Originally Posted by
CaptCleghorn
FF 683 is getting a lot of crap it doesn't deserve. Granted, it's far from perfect, but it serves a couple of purposes. It's a light-hearted, almost JLIesque story bringing the team into a situation that actually makes sense given past stories. The Wizard is done well here, looking to be an intelligent plotting baddie as opposed to the Frightful Four jobber he's been for decades. Jenn was brought in because it fit the story, NOT to set up her Reckoning War role. And the tone of this issue probably serves as a contrast to the upcoming "event".
As for the criticisms, the FF spent way too much time attacking first. While this kind of thing (pun unintended) worked better in the seventies when Ben would need to break something for story's sake, the FF should frankly have settles the "F" (pun intended) down after numerous outbursts. I get Sue being pissed when Franklin's therapy was brought up, but her reaction when Diablo showed up was totally out of character given Ben was initially willing to hold off. Basically the team acted in a way to bring physical conflict into a superhero story in a time when that's no longer necessary.
My personal gripe is no parental feelings from the Wizard. Granted, this is probably all a plot and the Wizard is being a mustache twirling villain, but some feeling, especially when an argument could be made in his favor would add to the characterization.
The Dodson covers lately have been very nice.