Fantastic Four #570

It was about a month ago that members of the iFanbase quipped and quibbled how Fantastic Four will never be Marvel's true flagship title but clearly Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham were not reading that thread. They threw down the gauntlet in this issue.

First the art. Eaglesham's pencils were as solid as during his run on Justice Society America leading one to draw the obvious comparison between the family vibe in both books. What's especially notable of the art is Eaglesham's depiction of Reed Richards. Take off the "4" and slap on an eye patch you might think he was Nick Fury. At closer inspection though Eaglesham has drawn Reed's eyes and brow in such a way that you can't help to notice how deeply contemplative he is. It's a detail few writers have been able to characterize in balloons so it's a treat to have it in the art.

As for the writing, Hickman characterizes Reed in a way that hasn't come across in a long time. Reed is the father of the Marvel Universe and Hickman reminds you of this in the same way an apple reminded Newton about gravity. It is too early to tell how the story will come together but all indications point to something epic and the last page is absolutely breathtaking.

If there was ever a time to start reading Fantastic Four issue #570 is it.