A book called "Ultimate Fantastic Four" has a lot of adjectives to live up to. For most comics, being just Ultimate OR Fantastic would be enough, but not for this title. This book boldly claims to be BOTH. Fortunately, the Four do a pretty good job of living up to their billing.
If you have followed any of Marvel's Ultimate titles, you have a pretty good idea what to expect. The book gives readers a somewhat updated and streamlined version of the classic Fantastic Four. The stories and characters are not held back by 30+ years of continuity, allowing for a fresh take on some of Marvel's greatest icons. For example, Ultimate Reed Richards is much younger and inexperienced compared to his Marvel Universe original, and Ultimate Sue is a whole lot less mom-like. Up until now, the characters from the Ultimate Marvel Universe have remained completely separate from the characters in any other Marvel Universe.
It makes sense that the Fantastic Four (Ultimate or otherwise) would be the first to "Crossover," as this story arc is titled. The FF are always exploring the universe and all of its related dimensions and alternate realities. In Ultimate Fantastic Four #21, young Reed, while exploring the N-Zone, discovers a way to communicate with an alternate reality version of himself, who will seem very familiar to fans of the original Fantastic Four. While this may sound like a typical Marvel cross-reality team-up in the making, things don't quite go the way Reed, or the readers, expect. The cliffhanger ending will leave you checking your calendar to get the next issue.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 is written by Mark Millar, hot off his very succesful work on Marvel Knights Spider-Man and Wolverine. Millar is clearly having a great time playing with some of Marvel's best toys. Even more impressive is the beautiful artwork by Greg Land. Land is well-known for his gorgeously realistic, and often sexy, cover art and his recent work on Phoenix: Endsong. His art here will not disappoint fans, the realism and detail are amazing. Plus, the Torch's flame looks like it could singe your fingers, and Land's Sue Storm is not at all hard on the eyes. (Not that any of us are that shallow. Especially me.)
Anyway, with the fun Fantastic Four movie out, and an exciting new creative team on this book, you really shouldn't pass up Ultimate Fantastic Four #21. UFF is Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week, so run out and try it now! If you don't like it, you can get your money back. That is an ultimate, fantastic, and just plain cool, deal.
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