"Roach Motel"

A roach gets radiated from an atomic test in 1957. It mutates into super-roach. Before you can say Willard, the bug is getting love from all its brothers and sisters. Trouble is that it's getting tired of having to use up human bodies. They're too squishy. Enter the rock-hard hide of one Benjamin J. Grimm.

Chris Eliopoulos' story at least possesses a rationale. It does make sense that a gestalt creature as presented would prefer a brick-laden host like the Thing over even the Hulk, but I think it's a bit contrived that it can create feedback to incapacitate the Invisible Woman, who logically would have been the one most capable of defeating the menace.

The practical jokes that buffer the main story make even less sense. I can't see how Johnny or Ben could have gotten the other to dress in an unfamiliar costume. Even if they dressed in the dark, they should have been able to feel the difference in fabrics.

Eliopoulos' plotting isn't outstanding, but his characterization for the quartet rings true, and their dialogue is a delight to read. Ronan Cliquet and Amilton Santos bolster Eliopoulos' story with superb artwork that's realistic and detailed without being being overwhelmingly photo-based. Nolan and Anderson's colors impress with natural textures and a hot depiction of Johnny's flame.

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