Ultimate Fantastic Four #5

[Jack Burton]

Writers-Brian Michael Bendis/Mark Millar
Artist Adam Kubert.

Well I enjoyed this issue more that last months.(Sorry that Mole rant was annoying) A nice action packed opener that has the three male team members learning how to use their abilities in combat with one of Mole Man monsters. A nice touch really. The regular FF just seemed to learn right away. The plot is pretty good so far but the dialouge bugs me. I like Bendis and think he's great but I just don't feel the way he voice these characters. His Johnny is perfect very teenage like(makes sense since he mastered their language in Ulimate Spidey) but his Ben just doesn't feel right. Not enough New Yorker maybe? Art wise Kubert is great. His Human Torch looks sweet and he has a nice handle on the Thing a little too tall for my taste but that's nitpicking.

All in I give this issue a solid B

[Caramuru]

Ben sounds like a guy who doesn't really believe all that's happening around him. I thought that there was a strangeness to the way he's speaking, but given his transformation, I find that to be pretty reasonable.

I thought it was weird that Reed thought that maybe Johnny could project fire and that Johnny didn't seem to be able to do so. I thought that was done for the readers' benefit instead of something a character like Reed would say. Something on the vein of either showing the difference between Ultimate Johnny from his MU counterpart or a way to show that it's going to take time for them to master their powers.

I thought it was funny that Sue is featured on the cover, but is nowhere to be seen in the actual issue. Invisible Woman indeed.

[CountD]

Great Cover.

Great Clobberin Time scene (altho not said) with The Thing and Mole-Creature.

Great rendering throughout.

B+

[Sparker]

This was a so-so issue for me, least favorite of the series so far, but a.) I'm really enjoying the series and b.) there's only been 5 issues. And although I like how he draws Thing, I'm not digging Kubert's "Stretching-Reed" or Johnny in Flame-on mode. Dialogue's is BMB good. I give it a C.

BTW, can anyone let me know why Millar's name is on the cover, but nothing inside noting his contribution?

[Prozac Man]

It was a good PART ,of a grate story. As a stand alone I give it a B, but the entire ark I will probably give an A. I love the part where the SWAT team opens fire on Ben, but the US army stands up for him.

[TheFoo]

Eh, this was the make or break issue for me, and this will most likely be my last issue. I'm not really enjoying it all that much, and its just been coming off as boring. And Ssssssssllllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwwww .

Of course, Ellis and Immomen (sp on both, I know) and coming on board after this arc, sooooo, that will most likely me to get to restart reading it. Or just keep getting it.

[gOgIver]

I'd drop this too if Ellis was not soon to take over! Reed and Ben are so out of character! I think these guys just phoned in the script for this issue!

[leez34]

This is on issue 5 already? God damn. I swear issue 1 came out like two weeks ago. I'll be 80 before I realize it.

[StoneGold]

Originally posted by gOgIver
I'd drop this too if Ellis was not soon to take over! Reed and Ben are so out of character! I think these guys just phoned in the script for this issue! Just out of curiosity, how are they out of character? They are brand new characters, not even out of their first story arc yet, and dealing with being inhuman freaks for the first time.

[Peagle8]

I thought that this was Kubert's best issue so far. The action scenes with the monster were great.

I liked how the FF didn't automatically know their limits/abilities. Johnny can't "throw flame" because he's never done it before. Makes sense to me.

Somewhere between a B/B+


Originally posted by StoneGold
Just out of curiosity, how are they out of character? They are brand new characters, not even out of their first story arc yet, and dealing with being inhuman freaks for the first time.

This is a great point. These aren't the 616 FF characters. Since this FF is going through different experiences (plus had different upbringings) then the "regular" FF, they shouldn't be the exact same characters right?

[Moonbeam]

I thought this issue was great, as the characters played around with their new powers and interracted together for the first time as superheroes. Ben is still obviously quite angry with his old school chum, and Reed is still in shock and is obviously unsure about all this. Johnny on the other hand is .. well ... Johnny LOL.

It was a really fun issue. Fits into the "ultimate" mold and gives me a fairly easy and enjoyable read. :)

And unlike previous posters, I'm not too sure about the future of this title under other writers, but I'm hanging in there for awhile.

[Godfather]

This was definitely Fantastic Four week, 512 should've been held up for this week lol. I was on the bubble with UFF, this issue has made a strong case.

Yet another great piece of art. This story is the action we needed, and we still get the great humor and interaction between Johnny, Ben and Reed.

I'd have to give it an A as well.

[WebHobbit]

I have one BIG question about this issue:

WTF is Martha Stewart doing on the cover???????????

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Skyldt]

just read this. really, really good. i liked how ben was portrayed.
"heckava way to find out you're bulletproof."
awesome. a nice solid A.

[Randy A]

I'm really liking this as the first FF book i have read. it almost makes me want to pick up the regular FF four book to see how it is.
overall this story gets a good solid B

[COREMARK]

This was pretty much a big fight issue, and I did like how Ben, Reed, and Johnny discovered how to use their various powers. However I can't help but be disappointed in this book so far, the first five issues have been nothing but mediocre so far. I am sticking around for Warren Ellis and Immonen though, both are amazing creators and are bound to bring some much needed creativity to this book.

Book Grade: C+

[Split Persona]

I have to give this issue an A just like the previous 4 it rocked!!
Ultimate FF is one of my favorite new comics and it just keeps getting better!! Ben is my favorite of the cast just like in the normal MU FF, I love his line "I refuse to believe any of this is really happening to me so I'm not afraid" or something like that!! Also Johnny trying to throw flames was very cool as well, I think that things like that really help seperate this from normal FF.

[Terram]

Way, way too slow for my taste.

Synopsis (there would be spoilers if there was any plot progression in this issue) They leave the building, punch out an easily defeated lizard and then climb down a pit. That could be boiled down to one page if really necessary.

[YDLM]

Originally posted by Terram
Way, way too slow for my taste.

Synopsis (there would be spoilers if there was any plot progression in this issue) They leave the building, punch out an easily defeated lizard and then climb down a pit. That could be boiled down to one page if really necessary.

Okay, I am perplexed by that since this was an action issue, and as you pointed out, there wasnt much plot here.So why would you call that slow. This was the first time they used their powers together, so why would any threat they face be easy.A bunch of guys who have never fought before against a giant monster. Yeah, that sounds like a cakewalk. You cant expect these guys to be on the same level as the original team.The ultimate approach seems to be to focus on character development and not just throw them to the wolves on their first try. It may be slow to an old time fan, but if you come to this with no expectation, then I think you will be less disappointed.Remember these are characters, and not just a Marvel Age approach to retelling the classic tales.

[punkmonkey]

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #5
Title: “The Fantastic” Part 5 (of 6)
Publisher: Marvel Comics-- $2.25 / 22 pgs.
Writers: Brian Michael Bendis/ Mark Millar
Artists: Adam Kubert/ John Dell
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Brian Hitch

Reviewed By: Jared Moraitis
Grade: B-

I continue to mourn the troubling lack of imagination and experimentation that is being exercised with this “re-imagining” of the Fantastic Four mythos Issue 5 marks the penultimate issue of the first storyline. I’d expected a slower start, much as was the case with ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, but I have to admit that things are progressing a little too quickly for my taste, at least character development-wise, seeming to skip over some prime opportunities for character-building and real concentration on a more solid foundation for this series.

There’s a fairly good bit of exploration of Ben, Johnny and Reed’s new and unfamiliar powers as they are forced to attempt to stop the colossal beast that has emerged from underground, and it’s clear they’re just now getting the hang of their strange abilities, although Reed seems to be far too comfortable with his -- especially since he’s probably got the oddest and most hard to control powers. Adam Kubert provides some really dynamic visuals with a great sense of pacing and page layout, aided by some crisp and meticulous inks by John Dell (who seems to be quite the busy beaver since leaving CrossGen).

I have a big problem with Bendis’ script, in that he seems to make no attempt whatsoever to give Ben a distinctive speech pattern akin to the style he’s had in the regular continuity title. Ben’s the kind of guy who says “gonna” and “woulda” and other such forced contractions and leaves the g’s off of his gerunds, yet Bendis leaves these g’s intact and fails to give the character much of a distinctive voice that a fellow like the Thing screams to be saddled with, and indeed has been since his inception. It’s this sort of carelessness that has raised heavy suspicions about whether Bendis’ head and heart have really been in this project, or if he just had to jump at the opportunity to spread his name even further across the Ultimate Marvel Universe.

The “cliffhanger” ending of this issue was way too obvious, though not directly telegraphed, and I don’t anticipate any clever surprises in the final issue of this first storyline. The good news, however, is that Warren Ellis will be taking over the writing duties after issue 6, and he is someone who is much more suited to the tone and thrust of this book, having explored such fantastic science/ superhero themes in PLANETARY. Bendis is very good with street-level crime dramas like DAREDEVIL and straight superhero romps like ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, but with ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, Bendis has uncharacteristically dropped the ball, with a little help in the fumbling by Mark Millar, of course.

[Mark Thorson]

Originally posted by StoneGold
Just out of curiosity, how are they out of character? They are brand new characters, not even out of their first story arc yet, and dealing with being inhuman freaks for the first time.

Well, different takes on old characters, but Ben Grimm is pretty close to how he was in the first few Kirby/Lee issues.

[punkmonkey]

Originally posted by Mark Thorson
Well, different takes on old characters, but Ben Grimm is pretty close to how he was in the first few Kirby/Lee issues.

But the Four represented in those first few issues barely resembles the real Fantastic Four, once their appearance and characterization became more solidly cemented. FF #1 was a rush job and not clearly thought out by Lee or Kirby. Thing had 4 fingers instead of three on several occasions (according to whether Kirby felt like drawing them all or not) and was not made out of rocks to begin with -- he was merely a "monster" with gnarled, scaly skin. Using the early, unrefined version of the FF as an example of the FF Proper doesn't really work.

[Auron]

Ultimate Fantastic Four #5
If the first four issues of this series have felt like Bendis writing and Millar throwing his two cents in every 10 to 15 pages, this entry is clearly Millar’s turn to shine. The energy and “widescreen” action he brings to the Ultimates is clear in every panel and is combined perfectly with the snappy action one-liners and great team dynamic he provided so well in Ultimate X-Men. This is a skilled synthesis of his previous Ultimate work.
This issue is completely devoted to battling the Mole Man’s monster, and I am at a loss to explain the choice to feature Sue on the cover, as neither her or her captor have a part in this issue. It’s great to see developing powers as well, as when Johnny attempts to throw flames and comes up with nothing. Ben is more intelligent here than his 616 counterpart originally was, while still playing the jock. An Example:
Reed: “The creature seems transfixed by Johnny’s incandescence.”
Ben: “I was just going to say that.”
But this issue is mostly summer blockbuster. At one point, Ben leaps from stories up to the ground to battle the monster. He leaves a crater where he lands, gets up, announces “Probably could have thought that through a little more”, and immediately gets smashed by the creature’s fist. Inclusions of sound-effects such as (seriously) “Fwacko!” help to retain the feel of the FF even while the book is set in a more down-to-earth tone.
The art by Kubert really shines when presented with such an opportunity. These are some of the most striking depictions of the Torch and especially the Thing that I’ve ever seen, and the monster falling back into the pit is striking. My one complaint: after this first battle and the clear intensity of it, why aren’t any of them in the least bit tired?
A great action ish.
8.5 out of 10 (B+)

[Woody]

I really like the approach of showing abunch of newbies with their powers, makes it stand apart from the other FF titles on the shelves (I wonder how long it will take Sue to realize she can construct force fields)

overall good, but do ya'll remember that this entire arc is taking placce 5 years in the past???

does that mean that the next arc will jump ahead to all of them older and with better mastery of their skills???

I think that would ruin this book for me if that was the case.

[Tokus]

Quite a nice issue, but I was annoyed that the cover had absolutely nothing to do with the story inside.

[punkmonkey]

Originally posted by Woody
I really like the approach of showing abunch of newbies with their powers, makes it stand apart from the other FF titles on the shelves (I wonder how long it will take Sue to realize she can construct force fields)

overall good, but do ya'll remember that this entire arc is taking placce 5 years in the past???

does that mean that the next arc will jump ahead to all of them older and with better mastery of their skills???

I think that would ruin this book for me if that was the case.

The next arc doesn't seem to skip ahead, as the Four are discovering more about their bodies and their powers (with Sue and Reed "playing doctor"), and they still don't know what's happened to Victor.

[DaFalcon]

Originally posted by Woody
overall good, but do ya'll remember that this entire arc is taking placce 5 years in the past???

Really? If that is so, then I've completely forgotten it. This will make a really great trade paperback, but I'm having trouble with the monthly format. I think it is because I'm only getting into comics within the past year, so I have been catching up on titles like Ultimate Spider-Man through the trades, and haven't yet had to deal much with this slow pacing with a month-to-month wait between books. I loved the first few issues of UFF, but have not felt like I've gotten as much out of the last couple. Still, it has been fun, and taken as a whole story, the first arc is already at an "A". This issue: B- from me.

[YDLM]

Originally posted by Tokus
Quite a nice issue, but I was annoyed that the cover had absolutely nothing to do with the story inside.

Welcome to the Ultimate line:D

[Amoebas]

For something called ULTIMATE Fantastic Four, I'm just upset that it's taken 5 issues before they use thier powers. It's like a comic movie where you have to wait and wait for the hero to appear or use thier powers (probably why the Hulk movie blew so bad).

This book is just too slow for my taste. Call me spoiled by the Kirby storytelling method, but thse five (and six) issues should only be 1 or two issues max. Marvel's current trend of stetching a story for trade paperback reasons has really hurt their books (imo).

Some would say that we get more characterization by drawing out these stories, but what good is characterization if it's so wrong? I disagree with those saying it's a new book with characters who shouldn't be compared to thier MU counterparts. If Marvel wanted new characters then they should have made NEW characters. Since they didn't I feel it is appropiate to compare them thier originals.

While this series isn't anywhere near as bad as, say, DeFalco's or Englehart's take on the FF, it's does need much more to make it an FF book to remember years from now. Here's hoping Ellis and Immonen can do just that.

Words - C
Art - B
Cover - F (loved the Martha Stewart line from above) It's one thing to do a the poster shot for the cover that so many books use today, but to do a cover that has NOTHING to do with the book is another thing.

[YDLM]

Amoebas,would you compare Superman in Red Son or DKR to the regular continuity Superman? I know I wouldnt .This is not Marvel Age, which is just a retelling of Lee & Friends classic tales. This is the ultimate line, which is a completely revisionist look at these classic characters. All the Ultimate titles have deviated
(sp?) from the original storyline greatly, why would you expect Ult FF to be any different?The writers of the Ultimate line should be commended for not relying on the fact that the audience already has a grasp on these character's personalities.They are trying to make you care about these characters, and not just have them go through the motion against the villian of the month.From your post it seems like you didnt like anybody's take on the book since Byrne.Just remember that was twenty years ago,writing and society have changed a lot since then.Either adapt or go reread back issues.

[Cmdr_Y]

I've been enjoying this series. It's the only Fantastic Four title that I've bought, so I guess that I don't have many expectations.

I don't like that that the cover didn't reflect what was going on inside the book, but actually I'm just happy that we don't have Wolverine on the cover like we usually have for Marvel Books ;)

I know, I know, he's only on X-books, but you got the joke.

I've been enjoying the story thus far, but after this arc, I'm definitely waiting to read the issues until I've got the entire arc. Too many times I'll read something and by the time that I'm back up to speed with previous events, the book's done.

[Woody]

Originally posted by YDLM
Either adapt or go reread back issues.

just wanted that to be said again

(not used to YDLM squashin the complainers so quick, I kinda like it :) )

[Lukecage_2099]

Originally posted by Woody

overall good, but do ya'll remember that this entire arc is taking placce 5 years in the past???

If that's the case, why does Dr. Storm mentions letting the Ultimates handle the monster? Aren't the Ultimates basically only 3 or 4 years in existence in their own title? (ultra-slow production schedule notwithstanding)

Overall I gave this issue a B minus. I think it should have been handled in four issues (which would have been sweet!). Thankfully, Mr. Ellis' run should add some much needed sci-fi weirdness to this title.

[punkmonkey]

Originally posted by Lukecage_2099
Thankfully, Mr. Ellis' run should add some much needed sci-fi weirdness to this title.

Go over to Milehighcomics.com and check out the full 22-page preview of issue 7 -- it looks like Ellis is indeed taking a different weird route with Dr. Doom as well as the altered biology of the Four! Sounds good!

[Cmdr_Y]

wow -- looks, well, fantastic!

I actually sent a letter to the lettercol for UFF asking if BMB was going to go into explanations for their powers. I suggested looking into string threoy for a possible "reality-bending" explanation. He just responded with something like "Uh......"

I know he was joking, but the geek side of me (which is pretty much all of me ;)) wants some sort of quasi-scientific discussion going on. I mean, hey, we need to get the next generation interested in science some how!

[IamSatan]

I have never really cared for the Fantastic Four...they just didn't do much for me.

Sol can someone please tell me then why is it that I like Ultimate FF so much?

One of my favorite things about this title is the pacing. There is time given to quality story and character developments.

Anyway, with that in mind, I must say that I was not as pleased with #5 than with the first 4 issues. I did like the action in this ..it was needed and it did give the members a chance to try to figure out more about their powers. But while I feel the first 4 issues were solid A's, I would give this issue a B or B+.

[Lukecage_2099]

Originally posted by Cmdr_Y
wow -- looks, well, fantastic!

I actually sent a letter to the lettercol for UFF asking if BMB was going to go into explanations for their powers. I suggested looking into string threoy for a possible "reality-bending" explanation. He just responded with something like "Uh......"

I know he was joking, but the geek side of me (which is pretty much all of me ;)) wants some sort of quasi-scientific discussion going on. I mean, hey, we need to get the next generation interested in science some how!

Hang around for the Warren Ellis run. I think your "inner geek" will be satisfied, if the 22 page preview on Milehighcomics.com is any indication.

[Woody]

Originally posted by Lukecage_2099
Hang around for the Warren Ellis run. I think your "inner geek" will be satisfied, if the 22 page preview on Milehighcomics.com is any indication.

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I just scanned the preview you are talking about, and did I look at it correctly as Dr Doom sheds his skin and is metal underneath???

how awesome is that?

[punkmonkey]

Indeed, that's what it appears to be, Woody.
And that is quite awesome, if you ask me!
I have a feeling they should have went with Ellis from the get-go.