Fantastic Four, Vol. 2

Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman #2

by Jonathan Hickman, Dale Eaglesham

Featuring the return of the Mole Man, the architecture of the underworld and the smartest Moloid you'll ever meet. Watch as the First Family journeys to the moon where they learn that the history of the Inhumans runs much deeper, and richer, than previously believed.
Collect: Fantastic Four 575-578

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2010

About the author

Jonathan Hickman is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for creating the Image Comics series The Nightly News, The Manhattan Projects and East of West, as well as working on Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, FF, and S.H.I.E.L.D. titles. In 2012, Hickman ended his run on the Fantastic Four titles to write The Avengers and The New Avengers, as part the "Marvel NOW!" relaunch. In 2013, Hickman wrote a six-part miniseries, Infinity, plus Avengers tie-ins for Marvel Comics. In 2015, he wrote the crossover event Secret Wars. - Wikipedia

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The High Evolutionary's abandoned subterranean city will soon rise and the Mole Man comes to the Fantastic Four for help. A lake beneath the Antarctic ice cap is threatened by AIM, who wishes to exploit its secrets. And what are the Inhumans up to on the Blue Area of the moon? All of this and more will be addressed in Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman - Volume 2!

I wasn't completely sold on Hickman in the first volume but I thought I'd give him another chance. The Fantastic Four have been my favorite super hero team for decades and Dale Eaglesham's art is the alligator's Adam's apple. I'm happy to report that this volume is more like what I was expecting from Hickman.

The four issues contained within are all throwbacks to early Fantastic Four tales, tales of exploration and not a lot of super heroics. The FF visit exotic locals such as Subterranea, the Blue Area of the Moon, the Negative Zone, and an undersea realm beneath Lake Vostock.

The interplay between the characters was well done. I liked that The Mole Man has moved beyond his one-dimensional hatred toward the surface world. I felt slightly lost during the story of the Inhumans but I was up to speed by the end.

Any gripes? It still felt like a lot of setup is about the only black mark against this one. I'm hoping some of the seeds Hickman has been planting bear fruit in the next volume. Regardless, it was a fun read and hearkened back to the days of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in some respects. 3+ is the final verdict.

[Sud666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest FF fan, but Hickman does a creditable job with this volume and the art is quite good.

The gist? The FF goes back to its roots with exploration style missions. One is to the dark side of the moon where the Inhumans are up to no good, the other is to an undersea kingdom calling itself Atlantis and finally the Negative Zone which is in the midst of a 4 Cities War.

A fun and interesting read. The artwork was excellent. An FF fan will love this, but non-FF fans should enjoy it as well. I'll check out more of Hickman's FF.

[Artemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shorter collection of four one-shot stories that interconnect into one big plot towards the end of the volume. Crazy fun cosmic sci-fi is what Hickman excels at, and this volume is the perfect example of that. Very intriguing setup, let's see where it goes next.

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better volumes I have read from Hickman!

It starts with Moloids coming to the F4 for help and we learn what they want and we discover by going underground the Forever City of High evolutionary and his experiment Moloids and then we have a quest to the bottom of the ocean and discover 3 races claiming to be the Atlanteans and then going to the far side of the moon and learning of the Universal city of the Inhumans and the five wives of Black Bolt and finally Johnny vs a machine girl and her accessing the Negative zone and something is going on there as we set the ground for War of the four cities!

Its a great volume and it can get technical lets say but the way its paced is really good and we discover new elements in the Marvel universe which is fascinating and it builds and adds to the existing lore in great ways and the way the war begins is quite awesome and it begets strange responses but its very build up for the final war and the art was really good and the explanations text were simple, good volume, decent pacing and the next arc is gonna be epic!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very pretty to look at, but the plot (plots?) jumps all over the place. It feels a little too trippy for me. Or maybe I'm just missing some really vital information, since I haven't read volume 1? No idea. I'm giving it 3 stars, because it could be my fault that I didn't understand it.

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Susan of the Richards, Susan of the Storm... Envoy of man and emissary of the peak."

This is a fantastic exploration volume! Into the earth, below the sea, out to the moon, into the Negative Zone. It's super, funny, light, some dark, and supremely illustrated.

My favorite parts...
Sue making herself the emissary of humankind. The Human Torch in flaming cowboy boots and hot pants swimming in ice water. Ha! And Reed saying "This is a very cool place you've got here" in Antarctica.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a middle volume. Set up alot of cool ideas with no payoff in this volume. Still enjoying the heck out of it though.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be the first to admit the Fantastic Four has NEVER been a series I much enjoyed. I still haven't found a great book yet but the first volume was good enough that I figured I'd try the 2nd volume in Hickman's long running series.

So of course the storyline becomes bigger in scope as we go to new places. The story starts with moleman visiting our fantastic family and wanting them to come underground with him. Then we go to a new Atlantis, or so they claim. And Johnny does some dumb shit as always and almost starts a war of sorts. This all happens in 5 issues.

Good: I like the banter with the family. Very realistic and fun. I also think the art is great, especially since one underwater scene is done super well. Oh and the ending sets up some really cool ideas.

Bad: It's kind of oddly confusing at points, too big for it's own good, a lot of setting up pieces, and not the big payoff. So, like Avengers run, a lot of build up.

Overall, I know Hickman is long game. So while this volume didn't blow me away it was enjoyable enough to want to keep going. A 3 out of 5.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Hickman takes the old tropes of the Marvel U and says "What would happen if we reversed all expectations of the usual tensions?" The Moleman/FF battles have been done to death, but Moleman asking for help because the world has changed? Now *that's* a story I want to read.

Now, the rest of the book is a series of stories with little connection to one another, and I don't know exactly what Hickman is up to with this effort. These are some incredibly inventive and imaginative tales, each laying the foundation for years' worth of storytelling - and yet each one is just set aside and on to the next.

If Hickman is setting up something as massive as either the Shield series or the Secret Warriors, then this could pay off huge. OTOH, if these are just blind alleys or ideas that get orphaned, then they'll still be some of the most beautiful tales I've seen in mainstream Marvel in years.

Not least because of the incredible art by Eaglesham. The amount of new ideas and beautiful designs that he's created for this book are breathtaking. It's amazing to watch this level of effort just pour out of a monthly title as if it was as easy as tracing yet another Spider-man costume. If it's really that easy, why isn't everyone doing it?

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be the first to admit the Fantastic Four has NEVER been a series I much enjoyed. I still haven't found a great book yet but the first volume was good enough that I figured I'd try the 2nd volume in Hickman's long running series.

So of course the storyline becomes bigger in scope as we go to new places. The story starts with moleman visiting our fantastic family and wanting them to come underground with him. Then we go to a new Atlantis, or so they claim. And Johnny does some dumb shit as always and almost starts a war of sorts. This all happens in 5 issues.

Good: I like the banter with the family. Very realistic and fun. I also think the art is great, especially since one underwater scene is done super well. Oh and the ending sets up some really cool ideas.

Bad: It's kind of oddly confusing at points, too big for it's own good, a lot of setting up pieces, and not the big payoff. So, like Avengers run, a lot of build up.

Overall, I know Hickman is long game. So while this volume didn't blow me away it was enjoyable enough to want to keep going. A 3 out of 5.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume, while interesting and well-written, feels mostly like setup for future conflicts. We're introduced to each of four different, highly evolved cities on various parts of the earth (or even in alternate dimensions), all of which have a lot in common with each other but just enough not in common to lead me to believe a storm is coming. In volume one of the series, a giant confrontation was basically prophesied, and I think this is the origin of that confrontation. While I didn't find this book as thrilling and energetic as the first volume, I can still tell that this is not just Hickman spinning his wheels. This is all important, and I'm sure later volumes will pay off everything set up here.

One thing I need to point out, though, is Dale Eaglesham's perfect artwork. With Hickman's big, almost Silver-Agey ideas played for realism and scientific possibility, Eaglesham is the perfect visual accompaniment. His art is somehow both old- and new-school. His characters all have a kind of 1960s Marvel look, while the environments he builds seem completely modern with a fantastical edge. I know he doesn't continue on the series forever, which is a real bummer. It's rare that an artist and writer line up so well, and this is one of the best pairings I've seen in a while.

In any case, I'll consider this volume a calm-before-the-storm type deal and look forward to the next big thing from Hickman and company.

[Paz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume might look like a collection of stand-alone stories, but it's just the set up for all that is to come. So I have lots of expectations, given the big players that are introduced here and the time it took to do so.
Now, it's not as fun as the first volume, and because it lowkey suffers from the second book syndrome, it's slower and not as engaging.
That being said, I was never bored and I think all the issues were extremely well written because I got to learn a bunch from all the big cities and I was never lost about anything. It's just that I kept waiting for something big to finally happen and this volume wasn't planned for that.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially more standalone stories than a cohesive storyline of any length. Ish. Because it's quite obvious that this is all setup for more. More of what, I couldn't say. Each individual story stands on its own well enough, even if they each seem to almost fizzle out instead of end. Which, if they're meant to be exposition for later events, they sort of have to. It's kind of a risk Hickman is taking here, and he seems to be writing the characters quite well as he goes along.

[Adam Spanos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to assume you've read volume 1 of Hickman's Fantastic Four run. That was a good book, and is enjoyable as a stand alone story.

However, with volume 2, you are going to need to make a significant investment in a lot more books for it to be worth buying. By itself, volume 2 is boring as all heck. It's all setup...

[Derek · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I am reading Fantastic Four is coz Jonathan Hickman wrote them, but I am really struggling with this series. Really struggling.

[Ronyell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief Introduction:

After reading the first volume of Jonathan Hickman’s run of “Fantastic Four,” I wanted to check out the rest of this series and see more adventures from the “Fantastic Four!” Unfortunately, “Fantastic Four: Volume Two” was just an average read for me because while it had some interesting scenes with the Fantastic Four, it lacked the action that was shown in the first volume and the plotlines in this volume had many slow scenes that made it difficult for me to read through.

What is the story?

After the events of the first volume, the Fantastic Four start having adventures in visiting four different lands which includes meeting up with one of their enemies, the Mole Man and discovering a terrible secret that involves his people, going down to the kingdom of Atlantis and finding a new emissary for the voice of man, going to the moon and meeting with the Inhumans and going through the Negative Zone!

What I loved about this comic:

Jonathan Hickman’s writing: I actually enjoyed the set up that Jonathan Hickman was providing for the Fantastic Four’s next adventure which might include the War of the Four Cities and I was extremely interested in seeing how all the events that happened in this book will play out in the future stories. I also loved the way that Jonathan Hickman portrayed each character in this volume with Johnny Storm being the hilarious and feisty little brother to Sue Storm, Sue Storm being the intelligent and supportive role model for the team, Reed Richards being the team’s scientific mind and Ben Grimm being the wisecracking powerhouse of the team. Probably the story that I liked the best in this volume was Johnny Storm’s encounter with the Negative Zone as it really showed the positive aspects of his character and some character development on his part and also, Johnny Storm is always a favorite character of mine!

Dale Eaglesham’s artwork: Dale Eaglesham’s artwork in this series was always a pleasure for me since the characters look so realistic and I also loved the way that the characters sort of glowed on the pages which made the artwork so gorgeous to look at. I loved the way that the characters have well-defined bodies, especially Johnny Storm and Reed Richards’ bodies being muscular around the arms. I also loved the way that Dale Eaglesham did the artwork for the action scenes as you can see flames being shown whenever a city is destroyed.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this book:

The reason why I gave this volume a three star rating is because while this volume was trying to set up the events for the War of Four Cities, the pacing for the stories in this volume were a bit too slow and the constant scientific dialogues spoken between the characters sort of bored me to death. Also, since I am still new to the “Fantastic Four” comics, I still find most of these plots to be a bit confusing and I was still lost whenever the characters were mentioning about an upcoming threat that deals with several different cities since I am not well-versed in the world of the Fantastic Four. Also, the stories in this volume seem to be all over the place and it was hard to keep up with the main story of this volume or what it would eventually lead to.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Fantastic Four: Volume Two” was just an average read for me since the plot was moving a bit too slow, despite some good moments with the characters like Johnny Storm and the Thing. Even though this was not my favorite volume, I am hoping that the “Fantastic Four” series will pick up the pace in the later volumes.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like a love letter to Jack Kirby. But not the reverent worshipping type of love letter, no. One that takes everything from those old Fantastic Four runs and tries to evolve it into something new. Mole Man and his Moloids, now with hyper-intelligent High Evolutionary moloids. Inhumans, now with universal Inhumans. You want to fight with Namor? Let's have a whole underwater hierarchy that the F4 are injected into. Negative Zone? Well, we've had Annihilation, let's get bigger and have a whole Cult of the Negative Zone! Everything is bigger, everything is larger, and now people like Sue and Johnny have to take on new roles and question their purpose in the ever-expanding sci-fi universe they find themselves in.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fantastic Four is at its best when the writer remembers that the team was Lee/Kirby's minor swipe of the Kirby/Wood Challengers of the Unknown. A group of pseudo (because the science is too far fetched) explorers. This volume appears to be a lead into a larger story as four cities are discovered and explored. 1 under the artic ice caps, another under the earth, 1 in another dimension and 1 on the moon. Hickman like Lee/Kirby, Claremont and the underrated Karl Kessel is really trying to bring an oh Wow sense of wonder to to the book.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times, the setup of four cities, four elements, and four members of the Four seems contrived, but overall this is an interesting volume that hints at what is to come and also a nice return to the idea of the Four as adventurers.

[Damon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am actually very unimpressed with this muck. I know Hickman can do much better than this and can only think that these characters drained him with all their attached histories and boring character traits.

[RG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've begun this arc again after becoming obsessed with Hickmans writing. This has to one of the strongest fantastic four runs. So in depth, so weird but oh so much fun. The art is perfect. Im currently reading Slotts run in singles but this blows it out of the water at this stage.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. An interesting book with some great art and cool ideas, but there are too many threads right now so it feels messy in this book due to the lack of payoff. No doubt the later volumes will address this.

[Joe Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

More great sci-fi from Hickman

[Jesús · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hickman unnecessarily complicates what should be a relatively straightforward series of events. The issues in this volume are all set-up for a presumed payoff to come, but plot information comes in awkward fits and starts across four separate issues. A more accomplished writer would be able to simplify and compress all of this staging and still keep the larger plot moving forward. No such luck here. Hickman is trying to keep too many balls in the air at once for no good reason.

While I dig the Silver Age-style tone of the writing, Dale Eaglesham’s accompanying art is a total mess. He cannot draw a human face to save his life, and without being able to draw a face, he cannot communicate emotion. And without any emotion in these stories, I may as well just read a bullet-point summary of the plot. Not fun.

Here’s where I step off the train.

[Trike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored throughout this book. It feels so lifeless and dull, which is quite a feat given the characters and concepts.

[Myles Likes Tacos and Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best part is when we get the reveal of who is behind the Hickman info graphs

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the artwork is stunning - an easy 5 stars, the story is slow. I know Hickman is going somewhere with this, it just seems like this was really light material - especially since it seems to be introducing what seems to be a major storyline. The issues presented four introductory points along the line of a big story and they all seemed to scratch a surface and leave me needing more.
I still love the fact that the dialogue is both witty and complex and the actions of the group really make me stop to think. Of particular note is the underwater scene. I "re-read" it several times to make sure that I hadn't missed anything. The effect of the lack of dialogue due to the underwater setting was so subtle at first but packed a big punch. I stopped reading and marveled at how the scene popped out and became so real. Maybe I even stole a glance around the room to make sure I was still above sea level...
I like where this is going and though it's just slow to get there, the feeling of a big payoff lingers.

[Zoë Birss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elijah and Grace give Fantastic Four Volume 2 5 stars!

Grace says: I want to give it FOUR stars because it's the FANTASTIC FOUR!

Elijah says: I give it FIVE stars because I LOVE IT!

Grace: I love it too.

Elijah: I liked all four stories. All of them I really liked. I don't know which I would read first because I loved them all. I might mix them up and read them at the same time!

Grace: I liked the bugs story at the end the most. I like the first one with the underground people, too.

Elijah: I like Val the best. She is Sue Storm and Reed Richard's daughter. I like her because she is so smart.

Grace: JOHNNY STORM! He's my favourite! Because he's really really hot!

(Daddy's note: Grace is five. I think she just means that Johnny can make fire. Probably.)

Elijah: I liked the first Volume more.

Grace: I liked the second Volume more.

Grace says: I think Grammy would like this book.

Elijah says: I also think Grammy would like it.

Grace and Elijah say: We want to read more Fantastic Four, and watch the movies, and watch the TV shows!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

[review for volumes 1-4]
I've not been a huge Hickman fan. I think my first conscious exposure to his writing was Infinity, which seemed unnecessarily confusing. Around the same time, I was struggling with East of West and Manhattan Projects and I realized the connection between the three. His ideas are very high concept, reminiscent of Grant Morrison (who also consistently confuses me), but he isn't able to execute them as successfully as Morrison, who usually manages to balance character development more effectively while totally baffling us plebes with his high concepts.
However, this doesn't happen here. Hickman's run on FF is some of the best writing for the series I've read (I'm through volume 4 so far, and still reading). Reed is a perfect outlet for Hickman's high concepts and because Richards's personality is well-established, it keeps those ideas in balance with the character development.
[Spoilers] Johnny Storm's "death" in volume 4 is moving and emotional, and Hickman builds to it perfectly. I'm looking forward to reading more!

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Vol 1 a while ago, and liked that; this next Volume was a little disappointing to me to be honest. I suppose I need to remember how far-fetched some of the First Family's adventures are (both FF hmmm). A whole civilization living underwater in Antarctica, a whole city underground, the Inhumans getting ready to take over, it's all just too much, but maybe Hickman is just trying to set up a bunch of storylines for the next while. Still, not my favourite, and I almost started just skimming by the end.