FANTASTIC FOUR 1234 & ALL STAR SUPERMAN... reimagining the icons, for better or for worse

In 2002, superstar writer Grant Morrison dissected the familial relationships underpinning Marvel Comics' first family, with the four-issue Fantastic Four 1234. The result was a dark, distorted version - aided by artist Jae Lee - of the Fantastic Four, with the family fracturing as their arch nemesis Dr. Doom readies his final assault.

Ryan dug it, Raman hated it. And in this episode, we agree on what Morrison is trying to do and disagree on whether they accomplished it.

And just a few years later, Morrison uncorked an amazing 12-issue run with artist Frank Quietly on the limited series All Star Superman. Morrison and Quietly reimagine the Man of Steel, bringing to the forefront the sense of fun, ridiculousness, and oddball pop science that has characterized his adventures for decades.

This run is unequivocally amazing, yet while the first six episodes is pure delight, presenting some of the most innovative Superman stories ever written, the narrative starts to lose its way in the latter half.