Spider-Man: Quantum Quest! ( Family Comic Friday)

My local library surprised me with this brand new Spider-Man all ages graphic novel. Debuting in January of this year, I totally missed the previews on this book. While it's touted on the cover as a Spidey team-up with the Fantastic Four, the wall crawler actually works in conjunction with over a dozen heroes from the Marvel Universe!

The story begins with the Fantastic Four, joined with the ruler of Atlantis, Prince Namor, asking for assistance from Spider-Man. The underwater kingdom of Atlantis has disappeared. Mr. Fantastic thinks someone has shrunk the realm. Prince Namor believes that his kingdom has been stolen. Since Spidey is really good at finding stuff, the FF ask him to find a missing talisman that could help in returning Atlantis back to it's rightful place.

In Spider-Man's search, he ends up in the microscopic Quantum Realm, where it turns out that several of his friends have become trapped. Now Spider-Man must find a way home for heroes such as Ant-Man, Moon Girl and the Sensational She-Hulk along with that magic charm and probably Atlantis as well. It will be a topsy-turvy quest for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man readers of all ages will not want to miss!

Written and illustrated by Mike Maihack, this graphic novel was almost perfect. The art was clearly aimed at kids, but it had a nostalgic charm mixed with style elements of many of the characters looks in the MCU. The writing was clever and fun. Maihack threw out all the stops to make this an interactive book, including a 'Where's Waldo' style list of hidden things to search for throughout the story. (That Hulk plushie was nearly impossible to find!) There's even an extra scene after the entire book is done- just like you'd expect from a Marvel movie! Then there's the ending...

It's a freaking cliffhanger! I hate cliffhangers. Especially if I don't have the next chapter/segment. Comic book experts bemoan that the next generation of readers are not buying comic books to the degree that the previous couple of generations did. Critics warn that a new wave of comic book collectors is in danger of never materializing. If you ask me, putting a cliffhanger in books aimed at young readers is a massive misstep in trying to lure new young readers.

The next book, which is actually volume 3 in the 'A Mighty Marvel Team-Up' series is set in outer space. It promises to include many of your parents and grandparents favorite cosmic heroes. Plus, there's Jeff the Shark! You can't get too upset over a cliffhanger when that diminutive land shark is involved.

Recommended for readers ages 6-9. I think younger readers will love this book, especially if read with assistance by an older sibling or relative!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Untold Tales of Spider-man ’96 (Double-Size Spectacular)

Kurt Busiek, Pat Olliffe, and Mike Allred join forces to bring use a story so fantastic; they had to double the size of the comic to tell it! Tired of being put aside in favor of Reed Richards’ scientific experiments, Sue Storm accepts a date invitation from Spider-man. The Invisible Woman is looking to make Mr. Fantastic jealous and doesn’t really have any romantic intentions with Spidey. But you can’t tell Sue’s brother that! Looking to keep Spider-man from being his brother-in-law, the Human Torch will look to his most vaunted foe, Namor: The Sub-Mariner to break up the super heroes’ date.

I loved this issue. Usually, an untold tales series reprints old story lines in hopes of making super heroes a little more timely and appealing to new readers. But with this annual at least, Busiek and Allred craft an original tale that’s targeted for the more experienced comic fan. Set in the 1960s, this comic pays tribute to the brilliant tales of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and the original Marvel bull-pen.

The only complaint I have about this comic is that Mike Allred doesn’t do all of the art. I just love his thick inked style and the color palette used by his wife and partner, Laura. At least they kept her on for the entire story. The book also features a small story that tells how Busiek and Olliffe come up with their untold tales ideas. The tale is very tongue-in-cheek but it is very funny.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #5

It’s the final battle between Reed Richards and Von Doom with Atlantis stuck in the middle. The battle is epic and with some awesome cameos at the end, it’s leaves the reader with an unsettling conclusion and a mind-blowing opening for a sequel. Though, it’s been several years since this book was published, so I highly doubt that will ever happen.

 

The thing about this book I hate the most is the cover. Reed looks like he’s mutating into a cross between that pointy Spider-man villain Stryke and Man-Bat. It’s pretty gross looking.

 

With awesome art, a Fantastic storyline, and a careful eye for detail, especially in regards to trying to be as historically accurate as possible, it’s a must for fans of Fantastic Four or alternate timelines. It’s a very good read.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

 

Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #4



Alternate Cover to issue #4.

The uneasy alliance of the crew of the Fantastic, the Frightful Four, and Doom continues as all awaken to find that they have survived their plunge off the edge of the world. As a result, the characters find themselves in Atlantis, which in this reality, hasn’t sunk, only shrouded itself with some fancy “smoke and mirrors” to keep away nosy sailors. In other words, the world is round, but the residents of Atlantis have crafted the clever rouse of a flat earth in order to protect themselves from invaders.

The leader of Atlantis is you guessed it, Prince Namor- the Sub-Mariner. He’s got eyes for Sue Storm, whose recent burst of protective powers of the Fantastick has now made her the Visible Woman. Apparently, the Storm family in the 1600s is really hot, as Namor’s cousin Namorita has eyes for Jon Storm as well.

Once these Atlanteans have made their wanton intentions known, the diabolical Doom works in the shadows to bring an end to Reed Richards. In return for the betrothals of the Storms, the residents of Atlantis will destroy Richards, Grimm, and their ship. It’s classic Victor Von Doom callousness. Strangely, I like it. Though, Sue Storm mustn’t be showing very well, because I find it hard to believe that Namor would be so interested in her if he knew she’d been knocked up by a human (in this timeline, Richards and Storm are having their child out of wedlock, something I highly doubt Stan Lee would’ve allowed in the 1960s even if the Comics Code didn’t exist.)

I enjoyed this issue. I really thought the subterfuge behind the protection of Atlantis and sailors’ thinking they would sail off the edge of the world was a stroke of genius. I’m very interested in reading what happens next, though I must say, this was probably the weakest of the issues in the series thus far.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Fanfare #16

Ever heard of the Sky Wolves? Sure you have, they're DC Comics property called Blackhawk. In this blatant rip-off, you’ve got a squad of experimental aircraft captained by a guy wearing a near exact Blackhawk replica costume, ordering around a bunch of ethnic sterotypes to blow-up Hitler. I really can’t believe Marvel got away with this copyright infringement.

The issue’s only saving grace is a beautiful Sub-Mariner tale that is a fable as to how the first sea horse came about. Adding to the excitement- it’s Mike Mignola’s (of Hellboy fame) first ever work published by Marvel. You can tell he’s a diamond in the rough here. That’s a rare treat worth the price of the book no matter how much Sky Wolves stinks up the issue’s first half.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars