Fantastic Four, New Avengers; The Illuminati

Fantastic Four 35-39

I most certainly bought five issues of this on the strength of Carlos Pacheco’s art alone.  It certainly wasn’t for his writing.

There was a cruel tease where a director mentions that Johnny was going to star in a Western movie.  I thought that Pacheco was going to fulfill my previously stated wish and draw more western scenes, but it was not to be the case.  

Regret buying? No

Would buy again? No

Would read again? No

Rating: Fine

New Avengers: The Illuminati 1

YES.  This is the Bendis I love.  SO much talking.  So much goodness.

It sounds ridiculous and brilliant at the same time: Have seven of the most influential heroes in the Marvel universe form a shadow power consortium and hold secret meetings where they talk and talk and talk.  It’s exquisite.  

Bendis’ characterizations are spot on.  Tony Stark gathers everyone to propose this genius idea, but it is even grander at the beginning - He wants to form a United Nations of superhero teams.  Namor immediately shoots it down, marking the start of his role as team naysayer.  The number of bad decisions that follow mount up quickly.  Bullied by Namor, they agree to start making massive, world-changing decisions in secret.  They agree to let Professor X telepathically make sure that no one tells any outsiders.  (Ignoring the possibility that Charles could betray them with impunity.)  

Black Panther’s the only one not self-important enough to see how this can all go horribly wrong:

The second meeting hardly goes better than the first.  Iron Man proposes that they shoot Hulk off into space to keep him from wreaking havoc on the planet any more.  Namor’s the dissenting voice again, and realizes that Black Panther had the right idea, leaving before the rest of the group implements their plan.  

They strike out with the third go-around, as they discuss the Super Hero Registration Act.  In a preview of the upcoming crossover event, they split up over their differences, leaving them (and the readers) to wonder what they actually accomplished.  

The fun comes in all the conflict.  All of the different points of view are understandable, and it’s fascinating to see how people all trying to do the right thing can have such different approaches and solutions.  

Regret buying? No

Would buy again? Yes

Would read again? Yes

Rating: Pretty Good