The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Issues #48-50 of the first run of Fantastic Four by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee are considered an American masterpiece. Even by scholars who wouldn't consider themselves a typical comic book reader. Today, I witnessed the first work of cinematic art to hot screens in decades. 

I got definite feels of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey during the first half of the film which leads up to the team of Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm and a very pregnant Sue Storm to confronting Galactus as he consumes a planet light-years away before he heads to Earth for the main course. 

The Devourer will spare Earth if the Fantastic Four will surrender their unborn child to him. Sensing the child's great abilities, Galactus believes that the ageless one's unstoppable hunger will finally be sated with the Richards child taking his cosmic place as a natural balance of all things in the universe. 

I don't think it's much of a spoiler to reveal that Sue has the baby while attempting to escape Galactus since a trailer came out weeks ago where Reed Richards reveals to the human race that they refuse to bargain with him. That turning point then changes the feel of the entire movie. But it still manages to keep that masterpiece feel by now evoking feelings of The Grapes of Wrath, The Ox-Bow Incident and To Kill a Mockingbird as the Fantastic Four's sense of duty to the planet while maintaining a whole family unit is greatly explored as they try to find a way to defeat Galactus.

I know a lot about the Fantastic Four. They're in my top 5 favorite superheroes all-time. I've seen every cinematic incarnation of Marvel's First Family and read a ton of their books. So I feel that I can definitively say that it was refreshing to know all of the backstory and yet watch this film as having no clue where it was going. Honest. I was clueless about how this film was gonna end.

There's 3 reasons that helped me not feel like I've seen this story a million times before. No- 4! 

#1. The movie takes place in the 1960s. A few years AFTER the team goes into space and are bombarded by cosmic rays. So no oft repeating origin story other than a quick establishing montage.

#2. It takes place on an Earth different from the 616 universe we've experienced all those other Marvel Universe movies in the past 25 years.

#3. There's no appearance of Uatu, the Watcher, whose arguable meddling in the affairs of the human race, saves the Earth from Galactus. Also absent: Alicia Masters, whose sightless view of the good in humanity causes the Silver Surfer to betray Galactus in the process.

#4. By having the Silver Surfer be a different character than Norrin Radd, you have no idea as to whether or not this Surfer is 100% to Galactus or not. It makes the character more of a dark horse in the scheme of things, helping to keep things fresh.

I know that some fans threw literal fits with having a female cast as the Surfer. I thought Julia Gardner was really good. Ralph Ineson, who plays Galactus was very good as well. As for the FF, they were like this legendary meal I had in Philadelphia years ago prepared by Iron Chef Morimoto. Individually, each element was good but not great. Get two characters together, things start to come together. Three is hitting on fabulous. But put all 4 actors together, and it's like Morimoto's Chilean sea bass with Black Bean Sauce: it was Fantastic.

I was startled by how much Human Torch actor Joseph Quinn looked like a young Robert Downey Jr. As Downey is set to play a version of Doctor Doom, I couldn't help but wonder if that casting was intentional. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing was great when dealing with civilians. I could get used to a Ben with a beard. But he really needs to work on his battle cry of 'It's Clobbering Time!' as Ebon's was really weak.

Speaking of weak, actress Vanessa Kirby was anything but. I know that today's Sue Storm is a bad ass not to be trifled with. But when she first appeared in the 1960s, her role was less that of the Invisible Girl but more of the damsel in distress. Since the film occurs during a time when the sexual revolution is not even on most women's horizon, seeing Sue so determined and self-confident feels like an anachronism. 

As for Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards. I think it's time for him to stop being in every movie and franchise or we're going to get tired of him pretty soon. But he was good, too.

And I can't close this review without mentioning the 5th member of the team. No, not Franklin. I'm talking about H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot. Not since watching Star Wars have I been so invested in an android. I was going to be pissed if they killed him off and it was everything I could do to not pick up my phone during the film and make sure that H.E.R.B.I.E. survived. 

I would love to see this film again. But next time I do, I want to watch it at home where I can pause the screen and examine the backgrounds and the extras. I caught a few Easter eggs, like of Stan and Jack working away at Timely Comics. I'm sure I missed a ton in the opening montage scene. Plus it was so great of Marvel Studios to give a solid tribute at the end of the film to the King. Stan the Man always got the praise. It was about damn time that the applause for all for just Jolly Jack for once!

The Fantastic Four: First Steps was a masterpiece of film that deserves a view in the theater. But it's also a movie for true Marvel fans who will want to search over and over again  for clues and hidden gems like the Zapruder film.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Godzilla Vs the Fantastic Four #1 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In 1977 American comic book fans were treated to the king of all crossovers when the King of All Monsters, Godzilla became an official part of the Marvel universe. For 24 issues, Dum Dum Dugan, Gabriel Jones and SHIELD did their best to contain Godzilla as he rampaged his way across the United States. Along the way, Hank Pym, Spider-Man, and even Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur during a trip back in time, tried to stop the radioactive beast from making New York City his next stomping ground.

In the final issue of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, it's Marvel's First Family who are pitted against the beast before he ultimately returned to the depths of the sea for another underwater slumber. With Godzilla's hibernation, Marvel's partnership with Japan's Toho Studios was ended and the events of the last 2 years of events were retconned out of continuity. So it's only fitting with Godzilla's return to the House of Ideas in this 2025 series of a half dozen one-shots that the Fantastic Four are chosen to welcome the Kaiju legend back!

The 6-one shots are supposed to be a rebooted continuation of the original 70s series and will show Godzilla's progression over the years in Marvel Comics history had Marvel never lost the rights from Toho. Basically scrapping everything that happened to conclude the series, in this story simply titled 'Godzilla Vs. The Fantastic Four', Gojira has made it to Manhattan coming East via the Atlantic instead of traversing the United States. Reed Richards hopes to make a final stand at Liberty Island. Unfortunately, sheer brute strength isn't enough to keep the King of the Titans down.

Mr. Fantastic regroups, leading Godzilla to the Baxter Building. At FF headquarters, Richards will reroute the entire Eastern seaboard power grid into the Baxter Building; essentially turning it into a giant bug zapper. 

The victory is premature. Because immediately once Godzilla is defeated, the sky over New York turns to fire. This has happened before. Galactus has returned and he brings with him a new herald: the three headed alien dragon destroyer known as King Ghidorah!

Ryan North penned this epic story that rivals Stan and Jack's 'Galactus Trilogy' by adding Kaiju to the mix. John Romita Jr. penciled the interior artwork with the regular cover crafted by A Kubert. Further issues will star the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man and the X-Men. The 6-issue chronicle into Godzilla's missing timeline culminates with a challenge by the New Avengers, who's roster is heavily influenced by the recent Thunderbolts* film starring Sebastian Stan and Florence Pugh. Hopefully, Dum Dum and Gabe will show up at some point along the way. Their appearances would be so fitting since they were main characters in the original Godzilla comic. 

Completing this review completes Task #17 (A Kaiju Comic Book) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Captain America: The Korvac Saga (Family Comic Friday)

It's confession time. I've never read the entire Korvac Saga. I've read the first few issues of what is considered the prelude. When I was reading the original Guardians of the Galaxy Omnibus, I read the issues of The Avengers that guest-starred Yondru, Charlie-27 and Vance Astro. I had every intention to read the rest of the story. But I got to reading something else and next thing I know 7 years have passed. 

Recently, I found this book. A little big bigger than a digest, this volume reprints the 4-issue miniseries of the same name from 2011. This version of the Korvac Saga takes place quite early in the revived career of Captain America. A born military leader, Cap is butting heads with Iron Man over leadership of the team. Iron Man is more used to going with his gut on making a plan. For Captain America, everything is a chess game in a strategic plan of attack. 

As the story is opening up, the Avengers are getting their butts handed to them by a bunch of C-listers like Quasimodo and the Living Laser. Thanks to mostly sheer luck, the Avengers discover that these underdog villains had their powers and armor upgraded by a supposedly random nobody hacker named Michael Korvac. The capture of Korvac feels too easy to Cap. So he goes to the local jail in hopes of getting some answers. Instead, Captain America is meet by a group of super-powered mystery men who claim to be a sort of intergalactic police force from the year 3000 and they want Korvac back immediately! 

Then everything goes wonky...

Now Steve Rogers finds himself thrust into future. Kovac has revealed himself to be an insane android. And did we mention Korvac has taken control of future Galactus' warship? Threatening to destroy the entire universe, Cap must team with these Guardians of the Galaxy by storming the TAA II and claim the ultimate nulifier in order to stop an ultimate evil!

Captain America: The Korvac Saga was a fun read. But it was rated A for All Ages. Based on the fact that the original Korvac Saga was Comics Code Approved, it was all ages too. Technically. So why did we need a reboot? Was this an attempt by Marvel to garner interest in Captain America in younger readers in anticipation for 2011's The First Avenger? If so, why use the Guardians? 

And don't say that this book was designed to boost the Guardians in the eyes of young readers! Their movie wasn't for another 4 years. Plus, this isn't even the Star Lord, Groot and Rocket Raccoon version the team we're dealing with! And with Sony owning rights to Galactus and considering how obscure Korvac is to the casual Marvel reader, this miniseries being rated All Ages just doesn't make sense to me.

Don't get me wrong. This was an exciting book. Justice League Unlimited's Ben McCool's story is modern with a nostalgic touch. Craig Rousseau's (Marvel Her-oes) art and inks are dynamic. But the dialogue is terse, the vocabulary is too advanced and the lines are too thin for an All Ages read. I'd say this was more of a 11 and up type read. Maybe go 12 or 13. I know that kids read and differing levels. But I can't see a 4 year old reading this.

Featuring Avengers #167, the opening salvo of the original Korvac storyline, this is a volume older readers will probably enjoy more than the kiddies. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Essential Thor, Volume 6

This collection of Thor comics proves that the 1970s is my favorite of the Marvel eras. 

The adventure begins in a battle of the myths between the Greeks and Norse as Thor challenges Hercules for the honor of a kidnapped maiden. Then thunder god teams with planet eater Galactus to take on Ego the Living Planet. A plague of fear will engulf the Big Apple leading Thor to return to the guise of Dr. Donald Blake in order to safe his long-lost forbidden love, Jane Foster. And as the pages of this massive volume draw to an end, trouble in Asgard is brewing while Thor is joined by the Warrior Three in a twisty caper through space and time!

This is the penultimate Essential Thor collection. Profits found in insanely expensive color reprints spelled the end of these black and white newsprint beauties. I rushed to my computer to place my order for volume 7 and I wait with baited breath on it's arrival. But as this run of collections is coming to an end, my wish list is about to explore with about 15 years of Thor solo comics from the 80s and early 90s (up to beginning of the Heroes Reborn era.)

A great chapter in not just Marvel history, but Thor's as well. 

Oh, and for those of you keeping score- the events of this volume takes place before Essential Fantastic Four, Volume 8. It's not required to read it this way. But it sure is fun!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 8

There's about 30 issues reprinted in this volume. The main theme seems to be alternate Earths. An alien warlord seeks to destroy 3 worlds and 3 versions of the FF, in order to become the ultimate power in all existence. Then the High Evolutionary seeks help on his counter-earth from the threat of Galactus. Though the planet killer has a vow not to eat our earth, he's got no qualms devouring that other world. 

Lastly we have a mystery villain. I don't want to give up too much. But it explains questions I've had since I was a child attempting to read and collect FF issues. 

Throw in the Frightful, uh- Three, a time travelling caper with the Invaders and the Liberty Legion, and help from the Impossible Man, Tigra and Thundra and it appears that the Baxter Building is getting more crowded than a Peter Davison TARDIS. 

The 70s are by far my favorite Fantastic Four time period. This series is chop full of wild tales by Roy Thomas with art by a host of greats. The biggest treat are the George Perez penned issues. And in true Marvel Bullpen fashion, there's a delightfully meta story involving many of your favorite Marvel talent!

Oddly enough, there's absolutely no Doctor Doom in this collection! That's actually kinda refreshing!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Fantastic Four: Grand Design #2

Issue #2 of Grand Design was such a disappointment. I feel in love with Tom Scioli's (The Myth of 8-Opus) premier issue which covered in brief yet amazing detail the early history of both the Marvel Universe and of the Fantastic Four. In that chapter, Scioli did mix some modern mythos of the MCU with the original blueprints lain by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. But by doing this, Tom Scioli helped to clarify some of the plot holes that had plagued the early days of the Marvel Age of Comics. In my opinion, this concept filled-in the cracks perfectly to forge over 80 years of comics into a single cohesive timeline. So, what the heck went wrong with issue #2?

This issue opens with the beginning of what fans call 'The Galactus Trilogy'. The first 2-3 pages are straight from Fantastic Four #48-49. But then Scioli decides to mash-up multiple timelines and story-lines into, well, I really don't know what. 

Whereas Tom Scioli sought to make a cohesive timeline in Grand Design #1, it seems that Scioli decided to make a 'What If' story in this last issue. Scioli combines elements from Earth X, Days of Future Past, and even a couple of stories from the original What If series of 1977-1984. If Tom Scioli had either kept both issues of this miniseries as a chronicle of the FF or had both issues become a hodge-podge of Fantastic Four lore, I would have been happy. I did not like this sudden transition between the two issues.

After completing issue #1 was disappointed to learn that Grand Design was limited to only 2 issues. But after finishing this chapter, I'm okay with their not being more. I don't know if I'd even buy a third issue after having plodded through this train wreck. I must admit that the artwork was way more improved. But I'd rather have a better story over artwork just about any day!

A deluxe edition that combines issues #1 and 2, plus a remastered classic Fantastic Four issue is due out quite soon. Skip it! The classic tale has been reprinted several times in it's story-line continuance. Look for that instead. Then, just seek out the first issue of Grand Design and pretend that the last page doesn't say 'To Be Continued.' Save the $4 you'd spend on this issue on something else.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Cosmic Ghost Rider: Baby Thanos Must Die

It's not often that I find a comic book so insane, so bizarre and it having absolutely nothing to do with Harley Quinn, Deadpool or The Tick! Yet, that's exactly what I have found here with Cosmic Ghost Rider!

I'm not sure how this happened (or even what universe this occurs in), but Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher, has not only become a Ghost Rider but also a former herald of Galactus as well as the previous major domo of Thanos. Having witnessed unimaginable horrors at the hands of Thanos, Castle decides to change history by killing the Mad Titan as a baby before any killings can occur!

Did writer Donny Cates (Thanos Wins) have something to do with Avengers: Endgame? This sort of thing was discussed in length between Professor Hulk, Ant Man and Rhodey in the 2019 movie. Only here in the comics, Frank Castle has a sudden change of heart and decides to kidnap baby Thanos and change history by teaching him the ways of non-violence! (Yeah-like that's gonna work!) 

The art by Dylan Burnett (X-Force) wasn't bad. But it lacked a polish to it. Yet, based on the content of this book with is anything but prim and proper, it fits. I actually find myself enthralled by the vibrant palette of colorist Antonio Fabela (Skyward). It's gritty and yet full of energizing pastels that make for a trippy cosmic scene. And Oh My God, those covers! Stunning!

This book is filled with a countless number of cameos, unimaginable insane violence and cosmic wackiness! It clearly lived up to it's parental advisory! I loved it and I did not want it to end! 

If ever DC and Marvel do crossovers again, I would love for this version of Frank Castle to meet up with the Last Czarnian, Lobo! I think the duo could do some serious but quite crazy damage! But man would I just be in heaven with every moment of it!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

You Choose the Story When You're the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2016 Halloween Comic Fest)

It's another Halloween Comic Fest offering that has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween. But I knew this going into both obtaining and reading this book. Why I wanted to read this book was because I loved the concept behind this story. It's a Choose Your Own Adventure comic book. 

For those of you not in the know, in the 80s, there were dozens upon dozens of series of books where a reader got to choose their fate through a number of choices placed strategically throughout the book. I absolutely loved those books. But I've never seen it in comic book form- until now!

The mighty Galactus has deemed the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl to be the champion of Earth. In order to prove her worth, the World Eater has put her through a series of bizarre challenges, like fighting a mass of living algae.  

This issue isn't exactly the best 'find your fate' type of story I've ever read in terms of the number of options. But the overall story was extremely funny and I did like the chance to be in charge of the storyline for a change. Plus, reading all of the unselected options were quite entertaining. I just don't think this type of story quite works in a comic book format. 

Regardless of how well this book translate, this was a pretty successful offering from Marvel.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #4

Issue #4 stars one of the cosmic stars of the Marvel Universe. OK, Firelord is more of a third tier character, but that last sentence was a pretty good pun you must admit. I am actually at a loss as to why they chose Firelord as this issue's subject. With every issue thus far about mutant characters, I was convinced that Uncanny Origins was an X-men title.

  So why the sudden switch and focus on one of the heralds of Galactus?

  I didn't get my answer until the end of this book where there were a couple of full page tributes to writer/editor Mark Gruenwald, who died suddenly a few weeks before the publication of UC4. Gruenwald was tackling the editing job for this series when he past. As a tribute to him, they chose one of his favorite characters from his epic run on Thor in the 80s- that being Firelord.

  The previous issues have been more of a rough overview of the early life and times of that issue's focus. This issue was mostly an honest to god story, focusing on a cadet of the Nova Corps, named Kril. When his commanding officer is abducted by Galactus, the corpsman makes it his mission to save his superior and friend.

  Years will pass before human and force of nature finally meet. But to uncover the fate of his missing companion, Kril has to make the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life as a human and becoming the next herald Galactus. Once the transformation is made, the new Firelord will finally get the answer he's long sought. Believe me when I say it's the ultimate twist of irony!

  This is the best issue of the bunch ( so far, of course…) and it's not because this issue doesn't focus on mutants either. The writing by James Felder is quite good. Plus Dave Hoover does another bang up job on the artwork. But I think what made this issue stand out was the dedication of the Marvel bullpen to put out a loving eulogy to their fallen friend Gruenwald in the form of a comic.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Tick: Karma Tornado #4

  Having been tricked by the famed primate astronaut Ham, the Tick finds himself the caretaker of a gigantic celestial being. When he's not providing maintenance and cleaning for this force of nature, the Tick is touring the galaxy writing up travelogues. But when Tick discovers that his reports are being used less for vacationing and more as a buffet menu, his new master will take matters to explosive new heights.

   If this sounds an awful lot like Silver Surfer and Galactus, well you're not very far off. Just replace Norrin Radd's Christ-figure self-righteous pitying with Tick's self-loathing (would you want to scrub out the undercarriage of a giant elemental who can't reach when he has to wipe?) and you could swear that you've been reading Lee and Kirby's Galactus Trilogy.

    Sure, the plot was ripped-off from a classic Marvel story from the 1960s. And yeah- the ending of this story paints the writer into a gigantic corner. But this chapter was still pretty darn funny and the art was still far more superior than the original Edlund run.

    But really, how is the Tick going to come out of this cliffhanger? I'm at the edge of my seat waiting to find out.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Thor: God of Thunder, Volume 4: The Last Days of Midgard (Marvel NOW!)

   The days of Asgard on earth are numbered when Roxxon declares war on Thor after he assists SHIELD in shutting down one of the corporation's illegal operations. After a small absence from the earth, Thor returns to Broxton Oklahoma only to find that the big business has bought up the entire town, evicted it's residents, and covered the city in smog and  pollution. Thor can normally deal with any sort of physical assault, but he's never dealt with an army of slimy corporate lawyers before. How will the god of Thunder survive on the battlefield known as the US Court of Appeals?

    Meanwhile, in the distant future, King Thor makes one last stand for planet earth when Galactus arrives to feed on its desolate husk. When the old god seeks assistance with a damned sword it will take combined might of his three granddaughters to save his soul. However, when a forbidden tome is unearthed in the libraries of Asgard, it appears that the present-day Thor's time of being worthy to wield Mjolnir are coming to a close.

   This exciting issues for many changes for the god of thunder as well as the entire realm of Asgard. Frigga, the Warriors Three, Jane Foster, and Ulik contribute in a story that feels a lot like a swan song for the god of Thunder. There's even a small glimpse of the female Thor that's been a controversial subject as of late. Oddly, the only major player not involved in this story is Loki for some reason and that's weird because he's been such a presence in the story of Thor since the very beginning.

  I'm sure he'll rear his ugly head sometime soon before the reign of the new Thor ends.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

ANNIHILATION: HERALDS OF GALACTUS #1-2 (Annihilation Week)

Cover to Issue #2

This two-part series focuses on the aftermath of Annihilation in terms of some of the surviving heralds of Galactus that survived: Firelord, Stardust, Terrax, and the Silver Surfer. Okay- I had thought that Terrax died during the Annihilation Wave at the hands of Gamora. But it appears that you can survive a beheading.

    The best story involved Firelord, who enacts his cosmic brand of justice on the allies of Annihilus who survived it's atrocities and managed to sue for peace. Peace treaties be damned. In the eyes of Firelord, once a force of evil, always a force of evil and justice will be served flaming hot.

   I actually thought that this could have been a great ongoing series. From my research this never really happened but if it had, I would've been adding it to my wish list. Missed opportunities once again from Marvel.

   This Silver Surfer tale ends with a 'To Be Continued..." and I was about to be really angry. I mean doesn't omnibus mean that it contains everything involved with the subject at hand? In this case, that would be Annihilation. However, there is a sequel called Annihilation: Conquest that picks up with the galaxy trying to rebuild after the onslaught from the Negative Zone. So, the next thing I need to read would be the Conquest Omnibus right? Wrong!

Up Next: Annihilation: Nova Corps Files

Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Annihilation #1-6 (Annihilation Week)

Variant Cover to Issue #1

 The battle is taken to Annihilus by a combined force of Kree, Skrull, heralds of Galactus, and assorted intergalactic rogues, lead by Richard Rider, the last Nova. The opening scene pits Nova's coalition against the bug warriors of the Negative Zone. That opening chapter was insane. It so very much seemed like a scene from 'Starship Troopers.' I'm starting to think that writer Keith Giffen always wanted to script a version of Robert A Heinlein's classic work.

  Well, Giffen got his wish.

   The plot thickens when Nova's army is stretched to its limits of survival when Annihilus and Thanos capture Galactus and the Silver Surfer and turn them into an ultimate weapon of destruction. When it's clear that the armies of the Negative Zone have their sights set on Earth as their next target, Nova and Drax the Destroyer will have to eliminate Annihilus and the Mad Titan separately or all of humanity (and a large majority of the Marvel Universe's superhero community) will become annihilated.

   Annihilation was worth the build up of several miniseries if only for that opening chapter I mentioned. The war scenes were stunning and action-packed, but I was enthralled by the scenes that lead up to the warfare. Those scenes were perfectly crafted and made me feel like there was a real war occurring. Giffen thought of everything.

    I was quite happy with the finale of this series but it's left open for a sequel (Note: there is a sequel to Annihilation called Annihilation: Conquest and I hope to come across it's omnibus library sometime soon.) The art for this series was very good and at times ultra-graphic.

If you love sci-fi then you'll love this book. However, it might surprise you to know that fans of traditional war epics will enjoy this series as well and you could enjoy this series without needing to read the prequels and not be too very lost about what's happened up till now.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Up Next: Annhilation: Heralds of Galactus

Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4 (Annihilation Week)

Cover to Issue #3

 I'm going to commit a little act of Marvel Comic fandom heresy: I'm not really a fan of the Silver Surfer.  He's a cool looking character and some stories starring him are good. Case in point: issues #48-50 of Fantastic Four (AKA: The Galactus Trilogy.) But with his doomed to exile on earth and the microcosmos (it's like outer space but occurs in the space between atoms) that often results in melodrama and Christ references galore, I find the being formerly known as Norin Radd to be whiny. It gets irritating. In fact, his opus with Alicia in the final chapter of the Galactus Trilogy is perhaps my least favorite moment in that classic story (okay- two acts of heresy in one paragraph!)

  But that all changes (albeit probably only temporary) when agents of Annihilus seek out all of the former heralds of the World Devourer as an addition b[power source for his Annihilation Wave. If you've ever wanted to see every one of Galactus' former envoys in one comic fighting it out in epic space glory- these are the four issues for you! They might not all be together at once, but it's like a Royal Rumble of characters who wield the Power Cosmic. Plus, there's several players who will later impact the Marvel Universe in recent Marvel Now! issues of Avengers.

   One little spoiler for you- Silver Surfer is forgiven by Galactus for his betrayal during the Galactus Trilogy and is bestowed with more power than ever before. This is the Silver Surfer I wish I could have read in years past.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 Up Next: Annihilation: Super Skrull #1-4