Back in the 1940's, the Age of Marvels began with a group of explorers known as the Fantastic Four. Under the guidance of creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, and the Thing would face the fantastic on a daily basis. For over 100 issues, Lee and Kirby came up with characters and concepts that would become the mainstays of comic books for over 70 years; from the nefarious Doctor Doom to the planet-consuming Galactus, from the Yancy Street Gang to the shape-shifting Skrulls, from blind, beautiful Alicia Masters to the tragic and noble Silver Surfer. From the depths of Atlantis to the Blue Area of the Moon, the Fantastic Four was the comic to read if you wanted non-stop imagination.
Since that time, many writers and artists have tried to put their mark on the Fantastic Four, but only a few have ever truly recaptured that initial "spark" of the first 100 issues. However, I'm happy to say that Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo are more than up to the task. I have only really started getting into the Fantastic Four under Jonathan Hickman (
Fantastic Four, Vol. 1
*THIS IS A BLATANT PLUG*) after a series of less than stellar creative runs in the past. However, Mark Waid's interpretation of the Four has come highly recommended by fantastic Four fans, and I can see why.
In Imaginauts and throughout Waid's tenure on the book, the Fantastic Four are given a much needed face-lift, metaphorically for some and literally for others (FORESHADOWING). In particular Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, is one of those characters who is probably the hardest to mess with; he always has to be the young, impulsive member who isn't quite as mature as the rest of the family. Not to be intimidated, Waid tackles this concern head on, and in fact it turns out to be one of the more enjoyable subplots of his run. If you don't come away with just a little more respect for Johnny after this volume, at least you'll have a better understanding of him.
At first I was a little apprehensive of Mike Wieringo's art. However, he gradually won me over with his wide range of expression and attention to detail, with more than a few heartwarming moments and some brilliant "comic" timing. Though I will admit there are a few sequences where his cartoonish style seems a little inappropriate given the subject matter, especially in later volumes. Overall though, it really is beautiful work by a master of the craft and the style really grew on me by the time I finished this volume.
Overall I have to say I'm glad I picked up this first trade; it's a fine set-up for new readers while still paying homage to the 70 years of continuity that have come before it, which is one of those things that can drive the narrative to a halt. I encourage people to find the rest of Waid's run as Marvel has apparently ceased reprinting all but two volumes of Waid's run, so until the inevitable reprinting they're first come, first serve. This is Marvel's First Family, people. Nuff' said.
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