Rating:  -
Things really start to get going with this collection. You have Doom, The Frightful Four, Skrulls, alternate timelines, a suicidal Thing, a guilt ridden Reed. I liked the action, but I think they threw in way too much. I think they wrapped up some really good plot points way too fast. You have a depressed Thing that wants to kill himself, and by next issue they give him a girlfriend and he is happy. The stories themselves are top notch, the artwork isn't bad, though it isn't my taste. Overall, this is a good collection and worth grabbing if you are a fan of the 4.
Rating:  -
i love the ultimate fantastic four. i love the original fantastic four, who can never be replaced but i like the twist of them being young teens in the ultimate universe. it just seems to make sense. in this volume the captured zombie FF decides they've had enough of the ultimate earth and want to eat it all. a must-read.
Rating: -
This was bloody great! Vol 4 was whatever. Vol 5 was better. Vol 6...AWESOME! Could not put it down. Can't wait for the next one!
Rating: -
As usual, SPOILERS ALERT.
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, VOLUME 6: FRIGHTFUL collects issues #27-32 and continues the amazing, landmark efforts being churned out by the creative team of Mark Millar and Greg Land. The first story arc, titled "President Thor," concerns the altered timeline adventures of our revamped heroes, as Reed, feeling immense guilt after the Thing breaks down emotionally, strives to tamper with time - in effect, to temporally travel to the past and erase the accident which originated the Fantastic Four. Of course, things go awry, though not apparently at first. The new timeline indeed doesn't give birth to the FF but, instead, causes the arrival of the alien Skrulls. The Skrulls, on a pretense of benevolence, present the Earth populace with a miracle pill which grants everyone super powers; the only one to not take up the Skrulls' offer is Ben Grimm. Sure 'nuff, there's a catch to that miracle pill...
The title "FRIGHTFUL" actually has to do more with story arc number two, which sets the focus back on the FF zombie counterparts, who, we learn, style themselves the Frightful Four. In preceding issues, the undead Reed Richards had been ominously dropping hints that he already had an escape plan in mind, and, with issue #31, he puts this plan in effect, and it works. Very rapidly, sundry Baxter Building scientists and staff personnel are become like bite sized taquitos for the undead quartet. To heighten suspense even further, Johnny collapses and discovers he's hosting an alien parasite that proves to be inimical to the planet. After all other attempts to cure Johnny fail, Reed is left with but one recourse - to beg Dr. Doom for help.
Much as I enjoyed the zombie storyline, I relished "President Thor" more, because of its globally encompassing scope and its undeniable emotional impact. Scottish writer Mark Millar really outdoes himself with his heart-wrenching scenes involving the tortured, suicidally depressed Ben Grimm; in those moments, I honestly felt active dislike for Johnny Storm. Equally gripping are the escalated sense of jeopardy and the grandiose breadth with which Millar injects into the plot; it felt like I was reading an issue of the Authority (to which Millar also had contributed). Not to mention, the busily awesome splash pages depicting the entire population as superheroes were reminiscent of scenes from the Top 10 series. I also fancied the clever resolution to the whole convoluted mess. By the way, trade paperbacks are ideal for intricate storylines like "President Thor"; readers are better able to absorb and comprehend the entire arc in one reading, as opposed to waiting for weeks for individual issues while attempting to retain pertinent plot details. Having said that, I really can't figure out why Thor became the American President...
Lastly, I'd be remissed if I leave out the gifted Greg Land, whose superb, realistic artwork has surpassed all of my expectations. It sucks that he and Millar are taking off after issue #32. But, very well done, gentledudes. I know it's not fair, but I'm gonna be highly critical of new creative team Mike Carey and Pasqual Ferry. Here's hoping they don't eff things up.
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