REVIEW: Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four - 2 of 3

I got a lot out of the last Secret Invasion Fantastic Four issue. A bunch of surprises, a major cliffhanger and a feeling of quality throughout. So, based on how well the second issue of Invincible Iron Man issue did after a truly stunning start, I was a little worried that SIFF might go the same way.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Last issue's revelation that Lyja was one of the invading Skrulls pretty much made my jaw hit the floor. Looking back, it made a lot of sense, but at the time - Pete met a brick wall very quickly.

Issue two picks up the story very well, taking us through some of Johnny's past loves, quickly highlighting the important ones, and landing finally on Lyja. A mini-battle ensues, with Johnny ultimately saving Lyja's life from a car hurtling through space, only for a giant jellyfish to come between the pair. While this is going on, Ben is squishing space cockroaches as Franklin and Valeria find their very own battle suit...

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has done a bang-up job with the series thusfar, as has Barry Kitson in providing us with some top notch art. Happily, this issue is a great continuation from the first. In fact, its so good, that you can't help but wish that Roberto and Barry were on the main Fantastic Four book too...

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5
(recommended on multiple levels - brilliant use of Marvel history and fun throughout)

REVIEW: Franklin Richards: Son Of A Genius - Spring Break

What a relief! After having read the anger-fest that was Countdown To Final Crisis - 1 yesterday, I was terrified that the next book I picked up might be the same (bad comics like Countdown can do that - shake my faith in the industry to the core).

Luckily - I picked up Franklin Richards: Son Of A Genius - Spring Break, by Chris Eliopoulos and Marc Sumerak.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Being a fan of the Savage Dragon for some time now - I've been exposed to Chris' work a number of times over the years, starting at first with (the classic) Desperate Times. Chris has managed to be one of the few artists and writers in comic books today to have an almost spotless resume.

I can't think of a single book or strip of Chris' that I've read over the past few years, where I've felt that it could have been better, or that a joke misfired. His work is consistently of the highest quality - and for this, I honestly applaud him.

As you would expect, this one-shot is no different. Franklin and H.E.R.B.I.E. get up to various levels of mischief, slowing down time, beating gas aliens with the power of burps and trashing the baxter building on a videogames high.

All hilarious - all worth the price. Thoroughly recommended for adults and kids alike.

Pete's Score: 4 out of 5

(a great book all around - perfectly pitched for all audiences)