Graphic Novel Book Club:

Sadly, while I was really excited to read the 1602 series/universe all as one, I was not very impressed by the actual use of the characters, plotlines, and especially side series. A lot of it felt like really big shoutouts being tenuously connected so that old fans would understand but the new reader wouldn't understand what was going on at all. ( )

An excellent read. I enjoyed Gaiman's Marvel 1602, and I enjoyed this one as well. It does catch the feel of the time period, yet they also keep the essence of the characters. Once you start it, you just have to finish it. If you liked the first one, you will like this one. This one is a bit more action-packed, but still a very good read. This series is certainly becoming a favorite for me. ( )

I don't see any reason this set of comics was released. Uninteresting... ( )

Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but at least make your facts work.

Peter David brings me two of my favorite things together: Marvel 1602, and the Fantastic Four. But, like anybody following in the footsteps of their superior (Gaiman), he had a tough act to follow.

My major complaint deals with Shakespeare, who is introduced as King Jame's official playwright, only Shakespeare isn't any good at writing plays, which baffles me as for why he's actually writing plays to begin with. Doctor Doom kidnaps him, claiming that Cervantes was busy. But still, didn't anyone think to kidnap Francis Bacon? Shakespeare and Cervantes weren't the only people putting pen to parchment back then, and I'm sure that since Shakespeare wasn't considered to be a good playwright, even if Cervantes was busy, Doom could have found some other person to chronicle their journey.

But that's just my qualm with an otherwise good story.

Doom and the Four Who Are Frightening team up to a journey to the edge of the world. The Four Who Are Fantastick learn of this and follow them. They end up in Atlantis, ruled by Namor.

There is a power struggle for Namor's trident, and a lot of stuff happens, forcing the Frightening and the Fantastick to forge a temporarily alliance to get out of there alive.

While nowhere as good as the original Marvel 1602, it is still a worthy continuation of the series, and as long as Marvel makes 'em, I'll buy 'em. And you should too, especially if you're a fan of Marvel's ever-popular What If? series. ( )