Ultimate Fantastic Four #55 (Marvel – Carey / Kirkham / Blond /Tan)
Are you ready for Ultimate Salem’s Seven? Who are they, and what do they want with the Human Torch? Unfortunately, Johnny and the rest of the FF are dealing with a troubling enemy of their own at the Baxter Building, as the enigmatic woman known as Agatha Harkness introduces her new regime. There are mysteries aplenty to plague our foursome, threatening to tear them apart from without and within!
Okay, who can make D-listers like the Salem Seven be cool? Well, apparently Mike Carey can! He has created this group of newbies that the reader cannot help but be intrigued by. And at the heart is the very gothic, alluring and yet evil Agatha Harkness.
The story, while seeming a bit short this month, continues to bring us towards the unveiling of who the Seven are and what Agatha is. The writing behind her giving psychological evaluations and the ripping apart at the Fantastic Four is genius. Agatha not only isolates everyone socially, she actually get Sue alone and then lays her out and leaves her to face the Seven alone. Thankfully an old friend is there to save the day (hint: Reed will have mixed feelings about this!).
This book, under the care of Mike Carey has really taken a turn around for the positive in the last year. Tyler Kirkham’s art is well-done in a real old school feel way. Billy Tan’s interlocking covers also adds a nice touch.
Issue Grade: B
