Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #1 (of 5)
Published by: Marvel Comics
Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Pascal Alixe
Inks: Livesay
Colorist: Rob Schwager
Letterer: Todd Klein
Production: Rich Ginter
Assistant Editor: Sean Ryan
Editor: Nick Lowe

Rating: 3 out of 5

Since the second issue of the series is coming out on 10/18, I suppose I might as well say what I thought of the first one.

I’ve never spent much time with Marvel’s books. They were just so… Marvel-y (True Believer!). However, on the recommendation of a friend, I picked up Gaiman’s 1602 series. Perhaps it was because it was Gaiman, perhaps it was because of a particular affinity I have for the time period, or perhaps it was because I tend to like to see familiar things in an unfamiliar way (the same way I like Elseworlds and punk covers of James Taylor songs), but I really liked 1602 in a way that I haven’t really liked anything Marvel in a while.

So, I picked this up as well. I can’t say that it’s a great book, but it’s enjoyable to read, and the story will conclude in 5 issues. The dialogue is well-done and consistent, and the story has a couple of little twists to keep it interesting. What more could you want? I didn’t particularly care for the style of the artwork. It looked too busy around the characters’ faces, and when the original is reduced to printing size, it just looks like everybody is made out of some weird muck.

I’d liked to have seen a little more of the Fantastick Family other than Ben Grimm, and a parting shot of Reed and the little clear lady, but I guess that’s what issue 2 is for, huh?