Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Ultimatum - Fantastic Four: Requiem #1 - Marvel

If you followed this Ultimate title, you should pick up this book. It wraps up the story that was left hanging there at the end, and connects these characters actions into the Ultimatum story-line. It also sets the stage for their future involvement and participation in the relaunched Ultimate Universe. Reed had left the group to go and confront Victor. Basically . . he feels responsible for everything. He feels that he's the one that has set Victor on his path, and since Victor's machinations are what led to Magneto's breakdown . . Reed feels responsible for everything. He's trying to figure out how to stop, or reform Victor but every scenario he runs leads to the same conclusion . . the ultimate 'fix' for this situation is Victor's death. However Reed can't do that. Which is what leads to the scene in Ultimatum #5 where Ben pays Victor a visit . . and crushes his head. Meanwhile, Sue and Ben's search for Johnny has led them to the dark dimension. It seems that Dormammu, sensing Johnny's weakness, has snatched him up to absorb his power and enable his to cross the barrier into the real world. That's how he broke through the sky-light in Strange's sanctum sanctorum. Sue and Ben are quickly on the scene, and with a well-placed bubble around his head, Sue converts him back to a normal human. But the real important part of the story is at the end when everyone is present for the burial of Sue's father. You can see that everyone is carrying their own baggage now and can't really relate to each other as a group, or family anymore. They're cordial and respectful, but . . they're also each carrying their own guilt and responsibility own. Which they don't want to burden the others with. So the story ends with them each going their separate ways. Sue is following in her father's footsteps by rebuilding the Baxter Building, and heading up it's scientific community. Johnny has gone off to Europe. Ben joins SHIELD as a fighter pilot. And Reed? Reed has moved back home with his parents. His is definitely the situation that seems most dire. It's almost like he's given up . . on everything. With the relaunch of the Ultimate Universe next week . . with Avengers, and Spider-man, it'll be interesting to see how these separate characters fit into the various story-lines. You just know we're going to see them around somewhere. I thought this was a great book, and story, by Joe Pokaski and Robert Atkins. This really served well to wrap everything up, and at the same time set the stage for the next act . . whatever that may be.

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