Creator Michael Turner releases the first Fathom Annual #1 out in stores June 18th featuring 3 new short stories written by David Wohl, Nei Ruffino and Vince Hernandez.
The stories feature Aspen our “savior” and link to both the human and underwater world of the Blue. Aspen born of both worlds (Human and Blue) uses her newfound powers to try and protect them from destroying each other. Fathom mixes over the top fantasy into a human based world, and as a result the characters are as thin as the material covering them. The cover art by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald is reminiscent of a 90’s Sports Illustrated cover and Aspen’s battle attire is little more than bikini armor with some well placed seaweed.
All the stories reference previous Fathom issues making the storyline vague and hard to follow as a new reader. This annual is best suited for current Fathom readers looking for new stories of Aspen. But if you’re looking for a new comic to read, I would keep looking.
While many Fathom covers have “well placed seaweed”… This one does not. This cover is a classic Michael Turner/ Peter Steigerwald design and Aspen does not seem to be in battle so I don’t see why the artists would deem it necessary to put her in armor.
I find this review lacking in substance and information. The reviewer gives a flat one sentence description of the comic. In her next sentence she blames the mix of “over the top fantasy in a human based world” for her thin review of the characters of this book. Wait… “Over the top fantasy in a human based world”… Isn’t this reviewer describing most Comic Books? How can THAT be her ONLY reason for her bad review of the book?
Although I have just signed up I have been a fan of Fangirl Nation for sometime. But this review leaves me wanting and makes me ask the question… If the reviewer cannot take the time to describe the cover correctly then why should I believe that she would give an fair and accurate description and review of this comic.
As it is only June 16, I have not yet read this comic. So… I cannot give you a more accurate description of it. I heartily mistrust and disagree with this review based on its lack of substance. But, If you are looking for a new comic to read, this maybe the perfect way to get a taste of Aspen Comics and the Fathom World before truly diving in.
Your description of the cover isn’t even accurate and it is never explained why “over the top fantasy” which is pretty much every comic, makes for a thin character. Also “Michael Turner releases” probably is not the best thing to say which I think you would know if you had done research. Fathom is awesome btw. – Fan girl
Thank you Pili and Aspen for your comments. I apologize that you felt I did not thoroughly explain my reason for my review of Fathom Annual #1. At times it is hard to give enough detail and explanations in such a short review. I also want to point out that my comment about Aspen’s battle attire being “bikini armor with some well placed seaweed” was not referring to the cover art but to her armor in the stories. My review was in no way intended to dissuade you from reading Fathom or any other comics you enjoy. But as far as my reaction to Fathom Annual #1 we will have to agree to disagree. I hope you will continue to subscribe to fangirlnation.com as our goal is to embrace all fandoms even if you disagree with this reviewer’s opinion.