FANTASTIC FOUR: UNSTABLE MOLECULES... how in the world to describe this story? First off, it's great - maybe the best FF story written in the last 15 years. However, you won't see the FF in costume, or even exhibiting their super-powers. Why? Simple - they don't have any! Writer James Sturm conceived this series on the premise that Stan Lee and Jack Kirby based the FF on 4 acquaintances of theirs who were anything but fantastic.
The setting is the 1950s. The life of Susan Sturm (spelled correctly) is devoted to her thankless caring for her bitter younger brother Johnny, while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy at their home. Her boyfriend, Reed Richards, is an unemotional research scientist who constantly puts her second. Their friend Ben Grimm is a sad-sack who, despite his many problems, provides the only cheer in Sue's humdrum life. If you though that the regular Fantastic Four had their share of problems, wait until you read this!
FF:UM is an overpowering story, full of emotion and heartache. It's also one of those rare and wonderful moments where comics and "reality" blur together, leaving the reader wondering if this is truly just a group of average joes, or if they will actually become the super-powered FF we know and love. Hopefully, Sturm and artist Guy Davis won't keep us waiting much longer.
