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unladylike's review
4.0
I apparently enjoy Marvel characters much more in their 1602 context. Having concluded that a comic book or graphic novel is only as good as its writer, I assumed the two spin-off volumes to Neil Gaiman's version of 1602 would be gimmicky and lack in actual historical knowledge. But guess what. They don't suck. Page one of Peter David's Fantastick Four TPB starts off rough, and I held my breath in hopes that it would evolve beyond a mockery of Gaiman's way with mythology.
In fact, several of Gaiman's favourite ideas - that belief gives things, gods, and ideas power; that the worlds of science and the supernatural must recognise one another and coexist; and that men have a long history of crowning ourselves with titles and power, admiring our ability to confront problems and reason through them, while women often carry a more lucid perception of the true heart of the matter, only to have that very perception swept aside - are covered very well in the book's dialogues.
It is a well-told adventure story with conversations about and instances of humankind's best and worst tendencies. The cover art on several of the issues was among the best Marvel paintings I've seen. Each is worth beholding for at least a minute.
In fact, several of Gaiman's favourite ideas - that belief gives things, gods, and ideas power; that the worlds of science and the supernatural must recognise one another and coexist; and that men have a long history of crowning ourselves with titles and power, admiring our ability to confront problems and reason through them, while women often carry a more lucid perception of the true heart of the matter, only to have that very perception swept aside - are covered very well in the book's dialogues.
It is a well-told adventure story with conversations about and instances of humankind's best and worst tendencies. The cover art on several of the issues was among the best Marvel paintings I've seen. Each is worth beholding for at least a minute.
jhouses's review
2.0
Aquí ya rascamos el fondo del barril con las aventuras de los cuatro Fantásticos del siglo XVII que no van a ningún lado. Tortas y barcos voladores con chistes a costa de Shakespeare no sustituyen un argumento.
kegriese1's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an interesting entry in Marvel's 1602 saga. I have long been a fan of the Fantastic Four and enjoyed seeing them fleshed out as characters in the 1602 universe. Also, I am a great fan of the work of Peter David. While this is not his greatest work, is still a fun read for fans.
pamwinkler's review
1.0
Some wonderful lines, but that was about it. Quoting Shakespeare doesn't equal good writing, first of all. Secondly, I don't like the insinuation that Shakespeare's plays were really written by a woman, Dora Evans, with Shakespeare just taking the credit. It's just not that likely. Now if you wanted me to believe that Shakespeare was a woman, I could handle that. I don't think that would be realistic, but it'd be worth positing. But just claiming he stole the credit is too much for me to believe. And third, no, Shakespeare isn't likely to have just ripped off the words of someone. People don't talk in iambic pentameter, not even in those days.
Overall, it just felt like the characters were doing things because they should be doing them to complete the plot requirements, not because they would do them. As I said, there were some funny lines, but it was a disappointment.
Overall, it just felt like the characters were doing things because they should be doing them to complete the plot requirements, not because they would do them. As I said, there were some funny lines, but it was a disappointment.
wanderlustlover's review
2.0
Graphic Novel Book Club:
Sadly, while I was really excited to read the 1602 series/universe all as one, I was not very impressed by the actual use of the characters, plotlines, and especially side series. A lot of it felt like really big shoutouts being tenuously connected so that old fans would understand but the new reader wouldn't understand what was going on at all.
Sadly, while I was really excited to read the 1602 series/universe all as one, I was not very impressed by the actual use of the characters, plotlines, and especially side series. A lot of it felt like really big shoutouts being tenuously connected so that old fans would understand but the new reader wouldn't understand what was going on at all.
bloodravenlib's review
5.0
An excellent read. I enjoyed Gaiman's Marvel 1602, and I enjoyed this one as well. It does catch the feel of the time period, yet they also keep the essence of the characters. Once you start it, you just have to finish it. If you liked the first one, you will like this one. This one is a bit more action-packed, but still a very good read. This series is certainly becoming a favorite for me.
mayhap's review
1.0
Having a character spout a well-known line of Shakespeare so that Shakespeare can make a remark about wanting to write it down is bad. Making this a recurring joke is unbelievably tedious and unfunny. But doing this little song-and-dance with a line that you have already depicted Shakespeare as having written for himself in a goddamn five-issue miniseries is just a whole new level of stupid that I need a Shakespeare to invent some words for.
bevtwomey's review
3.0
I just really like the idea of Renaissance Marvel characters. Best idea. This one was a bit tricky for me as I have very little knowledge beyond the basics for the Fantastic Four universe. It also confused me as to why Natasha showed up for a split second as Doom's lady friend? Must be a comic thing that I missed. Enjoyable nonetheless
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