Johnny Bullet
Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four #558
By Hervé St-Louis

August 18, 2008 - 21:04

Publisher(s): Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Mark Millar
Penciller(s): Bryan Hitch
Inker(s): Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie
Colourist(s): Paul Mounts
Letterer(s): Rus Wooton
Cover Artist(s): Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Paul Mounts
$2.99 US, $3.05 Canada

Although it seems like a mundane issue where every one is  off minding their lives, the interruption of Dr. Doom asking for Reed Richards’ help at the beginning of the story and the introduction of new villains an a well known mastermind set things in motion for a storyline that promises that it will kill the Invisible Woman, Susan Storm.


Finally, the Fantastic Four are getting interesting and Millar is hitting the right notes. I was afraid that this would turn into a lacklustre run by Millar and Hitch and after reading this issue, I was probably wrong. Often, in hindsight, a new creative team messes up the first story they are telling and it’s only on their second trial that they synch in. Although not a bummer, the first Daredevil storyline by Ed Brubaker did not get critical acclaim. However, his second was much better received. The first Flash stories by Geoff Johns were not spectacular either, but he quickly found his voice.
What I liked about this issue was the mysterious nanny and the revelation about Valeria Richards, the daughter of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. As they say, the plot thickens and it seems that the Fantastic Four are being set up by an opponent or several of them.  There were but a few touches in this story, but still, it ignited my interest unlike the first storyline. I don’t care much for a story where they advertise the death of Sue Storm, but at least, everything leading to it seems interesting to me.

Hitch is a hit or miss. It depends on how much he inked his work or let other inkers lend a hand. I would bet that Currie does a better job of inking Hitch though and maybe he should have more space to interpret this great penciler. In the past, teams such as John Romita Jr and Klaus Janson proved that an inker can add as much thrill and delight to a great artist’s work, when they are given the space needed to shine. Let’s hope that Hitch inking his own work is not a matter of ego, and that Currie can start taking more spotlight.
