Spider-Man joins the FF, gets another new costume

If the previous teaser images from Marvel didn’t have you believing that Peter Parker would be joining the remaining members of the Fantastic Four, the latest news confirms it.

After the death of the Human Torch, the surviving members of the Fantastic Four—Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman & Thing—join with Spider-Man and some top secret members to form an unstoppable force: The Future Foundation. Their mission is simple: save the Marvel Universe from its greatest threats and prevent future dangers from arising. But even with knowledge of what’s to come and one of the most powerful teams ever assembled, just what villainous force could stand in their way?

The series is written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Steve Epting, and according to Tom Brevoort, “FF will alter the very fabric of the Marvel Universe.”

Again?

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Marvel Sneak Peek: Fantastic Four #588

Marvel Comics sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek of Fantastic Four #588, that arrives in stores February 23, 2011.

“The reaction from fans and retailers to Fantastic Four #587 was overwhelming and we’re excited to show fans, who have been chomping at the bit, to see what’s next!” exclaims SVP of Sales, David Gabriel. “It may be the end of the series, but it’s the beginning of something much bigger.”

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REVIEW: Fantastic Four #587

Or – “One Of These Four Heroes Will DIE!”

Some may find it strange that Marvel kept the secret until the day BEFORE the issue went on sale, but whether you agree with their business model or not, you have to appreciate the fact that they kept a secret AT ALL in this day and age.  Much discussion has ensued about how and why this issue sucks, but I figured I’d rather base my opinion on a reading of the actual book.  You know you wanna click the ‘More…’

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Fantastic Four #588 – THE FINAL ISSUE

Marvel sent this teaser image for the final issue of Fantastic Four (issue #588).

Anyone placing bets on when the series will return with a new number one, only to run 12 issues before switching to the old numbering at issue #600?

Fantastic Four #588 (THE FINAL ISSUE) arrives February 23, 2011, and has a $3.99 cover price.

via Marvel

SPOILER ALERT: Fantastic Four death revealed!

Marvel has kept the secret of who would die in the Fantastic Four #587 for the longest time, even going so far as offering up a bagged copy of the issue to keep those from spilling the secret too early.  With all the secrecy, it’s surprising that the company sent out a press release (and had an AP story) revealing all the details of the death of one of the founding members.

We’ve got the spoiler filled information… after the jump, so you won’t be Russelled.

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Major Spoilers Poll of the Week: Four become three edition

Someone is gonna die in the Fantastic Four, bringing the team down to three.  While comic book deaths are seldom final, it can be fun to speculate and jump on board the hype wagon to see if you are right or not.  With the polybagged edition of Fantastic Four #587 arriving in stores on February 2, 2011, it’s time to start placing your bets on who will die, and who will live.

VOTE!

Which member of the Fantastic Four will die?

View Results

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TEASER: FF #1: A Beginning

It’s kind of hard to call it the Fantastic Four when it looks like there are only going to be three in the team, which is probably why Marvel is only giving the first issue a tag of FF.  Here’s the first image from Marvel teasing the issue and the event that arrives in March 2011.

The logo is certainly an update from the one created back in the ’60s – this one looks very 2000-dy.

via Marvel

Polybagged Fantastic Four #587

Marvel has announced the polybagged issue of Fantastic Four #587, will not get any overprints, nor will it appear on newstands.

“The surprises in this issues—and what comes next—constitute one of the biggest events in Marvel history,” said David Gabriel, SVP Sales & Circulation. “When you see the plans that Tom Brevoort, Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting come to fruition, you’ll know why we say this is the story everyone will be talking about. We urge retailers to look for a major incentive announcement in Diamond Daily and stock up not just for January, but for the coming months as the aftermath of this issue is revealed.”

While this may sound like an exciting announcement that will change the very nature of the Marvel Universe, DC Comics did something similar in 1992 with a polybagged issue of Superman #75 (The Death of Superman) that sold like wildfire the month before the holidays.

With a no overprint claim from Marvel, and the indications that this is the end of the Fantastic Four, it might just play out okay for the publisher. However, there are a large number of readers who are already disenchanted with the “world changing” event stories, as time and time again publishers have returned to the status quo within months.  Superman returned from the dead, and within a year, the Fantastic Four will probably be back together…again.

The polybagged issue of the Fantastic Four arrives January 26, 2011.  If you can’t get the sealed version, a spoiler filled cover variant will arrive in stores February 2, 2011.

via Marvel

REVIEW: Fantastic Four #585

Or – “A Pending Death In The Family…”

A few years ago, I picked up a  book called Common Grounds* (about a superhuman coffee shop where the heroes and villains all commune together, since donuts are a universal constant) and was wowed by the interesting takes on super-powers therein, and vowed to follow the writer as he moved on to inevitable fame.  Less than a decade down the road, Jonathan Hickman is handling Marvel’s flagship title, following up a run by super-megastar Mark Millar, proving my prognosticating skills.  Just you wait, in five years, Yildiray Cinar will be on Superman, and everybody will be proclaiming him an overnight sensation…

*It has been brought to my attention that I’m an idiot, and Common Grounds was Troy Hickman, and Jonathan started out writing the Nightly News for Image.  Either way, awesome talent.  And now, we’re cha-chaing!

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REVIEW: Deadpool Team-Up #888

Or – “Clobberin’ Time Versus Super-Happy-Fun Time!”

FINALLY…  THE ‘POOL… HAS COME BACK!!!!    To the BAXTER BUILDING!!

And it’s time to talk about the orange pile of rice krispie treats they call Benjamin J. Grimm…  The ‘Pool knows what happened on the day editorial told you that you were teaming up with the ‘Pool!  The heavens opened, and the Earth shook, and JOE QUESADA himself looked down and said, “Bob?”

“But my name’s Ben…”

“IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS!”

What matters is, you’re going into the ring with the most electrifying man in Marvel Entertainment, the Merc With The Mouth, the Mutant What Does The Shootin’, The one and only Rob Liefeld SURVIVOR… 

Dead.  Pool.

If ya SMELL…  What the ‘Pool…  IS.  Cookin!

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Art Appreciation Moment of the Day: Evan Shaner

Evan “Doc” Shaner is back with another fantastic piece of art, this time featuring the Fantastic Four.  I like his style mainly because it has that cartoony look I enjoy reading in my comics, and his angular style and colors are a perfect combination.  As a bonus, Shaner also shared his thumbnail, sketch, and inked image as well.

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