It looks like Jonathan Hickman’s run is going to follow the original Marvel formula, at least for now, of telling an extended serialized story but doing so in single-issue installments–so that new readers can jump on at any point. It’s a sharp turn from Mark Millar’s incredibly intricate (and frustratingly confusing) run before this.
In this issue, it’s Franklin’s birthday! And apparently, nobody has told his sister that it’s not cool to use the “R” word. I’m told that in the later trade paperback, they replaced this word with “dummy.”
It caused a minor stir, which Hickman had to address in a subsequent letters page.
His point that he is merely reflecting what “normal kids” say seems odd. Hickman does write fairly well from the kids point of view, but these are not “normal kids.” They’re geniuses who have been exposed to all kinds of species and types and tropes. They live with a guy made out of rock for Chrissake.
It seems disingenous to talk about how brilliant they are in one breath, but then call them normal in another.
Anyhow, back to the story in this issue, where Hickman creatively avoids saying how old Franklin is…
…I love that because, until this exact point, NOBODY has ever written Franklin in a way that felt real. He was alwasy written like a grown-up trying to imitate a child. It’s so rare that a writer writes comics about kids that actually gets their voices and portrays them like KIDS. Like here, where Thing introduces a special birthday guest…
The dude in the bad costume with the slight beer belly is actually Willie Lumpkin. On top of that, Hickman does great service to the age-old Johnny/Spidey rivalry–and later, when the guests all get party favors, Johnny gives Spider-Man a book called “A Losers Guide to Women.” This issue just keeps getting better.
Back to having the voice of children, Hickman never stops showing Franklin’s ability to enjoy life. He lifes with the freakin’ Fantastic Four and has already, at this point in his life, experienced more than just about anyone else will for their entire life, and yet just having Spider-Man show up is a complete gas for him.
At the party, guest Alex Power talks with Reed and complains that his schooling is unchallenging–and Reed offers him a job. Leech gets a key to the Baxter Building and Artie gets a device that enables him to communicate by projecting his thoughts. Yes, we’re seeing the formation of Reed’s younger FF kids. The young, 32nd clone of Wizard, Bailey Whitman, also makes an appearance–calling himself Thirty Two.
After the party is over, someone breaks into the Baxter Building. With a wave of his hand, he knocks out Franklin and then delivers a message to Valeria.
He says he is from a future that must be avoided at all costs, and that “all hope lies in Doom.” She asks why she should believe him and he says, “Because you sent me here.”
He also appears to restore Franklin’s abilities, as the boy creates another pocket universe.
Who is the mystery man? Well, the story is called “Days of Future Franklin” so…You figure it out.
I haven’t enjoyed reading a comic this much in a very long time.