Back to being Fantastic?

I've only recently, as in as recent as last week, decided to once again read and buy issues of Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four... a title that I have not really been paying any attention to these past years. For sure there were some isolated issues I got, simply for event cross-over reasons - but soon as that was done, I'd forget the title, feeling that it did not pique my curiosity enough to spend cash on.

What changed my mind? Jonathan Hickman's writing did. Mind you - I've hardly heard of the man... I just vaguely know he writes - and possibly draws... but as for his having a surefire hit for me to recognize him as a bankable (as in very good) writer - or artist for that matter; well, I hope Mr. Hickman does not find it insulting that I draw a blank. If he had other known works - it was probably in other titles I never followed. I believe it was in Image... so that explains my ignorance - he he.

So how'd I know about his work in FF? For starters, it's FF - so even if I don't pick it up, just like other Marvel titles, it's highly visible on the comic book racks - assuming, of course that the books are A) available - having been bought by the comic book shops, and B) not too quickly sold out. This means that there would be a strong possibility that I would possibly look it over, should my curiosity be piqued enough by it's cover... I know, don't judge a book... etc... but since comic books are more visual, covers do count as marketing vehicles.

But Jonathan's FF did not really have attention grabbing covers and shocking stories - at least, not as dramatic as the previous team of Millar and Hitch. The tandem of Hickman and Eaglesham were almost unheralded. So it was really easy to not notice FF. Though I would have to reassess the non=dramatic part later on when I would belatedly realize some of the adventures that Mr. Hickman would pen (as the two covers seem to hint at).

I can only describe my knowing about the current FF team - and stories, by way of the modern version for 'word of mouth'; i.e. fan-site forums... specifically Avengers Forever. It was here where I would peruse the topics of other comics and see how some colleagues in the forum would carp about how Hickman was dishing out great stories - and more importantly, great characterization for the Fantastic Four. So that got me curious... and curious, come next time I found myself in a comic shop, decided to 'review' (more like quickly scan) the current issue's contents - maybe look at a few of the back issues as well... all in the spirit of deciding whether my colleagues knew what they were talking about, or if it was all just an empty scam.

What I saw was a story focusing on events - but centered on a family of adventurers. This was not your two-dimensional characters with powers... Hickman gave the Fantastic Four their much needed family persona. Not an easy task when so many people seem to like their heroes single and swinging... but yes, Jonathan finds that balance.

This particular issue for example (issue number 574) does not just feature Spider-man as a guest star... it centered on Franklin Richard's birthday party - an event rarely presented, yet totally humanizing for all the characters. He also, I'm glad to see, pulled back some kid characters from limbo - so it was great to see the likes of the Power Pack (who were long time friends of Franklin - he even became a fifth member of the team at one time) plus Artie and Leech from X-Factor's pages. Obviously, Mr. Hickman has been doing his research and loves the family - and even takes some strides to let his kids act naturally. Lest we forget, this issue also served as a jumping point to a future story arc as well. Oh yeah... the covers by another fan favorite artist - Alan Davis, are welcome treats too.

I'm a stickler for characterization - I need to see my heroes as believable. I don't expect to read soap in my comics - but I like to see them act human... act real... even if they have fantastic powers. With what I've seen in Hickman's FF, I'd say this fits the bill quite nicely, and have already informed my local comic shop to place FF into my 'buy' pile. Mind you, it's not Stan Lee, nor is it John Byrne... but Hickman's rendition of the FF seems to be family first, adventurers and heroes second.

If I were now asked if I were to recommend a few comic book titles - I would not hesitate to mention FF as a must try. Thanks Jonathan! I'm looking forward to a hopefully long tenure in the title.