuity?)
It's a sort of Earth 1/ Earth 2 thing, lam. Though the analogs have more or less all had the same faces beneath the superhero IDs-- unlike DC's multiverse.
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #24
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The FF as explorers, I love. Sue as a scientist nearly equal to Reed, I'm getting used to. I've read that lots of folk dislike Johnny's hair, but I like it. A lot. It differentiates him from the 'normal' Human Torch. The Egyptian element grafted onto Marvel's Atlantis is interesting. And fits Namor.
I instantly disliked Mama Storm, but I was supposed to. Really, though, I wish there'd be less focus on the previous generation of Richards and Storms (in any timeline). I think repeat stories featuring Nathaniel Richards have drug the 'normal' FF down. Here, maybe it's the Storms.
The Inhumans are supposed to figure into the 'Tomb of Namor' plot. Something to which I'm looking forward.
Greg Land's art is beautiful, I think. Photo referenced or whatever. For me, it works.
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
#25's out-- featuring Namor.
SPOILER SPACE
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In this incarnation, he's been long-entombed in sunken Atlantis... with a twist. He was entombed as a prisoner!
There're some good battles between Namor and Human Torch. Namor sweeps Invisible Girl off her feet, momentarily. Till his overbearing nature comes through.
Meanwhile, someone else shows some interest in Reed, about whom there are some interesting insinuations.
Gotta say, Land draws one hot Submariner.
Posted by legionadventureman on :
Is Namorita still active in the Marvel Universe?
Posted by Stargazer on :
Has not appeared in the Ultimate U yet LAM. I love Lands art...simply awsome.
Posted by Caliente on :
Okay, so I'll preface this with my opinion on 616!Namor. Basically, I don't like him much because I feel like he's dumbly over-powered and a jerk. And, I feel like because he's a hero, we're supposed to like him and root for him and stuff.
That said... I really liked Ultimate!Namor. He's, like, the best thing ever. I love that I can hate him. And I do. I really, really love/hate him. Sexy beast that he is. Posted by Star Boy on :
I'm so glad I stuck with this title! Tomb of Namor has been a great little story, and the art is truly magnificent... And Ultimate Namor - let's just say I can't see any way that there could be a comparable Reed-Sue-Namor love triangle in the Ultimate 'verse, unless Sue's really into living dangerously. Posted by Mystery Lad on :
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #26 I thought there was supposed to be some link between Atlantis and the recently-introduced INHUMANS? Did I misread the solicits and promotional interviews? VERY disappointing. The gigantisized image of Mama Storm delivered a good moment (though I find this character annoying). I'm left curious about Namor, and that's a compensation.
Posted by Mystery Lad on :
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #27
I don't know when I've seen Ben's plight rendered so overtly. I was touched... but at the same time, it's a bit manipulative. Meaning that it's also perfectly of our time.
The Thing tricked out like Carmen Miranda? Giggle.
'President Thor'? Ha! The closing image was powerful, like something out of TOP TEN by way of a super-hero crazed Las Vegas.
I love Johnny's look, though I suspect I'm in the minority by comments I've read here and there.
Posted by Cobalt Kid on :
Haven't read the latest issue, but have to say that I think Mark Millar and Greg Land's run on this title has been the best yet! From #1 - current, this IMO has been the best Ultimate Title.
Posted by legionadventureman on :
quote:Originally posted by Caliente: That said... I really liked Ultimate!Namor. He's, like, the best thing ever. I love that I can hate him. And I do. I really, really love/hate him. Sexy beast that he is.
It must be the Mr. Spock ears, Cali Posted by Mystery Lad on :
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #30
I don't care a fig about zombies... particularly superhero versions. They *do* make a creepy FRIGHTFUL FOUR, I'll admit.
Of more interest to me, was the appearance of Crystal. I wish she'd appear more often, as I really like the ultimate version of her. I didn't like that apparently her hair-stripe is once again ornamental-- though in previous appearances it split apart with her hair, unlike something cloth or metal. Maybe it's painted on?
Her statements about being unable to help the ailing Johnny Storm are a bit of a cop-out- but these INHUMANS are much frostier than the 'originals' (and they weren't warm and fuzzy at all).
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What can I say? Just wasn't my cup of tea.
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