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Fantastic
Four
Imaginauts - Vol.1
[Reprints Vol.3 #50, 60-66]
2003
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Mark Waid
Pencils: Mike Wieringo, Mark Buckingham
Inks: Karl Kesel, Mark Buckingham & Danny Miki
Colors: Paul Mounts & Mark Milla
Letters: Richard Starkings & Albert Deschesne
Price: $17.99 US/R235.00 SA
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The last time I read a Fantastic Four book was #60 which was a steal
for only 25c at the time and therefore a must buy.
Before that I probably read them last when I was a kid. With the
current popularity of writer Mark Waid [Empire,Superman]
and my interest sparked by the enduring artwork of Mike
Wieringo I decided to check out the ‘Imaginauts’
trade paperback.
The Fantastic Four take on a publicity problem, a living
math’s equation, unstable molecules and a pestilence
issue. Throughout the eight issues on offer in this collection one
thing stands out, this is one extraordinary family,
but still just a family nonetheless.
Mark Waid has managed to write some fun and exciting
stories here but at the same time has been able to infuse the FF
with some much needed realistic family dynamics. They seem real
and they have problems like you and I do, they have to deal with
conflicting emotions within the family unit while saving the world
at the same time. It’s a great extra that you won’t
find anywhere else in Superhero land and it’s what makes this
book stand out from the rest.
Waid is able to inject another dynamic into his storytelling which
many writers have failed to perfect. He drops hooks and minute details
at the beginning, middle and end of each story, which he then picks
up and completes at a later stage. Many writers will drop facts
or hooks to suck the reader in or keep a story moving, but rarely
do they follow this up or complete the dangling subplot. It’s
Waid’s ability to complete the answers to even the
most minuscule sub-plot that makes this collection such
an absorbing and complete read. When one story-arc ends the characters
still carry certain things with them into the next story. This reality
based storytelling and attention to detail make this a great book.
This collection features three different artists
over the eight issues presented, but the series mainstay and regular
atist, Mike Weiringo, stands out as the most vibrant.
His almost cartoonish style brings a much needed freshness to the
books visuals which in turn help to bring the FF into 2003. His
hip urban characterisations and fun brightly coloured style really
give the book an extra punch.
This anthology includes a great eight page manifesto/essay by Waid
on his views on the FF and is a nice look into the mind of one of
the soon to be ‘Classic’ FF creators.
The volume is finished off with an ‘extra’
issue which focuses on the Things past and more importantly
his Jewish heritage.
A great collection of the modern day FF and a nice starting
point for new readers who are looking for something a little
bit different in the superhero genre.
Score
9/10
Reviewed By:Iain Duncan
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Comic Reviews
