Post by Mr_Monster_Munch on May 23, 2014 6:59:47 GMT -6
Ultimate FF #2 Review
I think it's great that the Antlanteons are back. But they haven't blown me away yet.
I don't like the art. It looks like a rainbow vomited all over the artwork. Some of the drawings seem rushed, scratchy and unfinished. It certainly takes some getting used to. And the character designs look no where close to the quality that was shown in the promotional concept art for the series we got a few months ago. In particular, the character's faces look significantly worse than ever before. The subpar art also made Namor's return to the UU feel quite lacklustre. I want these returning characters to look glorious. They deserve it. But the art's not doing them justice. And the writing's not brilliant either.
I have very mixed thoughts about how Fialkov writes some of the characters. I found the dialogue quite irritating at times, whilst some of it I really liked. But what might seem quirky to some, often feels unnecessary, immature squabbling to me. This style of dialogue fits the likes of All-New Ultimates and Ultimate Spider-Man very well, but these are supposed to be accomplished adults with PHDs so it feels a bit weird and more mainstream Marvel than Ultimate. I understand the dislike, even hatred between certain characters, but when so many characters wish to belittle their team mates, it feels incredibly undignified. The characterisation is good though, for the most part. The characters feel like themselves, but they're often petty and pretentious. Fialkov's pretty good with characterisations, but it would help immensely if the bickering and complaining was toned down. Doom's cool, but the other characters I'm not so keen on. I'm not a fan of characters constantly insulting each other for comedic effect. They're all competing to be the team boss in an undignified way. Except for Tony who under Fialkov's pen is constantly trying to be difficult and annoying, impairing his team and complaining about everything. Does he really have to complain so much? It just feels a bit OTT for Ultimate Tony IMO. Ultimate Tony stark is supposed to be suave, not a sassy teenage girl.
Fialkov writes a wicked Dr Doom though. He's so cunning and calculative, and I'm very intrigued with him being so nice to Sue. Perhaps he'll eventually influence her into becoming someone very similar to Kangasue, whilst encouraging her ideas.
There are some good character interactions here and there, but they're too few are far apart between the banter and plot explanations. I get that the team is going through growing pains, and naturally they would, but are the numerous Tony and Sue "Shut up, Tony" disputes ever going to end?
I quite like the story so far, but there isn't a lot of it. I really want to love this book because I think the initial premise is excellent. But the story is moving forward quite slowly, and when it does move forward, it's no where near as spectacular as I expect it to be.
Am I supposed to accept this as the Ultimate standard now? The quality of this book and All-New Ultimates so far, are not as solid as I hoped they'd be. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of effort put into making the Ultimate line as prestigiously awesome as it once was. It's as though the UU editorial know they can't rekindle the success of the UU golden age, and are therefore not bothered about meeting that high standard in quality. This is supposed to be an Ultimate relaunch, but it's quality is hardly recognisable from your standard 616 book, particularly with the way the characters talk to one another. It's not cool, relaxed and friendly like the conversations in Mark Millar, Jonathan Hickman or Warren Ellis' Ultimate stories. Suddenly, to me, that mature edge the UU used to have seems less apparent than ever before.
Fialkov has some big ideas. But it's the execution of these ideas that feel so small and unimportant so far. For example, the alternate-alternate-universe Atlanteans and the return of Ultimate Dr Doom just haven't felt as special or as significant as I would like. Hopefully the story will feel a lot grander soon, because at the moment it's lacking that 'wow factor'.
As pessimistic as I may sound, the story still has tonnes of potential. Everything about the book so far feels weirdly fantastic. That's the approach Fialkov seems to be taking, and he executes it well. The book feels very suitably weird, and it's refreshing to get that in the UU after all that has happened in recent years. The style of the story is more of a bold, new direction than an attempt to rekindle the magic the UU once had.
I understand that my critique might be a little too harsh, but this just isn't the book I was expecting it to be. I want to spend my money on the best comics money can buy, the gold standard in which the UU once strived to achieve. But this just isn't it. I was expecting this book to be the Marvel Sci-Fi book of 2014, but it's off to a shaky start.
There are some condolences though. 1) This is only the second chapter/issue. 2) The team is going through growing pains, which given the current members, is understandable. 3) And the book would be more enjoyable if the art was better.
I'm looking forward to finding out who the "Doom imposter" in Ultimatum was, which should be in the next issue. But for now, it's the only thing making me want to continue reading this. I haven't got a clue who it could be. I hope it wasn't just a Doombot.
I think it's great that the Antlanteons are back. But they haven't blown me away yet.
I don't like the art. It looks like a rainbow vomited all over the artwork. Some of the drawings seem rushed, scratchy and unfinished. It certainly takes some getting used to. And the character designs look no where close to the quality that was shown in the promotional concept art for the series we got a few months ago. In particular, the character's faces look significantly worse than ever before. The subpar art also made Namor's return to the UU feel quite lacklustre. I want these returning characters to look glorious. They deserve it. But the art's not doing them justice. And the writing's not brilliant either.
I have very mixed thoughts about how Fialkov writes some of the characters. I found the dialogue quite irritating at times, whilst some of it I really liked. But what might seem quirky to some, often feels unnecessary, immature squabbling to me. This style of dialogue fits the likes of All-New Ultimates and Ultimate Spider-Man very well, but these are supposed to be accomplished adults with PHDs so it feels a bit weird and more mainstream Marvel than Ultimate. I understand the dislike, even hatred between certain characters, but when so many characters wish to belittle their team mates, it feels incredibly undignified. The characterisation is good though, for the most part. The characters feel like themselves, but they're often petty and pretentious. Fialkov's pretty good with characterisations, but it would help immensely if the bickering and complaining was toned down. Doom's cool, but the other characters I'm not so keen on. I'm not a fan of characters constantly insulting each other for comedic effect. They're all competing to be the team boss in an undignified way. Except for Tony who under Fialkov's pen is constantly trying to be difficult and annoying, impairing his team and complaining about everything. Does he really have to complain so much? It just feels a bit OTT for Ultimate Tony IMO. Ultimate Tony stark is supposed to be suave, not a sassy teenage girl.
Fialkov writes a wicked Dr Doom though. He's so cunning and calculative, and I'm very intrigued with him being so nice to Sue. Perhaps he'll eventually influence her into becoming someone very similar to Kangasue, whilst encouraging her ideas.
There are some good character interactions here and there, but they're too few are far apart between the banter and plot explanations. I get that the team is going through growing pains, and naturally they would, but are the numerous Tony and Sue "Shut up, Tony" disputes ever going to end?
I quite like the story so far, but there isn't a lot of it. I really want to love this book because I think the initial premise is excellent. But the story is moving forward quite slowly, and when it does move forward, it's no where near as spectacular as I expect it to be.
Am I supposed to accept this as the Ultimate standard now? The quality of this book and All-New Ultimates so far, are not as solid as I hoped they'd be. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of effort put into making the Ultimate line as prestigiously awesome as it once was. It's as though the UU editorial know they can't rekindle the success of the UU golden age, and are therefore not bothered about meeting that high standard in quality. This is supposed to be an Ultimate relaunch, but it's quality is hardly recognisable from your standard 616 book, particularly with the way the characters talk to one another. It's not cool, relaxed and friendly like the conversations in Mark Millar, Jonathan Hickman or Warren Ellis' Ultimate stories. Suddenly, to me, that mature edge the UU used to have seems less apparent than ever before.
Fialkov has some big ideas. But it's the execution of these ideas that feel so small and unimportant so far. For example, the alternate-alternate-universe Atlanteans and the return of Ultimate Dr Doom just haven't felt as special or as significant as I would like. Hopefully the story will feel a lot grander soon, because at the moment it's lacking that 'wow factor'.
As pessimistic as I may sound, the story still has tonnes of potential. Everything about the book so far feels weirdly fantastic. That's the approach Fialkov seems to be taking, and he executes it well. The book feels very suitably weird, and it's refreshing to get that in the UU after all that has happened in recent years. The style of the story is more of a bold, new direction than an attempt to rekindle the magic the UU once had.
I understand that my critique might be a little too harsh, but this just isn't the book I was expecting it to be. I want to spend my money on the best comics money can buy, the gold standard in which the UU once strived to achieve. But this just isn't it. I was expecting this book to be the Marvel Sci-Fi book of 2014, but it's off to a shaky start.
There are some condolences though. 1) This is only the second chapter/issue. 2) The team is going through growing pains, which given the current members, is understandable. 3) And the book would be more enjoyable if the art was better.
I'm looking forward to finding out who the "Doom imposter" in Ultimatum was, which should be in the next issue. But for now, it's the only thing making me want to continue reading this. I haven't got a clue who it could be. I hope it wasn't just a Doombot.
