The beginnings of Marvel, 19 Jul 2005
Here it is - a massive high quality reprint of the first 30 issues of The Fantastic Four (plus the first Annual) from 1961-1964, and the bedrock upon which the entire Marvel universe of comics is constructed. There had been superheroes before Marvel of course, with DC's Superman and Batman being the most famous examples, and even early pre-Marvel characters such as Captain America and the Sub-Mariner are given a dusting down and re-introduced in these pages, but the Fantastic Four completely rewrote the superhero rulebook and kick-started an incredible period of inventiveness from Stan Lee and co, with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man and more going on to dominate the genre.

Probably the biggest change for the Fantastic Four was that instead of being a bunch of character-less square-jawed do-gooders the Fantastic Four acted like a real dysfunctional family, and at the heart of this was the ground-breaking figure of Ben Grimm - the Thing, a 'superhero' cursed with an appearance so foul he resembled a walking monster, and who's tendency to fly off the handle seemed as though the character really could turn on the other members during these early issues. Grimm's struggles to come to terms with his appearance as a monster gives these issues a real pathos, something that is highlighted when he finally finds acceptance from his blind girlfriend Alicia, and his transformation from a grouch into the heart of the FF is handled brilliantly, with his initial genuine fights with the Human Torch transforming into affectionate horseplay.

The other members are less interesting, but still vivid characters -hot-headed Human Torch (Johnny Storm) seems designed to appeal to the teen age audience, while the elastic Mr Fantastic (Reed Richards) is so straight faced he almost seems to be a parody of pre-Marvel superheroes. The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) is more problematical in the early issues, as her power doesn't really enable her to take more than a peripheral role in the stories. It's interesting to see in the letters pages some fans dissatisfaction with her and asking for her to be replaced, and it's only near the end of the issues reprinted here that the character is beefed up with some additional force field powers to truly take her place as a full member of the FF.

Of course, being 40-odd years old these stories have dated a little, and the artwork in particular seems very basic compared to today's comics. Jack Kirby would go on to push the entire field of comic book art forward with some truly groundbreaking wild artwork later on in the Fantastic Four's run, but in these early issues Kirby is functional but unspectacular (one must also bear in mind that, just as Stan Lee was writing dozens of comics at the same time, so Kirby was drawing numerous titles a month). Stan Lee's stories can also occasionally suffer from some rather hokey moments, but Lee's humour as the series goes on makes this still laugh out loud funny, and the stories are still wildly ambitious - in only the 4th issue we have the sight of man-monster the Thing venturing into the innards of a giant whale with an atomic bomb strapped onto his back, while the post-modern self-awareness shown by the Fantastic Four as comic book characters (receiving fan letters and meeting Lee and Kirby in issue 10) is another ground breaking moment. Other great moments included in this early run include the rivalry built up between the Thing and the Hulk, with an absolutely enormous fight spread over two issues that ends up dragging in the likes of Captain America and Iron Man, while the ongoing love triangle between Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner leads to some great attacks on the surface dwellers by the Prince of Atlantis, culminating in the epic annual. And that not forgetting the likes of Doctor Doom...

All in all a little creaky round the edges as Lee and Kirby find their feet, but this was so far ahead of the field in the early 60's that it still holds up well today. The addition of reprints of the original letters pages give a real flavour of the Marvel boom of the time, with Stan Lee's direct self-depreciating addresses to the readers building up a real feeling of community. These are the best reprint versions of these early issues, so relive a classic era in comic book history - essential for all comic book fans.

Flame On...For A Great Read (Or should that be Reed?)!!!, 15 Jul 2005
Its the 1960's and Marvel decide they need a super hero team, Marve'l's first family - The Fantastic Four was born. Presenting for the 1st time ever, issues 1 to 30 of Fantastic Four, collected in a hard back book (weighing in at over 800 glossy pages!).

The issues this book reprints have already been reprinted in B&W in Essential Fantastic Four Vol.1 and Vol.2, and also in colour in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.3. However, this omnibus edition includes some unused Jack Kirby covers, various forewords from Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and Roy Thomas - and (this is the most important part), the reprinting of all the letters pages!

I know it seems like a small thing, but reading fans reactions to the comics as they saw print is quite a tribute to the era and the comic.

So what do the 30 issues contain? The origin of the Fantastic Four, fights with Dr. Doom, Red Ghost, Mole Man, Miracle Man, Molecule Man, Skrulls (including Superskrull), Rama-Tut and Puppet Master!

Add in guest appearances (maybe some tussles with) The Watcher, The X-Men (Original), Sub-Mariner and The Hulk, and you've got a pretty excellent line up of issues.

So what's the downside? Price for one thing (currently £55 for the Kirby cover and £65 for the Alex Ross cover), although the original issues would set you back in the thousands of £££'s and the Masterwork reprints would set you back around £75.

The other (although its also an advantage) is the simplicity of the issues. Story wise there is no hidden plot devices or super in-depth character revelations and art wise...well its the King (Jack Kirby) but compared to today's over used splash pages and awkward character poses some may find the art a bit bland.

So to wrap up - great read for the classic comic fan, or any Fantastic Four/Marvel devotee. However newbies to comics/Fantastic Four may be better off with the Ultimate Fantastic Four (a different universe and set in the present) hardcover (2005) or "The Best Of The Fantastic Four" hardcover from earlier this year (2005).

The beginnings of Marvel, 19 Jul 2005
Here it is - a massive high quality reprint of the first 30 issues of The Fantastic Four (plus the first Annual) from 1961-1964, and the bedrock upon which the entire Marvel universe of comics is constructed. There had been superheroes before Marvel of course, with DC's Superman and Batman being the most famous examples, and even early pre-Marvel characters such as Captain America and the Sub-Mariner are given a dusting down and re-introduced in these pages, but the Fantastic Four completely rewrote the superhero rulebook and kick-started an incredible period of inventiveness from Stan Lee and co, with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man and more going on to dominate the genre.

Probably the biggest change for the Fantastic Four was that instead of being a bunch of character-less square-jawed do-gooders the Fantastic Four acted like a real dysfunctional family, and at the heart of this was the ground-breaking figure of Ben Grimm - the Thing, a 'superhero' cursed with an appearance so foul he resembled a walking monster, and who's tendency to fly off the handle seemed as though the character really could turn on the other members during these early issues. Grimm's struggles to come to terms with his appearance as a monster gives these issues a real pathos, something that is highlighted when he finally finds acceptance from his blind girlfriend Alicia, and his transformation from a grouch into the heart of the FF is handled brilliantly, with his initial genuine fights with the Human Torch transforming into affectionate horseplay.

The other members are less interesting, but still vivid characters -hot-headed Human Torch (Johnny Storm) seems designed to appeal to the teen age audience, while the elastic Mr Fantastic (Reed Richards) is so straight faced he almost seems to be a parody of pre-Marvel superheroes. The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) is more problematical in the early issues, as her power doesn't really enable her to take more than a peripheral role in the stories. It's interesting to see in the letters pages some fans dissatisfaction with her and asking for her to be replaced, and it's only near the end of the issues reprinted here that the character is beefed up with some additional force field powers to truly take her place as a full member of the FF.

Of course, being 40-odd years old these stories have dated a little, and the artwork in particular seems very basic compared to today's comics. Jack Kirby would go on to push the entire field of comic book art forward with some truly groundbreaking wild artwork later on in the Fantastic Four's run, but in these early issues Kirby is functional but unspectacular (one must also bear in mind that, just as Stan Lee was writing dozens of comics at the same time, so Kirby was drawing numerous titles a month). Stan Lee's stories can also occasionally suffer from some rather hokey moments, but Lee's humour as the series goes on makes this still laugh out loud funny, and the stories are still wildly ambitious - in only the 4th issue we have the sight of man-monster the Thing venturing into the innards of a giant whale with an atomic bomb strapped onto his back, while the post-modern self-awareness shown by the Fantastic Four as comic book characters (receiving fan letters and meeting Lee and Kirby in issue 10) is another ground breaking moment. Other great moments included in this early run include the rivalry built up between the Thing and the Hulk, with an absolutely enormous fight spread over two issues that ends up dragging in the likes of Captain America and Iron Man, while the ongoing love triangle between Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner leads to some great attacks on the surface dwellers by the Prince of Atlantis, culminating in the epic annual. And that not forgetting the likes of Doctor Doom...

All in all a little creaky round the edges as Lee and Kirby find their feet, but this was so far ahead of the field in the early 60's that it still holds up well today. The addition of reprints of the original letters pages give a real flavour of the Marvel boom of the time, with Stan Lee's direct self-depreciating addresses to the readers building up a real feeling of community. These are the best reprint versions of these early issues, so relive a classic era in comic book history - essential for all comic book fans.

Flame On...For A Great Read (Or should that be Reed?)!!!, 15 Jul 2005
Its the 1960's and Marvel decide they need a super hero team, Marve'l's first family - The Fantastic Four was born. Presenting for the 1st time ever, issues 1 to 30 of Fantastic Four, collected in a hard back book (weighing in at over 800 glossy pages!).

The issues this book reprints have already been reprinted in B&W in Essential Fantastic Four Vol.1 and Vol.2, and also in colour in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.3. However, this omnibus edition includes some unused Jack Kirby covers, various forewords from Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and Roy Thomas - and (this is the most important part), the reprinting of all the letters pages!

I know it seems like a small thing, but reading fans reactions to the comics as they saw print is quite a tribute to the era and the comic.

So what do the 30 issues contain? The origin of the Fantastic Four, fights with Dr. Doom, Red Ghost, Mole Man, Miracle Man, Molecule Man, Skrulls (including Superskrull), Rama-Tut and Puppet Master!

Add in guest appearances (maybe some tussles with) The Watcher, The X-Men (Original), Sub-Mariner and The Hulk, and you've got a pretty excellent line up of issues.

So what's the downside? Price for one thing (currently £55 for the Kirby cover and £65 for the Alex Ross cover), although the original issues would set you back in the thousands of £££'s and the Masterwork reprints would set you back around £75.

The other (although its also an advantage) is the simplicity of the issues. Story wise there is no hidden plot devices or super in-depth character revelations and art wise...well its the King (Jack Kirby) but compared to today's over used splash pages and awkward character poses some may find the art a bit bland.

So to wrap up - great read for the classic comic fan, or any Fantastic Four/Marvel devotee. However newbies to comics/Fantastic Four may be better off with the Ultimate Fantastic Four (a different universe and set in the present) hardcover (2005) or "The Best Of The Fantastic Four" hardcover from earlier this year (2005).

Marvel's first family meet tragedy and triumph, 30 Aug 2008
This volume covers 1973-1975 and starts with the re-appearance of two old "friends" Wyatt Wingfoot and a very early FF foe The Miracle Man whose powers have improved somewhat over the years.
Then the tyrant of the Negative Zone Annihilus returns, issue 140 is the last one I remember buying in my mis-spent youth. Annihilus' origin is revealed and the end of this story sees Sue leaving the FF after Reed's attempt to save their son mis-fires. The rest of this volume is spent repairing those wounds. The Inhuman Medusa is still with the team and becomes their fourth member during these stories.
Other old foes return, Doctor Doom twice, the last tale involving the Silver Surfer and his arch-nemesis Mephisto who pulls a tragic double-bluff on the Surfer. The Frightful Four (well 3) also return as does the Sub-Mariner who plays a pivotal role in sorting out the FF's internal issues. The Hulk also appears in a mind-swap tale that also features Thundra and a very old foe of The Human Torch returns from the 5th dimension, Xemu the Merciless in a tale which features the Inhumans.
New menaces appear in Ternak (an abominable snowman), Darkoth the Death Demon (in a Dr. Doom tale), Tempus, Mahkizmo (Thundra's arch-foe) and the first appearance of James Madrox a.k.a. The Multiple Man. Oh, and the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse attack Earth in an OK-only tale.
The highlights of this volume are the Annihilus tale, the wedding of Crystal and Pietro starring the FF, Avengers and Inhumans and gate-crashed by Ultimo-7. and the Silver Surfer tale for sheer pathos.
The art is in the main outstanding largely by Marvel greats John Buscema and Rich Buckler with assists from Ross Andru and Joe Sinnott. Although Gerry Conway takes most of the writing honours there are also contributions from amongst others Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart and Len Wein.

The beginnings of Marvel, 19 Jul 2005
Here it is - a massive high quality reprint of the first 30 issues of The Fantastic Four (plus the first Annual) from 1961-1964, and the bedrock upon which the entire Marvel universe of comics is constructed. There had been superheroes before Marvel of course, with DC's Superman and Batman being the most famous examples, and even early pre-Marvel characters such as Captain America and the Sub-Mariner are given a dusting down and re-introduced in these pages, but the Fantastic Four completely rewrote the superhero rulebook and kick-started an incredible period of inventiveness from Stan Lee and co, with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man and more going on to dominate the genre.

Probably the biggest change for the Fantastic Four was that instead of being a bunch of character-less square-jawed do-gooders the Fantastic Four acted like a real dysfunctional family, and at the heart of this was the ground-breaking figure of Ben Grimm - the Thing, a 'superhero' cursed with an appearance so foul he resembled a walking monster, and who's tendency to fly off the handle seemed as though the character really could turn on the other members during these early issues. Grimm's struggles to come to terms with his appearance as a monster gives these issues a real pathos, something that is highlighted when he finally finds acceptance from his blind girlfriend Alicia, and his transformation from a grouch into the heart of the FF is handled brilliantly, with his initial genuine fights with the Human Torch transforming into affectionate horseplay.

The other members are less interesting, but still vivid characters -hot-headed Human Torch (Johnny Storm) seems designed to appeal to the teen age audience, while the elastic Mr Fantastic (Reed Richards) is so straight faced he almost seems to be a parody of pre-Marvel superheroes. The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) is more problematical in the early issues, as her power doesn't really enable her to take more than a peripheral role in the stories. It's interesting to see in the letters pages some fans dissatisfaction with her and asking for her to be replaced, and it's only near the end of the issues reprinted here that the character is beefed up with some additional force field powers to truly take her place as a full member of the FF.

Of course, being 40-odd years old these stories have dated a little, and the artwork in particular seems very basic compared to today's comics. Jack Kirby would go on to push the entire field of comic book art forward with some truly groundbreaking wild artwork later on in the Fantastic Four's run, but in these early issues Kirby is functional but unspectacular (one must also bear in mind that, just as Stan Lee was writing dozens of comics at the same time, so Kirby was drawing numerous titles a month). Stan Lee's stories can also occasionally suffer from some rather hokey moments, but Lee's humour as the series goes on makes this still laugh out loud funny, and the stories are still wildly ambitious - in only the 4th issue we have the sight of man-monster the Thing venturing into the innards of a giant whale with an atomic bomb strapped onto his back, while the post-modern self-awareness shown by the Fantastic Four as comic book characters (receiving fan letters and meeting Lee and Kirby in issue 10) is another ground breaking moment. Other great moments included in this early run include the rivalry built up between the Thing and the Hulk, with an absolutely enormous fight spread over two issues that ends up dragging in the likes of Captain America and Iron Man, while the ongoing love triangle between Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner leads to some great attacks on the surface dwellers by the Prince of Atlantis, culminating in the epic annual. And that not forgetting the likes of Doctor Doom...

All in all a little creaky round the edges as Lee and Kirby find their feet, but this was so far ahead of the field in the early 60's that it still holds up well today. The addition of reprints of the original letters pages give a real flavour of the Marvel boom of the time, with Stan Lee's direct self-depreciating addresses to the readers building up a real feeling of community. These are the best reprint versions of these early issues, so relive a classic era in comic book history - essential for all comic book fans.

Flame On...For A Great Read (Or should that be Reed?)!!!, 15 Jul 2005
Its the 1960's and Marvel decide they need a super hero team, Marve'l's first family - The Fantastic Four was born. Presenting for the 1st time ever, issues 1 to 30 of Fantastic Four, collected in a hard back book (weighing in at over 800 glossy pages!).

The issues this book reprints have already been reprinted in B&W in Essential Fantastic Four Vol.1 and Vol.2, and also in colour in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.3. However, this omnibus edition includes some unused Jack Kirby covers, various forewords from Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and Roy Thomas - and (this is the most important part), the reprinting of all the letters pages!

I know it seems like a small thing, but reading fans reactions to the comics as they saw print is quite a tribute to the era and the comic.

So what do the 30 issues contain? The origin of the Fantastic Four, fights with Dr. Doom, Red Ghost, Mole Man, Miracle Man, Molecule Man, Skrulls (including Superskrull), Rama-Tut and Puppet Master!

Add in guest appearances (maybe some tussles with) The Watcher, The X-Men (Original), Sub-Mariner and The Hulk, and you've got a pretty excellent line up of issues.

So what's the downside? Price for one thing (currently £55 for the Kirby cover and £65 for the Alex Ross cover), although the original issues would set you back in the thousands of £££'s and the Masterwork reprints would set you back around £75.

The other (although its also an advantage) is the simplicity of the issues. Story wise there is no hidden plot devices or super in-depth character revelations and art wise...well its the King (Jack Kirby) but compared to today's over used splash pages and awkward character poses some may find the art a bit bland.

So to wrap up - great read for the classic comic fan, or any Fantastic Four/Marvel devotee. However newbies to comics/Fantastic Four may be better off with the Ultimate Fantastic Four (a different universe and set in the present) hardcover (2005) or "The Best Of The Fantastic Four" hardcover from earlier this year (2005).

Marvel's first family meet tragedy and triumph, 30 Aug 2008
This volume covers 1973-1975 and starts with the re-appearance of two old "friends" Wyatt Wingfoot and a very early FF foe The Miracle Man whose powers have improved somewhat over the years.
Then the tyrant of the Negative Zone Annihilus returns, issue 140 is the last one I remember buying in my mis-spent youth. Annihilus' origin is revealed and the end of this story sees Sue leaving the FF after Reed's attempt to save their son mis-fires. The rest of this volume is spent repairing those wounds. The Inhuman Medusa is still with the team and becomes their fourth member during these stories.
Other old foes return, Doctor Doom twice, the last tale involving the Silver Surfer and his arch-nemesis Mephisto who pulls a tragic double-bluff on the Surfer. The Frightful Four (well 3) also return as does the Sub-Mariner who plays a pivotal role in sorting out the FF's internal issues. The Hulk also appears in a mind-swap tale that also features Thundra and a very old foe of The Human Torch returns from the 5th dimension, Xemu the Merciless in a tale which features the Inhumans.
New menaces appear in Ternak (an abominable snowman), Darkoth the Death Demon (in a Dr. Doom tale), Tempus, Mahkizmo (Thundra's arch-foe) and the first appearance of James Madrox a.k.a. The Multiple Man. Oh, and the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse attack Earth in an OK-only tale.
The highlights of this volume are the Annihilus tale, the wedding of Crystal and Pietro starring the FF, Avengers and Inhumans and gate-crashed by Ultimo-7. and the Silver Surfer tale for sheer pathos.
The art is in the main outstanding largely by Marvel greats John Buscema and Rich Buckler with assists from Ross Andru and Joe Sinnott. Although Gerry Conway takes most of the writing honours there are also contributions from amongst others Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart and Len Wein.


The Galactus Cometh, 27 Sep 2007
This is it. This is the high point. This is where the Marvel Universe goes nova. In the mid-60s, something seems to have exploded inside Jack Kirby's brain, and here it can be seen pouring out onto paper: in the techno-jungles of Wakanda, the hidden cities of the Inhumans, and the hurtling, exploding worlds of the Negative Zone. It's all brilliant, delirious, intoxicating stuff, whose highlight is, of course, the justly famous comics that introduce Galactus and The Silver Surfer. The Galactus story is a morality play, it's a meditation on the relationship between God and Man and the place of humanity in the universe, but above all it's a visionary and imaginative tour de force. I'd give it more than five stars if I could, but I can't, so five out of five it will have to be...

A comic mile stone and the source material for the movie Rise of the Silver Surfer, 27 Jun 2007
There are a lot of reasons to buy this great black and white reprint of the mid 60's fantastic four comics.
If you liked any of the recent super heroes movies or cartoon series you'll find this interesting and entertaining.
If you are a fan of Marvel comics this is the ultimate historic 'must have' as it's where legendary comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's style really came into it's own. Vol 1 may be where they first began to expiriment with the 'Marvel style' but this volume features the issues where the stories and pictures became a cultural force to be reckoned with.
From an artistic point of view this is a fascinating work. Stripped of the cheap colour printing, Jack Kirby's drawings are even more striking then in the original comics. His way of drawing faces, figures and impossible machinary is grotesquely beautiful, awesome and even a little shocking a times.
The volume has at it's heart an incredible run of issues. Following the camp and silly 'marriage of Reed and Sue Richards', Stan and Jack introduced arguabley their most inspired creations, the inhumans, the silver sufer and finally Galactus (the ultimate comics bad guy). Each issue is increasingly bizare and imaginative.
The crowning glory is 'This Man, This Monster'. In my opinion the best Fantastic Four comic of all time, the best comic Stan Lee ever wrote and the best comic of the 1960's. It features very few 'super powers' and little of the camp associated with 60's Marvel.
The volume also features the two issue story in which Dr Doom steals the Silver Surfers board. This, along with the Galactus trilogy was the inspiration behind the recent Fantastic Four movie.
Like most science fiction, the stories themselves offer a fascinating insight into the times in which they were written. This is most evident when the Fantastic 4 resort to threatening 'mutually assured destruction' (goolge 'cuban missile crisis' kids!) inorder to defeat Galatus.
However, for all the creative highs in this volume it also has it's fair shared of hack work. Stan Lee wrote several 'humourous golf books' for the novelty market and that same 'written to order' out look is easy to see in some of the stories here. For example the two issue introduction of the Black Panther is pretty darn silly.

In conclusion, don't worry about reading vol 1 & 2 first. If you are interested in comics or the fantastic four put this volume in your shopping basket straight away.

The best 'essential' I reckon, 27 Dec 2006
Pretty much all the Essentials are great value and great comics to have in a collection and dip into for quick reads or the marvel backstories; but if you're used to reading more modern trade paperbacks (graphic novels) with longer story arcs and more emphasis on plot than on dishing out the action, this volume, along with X-men vol 2, are the most worthwhile.

It's still the usual Stan Lee jazz, corny dialogue, simple, unexplored pathos (the thing hates his looks, Johnny lusts for a girl he can't have, Sue wants more time with her husband, etc), and 60's morality, except more than the other Essentials this run of comics has a high standard of quality plotting throughout. Rather than knocking out any idea for a villain issue after issue (like the early spiderman issues), there's a bit more done with the extra characters here. Villians fight other villains, villains change into allies, and vice versa. And when Stan does decide to dish out some action it's usually with some clever set pieces instead of the usual punch, punch, kick. Also, the characters introduced here are all really strong, Wyatt Wingfoot, The Inhumans, Black Panther, and the Silver Surfer (who had his own great run of comics collected in Essential silver Surfer vol 1).

Even if you like a lot of other marvel characters ahead of the Fantastic Four (like me), this 'Essential' is one of the very best.

The glory years continue, 05 Dec 2006
This is an absolutely brilliant collection of stories that gathers together some of the FF's greatest villains and introduces some wonderful new ones as well as great supporting characters like the Human Torch's college buddy Wyatt Wingfoot.
The Wedding of Reed and Sue is a great set-piece with an amazing superhero vs supervillain fight-fest involving almost everyone in the Marvel universe at that time, even Stan and Jack get a look in.
It will largely be remembered for being the era that introduced the Inhumans, the Silver Surfer and Galactus and the Black Panther.
It's not all Bam and Kapow, Marvel had some great human interest stories such as the one included in this collection with fake Thing.
Also included are Doctor Doom (obviously) the Frightful Four, and the Sandman on his own several times, Dragon Man, Prester John (another slice of Marvel mythology), Klaw, Blastaar and a great tale from Annual #4 involving the Thinker with the original android Human Torch.
These are really cracking yarns and at this price you can not go wrong.

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at their peak, 27 Nov 2006
Rather surprisingly, there are as yet no other reviews of this collection of Fantastic Four issues 41-63. In these magazines, Lee and Kirby seem to throw off the idea that the comic book is a form of storytelling for children and instead use it as a medium to develop ideas and concepts unavailable to most other art forms. At the same time, stories and subplots are no longer confined to one magazine but continue over many issues, giving a more mature feel. All this really takes off with the introduction of the Inhumans in issue 45. The run of brilliant ideas continues with the introduction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer in issue 48 and the concept of the Negative Zone in issue 51. In addition, supporting characters such as the Black Panther, Wyatt Wingfoot and Quasimodo are much more interesting than similar characters in earlier magazines. I particularly like Lockjaw, the Inhumans' dog. If imagination alone were an art form, Lee and Kirby would be its masters.

This collection also includes the Fantastic Four annual where Reed Richards and Sue Storm get married. The story is a rather frenetic account of the FF's super villain opponents all trying to attack on the same day and is rather below the standard of the magazine stories, but I mention it because it represents a notable development in the Fantastic Four history.

As with the other editions in this series, the artwork is in black and white and loses something of the original atmosphere, but is still acceptable.

In summary, this volume represents a peak of 1960s creativity. Highly recommended.

The beginnings of Marvel, 19 Jul 2005
Here it is - a massive high quality reprint of the first 30 issues of The Fantastic Four (plus the first Annual) from 1961-1964, and the bedrock upon which the entire Marvel universe of comics is constructed. There had been superheroes before Marvel of course, with DC's Superman and Batman being the most famous examples, and even early pre-Marvel characters such as Captain America and the Sub-Mariner are given a dusting down and re-introduced in these pages, but the Fantastic Four completely rewrote the superhero rulebook and kick-started an incredible period of inventiveness from Stan Lee and co, with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man and more going on to dominate the genre.

Probably the biggest change for the Fantastic Four was that instead of being a bunch of character-less square-jawed do-gooders the Fantastic Four acted like a real dysfunctional family, and at the heart of this was the ground-breaking figure of Ben Grimm - the Thing, a 'superhero' cursed with an appearance so foul he resembled a walking monster, and who's tendency to fly off the handle seemed as though the character really could turn on the other members during these early issues. Grimm's struggles to come to terms with his appearance as a monster gives these issues a real pathos, something that is highlighted when he finally finds acceptance from his blind girlfriend Alicia, and his transformation from a grouch into the heart of the FF is handled brilliantly, with his initial genuine fights with the Human Torch transforming into affectionate horseplay.

The other members are less interesting, but still vivid characters -hot-headed Human Torch (Johnny Storm) seems designed to appeal to the teen age audience, while the elastic Mr Fantastic (Reed Richards) is so straight faced he almost seems to be a parody of pre-Marvel superheroes. The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) is more problematical in the early issues, as her power doesn't really enable her to take more than a peripheral role in the stories. It's interesting to see in the letters pages some fans dissatisfaction with her and asking for her to be replaced, and it's only near the end of the issues reprinted here that the character is beefed up with some additional force field powers to truly take her place as a full member of the FF.

Of course, being 40-odd years old these stories have dated a little, and the artwork in particular seems very basic compared to today's comics. Jack Kirby would go on to push the entire field of comic book art forward with some truly groundbreaking wild artwork later on in the Fantastic Four's run, but in these early issues Kirby is functional but unspectacular (one must also bear in mind that, just as Stan Lee was writing dozens of comics at the same time, so Kirby was drawing numerous titles a month). Stan Lee's stories can also occasionally suffer from some rather hokey moments, but Lee's humour as the series goes on makes this still laugh out loud funny, and the stories are still wildly ambitious - in only the 4th issue we have the sight of man-monster the Thing venturing into the innards of a giant whale with an atomic bomb strapped onto his back, while the post-modern self-awareness shown by the Fantastic Four as comic book characters (receiving fan letters and meeting Lee and Kirby in issue 10) is another ground breaking moment. Other great moments included in this early run include the rivalry built up between the Thing and the Hulk, with an absolutely enormous fight spread over two issues that ends up dragging in the likes of Captain America and Iron Man, while the ongoing love triangle between Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner leads to some great attacks on the surface dwellers by the Prince of Atlantis, culminating in the epic annual. And that not forgetting the likes of Doctor Doom...

All in all a little creaky round the edges as Lee and Kirby find their feet, but this was so far ahead of the field in the early 60's that it still holds up well today. The addition of reprints of the original letters pages give a real flavour of the Marvel boom of the time, with Stan Lee's direct self-depreciating addresses to the readers building up a real feeling of community. These are the best reprint versions of these early issues, so relive a classic era in comic book history - essential for all comic book fans.

Flame On...For A Great Read (Or should that be Reed?)!!!, 15 Jul 2005
Its the 1960's and Marvel decide they need a super hero team, Marve'l's first family - The Fantastic Four was born. Presenting for the 1st time ever, issues 1 to 30 of Fantastic Four, collected in a hard back book (weighing in at over 800 glossy pages!).

The issues this book reprints have already been reprinted in B&W in Essential Fantastic Four Vol.1 and Vol.2, and also in colour in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.3. However, this omnibus edition includes some unused Jack Kirby covers, various forewords from Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and Roy Thomas - and (this is the most important part), the reprinting of all the letters pages!

I know it seems like a small thing, but reading fans reactions to the comics as they saw print is quite a tribute to the era and the comic.

So what do the 30 issues contain? The origin of the Fantastic Four, fights with Dr. Doom, Red Ghost, Mole Man, Miracle Man, Molecule Man, Skrulls (including Superskrull), Rama-Tut and Puppet Master!

Add in guest appearances (maybe some tussles with) The Watcher, The X-Men (Original), Sub-Mariner and The Hulk, and you've got a pretty excellent line up of issues.

So what's the downside? Price for one thing (currently £55 for the Kirby cover and £65 for the Alex Ross cover), although the original issues would set you back in the thousands of £££'s and the Masterwork reprints would set you back around £75.

The other (although its also an advantage) is the simplicity of the issues. Story wise there is no hidden plot devices or super in-depth character revelations and art wise...well its the King (Jack Kirby) but compared to today's over used splash pages and awkward character poses some may find the art a bit bland.

So to wrap up - great read for the classic comic fan, or any Fantastic Four/Marvel devotee. However newbies to comics/Fantastic Four may be better off with the Ultimate Fantastic Four (a different universe and set in the present) hardcover (2005) or "The Best Of The Fantastic Four" hardcover from earlier this year (2005).

Marvel's first family meet tragedy and triumph, 30 Aug 2008
This volume covers 1973-1975 and starts with the re-appearance of two old "friends" Wyatt Wingfoot and a very early FF foe The Miracle Man whose powers have improved somewhat over the years.
Then the tyrant of the Negative Zone Annihilus returns, issue 140 is the last one I remember buying in my mis-spent youth. Annihilus' origin is revealed and the end of this story sees Sue leaving the FF after Reed's attempt to save their son mis-fires. The rest of this volume is spent repairing those wounds. The Inhuman Medusa is still with the team and becomes their fourth member during these stories.
Other old foes return, Doctor Doom twice, the last tale involving the Silver Surfer and his arch-nemesis Mephisto who pulls a tragic double-bluff on the Surfer. The Frightful Four (well 3) also return as does the Sub-Mariner who plays a pivotal role in sorting out the FF's internal issues. The Hulk also appears in a mind-swap tale that also features Thundra and a very old foe of The Human Torch returns from the 5th dimension, Xemu the Merciless in a tale which features the Inhumans.
New menaces appear in Ternak (an abominable snowman), Darkoth the Death Demon (in a Dr. Doom tale), Tempus, Mahkizmo (Thundra's arch-foe) and the first appearance of James Madrox a.k.a. The Multiple Man. Oh, and the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse attack Earth in an OK-only tale.
The highlights of this volume are the Annihilus tale, the wedding of Crystal and Pietro starring the FF, Avengers and Inhumans and gate-crashed by Ultimo-7. and the Silver Surfer tale for sheer pathos.
The art is in the main outstanding largely by Marvel greats John Buscema and Rich Buckler with assists from Ross Andru and Joe Sinnott. Although Gerry Conway takes most of the writing honours there are also contributions from amongst others Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart and Len Wein.


The Galactus Cometh, 27 Sep 2007
This is it. This is the high point. This is where the Marvel Universe goes nova. In the mid-60s, something seems to have exploded inside Jack Kirby's brain, and here it can be seen pouring out onto paper: in the techno-jungles of Wakanda, the hidden cities of the Inhumans, and the hurtling, exploding worlds of the Negative Zone. It's all brilliant, delirious, intoxicating stuff, whose highlight is, of course, the justly famous comics that introduce Galactus and The Silver Surfer. The Galactus story is a morality play, it's a meditation on the relationship between God and Man and the place of humanity in the universe, but above all it's a visionary and imaginative tour de force. I'd give it more than five stars if I could, but I can't, so five out of five it will have to be...

A comic mile stone and the source material for the movie Rise of the Silver Surfer, 27 Jun 2007
There are a lot of reasons to buy this great black and white reprint of the mid 60's fantastic four comics.
If you liked any of the recent super heroes movies or cartoon series you'll find this interesting and entertaining.
If you are a fan of Marvel comics this is the ultimate historic 'must have' as it's where legendary comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's style really came into it's own. Vol 1 may be where they first began to expiriment with the 'Marvel style' but this volume features the issues where the stories and pictures became a cultural force to be reckoned with.
From an artistic point of view this is a fascinating work. Stripped of the cheap colour printing, Jack Kirby's drawings are even more striking then in the original comics. His way of drawing faces, figures and impossible machinary is grotesquely beautiful, awesome and even a little shocking a times.
The volume has at it's heart an incredible run of issues. Following the camp and silly 'marriage of Reed and Sue Richards', Stan and Jack introduced arguabley their most inspired creations, the inhumans, the silver sufer and finally Galactus (the ultimate comics bad guy). Each issue is increasingly bizare and imaginative.
The crowning glory is 'This Man, This Monster'. In my opinion the best Fantastic Four comic of all time, the best comic Stan Lee ever wrote and the best comic of the 1960's. It features very few 'super powers' and little of the camp associated with 60's Marvel.
The volume also features the two issue story in which Dr Doom steals the Silver Surfers board. This, along with the Galactus trilogy was the inspiration behind the recent Fantastic Four movie.
Like most science fiction, the stories themselves offer a fascinating insight into the times in which they were written. This is most evident when the Fantastic 4 resort to threatening 'mutually assured destruction' (goolge 'cuban missile crisis' kids!) inorder to defeat Galatus.
However, for all the creative highs in this volume it also has it's fair shared of hack work. Stan Lee wrote several 'humourous golf books' for the novelty market and that same 'written to order' out look is easy to see in some of the stories here. For example the two issue introduction of the Black Panther is pretty darn silly.

In conclusion, don't worry about reading vol 1 & 2 first. If you are interested in comics or the fantastic four put this volume in your shopping basket straight away.

The best 'essential' I reckon, 27 Dec 2006
Pretty much all the Essentials are great value and great comics to have in a collection and dip into for quick reads or the marvel backstories; but if you're used to reading more modern trade paperbacks (graphic novels) with longer story arcs and more emphasis on plot than on dishing out the action, this volume, along with X-men vol 2, are the most worthwhile.

It's still the usual Stan Lee jazz, corny dialogue, simple, unexplored pathos (the thing hates his looks, Johnny lusts for a girl he can't have, Sue wants more time with her husband, etc), and 60's morality, except more than the other Essentials this run of comics has a high standard of quality plotting throughout. Rather than knocking out any idea for a villain issue after issue (like the early spiderman issues), there's a bit more done with the extra characters here. Villians fight other villains, villains change into allies, and vice versa. And when Stan does decide to dish out some action it's usually with some clever set pieces instead of the usual punch, punch, kick. Also, the characters introduced here are all really strong, Wyatt Wingfoot, The Inhumans, Black Panther, and the Silver Surfer (who had his own great run of comics collected in Essential silver Surfer vol 1).

Even if you like a lot of other marvel characters ahead of the Fantastic Four (like me), this 'Essential' is one of the very best.

The glory years continue, 05 Dec 2006
This is an absolutely brilliant collection of stories that gathers together some of the FF's greatest villains and introduces some wonderful new ones as well as great supporting characters like the Human Torch's college buddy Wyatt Wingfoot.
The Wedding of Reed and Sue is a great set-piece with an amazing superhero vs supervillain fight-fest involving almost everyone in the Marvel universe at that time, even Stan and Jack get a look in.
It will largely be remembered for being the era that introduced the Inhumans, the Silver Surfer and Galactus and the Black Panther.
It's not all Bam and Kapow, Marvel had some great human interest stories such as the one included in this collection with fake Thing.
Also included are Doctor Doom (obviously) the Frightful Four, and the Sandman on his own several times, Dragon Man, Prester John (another slice of Marvel mythology), Klaw, Blastaar and a great tale from Annual #4 involving the Thinker with the original android Human Torch.
These are really cracking yarns and at this price you can not go wrong.

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at their peak, 27 Nov 2006
Rather surprisingly, there are as yet no other reviews of this collection of Fantastic Four issues 41-63. In these magazines, Lee and Kirby seem to throw off the idea that the comic book is a form of storytelling for children and instead use it as a medium to develop ideas and concepts unavailable to most other art forms. At the same time, stories and subplots are no longer confined to one magazine but continue over many issues, giving a more mature feel. All this really takes off with the introduction of the Inhumans in issue 45. The run of brilliant ideas continues with the introduction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer in issue 48 and the concept of the Negative Zone in issue 51. In addition, supporting characters such as the Black Panther, Wyatt Wingfoot and Quasimodo are much more interesting than similar characters in earlier magazines. I particularly like Lockjaw, the Inhumans' dog. If imagination alone were an art form, Lee and Kirby would be its masters.

This collection also includes the Fantastic Four annual where Reed Richards and Sue Storm get married. The story is a rather frenetic account of the FF's super villain opponents all trying to attack on the same day and is rather below the standard of the magazine stories, but I mention it because it represents a notable development in the Fantastic Four history.

As with the other editions in this series, the artwork is in black and white and loses something of the original atmosphere, but is still acceptable.

In summary, this volume represents a peak of 1960s creativity. Highly recommended.

Brilliant Captain America Action, 23 Jul 2003
The book is set just after the Avengers and the FF's battle with Onslaught in Central Park. Cap is mysteriously transported to Tokyo where a terrorist plot is being hatched, Cap intervenes and this leads him to the terrorist organization Hydra. And after a blockbuster movie is made about him, wherever he goes Cap has to fight of hordes of adoring fans hanging on to his every word, which is a key factor later on in the book, coupled with this Cap also has to face the loss of his beloved shield at the bootom of the ocean. The art is great and modern and the plot is clever and intriguing. Also the book is interspersed with cameo (1-2 pages) appearances from Kang the Conqueror and the Red Skull. Altogether this is a great book for anyone who loves Cap!

Byrneýs Run on FF is a Definite Classic: I Want More!, 28 Aug 2002
I have been a fan of John Byrne's work in comics since I was a young lad, reading X-Men and the occasional Fantastic Four in Swedish translation. When finding this collection at Amazon and learning that it contained Fantastic Four # 232-240 (i.e. the first nine issues written, pencilled and inked by Maestro Byrne), I did not wait long before placing my order. And I was not disappointed. Byrne's work stands the test of time and I easily fell into the stories which revamped the FF in the early 80s. Presenting stories including Ego (the living planet), Dr Doom and the Puppet Master, Frankie Raye's transformation into another human torch, the failed attempt to restore the Thing's human form, and the resettlement of the Inhumans to the blue area on the moon, this trade paperback is a sheer joy to read.

If you are a fan of Byrne, buy this collection! If you are a fan of Fantastic Four, buy this collection! If you just enjoy well-crafted superhero comics (with a whiff of that cosmic perspective), buy this collection! For my own part, I just hope that Marvel releases a second volume. It would be fantastic to read the stories leading up to the Trial of Galactus (and that story as well).

The beginnings of Marvel, 19 Jul 2005
Here it is - a massive high quality reprint of the first 30 issues of The Fantastic Four (plus the first Annual) from 1961-1964, and the bedrock upon which the entire Marvel universe of comics is constructed. There had been superheroes before Marvel of course, with DC's Superman and Batman being the most famous examples, and even early pre-Marvel characters such as Captain America and the Sub-Mariner are given a dusting down and re-introduced in these pages, but the Fantastic Four completely rewrote the superhero rulebook and kick-started an incredible period of inventiveness from Stan Lee and co, with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man and more going on to dominate the genre.

Probably the biggest change for the Fantastic Four was that instead of being a bunch of character-less square-jawed do-gooders the Fantastic Four acted like a real dysfunctional family, and at the heart of this was the ground-breaking figure of Ben Grimm - the Thing, a 'superhero' cursed with an appearance so foul he resembled a walking monster, and who's tendency to fly off the handle seemed as though the character really could turn on the other members during these early issues. Grimm's struggles to come to terms with his appearance as a monster gives these issues a real pathos, something that is highlighted when he finally finds acceptance from his blind girlfriend Alicia, and his transformation from a grouch into the heart of the FF is handled brilliantly, with his initial genuine fights with the Human Torch transforming into affectionate horseplay.

The other members are less interesting, but still vivid characters -hot-headed Human Torch (Johnny Storm) seems designed to appeal to the teen age audience, while the elastic Mr Fantastic (Reed Richards) is so straight faced he almost seems to be a parody of pre-Marvel superheroes. The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) is more problematical in the early issues, as her power doesn't really enable her to take more than a peripheral role in the stories. It's interesting to see in the letters pages some fans dissatisfaction with her and asking for her to be replaced, and it's only near the end of the issues reprinted here that the character is beefed up with some additional force field powers to truly take her place as a full member of the FF.

Of course, being 40-odd years old these stories have dated a little, and the artwork in particular seems very basic compared to today's comics. Jack Kirby would go on to push the entire field of comic book art forward with some truly groundbreaking wild artwork later on in the Fantastic Four's run, but in these early issues Kirby is functional but unspectacular (one must also bear in mind that, just as Stan Lee was writing dozens of comics at the same time, so Kirby was drawing numerous titles a month). Stan Lee's stories can also occasionally suffer from some rather hokey moments, but Lee's humour as the series goes on makes this still laugh out loud funny, and the stories are still wildly ambitious - in only the 4th issue we have the sight of man-monster the Thing venturing into the innards of a giant whale with an atomic bomb strapped onto his back, while the post-modern self-awareness shown by the Fantastic Four as comic book characters (receiving fan letters and meeting Lee and Kirby in issue 10) is another ground breaking moment. Other great moments included in this early run include the rivalry built up between the Thing and the Hulk, with an absolutely enormous fight spread over two issues that ends up dragging in the likes of Captain America and Iron Man, while the ongoing love triangle between Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner leads to some great attacks on the surface dwellers by the Prince of Atlantis, culminating in the epic annual. And that not forgetting the likes of Doctor Doom...

All in all a little creaky round the edges as Lee and Kirby find their feet, but this was so far ahead of the field in the early 60's that it still holds up well today. The addition of reprints of the original letters pages give a real flavour of the Marvel boom of the time, with Stan Lee's direct self-depreciating addresses to the readers building up a real feeling of community. These are the best reprint versions of these early issues, so relive a classic era in comic book history - essential for all comic book fans.

Flame On...For A Great Read (Or should that be Reed?)!!!, 15 Jul 2005
Its the 1960's and Marvel decide they need a super hero team, Marve'l's first family - The Fantastic Four was born. Presenting for the 1st time ever, issues 1 to 30 of Fantastic Four, collected in a hard back book (weighing in at over 800 glossy pages!).

The issues this book reprints have already been reprinted in B&W in Essential Fantastic Four Vol.1 and Vol.2, and also in colour in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.3. However, this omnibus edition includes some unused Jack Kirby covers, various forewords from Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and Roy Thomas - and (this is the most important part), the reprinting of all the letters pages!

I know it seems like a small thing, but reading fans reactions to the comics as they saw print is quite a tribute to the era and the comic.

So what do the 30 issues contain? The origin of the Fantastic Four, fights with Dr. Doom, Red Ghost, Mole Man, Miracle Man, Molecule Man, Skrulls (including Superskrull), Rama-Tut and Puppet Master!

Add in guest appearances (maybe some tussles with) The Watcher, The X-Men (Original), Sub-Mariner and The Hulk, and you've got a pretty excellent line up of issues.

So what's the downside? Price for one thing (currently £55 for the Kirby cover and £65 for the Alex Ross cover), although the original issues would set you back in the thousands of £££'s and the Masterwork reprints would set you back around £75.

The other (although its also an advantage) is the simplicity of the issues. Story wise there is no hidden plot devices or super in-depth character revelations and art wise...well its the King (Jack Kirby) but compared to today's over used splash pages and awkward character poses some may find the art a bit bland.

So to wrap up - great read for the classic comic fan, or any Fantastic Four/Marvel devotee. However newbies to comics/Fantastic Four may be better off with the Ultimate Fantastic Four (a different universe and set in the present) hardcover (2005) or "The Best Of The Fantastic Four" hardcover from earlier this year (2005).

Marvel's first family meet tragedy and triumph, 30 Aug 2008
This volume covers 1973-1975 and starts with the re-appearance of two old "friends" Wyatt Wingfoot and a very early FF foe The Miracle Man whose powers have improved somewhat over the years.
Then the tyrant of the Negative Zone Annihilus returns, issue 140 is the last one I remember buying in my mis-spent youth. Annihilus' origin is revealed and the end of this story sees Sue leaving the FF after Reed's attempt to save their son mis-fires. The rest of this volume is spent repairing those wounds. The Inhuman Medusa is still with the team and becomes their fourth member during these stories.
Other old foes return, Doctor Doom twice, the last tale involving the Silver Surfer and his arch-nemesis Mephisto who pulls a tragic double-bluff on the Surfer. The Frightful Four (well 3) also return as does the Sub-Mariner who plays a pivotal role in sorting out the FF's internal issues. The Hulk also appears in a mind-swap tale that also features Thundra and a very old foe of The Human Torch returns from the 5th dimension, Xemu the Merciless in a tale which features the Inhumans.
New menaces appear in Ternak (an abominable snowman), Darkoth the Death Demon (in a Dr. Doom tale), Tempus, Mahkizmo (Thundra's arch-foe) and the first appearance of James Madrox a.k.a. The Multiple Man. Oh, and the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse attack Earth in an OK-only tale.
The highlights of this volume are the Annihilus tale, the wedding of Crystal and Pietro starring the FF, Avengers and Inhumans and gate-crashed by Ultimo-7. and the Silver Surfer tale for sheer pathos.
The art is in the main outstanding largely by Marvel greats John Buscema and Rich Buckler with assists from Ross Andru and Joe Sinnott. Although Gerry Conway takes most of the writing honours there are also contributions from amongst others Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart and Len Wein.


The Galactus Cometh, 27 Sep 2007
This is it. This is the high point. This is where the Marvel Universe goes nova. In the mid-60s, something seems to have exploded inside Jack Kirby's brain, and here it can be seen pouring out onto paper: in the techno-jungles of Wakanda, the hidden cities of the Inhumans, and the hurtling, exploding worlds of the Negative Zone. It's all brilliant, delirious, intoxicating stuff, whose highlight is, of course, the justly famous comics that introduce Galactus and The Silver Surfer. The Galactus story is a morality play, it's a meditation on the relationship between God and Man and the place of humanity in the universe, but above all it's a visionary and imaginative tour de force. I'd give it more than five stars if I could, but I can't, so five out of five it will have to be...

A comic mile stone and the source material for the movie Rise of the Silver Surfer, 27 Jun 2007
There are a lot of reasons to buy this great black and white reprint of the mid 60's fantastic four comics.
If you liked any of the recent super heroes movies or cartoon series you'll find this interesting and entertaining.
If you are a fan of Marvel comics this is the ultimate historic 'must have' as it's where legendary comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's style really came into it's own. Vol 1 may be where they first began to expiriment with the 'Marvel style' but this volume features the issues where the stories and pictures became a cultural force to be reckoned with.
From an artistic point of view this is a fascinating work. Stripped of the cheap colour printing, Jack Kirby's drawings are even more striking then in the original comics. His way of drawing faces, figures and impossible machinary is grotesquely beautiful, awesome and even a little shocking a times.
The volume has at it's heart an incredible run of issues. Following the camp and silly 'marriage of Reed and Sue Richards', Stan and Jack introduced arguabley their most inspired creations, the inhumans, the silver sufer and finally Galactus (the ultimate comics bad guy). Each issue is increasingly bizare and imaginative.
The crowning glory is 'This Man, This Monster'. In my opinion the best Fantastic Four comic of all time, the best comic Stan Lee ever wrote and the best comic of the 1960's. It features very few 'super powers' and little of the camp associated with 60's Marvel.
The volume also features the two issue story in which Dr Doom steals the Silver Surfers board. This, along with the Galactus trilogy was the inspiration behind the recent Fantastic Four movie.
Like most science fiction, the stories themselves offer a fascinating insight into the times in which they were written. This is most evident when the Fantastic 4 resort to threatening 'mutually assured destruction' (goolge 'cuban missile crisis' kids!) inorder to defeat Galatus.
However, for all the creative highs in this volume it also has it's fair shared of hack work. Stan Lee wrote several 'humourous golf books' for the novelty market and that same 'written to order' out look is easy to see in some of the stories here. For example the two issue introduction of the Black Panther is pretty darn silly.

In conclusion, don't worry about reading vol 1 & 2 first. If you are interested in comics or the fantastic four put this volume in your shopping basket straight away.

The best 'essential' I reckon, 27 Dec 2006
Pretty much all the Essentials are great value and great comics to have in a collection and dip into for quick reads or the marvel backstories; but if you're used to reading more modern trade paperbacks (graphic novels) with longer story arcs and more emphasis on plot than on dishing out the action, this volume, along with X-men vol 2, are the most worthwhile.

It's still the usual Stan Lee jazz, corny dialogue, simple, unexplored pathos (the thing hates his looks, Johnny lusts for a girl he can't have, Sue wants more time with her husband, etc), and 60's morality, except more than the other Essentials this run of comics has a high standard of quality plotting throughout. Rather than knocking out any idea for a villain issue after issue (like the early spiderman issues), there's a bit more done with the extra characters here. Villians fight other villains, villains change into allies, and vice versa. And when Stan does decide to dish out some action it's usually with some clever set pieces instead of the usual punch, punch, kick. Also, the characters introduced here are all really strong, Wyatt Wingfoot, The Inhumans, Black Panther, and the Silver Surfer (who had his own great run of comics collected in Essential silver Surfer vol 1).

Even if you like a lot of other marvel characters ahead of the Fantastic Four (like me), this 'Essential' is one of the very best.

The glory years continue, 05 Dec 2006
This is an absolutely brilliant collection of stories that gathers together some of the FF's greatest villains and introduces some wonderful new ones as well as great supporting characters like the Human Torch's college buddy Wyatt Wingfoot.
The Wedding of Reed and Sue is a great set-piece with an amazing superhero vs supervillain fight-fest involving almost everyone in the Marvel universe at that time, even Stan and Jack get a look in.
It will largely be remembered for being the era that introduced the Inhumans, the Silver Surfer and Galactus and the Black Panther.
It's not all Bam and Kapow, Marvel had some great human interest stories such as the one included in this collection with fake Thing.
Also included are Doctor Doom (obviously) the Frightful Four, and the Sandman on his own several times, Dragon Man, Prester John (another slice of Marvel mythology), Klaw, Blastaar and a great tale from Annual #4 involving the Thinker with the original android Human Torch.
These are really cracking yarns and at this price you can not go wrong.

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at their peak, 27 Nov 2006
Rather surprisingly, there are as yet no other reviews of this collection of Fantastic Four issues 41-63. In these magazines, Lee and Kirby seem to throw off the idea that the comic book is a form of storytelling for children and instead use it as a medium to develop ideas and concepts unavailable to most other art forms. At the same time, stories and subplots are no longer confined to one magazine but continue over many issues, giving a more mature feel. All this really takes off with the introduction of the Inhumans in issue 45. The run of brilliant ideas continues with the introduction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer in issue 48 and the concept of the Negative Zone in issue 51. In addition, supporting characters such as the Black Panther, Wyatt Wingfoot and Quasimodo are much more interesting than similar characters in earlier magazines. I particularly like Lockjaw, the Inhumans' dog. If imagination alone were an art form, Lee and Kirby would be its masters.

This collection also includes the Fantastic Four annual where Reed Richards and Sue Storm get married. The story is a rather frenetic account of the FF's super villain opponents all trying to attack on the same day and is rather below the standard of the magazine stories, but I mention it because it represents a notable development in the Fantastic Four history.

As with the other editions in this series, the artwork is in black and white and loses something of the original atmosphere, but is still acceptable.

In summary, this volume represents a peak of 1960s creativity. Highly recommended.

Brilliant Captain America Action, 23 Jul 2003
The book is set just after the Avengers and the FF's battle with Onslaught in Central Park. Cap is mysteriously transported to Tokyo where a terrorist plot is being hatched, Cap intervenes and this leads him to the terrorist organization Hydra. And after a blockbuster movie is made about him, wherever he goes Cap has to fight of hordes of adoring fans hanging on to his every word, which is a key factor later on in the book, coupled with this Cap also has to face the loss of his beloved shield at the bootom of the ocean. The art is great and modern and the plot is clever and intriguing. Also the book is interspersed with cameo (1-2 pages) appearances from Kang the Conqueror and the Red Skull. Altogether this is a great book for anyone who loves Cap!

Byrneýs Run on FF is a Definite Classic: I Want More!, 28 Aug 2002
I have been a fan of John Byrne's work in comics since I was a young lad, reading X-Men and the occasional Fantastic Four in Swedish translation. When finding this collection at Amazon and learning that it contained Fantastic Four # 232-240 (i.e. the first nine issues written, pencilled and inked by Maestro Byrne), I did not wait long before placing my order. And I was not disappointed. Byrne's work stands the test of time and I easily fell into the stories which revamped the FF in the early 80s. Presenting stories including Ego (the living planet), Dr Doom and the Puppet Master, Frankie Raye's transformation into another human torch, the failed attempt to restore the Thing's human form, and the resettlement of the Inhumans to the blue area on the moon, this trade paperback is a sheer joy to read.

If you are a fan of Byrne, buy this collection! If you are a fan of Fantastic Four, buy this collection! If you just enjoy well-crafted superhero comics (with a whiff of that cosmic perspective), buy this collection! For my own part, I just hope that Marvel releases a second volume. It would be fantastic to read the stories leading up to the Trial of Galactus (and that story as well).

FF: Doom, 04 May 2005
I loved the first one, it added a new feel to a very strong series. It's not, in my opinion as good as The Ultimates (new avengers) series or the Ultimate Spider-Mans but it has strong leading characters and interesting arcs. I think the second volume is alot more stylised than vol 1 and I don't think this helps. If you're a first time Marvel reader, get Spider-Man volume 9, Ultimate Six

Change Of Author - Same Enjoyable Read, 06 Feb 2005
I initially read the individual episodes of this comic , here collected as a paperback .

Warren Ellis has taken over from Brian Michael Bendis , and has the unenviable task of initiating the first fight between the newly formed Fantastic Four , and their arch-nemesis-to-be , Dr Doom .

Ellis' eye for dialogue picks up smoothly where Bendis left off , with more interesting Science Fiction takes on the FF's powers . The art is competent , if not dazzling , and production values ( as with all of the Ultimate ... series ) are excellent .

These books will likely pick up in popularity with the impending movie , so get in there before the rush !

Ultimately it is fantastic..., 30 Jan 2005
This 2nd TPB collecting the Ultimate Fantastic Four really knocks the previous arc for six.
Maybe that's harsh, as the opening arc inevitably had to retell the origin story and Brian Michael Bendis probably updated it as far as possible without straying too far from the classic opener.
Warren Ellis, however, really brings the characters to life in this volume.
The characterisation of Sue Storm is great fun as is the interaction between her and 'uber geek' Reed Richards.
The story centres on the classic FF villain 'Dr Doom', who is re-cast as former classmate Victor Van Damme. He has not been seen since he was caught up in the same incident that created the 'four' and in this volume he reappears in the form of a metal skinned Satyr.
The sequence in which Sue Storm and Reed Richards explore their own changed physiologies (and those of the rest of the team) is well handled as is the reveal of the fantastic-car. The dialogue in particular, sparkles with wit and energy.

The beginnings of Marvel, 19 Jul 2005
Here it is - a massive high quality reprint of the first 30 issues of The Fantastic Four (plus the first Annual) from 1961-1964, and the bedrock upon which the entire Marvel universe of comics is constructed. There had been superheroes before Marvel of course, with DC's Superman and Batman being the most famous examples, and even early pre-Marvel characters such as Captain America and the Sub-Mariner are given a dusting down and re-introduced in these pages, but the Fantastic Four completely rewrote the superhero rulebook and kick-started an incredible period of inventiveness from Stan Lee and co, with the likes of Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Hulk, the X-Men, Daredevil, Iron Man and more going on to dominate the genre.

Probably the biggest change for the Fantastic Four was that instead of being a bunch of character-less square-jawed do-gooders the Fantastic Four acted like a real dysfunctional family, and at the heart of this was the ground-breaking figure of Ben Grimm - the Thing, a 'superhero' cursed with an appearance so foul he resembled a walking monster, and who's tendency to fly off the handle seemed as though the character really could turn on the other members during these early issues. Grimm's struggles to come to terms with his appearance as a monster gives these issues a real pathos, something that is highlighted when he finally finds acceptance from his blind girlfriend Alicia, and his transformation from a grouch into the heart of the FF is handled brilliantly, with his initial genuine fights with the Human Torch transforming into affectionate horseplay.

The other members are less interesting, but still vivid characters -hot-headed Human Torch (Johnny Storm) seems designed to appeal to the teen age audience, while the elastic Mr Fantastic (Reed Richards) is so straight faced he almost seems to be a parody of pre-Marvel superheroes. The Invisible Woman (Sue Storm) is more problematical in the early issues, as her power doesn't really enable her to take more than a peripheral role in the stories. It's interesting to see in the letters pages some fans dissatisfaction with her and asking for her to be replaced, and it's only near the end of the issues reprinted here that the character is beefed up with some additional force field powers to truly take her place as a full member of the FF.

Of course, being 40-odd years old these stories have dated a little, and the artwork in particular seems very basic compared to today's comics. Jack Kirby would go on to push the entire field of comic book art forward with some truly groundbreaking wild artwork later on in the Fantastic Four's run, but in these early issues Kirby is functional but unspectacular (one must also bear in mind that, just as Stan Lee was writing dozens of comics at the same time, so Kirby was drawing numerous titles a month). Stan Lee's stories can also occasionally suffer from some rather hokey moments, but Lee's humour as the series goes on makes this still laugh out loud funny, and the stories are still wildly ambitious - in only the 4th issue we have the sight of man-monster the Thing venturing into the innards of a giant whale with an atomic bomb strapped onto his back, while the post-modern self-awareness shown by the Fantastic Four as comic book characters (receiving fan letters and meeting Lee and Kirby in issue 10) is another ground breaking moment. Other great moments included in this early run include the rivalry built up between the Thing and the Hulk, with an absolutely enormous fight spread over two issues that ends up dragging in the likes of Captain America and Iron Man, while the ongoing love triangle between Reed Richards, Sue Storm, and the Sub-Mariner leads to some great attacks on the surface dwellers by the Prince of Atlantis, culminating in the epic annual. And that not forgetting the likes of Doctor Doom...

All in all a little creaky round the edges as Lee and Kirby find their feet, but this was so far ahead of the field in the early 60's that it still holds up well today. The addition of reprints of the original letters pages give a real flavour of the Marvel boom of the time, with Stan Lee's direct self-depreciating addresses to the readers building up a real feeling of community. These are the best reprint versions of these early issues, so relive a classic era in comic book history - essential for all comic book fans.

Flame On...For A Great Read (Or should that be Reed?)!!!, 15 Jul 2005
Its the 1960's and Marvel decide they need a super hero team, Marve'l's first family - The Fantastic Four was born. Presenting for the 1st time ever, issues 1 to 30 of Fantastic Four, collected in a hard back book (weighing in at over 800 glossy pages!).

The issues this book reprints have already been reprinted in B&W in Essential Fantastic Four Vol.1 and Vol.2, and also in colour in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four Vol.1, Vol.2 and Vol.3. However, this omnibus edition includes some unused Jack Kirby covers, various forewords from Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and Roy Thomas - and (this is the most important part), the reprinting of all the letters pages!

I know it seems like a small thing, but reading fans reactions to the comics as they saw print is quite a tribute to the era and the comic.

So what do the 30 issues contain? The origin of the Fantastic Four, fights with Dr. Doom, Red Ghost, Mole Man, Miracle Man, Molecule Man, Skrulls (including Superskrull), Rama-Tut and Puppet Master!

Add in guest appearances (maybe some tussles with) The Watcher, The X-Men (Original), Sub-Mariner and The Hulk, and you've got a pretty excellent line up of issues.

So what's the downside? Price for one thing (currently £55 for the Kirby cover and £65 for the Alex Ross cover), although the original issues would set you back in the thousands of £££'s and the Masterwork reprints would set you back around £75.

The other (although its also an advantage) is the simplicity of the issues. Story wise there is no hidden plot devices or super in-depth character revelations and art wise...well its the King (Jack Kirby) but compared to today's over used splash pages and awkward character poses some may find the art a bit bland.

So to wrap up - great read for the classic comic fan, or any Fantastic Four/Marvel devotee. However newbies to comics/Fantastic Four may be better off with the Ultimate Fantastic Four (a different universe and set in the present) hardcover (2005) or "The Best Of The Fantastic Four" hardcover from earlier this year (2005).

Marvel's first family meet tragedy and triumph, 30 Aug 2008
This volume covers 1973-1975 and starts with the re-appearance of two old "friends" Wyatt Wingfoot and a very early FF foe The Miracle Man whose powers have improved somewhat over the years.
Then the tyrant of the Negative Zone Annihilus returns, issue 140 is the last one I remember buying in my mis-spent youth. Annihilus' origin is revealed and the end of this story sees Sue leaving the FF after Reed's attempt to save their son mis-fires. The rest of this volume is spent repairing those wounds. The Inhuman Medusa is still with the team and becomes their fourth member during these stories.
Other old foes return, Doctor Doom twice, the last tale involving the Silver Surfer and his arch-nemesis Mephisto who pulls a tragic double-bluff on the Surfer. The Frightful Four (well 3) also return as does the Sub-Mariner who plays a pivotal role in sorting out the FF's internal issues. The Hulk also appears in a mind-swap tale that also features Thundra and a very old foe of The Human Torch returns from the 5th dimension, Xemu the Merciless in a tale which features the Inhumans.
New menaces appear in Ternak (an abominable snowman), Darkoth the Death Demon (in a Dr. Doom tale), Tempus, Mahkizmo (Thundra's arch-foe) and the first appearance of James Madrox a.k.a. The Multiple Man. Oh, and the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse attack Earth in an OK-only tale.
The highlights of this volume are the Annihilus tale, the wedding of Crystal and Pietro starring the FF, Avengers and Inhumans and gate-crashed by Ultimo-7. and the Silver Surfer tale for sheer pathos.
The art is in the main outstanding largely by Marvel greats John Buscema and Rich Buckler with as