Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius Super Summer Spectacular #1

Marvel Comics
Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius Super Summer Spectacular #1
By Hervé St.Louis
July 9, 2006 - 22:06

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Chris Eliopoulos, Mark Sumerak
Penciller(s): Chris Eliopoulos

While the Fantastic Four save the world, Franklin and his pet robot are free to roam around the Baxter Building to go a merry-go-round adventure anywhere around the world. Part Dennis the Menace, part Calvin, Franklin has access to the most advanced technology on the planet. Can the mischiefs be far away? Can Herbie the robot stop Franklin from destroying the world by accident?

This issue was split as several smaller stories. This was a light read although there were too many captions and unnecessary dialogues stopping the story from being a quick read full of fun. The situations are inventive and fun to watch. Although very simple, I could not predict the ending for any of the stories. I’m glad that Marvel makes this book and continuously tries to make something different that could appeal to younger readers.

The artwork is part Calvin and Hobbes, part Peanuts. Fortunately for Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes’ creator, Franklin doesn’t have one tenth of the imagination of Calvin. The artwork is effective and cute. The action really moves forward and the cartoon effects were pulled nicely. The visual pacing was sound and Eliopoulos is a great storyteller and a good humourist. If the story can be as inventive as his work, perhaps Watterson should be afraid.

7/10