Is the Marvel NOW! "Fantastic Four" Series Still Fantastic?

[passer-by]

no, this is the theory...

Whose theory, Fraction's? Because last I checked, the unstable molecules were what their costumes were made of, and their powers came from irradiation with cosmic rays which changed their cells.

Who's the editor of this book?

[josh straightedge]

Anyone following Hickman has such big shoes to fill on this title. I'm not sure if maybe Fraction isn't that familiar with the first family or if he's planning his own take on their powers, but the unstable molecules problem just doesn't make sense. Unstable Molecules have been explained so much over the years, plus the whole Cosmic Rays Giving Them Powers bit. Man, I had hopes for this and yes, it's one issue, but I don't see this turning out very well.

[ViewtifulJC]

One issue -- one -- and you're already wringing your hands in dismay? You know Fraction's a slow starter. Give him until at least the end of the second arc to get moving; then you'll know whether this will interest you.

I was sold after the first issue of Casanova. And Hawkeye. And Immortal Iron Fist.

I don't think there's gonna be some drastic improvement here

Hickman.

Meh. That first story he did was really good, but after that I dropped it sometimes in-between the Three story. Props for his ambition, but his storytelling bores me.

[Ravin' Ray]

I think what Fraction is saying is that the cosmic rays from the start made their body molecules unstable to the point of being analogous to their costumes' molecules, and Reed applied the same terminology, and it happens to be the first time he said it on-panel.

[Paladin King]

Meh. That first story he did was really good, but after that I dropped it sometimes in-between the Three story. Props for his ambition, but his storytelling bores me.

As long as you realize you're in the minority with that opinion.

[ViewtifulJC]

As long as you realize you're in the minority with that opinion.

I'm fully-aware.

Doesn't make me wrong, though.

[CMBMOOL]

I found the first is issue for Fraction's Fantastic Four interesting enough to come back next month for it.

[Runguy]

I think what Fraction is saying is that the cosmic rays from the start made their body molecules unstable to the point of being analogous to their costumes' molecules, and Reed applied the same terminology, and it happens to be the first time he said it on-panel.

RR, I think you stated it perfectly!

[passer-by]

I think what Fraction is saying is that the cosmic rays from the start made their body molecules unstable to the point of being analogous to their costumes' molecules, and Reed applied the same terminology, and it happens to be the first time he said it on-panel.

I only see two small problems with that:

1. The unstable molecules costumes were made by Reed after they got their powers from the cosmic rays and were designed to adapt to their physical changes, not create them. Such costumes were also made for other super-heroes, by the way.

2. Why would only Reed be dying from a change they all underwent at the same time? I agree him dying might be explained by some long-term side effect of his individual power, but using the "unstable molecules" term is dubious to me. I wonder what the explanation will be in the later issues.

Again, my main problem is with the phrase "the unstable molecules that gave the FF their powers". So what about all the other super-humans whose powers include physical changes? Do their bodies have unstable molecules too?

[Ravin' Ray]

I only see two small problems with that:

1. The unstable molecules costumes were made by Reed after they got their powers from the cosmic rays and were designed to adapt to their physical changes, not create them. Such costumes were also made for other super-heroes, by the way.

I get what you're saying, and this is my interpretation, not Fraction's or Reed's, but for lack of a better name Reed chose to use "unstable molecules" for the state of their bodies as well. Is it confusing? Yes it can be.

2. Why would only Reed be dying from a change they all underwent at the same time? I agree him dying might be explained by some long-term side effect of his individual power, but using the "unstable molecules" term is dubious to me. I wonder what the explanation will be in the later issues.

I'm with you on the waiting for the explanation.

Again, my main problem is with the phrase "the unstable molecules that gave the FF their powers". So what about all the other super-humans whose powers include physical changes? Do their bodies have unstable molecules too?

We can say that it only applies to the F4 because of the specifc way they got their powers, via cosmic ray bombardment. By extension we can expect that maybe Sharon Ventura, Red Ghost and his Super Apes, and the U-Foes will manifest similar conditions because they also got cosmic ray bombarded.

[Joe Acro]

I get what you're saying, and this is my interpretation, not Fraction's or Reed's, but for lack of a better name Reed chose to use "unstable molecules" for the state of their bodies as well. Is it confusing? Yes it can be.

That was basically my interpretation was well. Although I was thinking more along the lines of them being unstable due to how they got the way they are, rather than the state they're currently in. Because if it were the latter, then previous they were stable and now they suddenly aren't.