Eternals (2008 Series) #1

June 10, 2008

Quick Rating: Good
Rating: T+

The Eternals continue the search for their missing bretheren.

Writers: Charles & Daniel Knauf
Art: Daniel Acuna
Letters: Todd Klein
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Cover Art: Daniel Acuna
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Charles and Daniel Knauf are kicking off this book they way they need to – they’re taking Neil Gaiman’s miniseries as a starting point, but they aren’t just trying to copy him. There’s a massive threat approaching, and Ikarus and Thena believe only the combined power of all Eternals can stop it – all Eternals, including those who still haven’t regained their memories and the rebellious Druig, who is collecting Lost Eternals on his own. The search brings them to a small Church in Louisiana, and the race begins there.

Makkari has an interesting storyline running here as well, as he has a bizarre interaction with the Dreaming Celestial. Both storylines have definite long-term ramifications here. The story still feels a little loose, like the writers are trying to find their footing, but for a first issue, it isn’t bad.

On to the artwork – I’m not really Daniel Acuna’s biggest fan. I really disliked his recent work on Green Lantern and Flash, but either he’s changed his style or he’s simply a better fit for the Eternals, because here, it’s not bad at all. His character forms are more realistic, and the color work is good. And except for the hint of some hills in the background, he depicts one of the best Louisiana rainstorms I’ve seen in comics. (Not a lot of hills in that part of the state.)

It’s an okay first issue. Folks who enjoyed what Gaiman did will find a familiar starting ground for this new ongoing series.

Rating: 7/10

FF #4

May 31, 2011

Title: The Beating of Drums

Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Art: Barry Kitson
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Daniel Acuna
Editor: Tom Brevoort       
Publisher: Marvel Comics

A group of Reed Richards from across the Multiverse have a plan to return to their own worlds, but doing so will destroy the world of our Reed and his family. Valeria has brought Dr. Doom into the Future Foundation, along with a group of the Fantastic Four’s most intelligent foes, for the sole purpose of thinking of a way to stop the Reeds before it’s too late. As the dastardly think tank goes to work, a situation in old Atlantis brings Sue and a strike team into action. This is the first time since the title’s relaunch that we’ve really seen much in the way of superhero action, and it works nicely here. Spider-Man is finally getting a chance to do his stuff, and I just love the fact that Alex Power is being brought along on these missions. At this point, he’s got to be at the same age Johnny was when he became the Human Torch – it would seem kind of absurd to leave someone with his power set on the sidelines when things get tough.

I think the great thing about this book is the way that Jonathan Hickman has justified the relaunch. This is not merely the Fantastic Four with Spider-Man sitting in for Johnny. It’s a spin-off series, but it’s not the classic FF at all. It’s a different animal, using the original Fantastic Four as its foundation (no pun intended) to tell new stories in new ways. It’s the most entertaining, innovative comic book Marvel is publishing, and probably one of the top books in the whole industry, and if you’re not reading it, you should be.

Rating: 9/10