Ultimate Fantastic Four’s first storyline, “The Fantastic” was officially published in 2004 (same year HBO’s Deadwood aired) becoming a commercial success. The series ended in 2009. As you already know, the MCU’s Fantastic Four will join forces with The Avengers and my favorite team, the X-Men to square off against Doctor Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday.” It’ll be released on December 18, 2026. Mark your calendar.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS are present. It’s not a good retelling of the FF’s origin story.
Strong & Weak Qualities
Strong: Adam Kubert’s artwork glued my eyes on every panel giving Action Sequences a cinematic quality.
The FF’s origin story is rewritten as a teleporting experiment gone wrong giving them their powers instead of a cosmic cloud in space.
Like the FF’s first issue in 1961, Mole Man’s the main villain.
Susan Storm’s is more capable defending herself. In the early comics, her original counterpart always has bad luck. She eventually handles herself in a sticky situation. Susan’s considered as one of the most power characters in Earth-616.
Fun Fact: Ultimate Fantastic Four’s first issue was included as a bonus feature in the video game, “Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects.” Too bad this game’s a stinker.
Weak: Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Millar didn’t do a solid job retelling the FF’s origin story.
The dark tone doesn’t feel quite right. Brian & Mark were trying too hard. Like potty mouthed teenagers who think they’re cool.
All six issues have a pacing problem. Same thing happened in “Ultimate X-Men: The Tomorrow People.” I want more coverage on Susan & Johnny. Reed gets too much focus. In other words, lack of prominence.
In Earth-616, Reed’s father, Nathaniel Richards is a scientist who supports his son’s passion for science. A nice guy. In the Ultimate Universe, Reed’s father is renamed Gary. He’s depicted as a close-minded prick who swears in front of him, breaks his science project and never open to Reed’s passion. In the words of Jeff Spicoli from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “You, dick!” Reeds emotional abuse felt unnecessary. Poor excuse for shock value. As if Rob Zombie wrote this crap like he did with “Halloween.”
Ben Grimm has no involvement in the teleporting experiment. He’s not roommates with Reed. Ben lacks intelligence his OG had as an accomplished pilot.
Doctor Doom’s full name is Victor Van Dame instead of Victor Von Doom. How come Mole Man’s real name went from Harvey Elder to Arthur Molekevic? Keep the old names do not change them.
Cover issues depict the FF in their 30s or 40s. In the actual comics, they’re in their early 20s.
In issue #4 Susan’s clothes turn invisible. Her blue suit only works.
The Final Verdict: D-
Ultimate Fantastic Four: The Fantastic is not an authentic reinterpretation of Marvel’s first family. Another dud in the Ultimate Marvel. Skip this pile of crap. Read the FF’s classic comics in the Marvel Epic Collection lineup or subscribe to Marvel Unlimited. Your call. Which comic book storyline should I review next? Please leave a comment.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 