FINAL FOUR

The last issue of Marvel’s flagship title, Fantastic Four No. 588, ends the series on a suitably quiet note. No words are spoken for 40 of the book’s 48 pages, as the remaining FF and most of the rest of the Marvel Universe mourn the death of Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch.  Even Doom shows up and, uncharacteristically, says nothing. The usual volubility of the Marvel minions is muted, silent, out of respect, we assume, for the traditions of mourning: there are no words to express genuine grief.

Only on the last eight pages do any characters speak — and then only Spider-Man and young Franklin as the Webslinger tries to comfort the youngster and help him come to grips with the death of a relative. The two perch on an upper ledge of a tall building, enveloped by the silence of a distant cityscape.  Writer Jonathan Hickman displays a deft hand in conducting a conversation that broaches the delicate subject directly but without maudlin sentiment. Nicely done.

Nick Dragotta’s pictures are exemplars of clarity, no fussy feathering here — just linear definition, enhanced by Paul Mounts’ colors. And Mark Brooks turns in a similar linear performance for the Spider-Man and Franklin epilogue, “Uncles.” After that, Hickman explains the reason for ending the title and starting anew.

The idea, apparently, is to revive the FF as the seminal superhero club: the original group has become, over the years, a little set in their ways, let’s say, but the new bunch (a quartet again with the addition of Spider-Man) will necessarily be “a modern Marvel Universe book.” Saith Hickman: the relaunch is “about injecting the First Family back into the Marvel Universe proper.” And for that, they get new uniforms.

For the legions of Marvel fans, ending the company’s flagship title seems almost blasphemous, but at least, the last issue of Fantastic Four is a stunningly memorable one.