FANTASTIC FOUR #554 by Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary(2008).
© Marvel

Mania Grade: B+
Issue: 554
Authors: Mark Millar, Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $2.99

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FANTASTIC FOUR #554

Mark Millar begins his run on Fantastic Four with a pitch-perfect, if somewhat decompressed, introduction. It opens with the team on a time-travel vacation gone horribly awry, with Ben Grimm somehow left in – and then rescued from – the year 1682. And, as it should be, the team returns home to one of Johnny Storm’s quips and life as usual. The appeal of the Fantastic Four has always been their propensity for high-energy science-fiction adventure with hardly a second thought. You expect this family to talk about time travel over breakfast. Millar nails that tone right off the bat, and shows a thoroughly versed understanding of each character. Reed and Ben Grimm visit an elementary school classroom, where the former bores the class with a physics lecture. Grimm finally breaks down and asks the kids if they want to play in the Fantasticar instead. Sue’s busy trying to start an all-women team with She-Hulk and the Wasp – one that effectively serves as charitable organization rather than a vigilante or paramilitary group. And, Millar finally gives us the kicker when an old girlfriend of Reed’s, Alyssa Castle, arrives. Much to Sue’s chagrin, Castle takes Mr. Fantastic to the headquarters of the Earth-Trust, where she and her husband work on a project that could have staggering implications for the planet.

This 554^th issue of Fantastic Four runs so contrary to the tone of Millar’s own Civil War that one can’t help but wonder how much input he had on that miniseries. While this issue takes its time getting to the Earth-Trust project, Millar clearly enjoys playing in the team’s world, even if it only serves to establish his run’s tone. If anything, this issue highlights a significant shortcoming of monthly comics – though the story arc may work well in its entirety, individual issues may feel incomplete. In a way, it’s almost unfair to grade individual issues. Hence, while this 554^th installment of Fantastic Four wants for more plot, it portends good things for the rest of Millar’s run. 

Bryan Hitch brings a more subdued flavor than his work on The Ultimates, though not an unwelcome one. With less flash and sharp edges to his work, it further enhances the lighter, friendlier tone of this series than his other work with Millar.

This is a really fun issue. Not a lot happens initially, but it sets the stage for something really cool. Pick this one up.

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