FANTASTIC FOUR #21 EMP, available in stores Wednesday, July 15th, is an intriguing tie-in to the larger Empyre event. Returning to Earth after a jaunt at Kree-Skrull casino, the Fantastic Four must decide what to do with the Kree and Skrull children they rescued. Will there be repercussions of their actions?
Story
The trouble brewing between Jo-Venn and N’Kalla is proving to be much more trouble than originally thought. The two’s rivalry comes not only preteen angst but a literal lifetime of forced combat against one another. Fortunately, Valeria and Frank step up as the world’s most fantastic babysitters.
Seeing the two young heroes attempt to mitigate fighting in their unique ways is, in a sense, a beautiful coming of age moment. They’re each learning how to address a dangerous issue without someone to guide them. But when things start to escalate further, Valeria sends out a distress signal to any Avenger who would listen. And Spider-Man and Wolverine are the two to answer the call.
Dan Slott proves he’s one of the best Fanatic Four writers in the history of the series. Each member of the family has a unique personality all their own, one that’s not too exaggerated so as to make it unbelievable. Valeria and Franklin as quickly becoming some of our favorite characters.
Artwork
Paco Medina and Sean Izaakse’s penciling and ink work, Marcio Menyz and Erick Arciniega’s colors, and VC’s Joe Caramagna’s lettering provide stunning visuals for this issue. The illustrations range from the bloody battles of the Kree-Skrull past to the more realistic streets of New York. Both of these settings are full of an assortment of colors, keeping with the theme of Fantastic Four comics from ages past. And the font uses add to the comic’s dynamic qualities through an effective use of bold lettering.
Conclusion
FANTASTIC FOUR #21 EMP did a great job of integrating the Fantastic Four into the larger event brewing in the characters’ universe. We’re excited to see what part our heroes play in the coming conflict.
What other heroes do you want to join Marvel’s most famous family? Let us know in the comments below!
