It was more like the "meh" four than the "Fantastic" four this issue.
With an explosion at the Baxter Building last issue, we get to see [this issue] what caused it! James Robinson, Leonard Kirk, Karl Kesel, and Jesus Aburtov join Marvel's first family on another adventure that is sure to split up the Fantastic Four!
So in this issue, the Fantastic Four run into a little problem when aliens from another dimension decide to blow up three floors of the Baxter Building and cause chaos in the streets of Manhattan. That should sound fun, but in reality; it's not! James Robinson did a fantastic job with the first issue! He created events that teases a dark time for the F4 and will test the team/family; which highly interested me! Now with this second issue, I'm starting to question as to whether or not this first story arc will be, "fantastic!"
James Robinson, to me at least, didn't give 100% into this second issue's story. It might've been intentional for purposes of hyping up the story arc; as Johnny did lose his powers at the end reinforcing that the F4 will split up in this story arc. However, with this first story arc being about the F4 splitting up for reasons that have yet to be fully explained; should it at least feel meaningful? I mean, I love the F4! Anyone that's been a fan of Marvel for any amount of time loves the first family, but for the sake of creating an interesting break up story arc; I think that each issue should make the reader feel like a member that leaves is justified instead of having a, "really?" type moment. This "really?" moment happened for Johnny Storm!
Now I won't say the entire issue was bad, it did have parts I liked. I like how the aliens from another dimension are tied to the F4; as they are the conception of Franklin Richards thoughts. I greatly enjoy when something is directly connected to Franklin Richards; because well that kid is going to be a freaking powerhouse when he gets to be his parents age. But anyway, the small moment of having the aliens bust out from that world that Franklin created and it connecting to the story at hand was good on James Robinson's part. It once again teased a reader like me into thinking that something, or someone, is really trying to screw around with the Fantastic 4. So as this wasn't a great second issue, it still had parts that were meaningful and had me ponder briefly.
The artwork is good, it wasn't fantastic though. While the art team is mostly the same; this second issue did have the add of colorist Rachelle Rosenberg. Not saying she's a bad colorist/artist (I'm sure she's great), however her added colors to help Jesus Aburtov's coloring duties really threw me off and made it feel like an X-Men book. Either her colors or the combination of hers and Jesus' just made it feel like a super bright X-Men comic book. I loved the tone and style that was set with the colors from the last issue; I know coloring must be a overwhelming job for just one person, but I would've loved the consistency in the artwork for at least the first story arc of this series.
Either way, win or lose, you can't go wrong with a Fantastic Four monthly book! I mean it's fantastic for crying out loud. This second issue wasn't so Fantastic, but usually that's the result of not seeing the big picture (hopefully). I still recommend you try this series out for yourself, and if you don't like it, move on. 1 out of 5. Until the next issue!
Last FF review, yesterday's review, and next review (for either today or tomorrow):