Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 is, well, exactly what the title promises it to be, so there’s no chance for misinterpretation there.
The latest in writer J. Michael Straczynski’s thematic series team-ups and face-offs —including the inspired Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon— Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 gives readers a never-before-seen clash between Nick Fury (the original) and Fin Fang Foom. Like I said, there’s no mistaking what the subject matter here is. This umbrella of comics harkens back to the classic days of titles like Marvel Two-In-One, Marvel Team-Up, etc. There aren’t as many opportunities for random character pairings like these anymore, which is a shame; Straczynski is hitting on some nice nostlagic ideas with these.
Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 is a simple premise, to be sure, but it’s definitely a fun read, especially with Elena Casagrande’s gorgeous art, perfectly capturing both the period setting (1940, to be specific) as well as the grandeur of Fin Fang Foom and his mystic dwellings. (Extra compliments to color artist Mattia Iacono, whose muted tones lend a vintage feel to the page when required.) Casagrande definitely nails a sense of scale regarding the big green meanie, and he really does read as extravagant when he shows up. I’ve sometimes seen FFF look on the smaller side, wich sort of takes away from his whole vibe. Here, he’s large and in charge.
It’s a straightforward comic, but there are some interesting ideas about humanity and its fallibility that remain relevant even to this day — spoken by the fancy magic dragon, no less. Such is the duality of superhero comics. Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1 isn’t very high concept or deep, but sometimes a simple one-and-done like this hits the spot.
Nick Fury vs. Fin Fang Foom #1
4.99
Credits
- Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
- Artist: Elena Casagrande
- Color Artist: Mattia Iacono
- Letterer: VC's Travis Lanham
- Cover Artists: Gary Frank & Alex Sinclair
Credits (cont)
- Editor: Wil Moss
- Publisher: Marvel Entertainment
