General Information

Title: Fantastic Four: Authoritative Action
Author: Mark Waid
Illustrator(s): Howard Porter
Original Publication Date: Issues published from August through December 2003. The trade paperback has been solicited for March 17, and should hit regular bookstores in May.
ISBN: 0785111980
Cover Price: $12.99 US for the trade paperback.
Buy from: Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

Premise

With Doom out of Latveria, Reed decides the Fantastic Four should take over instead. This makes many people irritable, including the U.N. and the rest of the Fantastic Four.

High Point

The explanation for Reed's actions.

Low Point

Reed's vanity over his face. I never expected this strong a reaction from him.

The Scores

In a title that's been around this long, originality is hard to come by. Mark Waid has managed with excellent results. Like his first few issues, this features the team doing new things in new situations. Once you read part five, it even all makes sense. Very well handled, with an ending that will force the team in new directions. I give it 6 out of 6.

The artwork by Howard Porter is decent. Some panels look great, and the action flows fairly well. I just don't like his version of the Thing, though. What's with those tiny little legs half the time? I give it 4 out of 6.

The story is very well built, and plausibly handled. Very well worth reading. Waid's still going strong, and I'll read the title as long as he writes it. The ending in particular is excellent. The team has undergone major changes. Some are changes that we know will be reversed as soon as they happen, and Waid doesn't even try to hide that. Others could take considerable time to undo. I give it 6 out of 6.

The characterization works in almost every respect. Reed's face still seems a bit too prominent, but the rest is all excellent. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response in the early issues was curiosity with interest spikes near the issue cliffhangers. The last two issues grabbed me and held me from the start, and the last one makes me really, really want to get my hands on the next issues. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is well done in general. Some individual moments don't quite work, but most work well. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, another strong outing by a great writer on this title. Very entertaining, and I'd say it's a must read for anyone who read the Unthinkable arc from earlier in the year. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Fantastic Four: Authoritative Action receives 36 out of 42.