"A Plague of One"
Writers: Ashiro Yoshida & Jeff Parker
Artists: Carlo Pagulayan(p), Jeff Hunt(i), Sotocolor's A. Crossley(c)
Publisher: Marvel
"Flaming, monkey-boy! I will obliterate your planet!"
Oh, sweet, Aunt Petunia, I'm once again in love with the Fantastic Four. This is just so much fun. An entire story banking on FF history that's also clearly outlined for all ages in artwork that doesn't make one curl up into a weeping fetal ball can't be anything but a winner.
Annhilius is back, and he's not back because of a mistake by Reed. It's just chance and pure hatred that has led him back to our world. Thanks to Annhilius' subtle ways, the FF souses out what has happened immediately, and with Johnny's line "Bring it on, Annoy-Us!" you know that this is still the old FF who still have their old foes. It's just another action-packed adventure featuring the group you know and love without any nasty re-imaginings by hacks who should know better clouding everything.
If you think this issue's sublime nature makes it disposable, you're wrong. This is the comic book that captures the feel of a super-hero comic book in the same way the FF movie captured the feel of a super-hero comic book. It's big. It's explosive, and it's fun with bits of character moments that just spice up the delicious soup in the can of whup-ass.
In addition to the fun and fisticuffs, the reader will enjoy an explanation for what drives Annhilius, an imaginative use of Sue's powers, and a round of characteristic wit from the FF that drives the books'sense of slap-happiness. This is such a delight.
The artwork by Carlo Pagulayan and Jeff Hunt with the vibrant colors of Crossley create a detailed, beautifully choreographed battle against the bug. The FF look like themselves. They act like themselves, and Sue once again looks hot as she morphs close to the Jessica Alba model. As always, a good thing.
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