by Russell Burlingame
What If ... This Was The FantastiC Four?
A Tribute to Mike Wieringo
The What If... Mike Wieringo tribute comes out this week. Featuring the incomplete final comics issue of the phenomenal artist, and featuring additional contributions from a variety of Wieringo's friends and collaborators, it's appropriate that the issue should come on the heels of last weekend's announcement of the establishment of a Mike Wieringo Memorial Scholarship at HeroesCon.
Wieringo passed away last year at the young age of 44, leaving behind a legacy nearly unparalleled in 1990s comics, and a reputation as one of the kindest, most easygoing creators in the industry. Wieringo loved comics, and the fact that Marvel turned his pages over to the HERO Initiative for this special release speaks well of them. The fact that Wieringo's family and friends gave permission and participation takes the book to the next level, and this book is one of the must-buy comics of the year.
Wieringo's work on the book is stunning, and the cover is bound to be one that's reprinted for years to come when Mike's career is dissected and praised by scholars, critics and fans. It really reminds the reader why Wieringo's work was special, and contributions by his friends and collaborators remind us what made Mike Wieringo special as an artist and as a man.
A look beyond the cover...
Page last updated on July 1, 2008