I can’t think of a good reason that Cami and Tom would ever interact with The Silver Surfer, but once I started mulling around in my head how a jaded city-dweller might react to a man coated head to toe in a reflective material, the jokes just started flowing. I mean, you’ve all seen those street performers who dress up in tin foil and then move like a robot when you drop a coin into their hat, right?

…

What this has to say specifically about Fantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer, I don’t know. I guess really all I was after was an excuse to draw The Silver Surfer. I think he turned out pretty well! Sometimes you just want to give into your baser geek instincts. Just be thankful that I didn’t make reference to the fact that The Silver Surfer does not wear pants.

Whoops! I guess I just did. He’s nakers!

Despite my better judgment, I’ll probably end up seeing the new Fantastic Four movie this weekend and most likely I’ll be seeing it alone. Cami has no interest, but gave me “permission” to see it by myself. She said it would count as an early Father’s Day present. I told her I still wanted an ugly tie. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out at what point I got hooked enough to see the movie without my number one partner in crime.

If you remember, the first movie was a dud among fans and critics alike, it still managed to rake in $155 million in box office. Okay, so that means a sequel was a foregone conclusion. Still, all the negative press and warnings from friends was enough to keep me away. So, although I was initially curious, I chose to stay away. So right there, that should tell you that I have no strong investment in the franchise. By Christmas, the movie magically ended up in my DVD collection, but it wasn’t like I was the first one in line to buy it.

So why now do I suddenly care about The Fantastic Four? Why do I want to see this movie on opening weekend and why am I willing to fly solo to do it?

Credit where credit is due: You gotta hand it to whomever cut that theatrical trailer. Go visit the movie’s web site and see for yourself if you don’t believe me.

This is an example of where marketing trumps content. The trailer is cut in such a way to deliver the maximum amount of foreboding, action, humor and interest. Who is The Silver Surfer? Why is he here? Why can’t we see the reflection of the camera in his reflective skin?

For someone who’s been reading comics for 22 years, the small snippet of action provided in the trailer demonstrates everything I ever wanted The Silver Surfer to do on screen plus some things I didn’t even know I wanted him to do! Phasing through buildings? Hanging upside down from his board? All great stuff! Plus, he chokes The Human Torch – and who can’t say that actor didn’t have it coming?

There are some warning signs, to be sure. Rumor is that The Surfer’s master – Galactus – doesn’t show up as a gigantic dude in a purple mini-skirt, but some kind of sentient cloud. Eh, okay. We’ll see. Also, the blue contacts, overly blonde hair and drastic amount of bronzer they’ve slapped on Jessica Alba makes her look like a tranny.

But these are issues I have my radar up for going in, so if I can ignore them or if there is enough action featuring The Surfer to satiate my demand, all will be right with the world.

I think the movie has the advantage of not having to cycle through exposition like ALL super-hero movies are forced to. It’s the reason why X-Men 2, Superman 2 and Spider-Man 2 are the superior films in their franchises. So now that they’ve worked the kinks out, there’s a lot more to be excited for.

What say you? Is there anyone else in the audience excited to see The Silver Surfer kick a little ass this weekend? Raise your hand if you’re a comic book nerd and holla back in the comments section! I want to hear your fears, superstitions and excitement (or lack thereof) about Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer!