Broken Frontier

Aliens invade, or crash land, or something . . . and they infiltrate the Baxter Building disguised as cute little kids. What could happen?

A lot. Reed Richards and Sue Storm start off this story trying hard to pretend to be normal, at least for a day, when the aforementioned aliens land in Saks. Isn’t it odd that always seems to be the way? Naturally, the upper-crust, overpriced, haughty department store is . . . well, sacked (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist) while Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman try to subdue the aliens. Of course, only one half of the Fantastic Four is unable to stop all of them and some escape, only to come looking for their "captured" comrades at the Baxter Building later.

Mike Carey is cramming a lot into one issue. I don’t know, maybe he is feeling a little weary about taking over after Mark Millar’s critically acclaimed run, but at times the first part of "God War" seems overstuffed. However, I don’t mean to be taking away from it. It is intriguing exposition and the new characters are fascinating, even though I can’t understand a word they say. Beyond that, Carey clearly knows who the Ultimate Fantastic Four are. They are portrayed perfectly—Ben and Johnny are college age adolescent men trapped in the bodies of superheroes and Sue and Reed are geniuses trying, and failing, to be normal. It is a fun mix of characters and when given interesting situations, villains, and allies, they can’t help but be entertaining. If Carey has proven anything in the past, it is he knows how to entertain.

As does Pasqual Ferry. Ferry came into the mainstream only a few scant years ago, but his style has grown by leaps and bounds since then. It helps that he was never what one could logically quantify as a "bad" artist, but he was shaky at times, his lines choppy and off when they could have been on. No longer is that the truth. Ferry’s European influenced comic book style is a good contrast from former artist Greg Land’s photo-realistic look. Ferry’s lines, while still sharp and even sketchy at times, are distinct and refined when they need to be and he captures the Ultimate Fantastic Four in a new and refreshing way I am sure will look amazing when this tale takes on its predicted cosmic slant.

This story, according to information from Wizard World Chicago this year, is supposed to lead into the next big Ultimate crossover . . . something about Ultimate Thanos . . . Well, I for one am interested in what Ferry and Carey are doing. Pick it up. I’m sure you will be too.