THE NERD HOARD

Alex Ross’s Fantastic Four: Full Circle offers a stunning new homage to Marvel’s First Family

While today the Fantastic Four are often overshadowed by more popular superhero teams like the Avengers and the X-Men, in the Silver Age of comic book publishing the Richards reigned supreme, helping to set the groundwork for the Marvel universe as its known today.

In Fantastic Four: Full Circle, readers are reminded of why Marvel’s First Family is so iconic, offering a continuation of a classic FF tale from the 1960s while bringing an entirely modern sensibility to the artwork and story.

The standalone original graphic is written and drawn by Alex Ross, a comic book legend in his own right who is perhaps best known for his photorealistic painted covers and interior work on series such as Marvels and DC’s Kingdom Come. Full Circle is also the first book released under the new “MarvelArts” banner, a new collaborative publishing line between Marvel Comics and Abrams ComicArt. The end result, however, is a well written and exquisitely illustrated graphic novels that stands out as of the greatest Fantastic Four books of all time.

The Story

Taking place in the early days of the Fantastic Four, Full Circle is in many ways a continuation of Fantastic Four #51, a classic issue which was originally published in 1966, written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Jack Kirby (in addition to making our list of the greatest the Thing covers of all time). While you don’t have to have read that particular issue to enjoy the story, it’s a clear nod to longtime fans of Marvel’s First Family.

The plot kicks off after an intruder breaks into the Baxter Building, the legendary home of Reed Richards (aka Mr Fantastic), Sue Richards (aka the Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (aka the Thing). The intruder then releases a series of deadly alien parasites from the Negative Zone, a region composed of pure anti-matter that’s been a feature of countless Marvel stories over the years.

Hoping to get to the bottom of who might behind the attack, the Fantastic Four heads to the Negative Zone itself to find out more, leading to an encounter with an old foe.

The Writing

While Alex Ross may be primarily known as an artist, his writing in Fantastic Four: Full Circle is solid. The plot is fast pace and the dialogue is a pitch perfect imitation of 1960s Stan Lee (cheese and all). Yet, scratch a little bit below the surface and you find that Ross really bring to life what makes the Fantastic Four so endearing: namely the sense of family and heart that runs through all their interactions and adventures.

Ross particularly hones in on everyone’s favorite ever lovin’ blue-eyed Thing, with Ben Grimm really being the focal point of the story as he grapples with his humanity (something that was a focal point to the “This Man, This Monster” storyline from Fantastic Four #51).

And while you don’t have to be a Fantastic Four fan to appreciate Ross’ script, the book is filled with numerous references to the team’s history. In many ways, it’s not dissimilar to the Fantastic Four: Life Story series which was meant to pay tribute to FF, but it’s a lot sharper and more focused.

The Art

Alex Ross remains one of comic book mediums greatest pioneers, and his unique sense of style is on full display in Full Circle. While he’s primarily know as a painter, here Ross uses a combination of penciled and inks (with an assist from Marvel artist Josh Johnson). The result, however, is absolutely stunning and is arguably even better than what Ross usually achieves with his paintings.

The panels are beautifully rendered and capture the psychedelic, black light vibes of Marvel during the 1960s and you can practically hear the Kirby Krackle vibrating off the pages. It’s a gorgeous and incredibly unique art style that’s unlike anything that’s really been attempted in recent years.

Final Verdict

With Fantastic Four: Full Circle writer and artist Alex Ross has created a love letter to Marvel’s First Family. With its incredible artwork, classic storyline and nod to comic book history, the end result is of the greatest FF collections of all time. Nuff’ said.

Fantastic Four: Full Circle is a standalone original graphic novel published under the new MarvelArts line. You can pick it up now from your local comic shop or order it on Amazon.

9/10 Rating

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Catwoman: Lonely City offers a beautiful and heartbreaking take on the nine live of Selina Kyle

Since her first comic book appearance in 1940, Catwoman has been a staple of Batman lore. Equal parts hero, villain and love interest to the Dark Knight, over the years Selina Kyle has evolved as a character, becoming more than just a counterpart to Batman and really standing on her own as a fully realized and key part of the DC universe.

In Catwoman: Lonely City, Selina is put front and center in this smart and gorgeously illustrated new graphic novel that collects the four issue mini-series originally published under DC’s Black Label imprint.

Written and drawn by Cliff Chiang (who is perhaps best known for his artwork on the popular Image series Papergirls), the end result is a modern classic for fans of the feline femme fatale.

The Story

The plot takes place in a near future Gotham City in which an aging Selina Kyle is released back onto the streets of Gotham after almost a decade in prison. We learn that 10 years earlier an event known as “Fools’ Night” occurred, in which the Joker launched an all-out attack that resulted in the death of Batman, Nightwing, Commissioner Gordon and the Clown Prince of Crime himself. In the aftermath, Catwoman was arrested and placed behind bars for her involvement in the incident.

The Gotham City Selina returns to, however, is a far cry from the gritty, crime-drenched streets she’s known in the past. The new Gotham is safer now than it’s ever been, thanks in large part to Mayor Harvey Dent, who has overcome his Two-Face alter ego and developed an authoritarian surveillance state enforced by an army of high-tech Batcops who monitor the population and tamp down on both crime and dissent.

Selina, however, has other things on her mind. Chief among them is trying to understand what Batman meant when, with his dying breath, he uttered the words “Orpheus.” The answer, she believes, is in the Batcave, so she decides to pull off one last heist, breaking into the Dark Knight’s lair, which is now protected by an army of troops clad in high-powered Bat Armor.

To pull off the job she enlists the aid of a few familiar faces from Batman’s past, including Killer Croc, the Penguin and Barbara Gordon, who is now running against Harvey Dent in the upcoming mayoral election.

And while Selina may be older and slower that we’ve seen before, she still has a few tricks up her spandex sleeves as she sets out to uncover the secrets of Orpheus and try to take down Dent’s iron fisted rule of Gotham.

The Writing

While Chiang may be primarily known as an artist, his writing in Catwoman: Lonely City is incredibly sharp. The plot is well paced, the dialogue is snappy, and his take on an older-but-wiser Selina Kyle is absolutely brilliant.

In many ways the book feels like the spiritual successor to Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, which featured its own take on an authoritarian DC dystopia. Yet at the same time the book doesn’t wallow in the same existential angst of DKR. Instead, the writing is full of drama, humor, action and genuine character development. Chiang really does show his chops as a writer and it’s not hyperbole to say that what he’s created is easily one of the most memorable Catwoman story arcs of all time.

The Art

There’s no doubt that Cliff Chiang is an incredibly gifted artist, and in Lonely City his work has never been better. His unique pop art-style of color and design is absolutely stunning. Each panel seems to practically leap out of the page and the action scenes are especially well done. That being said, some of his best work in the book occurs in the more introspective, quieter moments, and Chiang brings a real sense of emotion and depth to his characters.

It’s also worth noting that the costume designs are great. From an aging Killer croc and power hungry Harvey Dent, to the Batcops and the various incarnations of Selina Kyle’s Catwoman suits, Chiang’s fresh take on some familiar characters perfectly matches the story.

Final Verdict

While Catwoman: Lonely City definitely owes a nod to Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, it’s more than just a copycat. Instead it’s a book that lands on its own feet. With a smart and unique story and breathtaking visuals, the end result is easily one of the greatest Catwoman stories ever told.

Catwoman: Lonely City collects issues #1-4 of the series in a new hardcover. You can pick it up now from your local comic shop or order it on Amazon.

9/10 Rating

*We are a member of the Amazon affiliate program which allows us to earn a small commission off any purchases you make clicking on our links, at no additional cost to you the consumer.