General Information

Title: Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1
Author: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Illustrator(s): Barry Kitson (pencils and inks), Mick Gray (inks), Scott Hanna (inks), and Paul Neary (inks), as well as Chris Sotomayor on colors.
Cover Date: July 2008
Cover Price: $2.99 US, $3.05 Can

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Premise

After showing what happened before and during the Fantastic Four's appearance in "Secret Invasion #1," we see the fate of the Baxter Building and its occupants. We also learn which Skrull is impersonating Sue, and it's the one I was hoping for.

High Point

Johnny proves he's right when he says "Hey, I'm not dumb. I just don't apply myself." The following dialogue is also great, as it's taken directly from the John Byrne run.

Low Point

The prologue was a little too pat.

The Scores

This is an original approach to Skrulls in a Fantastic Four story. (I say this with confidence, as I've read them all.) I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork is well done, and fairly consistent despite having so many inkers involved. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is well done, and doesn't underestimate the actual intelligence of any member of the team. None of them are stupid; they only seem that way in comparison to Reed. This takes that into account, emphasizing that the Skrull attack was effective because it was quick, unexpected, and very well timed. I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization is bang on. Hell, the Skrull that replaced Sue showed a similar personality to what she had the last time she replaced a human. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response was strong. I've been generally dissatisfied with most tie-in miniseries, but this one has had one heck of a start. It fits in cleanly with the main event, contributes a story we're unlikely to see entirely in the main event, and ties into past FF continuity very tightly. More importantly, the story itself is interesting in its own right. The team's at half power with a significant threat level around them, not entirely due to the Skrull. I give it 6 out of 6.

The flow is strong, moving quite brisquely and picking up right were the Secret Invasion appearance left off. This moves from page to page very nicely. I give it 6 out of 6.

Overall, this is a tie-in that's at least on par with the Avengers tie-ins. It's well worth a look. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four #1 receives 38 out of 42.

Additional Notes and Comments

Next up: Captain Britain and MI:13 #1.