Comic Info
Comic Name: FF (Volume 1)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Steve Epting/Barry Kitson
# of Issues: 5
Release Date: 2011
FF #1 (Variant)
Reprinting FF (1) #1-5 (June 2011-August 2011). Johnny Storm…aka the Human Torch is dead. Now, the Fantastic Four no longer feels so fantastic and “Four” no longer applies. The Future Foundation (or the FF) is out to solve the worlds and Spider-Man has been invited to help. Before the FF can heal from Johnny’s death, a new threat arises from a mistake made by Valeria and the appearance of a team of Reed Richards set to destroy the world.
Written by Jonathan Hickman, FF Volume 1: Tomorrow is a Fantastic Four spin-off series. The collection features art by Steve Epting and Barry Kitson. The issues in the collection were also collected in Fantastic Four by Hickman Omnibus—Volume 1.
Hickman hit Fantastic Four with full force and tried to turn it back to it’s days of popularity. FF served to spin-off of his popular run of Fantastic Four, FF (or Future Foundation…it is a rather confusing name). It ditched the popular blue iconic costumes for the simple black & white costumes.
FF is a fun comic. The series has a wide character base with all the kids and most of them remain unexplored in this volume. Spider-Man’s introduction as Johnny’s substitute is smart since Spider-Man has always been a loner but devoted to his small family, while the Fantastic Four has always been a big family, now forced to accept an outsider. I think Spider-Man is a better fit for the FF then he ever was for the Avengers. Plus, I have to love the inclusion of Alex Powers. I was always a Power Pack fan it has been interesting to see the characters develop after their comic’s disappearance.
FF #5
The art is also great. The characters really look good and despite having the mono-chromatic costumes, they really have some life to their design. I was a bit hesitant when they were first shown, but they have grown on me.
It would have been nice to have a bit more of a character guide for jump on readers and give the people a basis for what they are reading. Everyone knew Johnny Storm died, but not everyone read it. Therefore it would have been good to get some background on what lead up to Johnny’s death.
The storyline also is much bigger than the five issue collection and it does end very abruptly. It is only a lead in to a bigger story which involves not only the return Black Bolts and the Inhumans, but a throwdown with the Reeds. FF is a good series with a lot of potential, but I hope it lives up to the storylines that Hickman introduces. FF Volume 1: Tomorrow is followed by FF Volume 2: The Supremor Seed.
Related Links:
FF Volume 2: The Supremor Seed
FF Volume 3: All Hope Lies in Doom
