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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