Marvel Knights 4, Volume 1: Wolf at the Door

Marvel Knights 4 (Collected Editions)

by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Steve McNiven

The Fantastic Four face a new challenge and need to regroup to overcome bankruptcy, plus when Reed, Sue, and Ben take Franklin on a camping trip to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, they encounter a strange creature that may be the Jersey Devil.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is an American playwright, screenwriter, and comic book writer best known for his work for Marvel Comics and for the television series Glee, Big Love, Riverdale, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. He is Chief Creative Officer of Archie Comics.
Aguirre-Sacasa grew up liking comic books, recalling in 2003, "My mom would take us out to the 7-Eleven on River Road during the summer, and we would get Slurpees and buy comics off the spinning rack. I would read them all over and over again, and draw my own pictures and stuff."
He began writing for Marvel Comics, he explained, when "Marvel hired an editor to find new writers, and they hired her from a theatrical agency. So she started calling theaters and asking if they knew any playwrights who might be good for comic books. A couple of different theaters said she should look at me. So she called me, I sent her a couple of my plays and she said 'Great, would you like to pitch on a couple of comic books in the works?'"
His first submissions were "not what [they were] interested in for the character[s]" but eventually he was assigned an 11-page Fantastic Four story, "The True Meaning of...," for the Marvel Holiday Special 2004. He went on to write Fantastic Four stories in Marvel Knights 4, a spinoff of that superhero team's long-running title; and stories for Nightcrawler vol. 3; The Sensational Spider-Man vol. 2; and Dead of Night featuring Man-Thing.
In May 2008 Aguirre-Sacasa returned to the Fantastic Four with a miniseries tie-in to the company-wide "Secret Invasion" storyline concerning a years-long infiltration of Earth by the shape-shifting alien race, the Skrulls,and an Angel Revelations miniseries with artists Barry Kitson and Adam Polina, respectively. He adapted for comics the Stephen King novel The Stand.

In 2013, he created Afterlife with Archie, depicting Archie Andrews in the midst of a zombie apocalypse; the book's success led to Aguirre-Sacasa being named Archie Comics' chief creative officer.

Reviews

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK so issues 1-4 = 5 Stars. 5-7 = 3 stars...ergo, 4 stars. (3.5 really, but I enjoyed the first half a fair bit)

This premise could have fallen on it's face and been played for laughs, but instead it focuses on the family, the bonds, the connection, and the reality of what can happen to anyone.

The FF goes broke, in the wake of the US gov't stopping all science funding to the Baxter Building, and on top of that, one of their accountants stole their savings (also Tony Stark, Hammerhead, and some others). So they're literally destitute.

They move into a dive hotel in Manhattan, and they realize they need to get jobs. Sue, the rational one, is first to get one, as an English teacher at a High School (thanks to Alicia Masters, Thing's on again off again GF). Thing gets a construction job after saving some workers from a falling slab of concrete. Johnny and Reed are a little slower on the uptake...

Johnny realizes he can't act, his agent doesn't want him, and his airhead supermodel girlfriend is now seeing Keanu Reeves instead...(there's a few Keanu jokes). It takes him a while, but he has an epiphany, and ends up seriously training and studying to join the FDNY...which is a cool idea.

Reed is so lost he doesn't know what to do, and tries to think himself out of the problem...only issue is, he forgets to pick Franklin up from school and Sue chews him out for it, telling him he needs to accept the situation, and do something about it.

He finally does, and goes to the Unemployment office and has some eye opening chats with other recent people to lose jobs, and has the clerk about to close the office when he's next in line...but of course, she was saved by the FF in the past, and so she gets him a job...

As an IT Temp for a Law Firm. Yup. You think your IT is slumming it, when they show up in their Assassin's Creed Hoodie and Big Gulp and fix everything in 10 minutes? Yup.
So they're all settling into lives as they are now, and after initial reservations and worries, they of course realize that it's making them closer as a family and that's all that matters.

I have to admit, I am turning into a sucker for the emotional stuff in comics, when it's done well. Case in point: Reed walking to work one day, and there's a crowd because some jumper is about to do it...so Reed stretches himself up and just talks to him (actually lets him talk mostly). Finds out that the man's teenage son died in a car crash, his wife divorced him 6 months later, and he recently began coughing up blood, only to discover that he had advanced throat cancer and was going to die.
Reed asked if he was afraid of dying, and he said no, just dying alone, because he had no one...
Of course, Reed puts himself in the man's shoes, thinks about Franklin dying, Sue leaving him, and being alone...then tells him he won't be alone, and pulls out a scrap of paper and writes his number on it for the man. Tells him to call when he thinks he's near the end, and Reed will be there to hold his hand. (Even if he's in the middle of fighting Doom he tells the man).
OK I blubbered, it's very dusty in here...allergens and such...(Anne, you really shouldn't have fapped all the Kleenex away).

The second half of the book is about aliens in the backwoods of New Jersey...kinda lame, but there's decent stuff about Reed trusting in Ben and Sue and so he doesn't have to worry. Other than that, not much.

[Valentin Derevlean · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 cu siguranță.

Citită în ediția românească din seria Libertatea Marvel Must-Have, FF e o serie cu personaje de care nu prea mi-a păsat toți anii ăștia. Adică nah, tot timpul mi s-a părut că Fantastic Four sunt așa, mai ptr grădiniță. Dar povestea e simpatică, gașca noastră se apropie de faliment și e nevoită să re-devină umană: să caute de lucru, să se împrumute, să se mute cu toții într-un apartament ieftin, cartier nasol, chirie mică etc. Probleme de cuplu, copii la școală, greu să prinzi un post de muncă și tot așa. Primele 4 numere chiar simpatice, ultimele 3 (în total sunt 7, primele din noua serie Marvel Knights 4) par trase de păr. Ceva extratereștri (combinație de alien și zmei din basmele românești) răpesc oameni într-o pădure într-o deplină complicitate cu rezidenții, exact pădurea unde gașca noastră merge ptr un picnic nocturn. Nimic grozav, nimic imprevizibil.

A, și arta lui Steve McNiven e ok, fără să fiu în al nouălea cer. Susan îmi pare un pic exagerată, mult prea sexoasă în toate ipostazele, dar mă rog. Mamă, casnică cu o anumită vârstă, poate au vrut să adauge un pic de girl-power peste tot contextul.

[Shadowdenizen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been enjoyable reading this volume and meeting my old friends the Fantastic Four again.

I've been following their exploits since I was a child, and this Marvel Knights run was somehow that I missed until now.

And boy, did it hit the spot! With no new FF stuff in the foreseeable future (don't get me started on THAT debacle!!!!) this was a fun' satisfying romp of a read!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot better than expected.

Basically fantastic four goes broke. They run out of money and have to deal with everyday issues. You know, losing their home, not making enough money, finding jobs, things like that. It's refreshing to see them work as a unit, a family, banding together to get through tough times that don't concern a big invasion.

However, the last two issues go more supernatural and we have a big bad alien invasion in the woods. Though it's smaller scale than expected, and works, it does take away from the very grounded feel of the first few issues.

The art is fantastic for sure, some amazing looking effects and designs. I will say Sue feels a bit to sexulized at times, least the poses, but the rest looked great and really shined through.

I'll be checking out a couple more volumes for sure. A 4 out of 5.

[Pedro Mout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice Surprise

[Emmett Spain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more mature and less exciting approach to the Fantastic Four, this time takes its time exploring the impact of bankruptcy on the family. Whilst this is not for everyone, I appreciate the more nuanced take. Interested to see how it develops.

[Laia Lecertua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sue storm es una girlboss, Reed Richards male wife, Johnny no ha sido mi Johnny favorito, pero ha seguido siendo un poco messy diva y Ben simplemente es un tío chill, me encanta.

La primera parte ha sido increíble, una gran historia, podría decirse que ha sido fantástica.

[Jules]

Redactată - TBC

[J.M. Giovine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, and greatly illustrated, “Marvel Knights 4” is the incursion of Marvel’s most beloved super-family into the signature “Marvel Knights”. As expected, it is a plot that takes plenty of liberties at depicting a more mature, rather “humane” side for these characters. Stablishing them as the most unique “dysfunctional family” in comic book history, writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa gives us the premise of “what would happen if the Fantastic Four suddenly go broke”. Taking away any “sci-fi/adventurous” glamour its previous takes might’ve had, Sacasa’s approach to the story lacks a villainous figure- for the first four issues, at least-, an extravagant endangerment for the citizens of New York, and recurrent “guest appearances” in the shape of conventional, and expected cameos from other titles. The highlight of the plot lays within each member of the team. Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny, they all are taken away from their glamorous “celebrity-like” status, forcing them to find jobs in order to survive, but the current situation- or well, the mid-2000s situation- doesn’t give them many options. Our heroes, maybe for the first time, will have to reconsider their “hero” titles, focusing on themselves, and the adversity they’ll all deal with, adversity that will even take the iconic “Baxter Building” from them, therefore, many of its thousand employees will end up without a job.
I initially felt reluctant to even consider the possibility of this being any good. I’m so used to this specific line-up of characters to behave, and react in a certain way, having a certain kind of enemy, even stories surrounding their premise. But Sacasa successfully accomplished an over-humanization to each one, to a point where a major threat wasn’t needed for the plot to work- again, for the first four issues at least-, and even delivering one of the best issues in the entire “Fantastic Four library” in issue #4, where we’re deep inside Reed’s insight about the situation, having failed his family, and truly considering the possibility that this problem might not have a solution. Applying for a conventional job as a technician for a lawyer’s firm, he suddenly encounters a potential suicidal, a man who’s about to jump from a skyscraper, so he goes up and tries talk to him, realizing in the process about the parallelisms between his situation, and the man. Without giving much away, the conversation takes a turn, and Sacasa creates one of the more emotionally resonant moments in the entire franchise that would’ve been fantastic if brought later one, at least on this volume. It is a beautiful sequence, and Steve McNiven’s art only improves the feeling of quality. In fact, McNiven draws this comic book so well, the lack of action sequences, villains, and fantastical scenarios aren’t that present when passing each page. Every frame, every sequence, even if it’s about the characters talking, struggling, or walking, is powerful and captivating. I was shocked to realize this was McNiven’s first job at Marvel, before his amazing take on “Civil War”, and “New Avengers”. It’s a simple, action-less title that works astonishingly well, and most of that effectiveness comes from the art department.
However, nothing is perfect, and my problem came within the volume’s final three issues. The story of the Fantastic Four dealing with unemployment, bankruptcy, and crisis comes to an end- kind of- after issue 4, next the story moves forward to a sort of “epilogue”, in which Reed, Sue, and Ben takes Franklyn and his group of friends from school onto a camping trip to Pine Barrens, New Kersey, where there’s a local legend about a demon who kidnaps and kills people. Suddenly, Sacasa turns this plot into his own specialty: a supernatural mystery, a trait he’ll eventually use for his issues in his “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”, and “Archie” arcs. Here, he obviously abandon’s its potential “fantasy” depictions to add the “sci-fi” flavor we all know the Fantastic Four comics possess, nevertheless, the break in the rhythm and tone the previous issues had, in replacement of an “alien story” wasn’t the best decision to go for, specially having Johnny Storm going through one of his most important character developments in the entire series since its conception. I feel the story had the potential to address these story-arcs even further, but Sacasa chooses to go full “X-Files” in a tale that, frankly, as funny and action-packed as it was, feels weaker and childish compared to the one presented in the first four issues. Taking no blame in the artwork, McNiven still delivers the best he can, and for the script’s purposes, he does his absolute best, so at least this second part looks terrific, but it doesn’t make up for the lackluster approach to the story when it could’ve been way more. I was willing to place this amongst the best titles in the “Fantastic Four” collection, however, its final three issues, while cool and enjoyable, felt detached and inferior to the first four.
This is the type of plotline more writers should follow when it comes to “superhero” characters; the ones that take the best out of their human side, and places them into a position we can easily relate to. As a product of its time, it reflects the economical crisis of those years, but as a premise, it holds up surprisingly well. Not that these stories should forget about their action-appeal, or the dreaded presence of villains and antagonists, but more grounded stories should also be given the time to be out there, and in the case of this first volume of “Marvel Knights”, all seven issues should’ve been character-driven, and entirely focused on the team dealing with the bankruptcy. It could’ve been, easily, one of the best volumes regarding this group of heroes. Overall, a visually dazzling title, with a story that, for some reason, didn’t push its own potential, getting stuck half-way through.

[Fabio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
In realtà letto l’intera run di Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa su Marvel Knights 4 (dal capitolo 1 al 22).
L’inizio è sicuramente la parte che più ho apprezzato, infatti, i volumi che compongono l’arco narrativo “un lupo alla porta” sono senza dubbio i migliori con i Fantastici Quattro mostrati alle prese con una vita normale dopo la truffa subita e lo sfratto. È stato curioso vederli rapportarsi ai problemi di tutti i giorni e il dover cercare un lavoro nonostante i loro superpoteri.

Con il passare dei capitoli, però, questa dimensione si perde fino a scomparire del tutto, e la qualità delle storie ne risente, oscillando tra alti e bassi. Lo stesso discorso vale per i disegni: si parte dalle splendide tavole di Steve McNiven, per poi passare ad altri artisti che, a mio parere, non raggiungono lo stesso livello.

Nel complesso, è una run piacevole e capace di intrattenere, arricchita da numerosi cameo come Daredevil, Jessica Jones, She-Hulk, Namor… che ho amato ritrovare tra queste tavole

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an odd beast. The basic premise of the book is both old hat (the FF have gone broke in the past) and unbelievable (since it's already happened, Reed would never let it happen again. For someone to have run away with their money suggests that Reed is a horrible judge of people and that no one on the team pays much attention to the business side). Moreover, to keep the premise going, that the FF are broke, requires too many contortions of the plot....the FF not even trying to get their money back, and refusing help from any of their numerous wealthy friends. However, if you can get past that, the book does have some things to recommend it...it focuses on the FF as a family, which is one of their best features, and there's a fun alien story to round out the book. There's potential here, but I wish they hadn't tried so hard to make the group broke. I think they could have done more grounded stories without that.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY ENJOYED this book. I love family themes and stories. I love superheroes. So it's little wonder that I've taken a liking to the Fantastic Four. When written well, the Fantastic Four is a ton of fun with a lot of heart and character-driven action. And this volume, here, is one of the best FFs I've ever read. Seeing the First Family of Comics confronted with problems like find a job in a tough market or forgetting pick your kid up from school--rather than just Doctor Doom is invading or the Negative Zone is unstable (or whatever)--was refreshing and engaging. That's not to say there wasn't comic book fun, too--aliens, for example--but the core of this story was family and everyday struggles told through a fantastic (pun intended) lens. I can't wait to read the next volume!

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable Fantastic Four stories I have had the pleasure of reading. The story is so personal, focusing on the first family trying to find work after they lose all of their savings. All four heroes get a moment to shine (particularly Reed, who is my favorite).

What elevates this even more is the stunning artwork by Steve McNiven. Nearly every page features a panel that I wish I could frame on my wall.

Overall, this gets a major recommendation from me. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Luis Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los primeros ocho números de esta serie son ¡Fantásticos!

Los FF tienen un problema económico y tienen la necesidad de empezar a trabajar como personas "normales", Reed entra a una firma, Sue empieza a ser maestra, Ben entra a la construcción y Johnny se convierte en un bombero (fireman, imagínense).
Es un gusto verlos lidiando como familia a problemas mundanos y que lejos de separarlos, une sus lazos aún más, siempre con la base del matrimonio de Sue y Richards que creen el uno en el otro sin importar qué.

Y el dibujo de McNiven disminuyendo la fricción entre los obvios baches en el guión, una vez desaparece, la serie va en picada y no se sostiene a si misma por no tener nada qué contar y por no poder usar cosas clásicas del equipo (creo recordar que DOOM estaba muerto en aquel entonces y Moleman demasiado cliché). Aguirre hace lo que puede, pero no puede mucho.

Aún así, esos ocho números, creo que son lo que siempre debería ser este cómic.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sue doesn't really get badass until the end, but when she does, it's freaking awesome. This also has one of my favorite Reed Richards, but he (as in, my favorite Reed) also doesn't make his appearance until nearer to the end. Sue, Reed, and Ben work so well together, and I wish that Johnny was a bit more involved in the team, but it was fun to see him figuring things out on his own too. Really liked the art, although some of Sue's proportions kind of bothered me. A fun read over all!

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm confused about the timing of this book. How many times do the FF go broke and how does this relate to Idol of Millions?

Also, why don't they observe the corporate form, am I right?

The idea that Reed could lose all his sources of income seems unlikely. He is a constant font of ideas.

Anyway all mostly fine.

[Adil Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fantastic Four are in their thirties, and are suddenly penniless because of a financial fraud. After finding new jobs for themselves, Ben, Reed and Susan go camping to a forest in New Jersey, where they're met with aliens.

With its elements of Scooby Doo-like mystery, this turned out to be an interesting volume.

Individual Ratings:
#1:⭐⭐⭐⭐
#2:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#3:⭐⭐⭐⭐
#4:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#5:⭐⭐⭐⭐
#6:⭐⭐⭐
#7:⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Arnoldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. Humans dealing with every day real issues such as unemployment, income, insecurities and otherworldly threats at the same time. No sugarcoating about dealing with loss, loneliness, hope and love. Very human and grounded. Loved re-reading this.

[Nicholas Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda trashy, but there’s enough good to keep it enjoyable.

[raventiques · Rating 3 out of 5]

why do ff writers always forget about johnny...........good story otherwise but i need my fire boy too...........

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not terrible, but it's definitely not amazing. Issue #4 was fantastic, but aside from that it was rather unexciting. 2/5.

[Kurt Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

1-4, Wolf at the Door, ☆☆☆☆☆
5-7, The Pine Barrens, ☆☆☆☆☆

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading action story after action story having them just be themselves was refreshing.

[Mike Jozic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best FF storytelling you'll ever run across. Love the characterizations, love the artwork, love this run.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not always an FF fan, but this is such a fun take! McNiven’s art really takes it to a whole other level!

[Marvelous ABCs]

DNF—Fine first issue, but didn’t really feel like carrying it on, not after the other series I’ve read.

[Joseph R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fantastic Four face their greatest challenge ever--bankruptcy. Their accountant has taken their money and run while the city has decided to charge them for damage they caused during fights with bad guys. With no income, they are forced to abandon the Baxter Building and find regular jobs. The Thing works in construction while the Invisible Woman takes a job as substitute teacher. Reed Richards is trying to figure out a way to make quick money on the market, but he too is eventually forced into a menial job. Apartment hunting is a challenge too since they have bad credit and are a high risk for damage. The plot makes for a fun and different story, though it isn't resolved by the end of the issue.

At the end of the issue they decided to go camping in New Jersey to a forest called Pine Barrens with Franklin Richards (son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman). The Thing tells Franklin and his friends the legend of the Jersey Devil, a creature that comes and snatches people in the night from the forest. Sure enough, a creature does show up so they have a puzzle to solve, monsters to fight, and people to resuce.

I found these stories fun if not entirely plausible (doesn't Reed Richards have about a million patents that are bringing in money?). The sense of humor is great and the family dynamic of the group (the best part of the Fantastic Four) is perfectly presented. The camping story is a more traditional superhero story and well executed. The other premise is more interesting and I wish it had been finished. This book is a reprint from 2005. Hopefully they will reprint the subsequent trade paperbacks from this writer's run on the Fantastic Four.

[Helmut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sehr nett anzuschauen, aber inhaltlich?

Die Fantastischen Vier kämpfen in dieser Reihe gegen etwas, vor dem sie keiner gewarnt hat: Das echte Leben. Der superheldengewohnte Leser wird überrascht mit Wendungen, die das eingespielte Quartett vor komplett neue Herausforderungen stellt.

Leider hört sich das besser an, als es gemacht ist. Natürlich ist es nett, solche Helden mal gegen Inkassobüros und abgeneigte Vermieter kämpfen zu sehen, aber letztlich ist das nichts neues: Spider-Man hatte dieselben Probleme schon vor 40 Jahren, und auch die anderen Marvel-Helden. Ein sehr gemütlicher Erzählstil, der mehr auf die psychologischen Probleme dabei eingeht (aber letztlich doch am oberflächlichen Klischee hängenbleibt), und kaum sehr überraschende Wendungen bis hin zum dann doch wieder ins alte Welt-Retter-Muster verfallende Ende machen dieses Comic nicht gerade zum Reißer.

Was aber die Anschaffung bzw. das Lesen doch rechtfertigt ist, dass man hier die schärfste Susan Richards Storm zu sehen bekommt, die es je gab. Insgesamt sind die Zeichnungen sehr detailliert, mit feinem Strich fast ohne Tuschung und einer modernen, etwas zu übertriebenen Gradientencolorierung, sehr ansprechend. Also was fürs Auge, und stellenweise lässt einen das sogar das sehr mittelmässige Skript vergessen.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say that I actually enjoyed this. The premise is pretty simple: the FF go bankrupt and lose all of their money and home. Just what does the premiere Marvel super team do?

The answer is rather mundane and ordinary: find jobs and rent a room somewhere. There's no maniacal super-villain behind it either. The story is just how do these characters deal with it. It's definitely a character driven story, which is why I'm drawn to it. Aguirre-Sacasa really has their personalities nailed down and he adds to their backstories with what I believe are new additions, creating additional layers and/or supports for their way of thinking or behavior.

I'm a big fan of McNiven's art which is what primarily drove me to this collection, so enjoying the story was just a bonus. My only complaint is the occasional cartoony looking face/jawline or Reed and Johnny, but McNiven continues with his clean lines and dynamic composition.

This doesn't blow other FF stories out of the water, but if you want a low-key, personal story about the people in the FF, then this is definitely worth a read.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not immediately sure what brands this as a Marvel Knights comic apart from the fact that the story seems to be putting the Fantastic Four through the wringer. How their business manager managed to embezzle away most of their money followed by the city of New York opting to evict them from the Baxter Building in lieu of cost of damages to the city over the years feels like the part of a larger super-villain plot. But for now it means them living in shabbier accommodations and all of them needing to find jobs to help make money for their day-to-day expenses.

Apart from the initial shenanigans related to this change of their status quo, the book ends with a one-off camping adventure that was a little cheesy with its horror movie tropes and Reed having an unusual approach to resolving things at the end. But the book still rings true with the voice and spirit of the Fantastic Four as a family. Will see how this pans out as I get through the volumes.