Fantastic Four #556

Fantastic Four #556
World's Greatest (3 of 4)
by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch

There's alot to love about this run on FF. First of all being Hitch's art, of course. Not really much to say there that hasn't been. And I've always been a fan of most of Millar's stuff.

That being said, this issue, while being pretty good, just tried waaay too hard. Everything having to do with Ben, Johnny and Sue was great, but this CAP robot was just too unbelievable. It took out 40 of Marvel's biggest hitters in less then 8 minutes? Sure it's a great "oh shit" moment, but it's also kind of ridiculous to picture a ROBOT taking out not only Spidey, Wolvey, Hercules, and Iron Man (in his Ultimate Armor? huh?) but also seen defeated is Giant Man, Ms Marvel and The Sentry? I refuse to believe that all these heroes were brought down by a friggin' robot. So they're all seen unconscious, but a couple pages later, they've all miraculously woken up simultaneously and are attacking again in unison. Right.

And what of the logic behind the robot and Nu-World itself. A world with no weapons? Sure that's a cool idea, if this story were taking place on OUR world. But half of the Marvel Universe doesn't need a weapon because they ARE weapons. Wouldn't this CAP machine just be going after all the capes once it was up and running anyway? For genius', they aren't the smartest.

The issue has plenty of action and would have been a solid read if Millar hadn't tried so damn hard to make it over the top. I KNOW he can do better then this.

Ps. Is it wrong that I have a crush on Johnny's new flame?Gotta love a super-villian with blue hair. Though I think the inker messed up on the page where she's introduced in the issue..She's getting out of bed and it's obvious the shadows are purposely there to cover up her naughty bits, but is in the next panel putting on her shirt (though the inker accidentally had her wearing it in the first panel). Am I crazy? Or do I get a No-Prize?

Also, the designer in me just feels that the word bubble on the cover detracts instead of enhances an already strong cover. Love the new logo/title treatment though!
(interesting tidbit: this is probably the only time FF and Amazing Spider-Man will ever ship the same number issue on the same day: issue 556)