Customer Reviews

Fantastic four: redemption of the silver surfer (Marvel Comics (New York, N.Y.).)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In an excellent rendition of Marvel's superstars, Friedman tells an exciting story of the Negative Zone's version of Galactus, a life-giver named Prodigion. Featuring appearances by Negative Zone villains, Blastaar and Annihilus, and introducing the Outriders, Prodigion's heralds. The FF is summoned by Blastaar to stop Prodigion and the Surfer intends to help. When they meet the mysterius being, they are forced to reconsider their mission. The Surfer sees serving Prodigion as a means to make up for the destruction he abetted in his service to Galactus. World ships, space armadas, and Blastaar winning an empire through one on one personal combat, this story has it all. Fans of the FF and Surfer will find a story that fits the characters like a glove. SF fans will be able to pick it up and read with little or no comics background and still find an exciting and enjoyable space opera.

This is by far the best novelization of the Fantastic Four to date. On a mission of mercy the Silver Surfer requests the help of the FF, who had just been coerced into the Negative Zone to ally themselves with Blastaar. A Galactus-like threat looms in the background as Blastaar, the Surfer and the FF try to save the Negative Zone. Friedman's done his homework. He makes several references to specific incidents in the comics and explains them well enough that you don't need to run down to the comic book shop to get the whole story. His characterizations are well-done and the only fault I found is that he occasionally referred to the Human Torch as a teenager. Perez's chapter illustrations are spectacular and proves that he still is one of the greatest comic artists alive.

This was the first Fantastic four book I've ever read, although I have many of the comic books. It seemed that the storyline was more of a Silver Surfer book than a Fantastic four one. Either way, there was enough action to keep my interest. The character development fell a bit short, but the Fantastic Four aren't about drama anyway, they're about action. This book delivers that action: it's a solid effort.

This book is amazing. I have read many novels that are based on comic book series, and some of them do not capture the essential spirit of the series. Fortunately, Michael Jan Friedman has done just that. He has wonderful characterizes the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer perfectly, giving homage to their illustratrous past. Every detail he wrote and George Perez illustrated hold true to the FF comics. The story is fresh and original, with twists and unexpected turns.

It is well worth your money to read this, but as you can tell from the other reviews either you like it or you don't. Well, I love it! Excelsior!

If you like dumb books than this is for you. I have collected comic books and I am an expert in discussing the marvel characters, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to say this book is bad. Sure, this book has an okay plot and the graphics are spectacular, but they cannot make up for the lack of characterization and sub-plots in this book. I give this book two stars out of five. It has an okay plot but is sorely lacking in areas that are vital to a good book.

This, like Countdown To Chaos is a very good read, and a must have for anyone who loves Fantastic Four and stories about the Negative Zone. I also would strongly recommend this for those who are fans of the Silver Surfer for this novel has some of the best characterization ever done on him in any work.

I don't read Fantastic Four comics, so I can't say whether Michael Jan Friedman's novel successfully captures the spirit of the comic book. However, I must say that if it does, I won't be adding the FF to my comics buying list anytime soon.

The plot of "The Redemption of the Silver Surfer" seems promising enough. The FF are drawn into the Negative Zone by Blastaar, one of their old enemies, who enlists their help against Prodigion, who may or may not be a Negative Zone equivalent of Galactus, the eater of worlds. The Silver Surfer, Galactus's former Herald, joins the FF in the Negative Zone, where Prodigion perhaps offers him a chance for redemption. Hence the title.

However, Friedman's writing is childish and heavy-handed. There is no subtlety of characterization; the FF are essentially one-note cardboard-cutouts, and the Surfer's guilt is completely unconvincing. Given his past, I'd say it must have taken work to make him so shallow. Great job, Mr. Friedman. Furthermore, the is-Prodigion-good-or-bad question, which could have been interesting and raised hard ethical issues, gets old very fast. The ethics never get much more serious than "It's good to help people, and bad to hurt people." Wow. I never knew that. Thanks for telling me.

"Redemption" is a fast read, and fine to fill an otherwise empty afternoon, but I know comics can provide a lot more. One great thing about superhero comics (besides the action and ridiculous costumes) is their ability to cut to the heart of myths and archetypes, without having to worry about strict realism. "Redemption" keeps the action and impossible costumes, but it's novelization by the numbers. It has no deeper level. Hell, it doesn't even have a human level, to give the action even minimal coherence. And that hurts.

(The illustrations, on the other hand, are great! Pity there aren't more of them...)