Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
The Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left (2022) is a contemporary fantasy graphic novel series issue. The graphic novel series was reviewed by Kadmon.
Original title: Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left
Publisher: Marvel Comics company (2022)
Series: Fantastic Four series
Previous entries in the series: The Fantastic Four #1-645, Fantastic Four (2018) #1-46
Setting: contemporary fantasy Earth (Marvel Universe)
Product type: Graphic novel, Genre: contemporary fantasy, Features: fantasy, contemporary fantasy, time travel
Release: 2022.11.09
Reviewer: Kadmon, Type: Male, 40s, Preferences: Immersive, logical story, consistent setting, prefers surprises to spoilers, prefers establishing elements before referencing them
Read: very recent (2022.11), first time
Rating: Good (2+ out of 3 points), Enjoyment: Good (2+ out of 3 points)
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This is my review of Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, a contemporary fantasy graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from 2022. It's about a couple trying to have a fun time in an small town, but they encounter strange things. The Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book is interesting, I recommend it.
Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
" “Whatever Happened To The Fantastic Four?” It’s the start of a new era for the Fantastic Four...and they’re already in a ton of trouble. Something has gone terribly wrong in New York, and the Thing and Alicia are traveling across America to escape it! But when they stop in a small town for the night and wake up the morning before they arrived, they find themselves caught in a time loop that’s been going on since before they were born...That’s been going on since before they were born...That’s been going on since before they were born... "
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Review (spoiler-free) - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
I have to admit that I don't tend to read Fantastic Four comics. I've read the Ultimate Fantastic Four, until it was cancelled. I knew that Marvel was reluctant to publish FF comics because they didn't have the rights to the movies. When I've seen the first issue of the new series, and the cover looked attractive, I thought I'd give it a try.
The Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left graphic novel series issue is about a couple trying to have a fun time in an small town, but they encounter strange things.
The story (by Ryan North) is good and engaging. The pacing and tone is consistent. There's a character arc for one of the characters. I didn't find logical problems.
The graphics (by artist Iban Coello, and colourist Jesus Aburton) are good. Some panel structures are interesting visually. The features of the characters are slightly exaggerated, but they are all recognisable.
We don't get to know the characters very well, but they are developed enough to care about them.
Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left is an interesting contemporary fantasy story, I think fans of the genre will enjoy it.
My experience
I was satisfied with Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left (2022). I happen to like stories with well-thought, logical plots, with interesting twists, and Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left delivered just that.
Rating: Good (2+ out of 3 points). Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left is a well-made comic book.
Enjoyment: Good (2+ out of 3 points). Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left is interesting, I liked it.
Rereadability: Average. Although it's the twists of the story that makes you feel interested, there's a certain charm to the story that you might enjoy for further readings.
Chance of reading it again: There's a chance. Now that I know the story, there's probably no need to read it again, but I liked it enough that I might read it in the right circumstances.
Chance of reading the sequel: Good question. Although I admit that this story is fun, it didn't hook me on the new Fantastic Four series. However, if I'll have a chance and some time to read the future issues, I'm not opposed to the thought.
Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
Will you enjoy this?
If you like mystery graphic novels, you might like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left.
If you like supernatural or fantasy graphic novels, you might like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left.
If you'd like to get comedic moments in your stories, Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left will disappoint you, as it's mostly serious.
If you enjoyed the Groundhog Day (1993) movie, you might be interested in this story.
Do you need to read the previous comic books in the series to enjoy this?
There's enough explanation that you'll understand what's going on without reading the previous issues of the series.
Do you need to read the sequel comic book to enjoy this?
This comic book has a self-contained story.
Reading for plot points
If you are interested in contemporary fantasy stories, especially about time loops, I think it's worth reading the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left graphic novel series issue for the plot points.
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Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
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Review with spoilers - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
I liked the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left graphic novel series issue.
Covers
The covers of the graphic novel are okay, they don't say much, but they don't spoil the story.
Promise of the first scene
We see a hotel receptionist reading a newspaper, and closing. Then we see a hotel receptionist reading a newspaper, and closing. Then, we see a hotel receptionist reading a newspaper... I admit that I have no clue where will the creator take the story.
Execution: It was a fun story, and I'm totally okay with the fulfilment of the promise.
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Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
Plot summary / Synopsis
A man (Ben Grimm / the Thing) and his girlfriend (Alicia Masters) are riding into a small town, to have some time together. They go into a hotel to stay the night.
The hotel receptionist is frightened by the guy, because he is a rock monster, so he calls a tough guy to deal with him. When the tough guy tries to kill the man, the tough guy vanishes.
Next morning, the hotel receptionist doesn't remember the arrival of the man and his girlfriend. The visitors realise that they are in an infinite time loop, and the town is stuck in 1947. They find it out that there's a guy, who had a fight with his wife, and wished that he had another chance to do things right, and that causes the time loop. They make sure that the guy gets together with his wife.
The visitors get out of the time loop, and we see the couple growing old together.
In the end, we see that there's a giant crater in the middle of New York, probably caused by the Fantastic Four.
The setting
Contemporary fantasy Earth, probably 2022.
There's a magical ability that lets people create a time loop.
Plot points of interests
The were a couple of additions to the setting and characters.
New characters
Sandford: He has the ability to use the Time loop power. He recently had a fight with his wife, who broke up with him.
Powers
Time loop: If the owner of the power wishes to have the chance to change things that happened that day, the day restarts.
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Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
Analysis of the story - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
I liked the story, I didn't find any problems that would have prevented me from enjoying Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left.
The message of the story
Don't fight with your partner. But if you do, try to make it right.
The structure of the story
The scenes of the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book are mostly played in sequence, following the same storyline.
There's no single viewpoint character.
The story has the usual arc of the dramatic structure - introduction, action, resolution.
Parallels with other stories
There's a strong resemble to the Groundhog Day (1993) movie.
Things I liked
The beginning: It was baffling to see the first page getting repeated, and I was not sure whether it's a misprint, but after getting the thing, I think I like this approach.
Showing infinity: Some pages cut the top of the upper panels and the bottoms of the bottom panels to show the infinity of the situation.
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| Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022) image © Marvel (Disney) |
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Ending montage: I really liked the montage of the further story of the couple. It reminded me of the beginning of the Up (2009) movie.
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| Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022) image © Marvel (Disney) |
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Problematic elements
Unanswered questions
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Possibilities of improvement
How it could have been better?
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How does it compare to the other works of the creators?
I don't remember reading any other works of the writer (Ryan North), but this was a solid story, so now I'm interested.
I don't remember reading any other graphic novels from the illustrator (Iban Coello). This issue looks good, so I assume his work is good.
I don't remember reading any other graphic novels from the colourist (Jesus Aburton).
How does it compare to the other comic books in the series?
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Behind the scenes
Thoughts about the reviews of others
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Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel series issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics (2022)
image © Marvel (Disney)
Uses for the comic book - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
Plot
- Set on a contemporary fantasy Earth (Marvel Universe).
- There's a person with the super-natural ability to restart a day, if he wants to make changes.
Scenes
Designs
Scenario ideas - Role-playing game scenario ideas
Scenario ideas - Wargame scenario ideas
Kill the monster!: The defender is a monstrous creature, that wandered into the territory of the attackers. The attackers try to use vehicles or combat mounts to destroy the creature. The attacker sets up the playing area, with a place in the middle quarter where the creature will start. The defender deploys their creature in the middle quarter. The creature is a lot stronger than the attacker units, and able to withstand any close combat attacks. It can destroy walls of the buildings, and with a successful hit, it can destroy their vehicles. The creature can hurl heavy objects in neighbouring areas (20 cm). A successful hit by a vehicle or combat mount can damage the creature. The attacker wins if they defeat the creature. The defender wins if it destroys all of the vehicles / defeats the combat mounts. It's a draw if the creature leaves the playing area.
Miniatures - 1/50-1/60 (28-32mm scale)
Civilians: Human-sized (S3) modern (advanced) human female / male civilian. Find a model!
Ben Grimm / The Thing: Large (S4) / Huge (S5) humanoid rock creature. Find a model!
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Similar stories - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
Novels like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left
Graphic novels like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left
Movies like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left
Edge of Tomorrow (2014): On a futuristic Earth, a person lives the same day over and over, while fighting an alien invasion, until reaching a certain goal (defeating the aliens). It's an action movie, but similarly entertaining.
Groundhog Day (1993): On a contemporary Earth, a person lives the same day over and over, until reaching a certain goal (seducing a partner). It's a romantic comedy, similar to Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left.
Palm Springs (2020): On a contemporary Earth, a person lives the same day over and over, until reaching a certain goal (destroying the anomaly). It's a romantic comedy, similar to Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left.
Run Lola Run (1998): On a contemporary Earth, a person lives the same day over and over, until reaching a certain goal (getting enough money). It's an action thriller, but similarly entertaining.
Triangle (2009): On a contemporary Earth, a group of people live the same day over and over. It's a thriller, but similarly entertaining.
TV series & episodes like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left
Computer games like Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left
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Frequently asked questions - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
Is the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book based on a novel or a movie?
No, Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left is not based on either books or films. However, the plot is very similar to Groundhog Day.
Is the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book a remake or reboot?
No, the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book is neither a remake nor a reboot.
Where can I read Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left online?
As of 2022.11.15, Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left is not available online.
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Resources - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
Official
Marvel Comics: Fantastic Four (2022) #1: Official article.
Information
Comicvine: Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left: Database article.
Goodreads: Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left: Database article.
League of Comic Geeks: Fantastic Four #1: Database article.
Creation
: Concept art article / video.¤
Reviews with no spoilers - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book (2022)
: Review article / video about the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book with no spoilers.¤
https://www.comicon.com/2022/11/09/review-fantastic-four-1-proves-to-be-the-worlds-greatest/ ¤
Reviews with spoilers - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book (2022)
: Review article / video of the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left graphic novel, with spoilers. Includes a very detailed plot summary.¤
Analysis - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left graphic novel (2022)
: Analysis article / video, explaining the finale of Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left.¤
https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/fantastic-four-1-the-last-town-on-the-left-review/ ¤
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/fantastic-four-1-the-last-town-on-the-left/4000-953984/ ¤
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Fantastic_Four_Vol_7_1
https://aiptcomics.com/2022/10/05/marvel-first-look-fantastic-four-1/ ¤
https://butwhytho.net/2022/11/09/review-fantastic-four-issue-1/: ¤(tw1), (FB), (tw2)
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Buying the product - Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left, graphic novel (2022)
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Have you read the Fantastic Four #1: The Last Town on the Left comic book issue for the Marvel Universe from Marvel Comics? How do you like the graphic novel? Would you recommend it to others? Do you know reviews or resources you'd like to add? What further thoughts do you have about it? Tell your opinion in the comments!
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