The Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules

[andrew french]

i bought this today, and read it this afternoon.

this challenges both alias and x-force/statix as being my favorite book published by marvel.

first, i have to say, i knew absolutely nothing about susan sturm, or the 'real' fantastic four. the fact that any of this is real is just maddening. but, it provided for an amazing story.

it was just so good. the characters... each were so sad. the general set-up, i'm always a fan of character focuses that show a bigger picture. the interpositioning of Vapor Girl.

Guy Davis' art was fantastic. an amazing job of capturing a 50's, 60's look. i loved the coloring. the subtle nods in coloring to the fantastic four characters.

it's not just the story that got me, though. it was all the reasearch that sturm provides both before and afterward. i can't believe this was accomplished. but, i'm so glad i read this. when i finish finals and the semester, i have to re-read this. i have a lot more respect for the lee/kirby f4 right now.

[SteveFlack]

It's not real. None of it, and there are no plans for any sequels.

-Steve!

[andrew french]

bah!

[sonnylarue]

great story

[andrew french]

amazing, nonetheless.

[Mike Storniolo]

It was amazing. Brilliant series, I really miss a lot the books like this from that Marvel era...

[andrew french]

It was amazing. Brilliant series, I really miss a lot the books like this from that Marvel era...

agreed.

this brings another point. marvel has to keep doing stuff lke this.

i mean, it looks like they'll be doing something similar with lethem/dalrymple's OMEGA, but there needs to be more.

[Mike Storniolo]

agreed.

this brings another point. marvel has to keep doing stuff lke this.

i mean, it looks like they'll be doing something similar with lethem/dalrymple's OMEGA, but there needs to be more.

I'm really looking forward to the OMEGA series. Jemas really did some great books under his watch, but sadly I think most of it was when they were going bankrupt they were trying anything to see what would work, so we got a LOT of cool things from it. Now that they're out of that and makin' money they're back to their old ways... one day.

[Olivier E.]

This is for me the best Marvel story ever.

[andrew french]

I'm really looking forward to the OMEGA series. Jemas really did some great books under his watch, but sadly I think most of it was when they were going bankrupt they were trying anything to see what would work, so we got a LOT of cool things from it. Now that they're out of that and makin' money they're back to their old ways... one day.

yeah... i wish marvel would go bankrupt again.

i miss stuff like rawhide kid, x-statix, cage, THIS, chuck austen's eternals, chuck austen's war machine, etc.

[andrew french]

This is for me the best Marvel story ever.

it's really up there for me...

i just finished it minutes ago, so my excitement has not yet subsided.

[LenNWallace]

It's not real. None of it, and there are no plans for any sequels.

-Steve!
I realized early on that none of it was real, but where did you hear that there wouldn't be any sequels? That's very upsetting.

[Criden]

i thought you'd like this. can't believe i never suggested it.

[andrew french]

I realized early on that none of it was real, but where did you hear that there wouldn't be any sequels? That's very upsetting.

i had a feeling it was another sentry, but i didn't want to believe it.

the no sequel thing is indeed depressing.

[andrew french]

i thought you'd like this. can't believe i never suggested it.

it's okay, max. you've recommended me so many other good things.

but damn... i really loved this book.

[LenNWallace]

i had a feeling it was another sentry, but i didn't want to believe it.

the no sequel thing is indeed depressing.
I'm curious to have it confirmed, because I've been waiting very patiently for what may apparently be nothing, and that kinda pisses me off.

(PS: You get that book I sent you, yet?)

[Mike Storniolo]

i had a feeling it was another sentry, but i didn't want to believe it.

the no sequel thing is indeed depressing.

In the back he talked about sequels for 2007 and 2013, but they're obvious just part of the gag. I would cut off my leg for them to happen, but it seems to be in the complet opposite direction of where Marvel's heading right now. With a few minor tweaks they could get away with self-publishing, or small-pressing other series, since it's technically not the FF, but that would kind of take away from it all...

[andrew french]

I'm curious to have it confirmed, because I've been waiting very patiently for what may apparently be nothing, and that kinda pisses me off.

(PS: You get that book I sent you, yet?)

i was getting excited by the possibility that i would already have a sequel this year, but became doubtful, because i figured i would have heard something about it.


and no, not yet. the mail system is never reliable.

[andrew french]

In the back he talked about sequels for 2007 and 2013, but they're obvious just part of the gag. I would cut off my leg for them to happen, but it seems to be in the complet opposite direction of where Marvel's heading right now. With a few minor tweaks they could get away with self-publishing, or small-pressing other series, since it's technically not the FF, but that would kind of take away from it all...

sigh.

[LenNWallace]

Man, I totally never realized that Craig Thompson did the covers for this book, until like two seconds ago.

[andrew french]

Man, I totally never realized that Craig Thompson did the covers for this book, until like two seconds ago.

yeah, i've been tempted to just buy the issues as well for those covers.

i thought i heard he was supposed to draw the series, but i don't really mind, since guy davis is awesome.

[TheKraken]

Really enjoyed that series. Haven't read it since they came out, I should read them again. Guy Davis is awesome. You ever read Honour Among Punks, Andrew?

[andrew french]

Really enjoyed that series. Haven't read it since they came out, I should read them again. Guy Davis is awesome. You ever read Honour Among Punks, Andrew?

no, i have not. i assume it's guy davis?

[SteveFlack]

I realized early on that none of it was real, but where did you hear that there wouldn't be any sequels? That's very upsetting.

From Sturm himself last year at MoCCA. I told him how much I enjoyed the book, and how shocked I was that at the time, it seemed like Marvel wasn't going to trade it. He told me that the trade was coming, but Marvel just wasn't into it. When I asked if he had any other future mainstream work planned, he said no, and that the sequels were indeed just part of the gag.

But what I'm dying for is his upcoming bio-comic on baseball legend Satchel Paige. That book should be amazing.

-Steve!

[TheKraken]

no, i have not. i assume it's guy davis?

I think it's the concept that made his name.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0743459040.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

It's this weird high concept thing where the punk movement never died in the UK. This US student goes there to study and rents a room from this punk woman and her lover who function as a modern-day Holmes & Watson is this weird underworld. It's pretty dark. Davis' art is very different back then, but no less impressive. I really dig it.

[andrew french]

From Sturm himself last year at MoCCA. I told him how much I enjoyed the book, and how shocked I was that at the time, it seemed like Marvel wasn't going to trade it. He told me that the trade was coming, but Marvel just wasn't into it. When I asked if he had any other future mainstream work planned, he said no, and that the sequels were indeed just part of the gag.

But what I'm dying for is his upcoming bio-comic on baseball legend Satchel Paige. That book should be amazing.

-Steve!

damn..

well, i'm goign to pick up The Golem's Mighty Swing soon enough.

[andrew french]

I think it's the concept that made his name.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0743459040.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

It's this weird high concept thing where the punk movement never died in the UK. This US student goes there to study and rents a room from this punk woman and her lover who function as a modern-day Holmes & Watson is this weird underworld. It's pretty dark. Davis' art is very different back then, but no less impressive. I really dig it.

cool. i don't think i've ever seen it in a shop before. thanks.

[Andreas]

Man, I totally never realized that Craig Thompson did the covers for this book, until like two seconds ago.

Guess who James Sturm originally wanted to draw the series.

And yes, it's an excellent series. And I look forward to the Lethem/Dalrymple series, too.

Andreas

[TheKraken]

damn..

well, i'm goign to pick up The Golem's Mighty Swing soon enough.

:thumb: Great book...

[andrew french]

:thumb: Great book...

good to know. i know a barnes n noble near here had a copy.

[andrew french]

i have to say, the first 6 pages they included of the first ff4 issue really made me want to read all the lee and kirby issues.

[Ben Rosen]

i have to say, the first 6 pages they included of the first ff4 issue really made me want to read all the lee and kirby issues.
get the cheap barnes and noble masterworks softcovers. like, 10-12 issues for 12 bucks or something. i'm a fan of those ditko spiderman issues which take up like 3 softcovers.

[andrew french]

get the cheap barnes and noble masterworks softcovers. like, 10-12 issues for 12 bucks or something. i'm a fan of those ditko spiderman issues which take up like 3 softcovers.

ooh, i've considered it.

in the meantime, you should pick up this comic, ben.

[Ben Rosen]

ooh, i've considered it.

in the meantime, you should pick up this comic, ben.
i think i might have to track it down. theres a trade, right?

[andrew french]

i think i might have to track it down. theres a trade, right?

oh yes, i bought the trade.

the extra stuff is really cool.

[Ben Rosen]

oh yes, i bought the trade.

the extra stuff is really cool.
i wonder if it's at my local barenes and noble or borders...i haven't looked at their marvel/dc shelves in such a long time...

[andrew french]

i wonder if it's at my local barenes and noble or borders...i haven't looked at their marvel/dc shelves in such a long time...

i checked while looking for this, but no luck.

i got lucky and found it at my local shop, but you should give it a shot.

[NickT]

i have a lot more respect for the lee/kirby f4 right now.
http://www.luchins.com/dickery/FF_20_magnetism_does_not_work_that_way.jpg

Positive and Negative repel? :)

[andrew french]

http://www.luchins.com/dickery/FF_20_magnetism_does_not_work_that_way.jpg

Positive and Negative repel? :)

ha... well....


..

[Mike Storniolo]

get the cheap barnes and noble masterworks softcovers. like, 10-12 issues for 12 bucks or something. i'm a fan of those ditko spiderman issues which take up like 3 softcovers.

Those are great! I've got the first two Amazing Spidey ones, the FF AND X-Men first ones, so much material at a grwt price. I see them at a lot of shops for 1/2 off here and there.

That'd been nuts if Thompson drew it...

[LenNWallace]

i have to say, the first 6 pages they included of the first ff4 issue really made me want to read all the lee and kirby issues.
Dunno how your budget looks, for someone your age, but I'd recommend the ultra sweet FF Omnibus that was released last year. (If it's still in print.) Price tag is a little steep, ($100, though I'm sure you could find it for marginally less on places like Amazon or Buy.com) but it's a massive hardcover with the first thirty odd issues of the Lee/Kirby FF in full color, with all the original letter columns printed in it. It's SUCH a sweet book.

I just got my X-Men Omnibus over the weekend from DCBS, and it's right up there with the FF volume. Classic Claremont before old age made him too insane to write the team without constantly repeating himself.

Good fuckin' times!

[NickT]

ha... well....


..
Reed Richards: Beaten by an idiot :)

[changingshades]

God I love that book

I think his independant book is just as beautiful too. You should check out the Golem's mighty swing

[andrew french]

Dunno how your budget looks, for someone your age, but I'd recommend the ultra sweet FF Omnibus that was released last year. (If it's still in print.) Price tag is a little steep, ($100, though I'm sure you could find it for marginally less on places like Amazon or Buy.com) but it's a massive hardcover with the first thirty odd issues of the Lee/Kirby FF in full color, with all the original letter columns printed in it. It's SUCH a sweet book.

I just got my X-Men Omnibus over the weekend from DCBS, and it's right up there with the FF volume. Classic Claremont before old age made him too insane to write the team without constantly repeating himself.

Good fuckin' times!


hmm, why is $100 for 30 issues? is it the size?

[andrew french]

God I love that book

I think his independant book is just as beautiful too. You should check out the Golem's mighty swing

i'm definitely going to get it.

[joeAR]

I definitley have to check this out now.

[andrew french]

I definitley have to check this out now.

you really have to.

right after finals, i'm reading it again.

[LenNWallace]

hmm, why is $100 for 30 issues? is it the size?
Yeah. Big, oversized hardcover like the ones they put out all the time, really nicely put together. 30 issues, plus I think... 2 annuals.