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surfmonkey01's review
3.0
This was actually pretty good. They kept the origin basically the same, just tweaked the personalities of the characters themselves. And as much as I love Doom, they didn't rush to use him and instead went with some of the other FF classics, Mole Man and Namor. I would actually read a follow-up to this
mferrante83's review
3.0
Really 3.5 stars.
There is a part of me that takes a look at something like Fantastic Four: Season One and wants rail in rage and frustration. Truth is, I don’t want to be that guy. It helps that the art and writing in FF: Season One is solid and actually does breath some new life into the characters. Reviewers have also been praising Jonathan Hickman’s run on FF, Hickman’s track record with science fiction comics is near flawless, and I have to wonder why he wasn’t given the reins on this original graphic novel. That isn’t to say that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa does a bad job but the minor tweaks to the familiar origin story are slight and just enough to keep the FF relevant in a modern world. On the one hand this a good thing, it doesn’t have the radical newness of the more angsty Superman: Earth One or the New 52 titles that might alienate old fans but its strict adherence to the familiar story lends the story a peculiar flatness. I would love see what Hickman (or any good creative talent) said “Here’s the Fantastic Four origin story. Update it, go nuts.”
Like I’ve said already Fantastic Four: Season One is actually quite an enjoyable tale that definitely hearkens back to the fun (a vaguely silly) nature of comics of old. In many ways it reminds of the Marvel Adventures imprint of books though one directed at an older audience. But how old? For some readers (me) FF: Season One doesn’t seem to make too much sense and I think most long-term comic book readers have sort of come to grips with the notion the ageless comic book character. Comics make a big deal about continuity (or at least comic fans) but we latch on to familiar characters so often that the attachment to continuity begins to make less and less sense as characters get trapped in a recursive loop, perennially stuck in young adulthood.
There have been interesting experiments to solve this problem. Marvel’s failed MC2 universe about Marvel’s near future (Spider-Girl, J2, A-Next) and the Ultimate line are a start and the Ultimate line especially actually seems better at progressing characters along specific arcs then the current Marvel Universe (Ultimate Spiderman is a great example of this). DC took the more radical approach destroying its entirety continuity and deciding to rebuild from the ground up. Rage at that all you want but from a sales, and arguably a creative, standpoint it isn’t really a bad call. A radical and gutsy call but in order to unlimber oneself from the weight of history that is a step one has to be willing to take.
I’ve gone a bit off topic I think but the main problem with FF: Season One is I can’t quite understand how it fits in with the rest of the Marvel universe. If the answer is “not at all” that’s fine but the event of its release, perhaps drowned out by Marvel’s other big guns (the gear up towards AvX, Amazing Spiderman, and The Avengers), seems to have passed so quietly and unobtrusively. The bottom line is if you like the Fantastic Fours origins, if you like the characters as you know them, then FF: Season One offers very little to complain about and simultaneously offers too little that is so new as to justify shelling out $15. This is a title that seaks to appease longtime fans but doesn’t seem to go out of its way to attract new ones either particularly given what feels like a tangential connection to the current ongoing (at least before November, and the relaunched Fantastic Four title). A titled reads and looks greats Fantastic Four: Season One is a title for new readers and one that is best recommended by a fan looking to turn someone on to Marvel’s First Family.
There is a part of me that takes a look at something like Fantastic Four: Season One and wants rail in rage and frustration. Truth is, I don’t want to be that guy. It helps that the art and writing in FF: Season One is solid and actually does breath some new life into the characters. Reviewers have also been praising Jonathan Hickman’s run on FF, Hickman’s track record with science fiction comics is near flawless, and I have to wonder why he wasn’t given the reins on this original graphic novel. That isn’t to say that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa does a bad job but the minor tweaks to the familiar origin story are slight and just enough to keep the FF relevant in a modern world. On the one hand this a good thing, it doesn’t have the radical newness of the more angsty Superman: Earth One or the New 52 titles that might alienate old fans but its strict adherence to the familiar story lends the story a peculiar flatness. I would love see what Hickman (or any good creative talent) said “Here’s the Fantastic Four origin story. Update it, go nuts.”
Like I’ve said already Fantastic Four: Season One is actually quite an enjoyable tale that definitely hearkens back to the fun (a vaguely silly) nature of comics of old. In many ways it reminds of the Marvel Adventures imprint of books though one directed at an older audience. But how old? For some readers (me) FF: Season One doesn’t seem to make too much sense and I think most long-term comic book readers have sort of come to grips with the notion the ageless comic book character. Comics make a big deal about continuity (or at least comic fans) but we latch on to familiar characters so often that the attachment to continuity begins to make less and less sense as characters get trapped in a recursive loop, perennially stuck in young adulthood.
There have been interesting experiments to solve this problem. Marvel’s failed MC2 universe about Marvel’s near future (Spider-Girl, J2, A-Next) and the Ultimate line are a start and the Ultimate line especially actually seems better at progressing characters along specific arcs then the current Marvel Universe (Ultimate Spiderman is a great example of this). DC took the more radical approach destroying its entirety continuity and deciding to rebuild from the ground up. Rage at that all you want but from a sales, and arguably a creative, standpoint it isn’t really a bad call. A radical and gutsy call but in order to unlimber oneself from the weight of history that is a step one has to be willing to take.
I’ve gone a bit off topic I think but the main problem with FF: Season One is I can’t quite understand how it fits in with the rest of the Marvel universe. If the answer is “not at all” that’s fine but the event of its release, perhaps drowned out by Marvel’s other big guns (the gear up towards AvX, Amazing Spiderman, and The Avengers), seems to have passed so quietly and unobtrusively. The bottom line is if you like the Fantastic Fours origins, if you like the characters as you know them, then FF: Season One offers very little to complain about and simultaneously offers too little that is so new as to justify shelling out $15. This is a title that seaks to appease longtime fans but doesn’t seem to go out of its way to attract new ones either particularly given what feels like a tangential connection to the current ongoing (at least before November, and the relaunched Fantastic Four title). A titled reads and looks greats Fantastic Four: Season One is a title for new readers and one that is best recommended by a fan looking to turn someone on to Marvel’s First Family.
ferrisscottr's review
4.0
This was pretty great. Retelling of the origins and the first few issues of the Fantastic Four. They were always good but just never one of my favorites but this digs a little deeper into the psychology of suddenly being transformed into a super hero although there is still something fun and romantic about the originals.
Reading this was a decent way to spend some time on the weekend.
Reading this was a decent way to spend some time on the weekend.
taniplea's review
4.0
I hadn't read or seen anything of the Fantastic Four before this comic, I usually just stick to the Avengers. But I think this comic was perfect to get to know them, a simple narration of their origin. The art was nice, nothing extraordinary but easy to understand what's happening. Now I want to see more of them, but I really don't know if I want to watch one of the movies...
katereads2much's review
3.0
This was a fine story with engaging art. I haven't read anything else FF and thought I'd try this to get a feel for their story. I would say it's a solid read but nothing I got excited about.
rouver's review
2.0
A relaunch of the Fantastic Four, with an attempt to modernize it...and frankly, it fell a bit flat for me. I never read the originals, but Susan was a stereotypical rich blonde, insecure in her relationship with the brilliant but clueless Dr. Richards. Her brother, Johnny, was a stereotypical blonde womanizer and we finished out the group with Grimm, the slow thinking but incredibly loyal muscle man. It was written in 2012, but had more of an '80s feel in attitude. I was hoping to get into this one, but it was a swing & a miss for me.
carroq's review
3.0
I've never been a huge fan of the Fantastic Four. I think it is mainly Ben Grimm (aka Thing) that does it. He is too dour for my tastes and his accent seems unnecessary compared to the other three heroes. Season One was included as part of the Comic Bento Elementals box I received.
This is an updated telling of the origin story of the Fantastic Four. It is a good version though. Some parts, like the Namor plotline, would not have meant as much if I hadn't read Marvels recently. But the book can still be enjoyed without knowing the original story.
For those that don't know, the Fantastic Four are basically a family that traveled into space, were exposed to radiation, gained powers, and now fight crime. Each of the members has a power corresponding to one of the four principal elements. There are a couple different villains that they face, which gives some variety to the story.
The characters are believable, even if they do bug me at times. There is also an issue from the Jonathan Hickman run at the end of the book. I liked this issue and am interested in reading more.
This is an updated telling of the origin story of the Fantastic Four. It is a good version though. Some parts, like the Namor plotline, would not have meant as much if I hadn't read Marvels recently. But the book can still be enjoyed without knowing the original story.
For those that don't know, the Fantastic Four are basically a family that traveled into space, were exposed to radiation, gained powers, and now fight crime. Each of the members has a power corresponding to one of the four principal elements. There are a couple different villains that they face, which gives some variety to the story.
The characters are believable, even if they do bug me at times. There is also an issue from the Jonathan Hickman run at the end of the book. I liked this issue and am interested in reading more.
miamollekin's review
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
really good, probably one of my favourite season ones.
erutane's review
2.0
The only good thing about this book is Hickman's first issue of Fantastic Four at the very end. Even then, the inclusion of it is very out of place.