So, it took me a little longer to get to my review of Stan Lee’s The Last Fantastic Four Story than I intended to, but I’ve found the time, and here we are.
Now, it seems that the basic consensus amongst internet reviewers has been that it isn’t too good–it’s far too silly and old fashioned for its own good. Well, I’m not a fucking curmudgeon, and I think it was pretty damn fun.
The thing is, people are (for some reason) going into it expecting it to be like a modern Marvel comic, as though anyone would buy a Stan Lee book, especially this Stan Lee book, and not be expecting that old school feel. Come on, people. I mean yes, Stan’s style is antiquated now (even though it was incredibly naturalistic for its time) but it’s what we all want from him and you know it. If I have Stan Lee writing a Fantastic Four story–even better, his idea of how the series would end–I want it to feel like a Stan Lee Fantastic Four story.
So, basically the book turned out to be what I wanted: silly and old-fashioned, ridiculously grand with some great pathos and character moments mixed in. The moment in which Reed actually calls Ben the above title to this review was corny, yes, but it was also a great little personal bit.
More importantly, and most affecting, was the ending. That was the big question, after all: how would Stan Lee, the father of Marvel comics (for all intents and purposes) end the series that started it all if he were given the chance to do so? (Clearly the book is non-canon.) I won’t give it away, of course, but I’ll say that after going over the top with celestial and cosmic grandeur, it ends in the perfect manner for the series that kick-started superheroes being everyday people to end. The big cosmic dilemma is a little unoriginal, but it’s resolution is too fun for that to matter entirely.
Plus it’s great to look at. Part of why I was so excited for this comic was the art–John Romita Jr. has been one of my favorite comic book artists since forever. He takes out all the stops here… the thing is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. From the giantic villain, to the incredibly rendered Silver Surfer, to the two-page-spread fight scene, to the expressions on the FF’s faces: even someone who can complain about the writing can’t about the art.
So here’s what it comes down to. If you’re a big comics fan, and specifically a Marvel fan, this may be for you. It definitely won’t satisfy everyone, but if you like to tip your hat to what came before, and like a bit of silly, childlike glee (even in what’s supposed to be a rather dark story) then you might love it like I did.
Wait no, let’s make it simpler. If hearing the phrase: “A possible ending for the Fantastic Four written by Stan Lee and drawn by John Romita Jr.!” got your blood pumping a little faster get it. If you don’t know what any of that means… you should probably start here instead.
