Chronological Fantastic Four Reviews (#2-3)
October 11th 2006 11:19
OK, I promise the numbers up top will be accurate this time.
FANTASTIC FOUR #2 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Do I really need to write "by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby"? It'll be up there until issue #103. Anal perfectionism triumphs for the nonce, I suppose, so up there it remains.
This issue sees the introduction of the alien Skrulls, green shapechangers from another galaxy. As a precursor to their invasion of Earth (the first of about 8 billion alien invasions in the Marvel Universe to date) they've decided that the Fantastic Four must be dealt with. They've consulted their Supervillain 101 Handbook I see, as there plan is a tried and true classic - impersonate the FF, commit some crimes, and watch as the four heroes get imprisoned without trial in a super high-tech prison. (Hey kids, just like in Civil War!)
To the left is what the Skrulls look like. They're as generic as generic shapechanging aliens can get, and they've really remained that way for the last 45-odd years. It's part of their charm, I think, that they have the nerve to be such a stereotype. Equal opportunity Skrulls are probably gnashing their teeth with every appearance, but I digress.
As generic as the aliens are, the storyline follows a pretty standard pattern as well. The FF are imprisoned in cells specially designed to hold them, and they each escape in unique fashion (though really, the designers of the prison weren't trying too hard to keep the Invisible Girl detained - she just walks out when the guards bring her dinner!). They track down their nefarious impersonators, beat them, and clear their name. If it wasn't for the double awesomeness of the conclusion, it would be almost unremarkable.
Feast your eyes on Awesome Moment #1. Having infiltrated the Skrull mothership (in a spaceworthy flying watertower, no less), the FF trick the Skrull leader with panels clipped from Strange Tales and Journey Into Mystery - actual comics published by Marvel. Surgeon General's Warning - Thinking about this too hard can cause aneurysms of the brain and may lead to prolonged discussions of Rom: Spaceknight. For your own safety we recommend reading this comic with a hefty grain of salt. Under no circumstances should you try to explain how cool this is to a potential sexual partner.
And now, the crowning glory, Awesome Moment #2. The Skrull fleet has been routed, and the FF have captured three of their impersonators. (Where's the fourth? Reed says he went back to the Skrull Empire, but he's wrong. Some genius.) Reed promises to deal with the Skrulls, who beg not to be killed. Reed's most excellent solution is to tell the Skrulls what forms to change into, and then hypnotise them into believing that's what they truly are! "Will we have a peaceful existence?" asks one Skrull. "Promise we'll be contented!" says another.
Ah, brilliant. Brings a tear to me eye.
At this point it's worth noting what made the Fantastic Four such an atypical superhero team. They had no costumes, for one thing. Throughout the first two issues they're only seen in civilian duds. I don't know if they're the first group to have done so, but they were certainly the first major group. There's also the sense of tragedy, the idea that maybe gaining these powers wasn't so great. Especially for the Thing, probably the first monstrous superhero. The main plots and stories weren't that different from others (though in general they were longer), but the trapping and character details were. Where about to see in the next issue how the FF gets a bit closer to mainstream superheroics, while still keeping its unique flavour.
FANTASTIC FOUR #3 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
OK, so by the cover to the left you can already see what's changed - costumes! Not only that, but in this issue the FF get a skyscraper headquarters in New York, and the Human Torch gets a more streamlined appearance. The FF are quickly developing towards their iconic status. Oh, and that bathtub they're flying in? That's the Fantasticar.
In this issue the FF meet the Miracle Man, who is the obligatory Silver Age villain who went on to do absolutely nothing. The FF see him doing tricks at a carnival, and it seems that he can do anything - become a giant, turn to gas, shoot bolts of lightning, even (after some gentle mocking) laugh off a blow from the Thing!
Still, everything seems fine until Reed Richards has to open his stupid yap: "It is fortunate for us, and for the world, that the Miracle Man is not a criminal! For if he were..." Honestly Reed, just try to shut up once in a while!
Naturally at this point the Miracle Man launches his devilish plot, which involves animating a giant monster statue to steal an atomic tank. He also sends this note to the police: "I, THE MIRACLE MAN , DECLARE WAR ON THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE! I INTEND TO CONQUER THE EARTH!" Man's got some grapefruits, you've gotta give him that.
The Miracle Man makes off with the tank, though his monster gets burned by the Human Torch. It all eventually leads to a confrontation, and a chase scene between the atomic tank and some kind of vintage car from the dawn of time. With the Miracle Man escaping, Johnny Storm uses his flame powers to blind the Miracle Man, and Reed makes a not-so-startling revelation - the Miracle Man's powers aren't so miraculous - he's just a hypnotist! (Note - any time a villain in a comic has the power to do anything, he turns out to be a hypnotist. It's the law.)
But trouble's not over yet, because the Thing and the Human Torch argue about who should get the credit. The Torch decides to quit the FF, and then Reed opens his big mouth again: "For what will we do--what CAN we do--if he should turn against us?!!" Jeezus, Reed, haven't you learned your lesson?
FANTASTIC FOUR #2 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Do I really need to write "by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby"? It'll be up there until issue #103. Anal perfectionism triumphs for the nonce, I suppose, so up there it remains.
This issue sees the introduction of the alien Skrulls, green shapechangers from another galaxy. As a precursor to their invasion of Earth (the first of about 8 billion alien invasions in the Marvel Universe to date) they've decided that the Fantastic Four must be dealt with. They've consulted their Supervillain 101 Handbook I see, as there plan is a tried and true classic - impersonate the FF, commit some crimes, and watch as the four heroes get imprisoned without trial in a super high-tech prison. (Hey kids, just like in Civil War!)
To the left is what the Skrulls look like. They're as generic as generic shapechanging aliens can get, and they've really remained that way for the last 45-odd years. It's part of their charm, I think, that they have the nerve to be such a stereotype. Equal opportunity Skrulls are probably gnashing their teeth with every appearance, but I digress.
As generic as the aliens are, the storyline follows a pretty standard pattern as well. The FF are imprisoned in cells specially designed to hold them, and they each escape in unique fashion (though really, the designers of the prison weren't trying too hard to keep the Invisible Girl detained - she just walks out when the guards bring her dinner!). They track down their nefarious impersonators, beat them, and clear their name. If it wasn't for the double awesomeness of the conclusion, it would be almost unremarkable.
Feast your eyes on Awesome Moment #1. Having infiltrated the Skrull mothership (in a spaceworthy flying watertower, no less), the FF trick the Skrull leader with panels clipped from Strange Tales and Journey Into Mystery - actual comics published by Marvel. Surgeon General's Warning - Thinking about this too hard can cause aneurysms of the brain and may lead to prolonged discussions of Rom: Spaceknight. For your own safety we recommend reading this comic with a hefty grain of salt. Under no circumstances should you try to explain how cool this is to a potential sexual partner.
And now, the crowning glory, Awesome Moment #2. The Skrull fleet has been routed, and the FF have captured three of their impersonators. (Where's the fourth? Reed says he went back to the Skrull Empire, but he's wrong. Some genius.) Reed promises to deal with the Skrulls, who beg not to be killed. Reed's most excellent solution is to tell the Skrulls what forms to change into, and then hypnotise them into believing that's what they truly are! "Will we have a peaceful existence?" asks one Skrull. "Promise we'll be contented!" says another.
Ah, brilliant. Brings a tear to me eye.
At this point it's worth noting what made the Fantastic Four such an atypical superhero team. They had no costumes, for one thing. Throughout the first two issues they're only seen in civilian duds. I don't know if they're the first group to have done so, but they were certainly the first major group. There's also the sense of tragedy, the idea that maybe gaining these powers wasn't so great. Especially for the Thing, probably the first monstrous superhero. The main plots and stories weren't that different from others (though in general they were longer), but the trapping and character details were. Where about to see in the next issue how the FF gets a bit closer to mainstream superheroics, while still keeping its unique flavour.
FANTASTIC FOUR #3 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
OK, so by the cover to the left you can already see what's changed - costumes! Not only that, but in this issue the FF get a skyscraper headquarters in New York, and the Human Torch gets a more streamlined appearance. The FF are quickly developing towards their iconic status. Oh, and that bathtub they're flying in? That's the Fantasticar.
In this issue the FF meet the Miracle Man, who is the obligatory Silver Age villain who went on to do absolutely nothing. The FF see him doing tricks at a carnival, and it seems that he can do anything - become a giant, turn to gas, shoot bolts of lightning, even (after some gentle mocking) laugh off a blow from the Thing!
Naturally at this point the Miracle Man launches his devilish plot, which involves animating a giant monster statue to steal an atomic tank. He also sends this note to the police: "I, THE MIRACLE MAN , DECLARE WAR ON THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE! I INTEND TO CONQUER THE EARTH!" Man's got some grapefruits, you've gotta give him that.
The Miracle Man makes off with the tank, though his monster gets burned by the Human Torch. It all eventually leads to a confrontation, and a chase scene between the atomic tank and some kind of vintage car from the dawn of time. With the Miracle Man escaping, Johnny Storm uses his flame powers to blind the Miracle Man, and Reed makes a not-so-startling revelation - the Miracle Man's powers aren't so miraculous - he's just a hypnotist! (Note - any time a villain in a comic has the power to do anything, he turns out to be a hypnotist. It's the law.)
But trouble's not over yet, because the Thing and the Human Torch argue about who should get the credit. The Torch decides to quit the FF, and then Reed opens his big mouth again: "For what will we do--what CAN we do--if he should turn against us?!!" Jeezus, Reed, haven't you learned your lesson?
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Comment by JoshZ
I'm a big fan of the Universe X series, tied up alot of loose ends. Also in the Sandman stuff. Kind of disassembling the first comic book of it.
Interesting to see how intelligent comics have gotten, isn't it?
www.aliterati.com
Comment by Nathan P. Mahney
NerdBlog
The Comic Nerd
I don;t know if I would agree that comics have gotten more intelligent - 20 years ago we had Alan Moore writing stuff regularly, after all. And while comics of the 60s and earlier may not have been as intelligent, to my mind they are a lot more fun.
My tastes mostly run to superhero stuff, and I'm a big Grant Morrison fan. I read a lot of stuff, but the Big Two are what I read most. (Oh yeah, Earth X was awesomeness personified - I haven't read Universe X or Paradise X yet.)
Comment by Aaron
Aaron.
Comment by Nathan P. Mahney
NerdBlog
The Comic Nerd