I am a big fan of Alan Davis’ ClanDestine. I consider it to be the best new team book Marvel has produced in the last ten years. After a series of limited series (plus odd appearances here and there, all of which are readily available in two collected editions), Davis’ latest three-parter picks up, more or less, right where the previous series left off (after a fashion). It begins in Fantastic Four Annual #33 and continues in Daredevil Annual #1 and Wolverine Annual #1.
FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #33: Whether you are familiar with ClanDestine or not, it’s going to be difficult for me to discuss it without revealing major spoilers. If you’ve never read ClanDestine before, after read the FF annual you’re going to want to read the earlier stuff, and if you’re already a fan, you’re going to want to read it yourself. I can tell you this: FF Annual #33 is entirely standalone. Chronologically, the main body of the story takes place before any of the pervious ClanDestine stories. How can this be when I’ve already said that it picks up from the end of the previous series? I can’t tell you that (not without giving away major plot points, anyway).
It would not be necessary for the casual reader to buy the other two annuals as well in order to get a complete story. Although we can assume plot points will continue into the Daredevil and Wolverine annuals, the FF one is complete unto itself with its own beginning, middle and end. I can tell you you, too, that one of the most enigmatic characters not to have appeared so far is the sibling Vincent. This story, set in different eras of the recent past, is Vincent’s story.
Because it is set in the past, FF Annual #33 is a perfect jumping on point to the Clandestine saga. Longtime readers will maybe pick up on plot threads and references foreshadowing future events, but someone starting here and then proceeding to the previous series will have an advantage as well. If you’re looking for a unique take on super-hero family/teams, this issue is a good investment.
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DAREDEVIL ANNUAL #1: Every story begins somewhere, and this story begins here… from Daredevil’s point of view. Yes, the Clandestine characters participated in Fantastic Four Annual #33 immediately before this story opens, but Daredevil doesn’t know that, and the reader doesn’t need to know it, either. If you want to read just the Daredevil chapter, rest assured that it has a beginning, middle and end all its own (but I’m guessing that after you read it, you’re going to want to read all three).
So, I take it the FF Annual #33 showed up in July, and Daredevil Annual #1 showed up this week in August. And Wolverine is due, when, in September?
I'm gonna have some difficulty finding that FF Annual #33, I'll bet.... my LCBS now requires EVERYTHING to be pre-ordered, with absolutely NO overstock to display on the shelves. In fact, they have no "current issue" shelves nor "this week" display at all. Sigh....
(All this means, if you don't already know that you're going to enjoy your meal, you won't order it in advance...and you never get to taste any new foods, cause you didn't pre-order the cook to make them for you. Bummer.)
That does not sound like a viable business plan to me, but yes, the FF annual came out a couple of weeks ago, but Wolverine Annual #1 will be released later this month (August 22, to be exact). Your shop should be able to acquire recent backissues via his distributor.
WOLVERINE ANNUAL #1: If Daredevil Annual #1 could be considered standalone because it was told from Daredevil’s point of view and contained only his part of the story, I really can’t say that about Wolverine Annual #1. Although it is also, like the DD one, told from the main character’s POV, the story itself builds upon what has come before and won’t be enjoyable without the other parts. But as I cautioned earlier, try not to think of this as three separate annuals but rather one, three-part Clandestine story. Because rory and Pandora weren’t involved in the previous two parts, I mistakenly concluded that the story was set in the past, but it’s not. When those character inexplicably showed up for part three, it threw me for a loop, but not so much that I didn’t enjoy the conclusion. Speaking in my own defense, a caption did set the story “a few years ago,” plus the FF were headquartered in the Baxter Building and not in the Four Freedoms Plaza building. I guess that changed back somehow when I wasn’t looking…? Anyway, these three issues will soon be collected in a single edition (along with a Thor one-shot by Alan Davis), so it’s a good one to trade-wait.
I have to say, I read the Daredevil annual, and while it was competently told -- and wonderfully drawn -- it didn't draw me in to the larger story. I had a sinking feeling I should pass on it -- I'd intended to only pick it up if Waid had written it -- but the Davis art drew me in.
Jeff...the FF have been back in the new Baxter Building for over a decade. Didn't you read the Mark Waid run? It's...um...fantastic.
Yeah, that kinda rings a bell. I did read Mark Waid's FF (once, month by month as it wasn't being released), but it just didn't strike the same chords with me that his current Daredevil does. I do plan to re-read it someday; it strikes me as a project that would read better in a big chunk.
That issue in heaven with God is flat-out awesome.
I thought it was cute.
A year ago, I would have bought all of these annuals sight-unseen. But now I have so many comics and graphic novels stacked up that I'm content to buy the trade when it's at Half-Price Books. I'm sure it's of high quality. I just don't have the time to read it right now.
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