Review code format (ranked 1-5, blah to faboo): [writing / art / new reader? / non-comics reader?]
Ultimate Fantastic Four: N-Zone (Vol. 3) (Marvel) [4/4/3/2] (collects #13-18)
w. Warren Ellis; a. Adam Kubert
Kept under wraps by the military, the young Reed Richards figures out how to enter a parallel dimension, the N-Zone. Convincing his government keepers to let them explore it, they discover a universe where entropy is further advanced — and where a sinister figure sees the technology they’ve brought, and the universe they’ve come from as the most valuable resource available. Typically fun Ellis plot-twisting, yet surprisingly cheerful and upbeat.
Ultimate Fantastic Four: Inhuman (Vol. 4) (Marvel) [4/2/3/1] (collects #19-20, Annual 1)
w. Mike Carey, Mark Millar; a. Jae Lee
Carey introduces the Ultimate version of the Mad Thinker — a woman who’s artificially (and grotesquely) booster her intelligence to take vengeance on Reed Richards. Millar introduces the Ultimate Inhumans, which tale frankly I found depressing and boring at the same time. Jae Lee’s dark, craggy art doesn’t help either tale much.
Ultimate Fantastic Four: Crossover (Vol. 5) (Marvel) [4/5/3/2] (collects #21-26)
w. Mark Millar; a. Greg Land
Reed contacts his analog from a parallel world — that will seem very familiar to the readers. But when he goes to visit, you’d think that Robert Kirkman was writing this installment. Meanwhile, Johnny and Sue’s mother has returned from nowhere because she needs the team’s help in excavating an underwater civilization — as we get introduced to the Ultimates version of Namor.
Beautifully rendered, and decent enough tales as well.
(listening to: Animaniacs, “Animaniacs” from Animaniacs)
(listening to: Madonna, “Ray of Light” from Grammy Nominees 1999)
(listening to: Battlefield Band, “Seacoalers” from Celtic Hotel)
(listening to: Talking Heads, “Life During Wartime [Live]” from Sand in the Vaseline)