Fantastic Four #601 is not a great place to start reading, however. In order for this issue to have its full impact, you're going to need to start from the beginning of Jonathan Hickman's run. Yep, all the way back. But the juice is absolutely worth the squeeze, as we've said time and time again. Read Full Review

About as non-new reader friendly as possible, but an issue that shows that if Marvel had any sense, there really is only one correct choice for the writer of their next big event, and that's Jonathan Hickman. Read Full Review

There are two covers for this issue: the one laying idle before me is by Mike Choi, one of my favourite artists, and coloured by Morry Hollowell who provides a wonderful painted and detailed look to Choi's pencils of the Thing in the typical "action pose". It's a simple enough cover but executed very beautifully. The second cover is by Giuseppe Camuncoli, and is part one of a two part cover that links with FF #13. It's a nice addition, and the two covers (in full) look nice with each other. It makes for a serviceable cover on its own. Read Full Review

Great issue, part of a great storyline, and it aint over yet. Read Full Review

Steve Epting's artwork is solid as always, too, as well as his inking team working to make things moody when they need to be, bright when they should be and touching when Ben Grimm gets his groove back. If you're a fan of the classics, you can't go wrong with hopping onto Fantastic Four #601. If you think you're too cool for that, enjoy your gooey murderfaced symbiote. We'll be over here havin' fun. Read Full Review

Rating a comic like this in an exercise in context: there's nothing in it you haven't seen before. But if you can still get caught up in a blockbuster superhero saga, well-told, with memorable authorial touches, you won't do better. Can't wait for next issue. Read Full Review

As a stand-alone issue, it's difficult to call "Fantastic Four" #601 a good read. It's entertaining in the way the final 20 minutes of an action movie might be if you haven't seen the start. There's clearly more going on, though, and there are moments of obvious pay-off that new readers will miss. Technically, it's brilliant; but if you've not been keeping up with the story since it began, you're simply less likely to feel it the way long-time readers will. Read Full Review

Cover-***
Writing-****
Art-****
Story-*****