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Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four #6
Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four, Vol. 6
Collects Fantastic Four (1961) #51-60, Annual #4.
Continuing their greatest-hits streak on the "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine," Stan Lee and Jack Kirby weren't content just to introduce the Inhumans, Galactus and the Silver Surfer. No, a three-peat was thinking far, far smaller than the most amazing team in comics' history imagined. Their followup was a heart-wrenching tale of tragedy and heroism titled "This Man! This Monster!" If this story doesn't make you come to love Benjamin J. Grimm, then yer heart must be made of orange rock, fella! Because the greatest Fantastic Four story wasn't enough, Stan and Jack had yet another unmatched milestone waiting in the wings: the debut of the world's first African super hero, the Black Panther, and his kingdom of Wakanda! And that's just the start! In the pages of this MARVEL MASTERWORKS, you'll also encounter the vile Klaw; see the Silver Surfer go toe-to-toe with the Thing; watch the Human Torch face his namesake, the original 1940s Torch; and wonder in shock and awe at how the Fantastic Four can hope to overcome Dr. Doom when he's wrested the Power Cosmic from the Surfer himself!
Continuing their greatest-hits streak on the "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine," Stan Lee and Jack Kirby weren't content just to introduce the Inhumans, Galactus and the Silver Surfer. No, a three-peat was thinking far, far smaller than the most amazing team in comics' history imagined. Their followup was a heart-wrenching tale of tragedy and heroism titled "This Man! This Monster!" If this story doesn't make you come to love Benjamin J. Grimm, then yer heart must be made of orange rock, fella! Because the greatest Fantastic Four story wasn't enough, Stan and Jack had yet another unmatched milestone waiting in the wings: the debut of the world's first African super hero, the Black Panther, and his kingdom of Wakanda! And that's just the start! In the pages of this MARVEL MASTERWORKS, you'll also encounter the vile Klaw; see the Silver Surfer go toe-to-toe with the Thing; watch the Human Torch face his namesake, the original 1940s Torch; and wonder in shock and awe at how the Fantastic Four can hope to overcome Dr. Doom when he's wrested the Power Cosmic from the Surfer himself!
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2007
24 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,562 books2,343 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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June 16, 2023
Collects The Fantastic Four #51-60, Annual #4, Not Brand Echh "The Silver Burper"
The Fantastic Four #51 This Man... This Monster
Iconic splash page of The Thing standing in the rain. He believes his girlfriend is more interested in Silver Surfer than him. He's just recently been turned back into The Thing. Johnny is off to college, Reed and Susan are newly married. Poor guy!
He gets duped by a bald guy who steals his powers. As The Thing, this villain goes to the Baxter Building. Ben as a human can't convince Reed he's the real Ben. Reed goes into a dimensional sub-space relying on The Thing to hold a rope for him... but the villain wants to kill Reed until he has a change of heart, flies into the dimensional machine and rescues Reed sacrificing himself in the process.
See Alex Ross's Fantastic Four - Full Circle (2022) for an inspired sequel to this story.
The Fantastic Four #52 The Black Panther
The FF are invited to Africa to meet this Black Panther character. They grab Johnny from college along with his new friend Wyatt Wingfoot (who ends up saving the day).
The Inhumans are still struggling in their Great Refuge prison.
Black Panther beats up the FF until Wingfoot stops him.
The Fantastic Four #53
Continuing the Black Panther story...
We get a lot of background detail about Wakanda, Black Panther, T'Chaka, and their old enemy an ivory hunter who is searching for vibranium to power his sound transformer. It just so happens that Wakanda is attacked at that very moment by Klaw the Sound Master. For some reason only now does Black Panther realize where Klaw must be hidden and finds his base with ease and beats up Klaw.
The Fantastic Four #54
Still in Wakanda, The FF are involved in a game of baseball and enjoying their stay.
This issue is about trying to break the Great Refuge barrier trapping the Inhumans.
Johnny misses the Inhuman Crystal and wants to break them out. Johnny goes on a journey to an old tomb and finds Prester John an ancient knight who holds a weapon called the Evil Eye. But later Wingfoot and Prester John prevent Johnny from using the weapon on the barrier because it would have killed him.
The Inhumans may have figured out a way to shatter the barrier. But Black Bolt nearly perishes in an attempt to break the barrier.
The Fantastic Four #55 Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer is roaming Earth and goes to talk to The Thing's girlfriend Alicia. The Thing and Silver Surfer fight. Meanwhile Johnny and Wingfoot are in the Andes and run across Lockjaw.
The Fantastic Four #56 Klaw
Klaw, the Black Panther villain, is back and has levelled up now sporting a red jumpsuit and metal sonic gauntlet. Reed got some vibranium brass-knuckles from Black Panther that help him win the fight.
Johnny and Wingfoot with Lockjaw are exploring.
The last panel shows Doom spotting Silver Surfer.
The Fantastic Four Annual #4 The Torch that Was
Johnny and Wingfoot with Lockjaw show up in the Baxter building by Lockjaw's teleportation. The original Human Torch is found by Mad Thinker and escapes, battling Johnny Storm. Kirby draws a pretty epic full page splash of the two colliding.
The Fantastic Four #57 Enter... Dr. Doom
Sandman attacks the FF but is quickly defeated but restraining him proves difficult. Doom talks with Silver Surfer and pretends to be a benevolent ruler. Doom tricks Surfer and steals his power.
The Fantastic Four #58 The Dismal Dregs of Defeat
Doom comes to face the FF with his new powers. Doom beats them up but in the end allows them to live knowing they will face abject hopelessness against his powers. Reed plays on Doom's vanity to survive.
The Fantastic Four #59 Doomsday
The Inhumans finally break free. That's got to be the longest set-up to pay-off so far in the FF comics. Doom is just pure evil now, beating up a defeated Silver Surfer and planning Doomsday. He goes around messing up the environment all over Earth. Reed hatches a plan.
The Fantastic Four #60
Continuing Doomsday...
The FF try to fight Doom. Meanwhile The Watcher once again gets involved in human affairs, not very good at staying out of it these days. A strange craft flies by Doom and sucks away much of his cosmic power and seems to fly towards where the Silver Surfer is.
Not Brand Echh "The Silver Burper"
A silly FF parody by Lee and Kirby.
The Fantastic Four #51 This Man... This Monster
Iconic splash page of The Thing standing in the rain. He believes his girlfriend is more interested in Silver Surfer than him. He's just recently been turned back into The Thing. Johnny is off to college, Reed and Susan are newly married. Poor guy!
He gets duped by a bald guy who steals his powers. As The Thing, this villain goes to the Baxter Building. Ben as a human can't convince Reed he's the real Ben. Reed goes into a dimensional sub-space relying on The Thing to hold a rope for him... but the villain wants to kill Reed until he has a change of heart, flies into the dimensional machine and rescues Reed sacrificing himself in the process.
See Alex Ross's Fantastic Four - Full Circle (2022) for an inspired sequel to this story.
The Fantastic Four #52 The Black Panther
The FF are invited to Africa to meet this Black Panther character. They grab Johnny from college along with his new friend Wyatt Wingfoot (who ends up saving the day).
The Inhumans are still struggling in their Great Refuge prison.
Black Panther beats up the FF until Wingfoot stops him.
The Fantastic Four #53
Continuing the Black Panther story...
We get a lot of background detail about Wakanda, Black Panther, T'Chaka, and their old enemy an ivory hunter who is searching for vibranium to power his sound transformer. It just so happens that Wakanda is attacked at that very moment by Klaw the Sound Master. For some reason only now does Black Panther realize where Klaw must be hidden and finds his base with ease and beats up Klaw.
The Fantastic Four #54
Still in Wakanda, The FF are involved in a game of baseball and enjoying their stay.
This issue is about trying to break the Great Refuge barrier trapping the Inhumans.
Johnny misses the Inhuman Crystal and wants to break them out. Johnny goes on a journey to an old tomb and finds Prester John an ancient knight who holds a weapon called the Evil Eye. But later Wingfoot and Prester John prevent Johnny from using the weapon on the barrier because it would have killed him.
The Inhumans may have figured out a way to shatter the barrier. But Black Bolt nearly perishes in an attempt to break the barrier.
The Fantastic Four #55 Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer is roaming Earth and goes to talk to The Thing's girlfriend Alicia. The Thing and Silver Surfer fight. Meanwhile Johnny and Wingfoot are in the Andes and run across Lockjaw.
The Fantastic Four #56 Klaw
Klaw, the Black Panther villain, is back and has levelled up now sporting a red jumpsuit and metal sonic gauntlet. Reed got some vibranium brass-knuckles from Black Panther that help him win the fight.
Johnny and Wingfoot with Lockjaw are exploring.
The last panel shows Doom spotting Silver Surfer.
The Fantastic Four Annual #4 The Torch that Was
Johnny and Wingfoot with Lockjaw show up in the Baxter building by Lockjaw's teleportation. The original Human Torch is found by Mad Thinker and escapes, battling Johnny Storm. Kirby draws a pretty epic full page splash of the two colliding.
The Fantastic Four #57 Enter... Dr. Doom
Sandman attacks the FF but is quickly defeated but restraining him proves difficult. Doom talks with Silver Surfer and pretends to be a benevolent ruler. Doom tricks Surfer and steals his power.
The Fantastic Four #58 The Dismal Dregs of Defeat
Doom comes to face the FF with his new powers. Doom beats them up but in the end allows them to live knowing they will face abject hopelessness against his powers. Reed plays on Doom's vanity to survive.
The Fantastic Four #59 Doomsday
The Inhumans finally break free. That's got to be the longest set-up to pay-off so far in the FF comics. Doom is just pure evil now, beating up a defeated Silver Surfer and planning Doomsday. He goes around messing up the environment all over Earth. Reed hatches a plan.
The Fantastic Four #60
Continuing Doomsday...
The FF try to fight Doom. Meanwhile The Watcher once again gets involved in human affairs, not very good at staying out of it these days. A strange craft flies by Doom and sucks away much of his cosmic power and seems to fly towards where the Silver Surfer is.
Not Brand Echh "The Silver Burper"
A silly FF parody by Lee and Kirby.
October 8, 2011
... v. athletic, action-packed, and histrionic, but also a reminder of why most superhero comix are a tough read for me, even the ones starring the most iconic and comforting heroes. I'm familiar with the Fantastic Four, and even though I'd never read these stories in particular (or the ones preceding them), there wasn't a significant barrier to entry, plot-wise. In defiance of decades of accumulated narrative baggage, superheroes generally don't change. Their curse is an eternal return to a status quo of waiting, flexed and charged, for danger to arrive.
As it's impossible to care, in the conventional sense, what happens to the heroes, reading (as opposed to looking at) these comix becomes similar to watching sports or playing video games; the pleasure has to come from the authors' manipulation of well-known materials, structures, and strategies.
Lee/Kirby's concern for the emotional problems of the Fantastic Four might still have been novel at the time (1966-67), but their cursory, corny treatment of how people talk about and act on their feelings would be greeted with rolled eyes by today's 12-year-olds. The stories' conceptual oddities -- monsters made out of pure sound, a futuristic African nation, the mute king whose voice contains disastrous potential, the giant dog who can teleport -- have stood up much better, which might explain why Marvel writers have revived and revised these inventions again and again, along with the heroes themselves. It's too bad that the inventions amount to trippy furniture placed inside a conventional, non-trippy house. The stories go where you think they're going to go.
It's likely, though, that most people who pick this book up aren't seeking great writing, not even great children's writing, in the same way people don't listen to Black Sabbath for the lyrics. Here, Jack Kirby's drawings of bodies flying through the air are the ass-rocking music. He has never been surpassed in drawing BIG things: BIG, heavy, retarded, humongous machinery; BIG, dumb, cute, ugly monsters; BIG celestial objects; and BIG muscles. I don't know what to make of all these beefy things. They're not sexual things. They're not necessarily funny -- though, especially in combination with Stan Lee's pseudo-Elizabethan dialogue, they often are. Mostly they seem to be the brain belches of a man who has seen some extremely big things and is trying to tell you about them, and the only language available to him is spacecraft and beefy thighs. The language seems incomplete, but the terror and majesty of what this man has seen somehow come through, anyhow.
Two biggest highlights of this book: 1) the Negative Zone collages (WANTED: a whole book of that), 2) the moment Doctor Doom betrays the Silver Surfer and steals his power cosmic. What a dick!
As it's impossible to care, in the conventional sense, what happens to the heroes, reading (as opposed to looking at) these comix becomes similar to watching sports or playing video games; the pleasure has to come from the authors' manipulation of well-known materials, structures, and strategies.
Lee/Kirby's concern for the emotional problems of the Fantastic Four might still have been novel at the time (1966-67), but their cursory, corny treatment of how people talk about and act on their feelings would be greeted with rolled eyes by today's 12-year-olds. The stories' conceptual oddities -- monsters made out of pure sound, a futuristic African nation, the mute king whose voice contains disastrous potential, the giant dog who can teleport -- have stood up much better, which might explain why Marvel writers have revived and revised these inventions again and again, along with the heroes themselves. It's too bad that the inventions amount to trippy furniture placed inside a conventional, non-trippy house. The stories go where you think they're going to go.
It's likely, though, that most people who pick this book up aren't seeking great writing, not even great children's writing, in the same way people don't listen to Black Sabbath for the lyrics. Here, Jack Kirby's drawings of bodies flying through the air are the ass-rocking music. He has never been surpassed in drawing BIG things: BIG, heavy, retarded, humongous machinery; BIG, dumb, cute, ugly monsters; BIG celestial objects; and BIG muscles. I don't know what to make of all these beefy things. They're not sexual things. They're not necessarily funny -- though, especially in combination with Stan Lee's pseudo-Elizabethan dialogue, they often are. Mostly they seem to be the brain belches of a man who has seen some extremely big things and is trying to tell you about them, and the only language available to him is spacecraft and beefy thighs. The language seems incomplete, but the terror and majesty of what this man has seen somehow come through, anyhow.
Two biggest highlights of this book: 1) the Negative Zone collages (WANTED: a whole book of that), 2) the moment Doctor Doom betrays the Silver Surfer and steals his power cosmic. What a dick!
December 31, 2021
By reputation part of the Lee/Kirby Imperial Phase, but every Empire has its troublesome provinces, and this volume includes one of the weaker stretches of the run, between the introduction of the Black Panther here and the Negative Zone stuff in Vol 7.
It’s a phase where Stan and Jack have worked out how fun (and presumably profitable) it is to have the FF comic read as a continuous rolling story. Done well this results in thrilling comics, the readers and creators uncovering new ideas and mysteries at the same pace the characters do. But you’re not going to come up with a Galactus or Attilan every month. And bits of this volume feel like Lee and Kirby spinning wheels waiting for inspiration to strike. They have components they want to fit together - the Inhumans, Johnny Storm’s quest to free them, Wyatt Wingfoot, the Silver Surfer, Reed and Sue as newlyweds, and more. What they don’t have is the story. The Inhumans material is a particular head-scratcher - issue after issue of Johnny, Wyatt and Lockjaw wandering around looking for a way to break the Inhumans out of their impenetrable prison and then the Inhumans just… escape, in the middle of an overlong story (Doom gets the Power Cosmic) they do nothing to resolve.
It’s no surprise that the issue here that’s most held its status as a classic is the done in one that starts the volume (“This Man… This Monster”) - Stan in moralist mode. I think there are moments in this volume where each creator is having a lot more fun - Kirby’s designs for Prester John’s weird lost land, and Lee’s gloriously OTT dialogue between Doom and the Silver Surfer, for instance. But “This Man…” is Lee and Kirby with a story to tell and some level of agreement on how to tell it.
Can you say the same of the Black Panther intro - the most significant part of this volume? I’m not sure. Lee played up the Civil Rights movement as an inspiration for T’Challa ever since, but that’s not really what Kirby’s drawing here. He’s playing with another 60s archetype - the young, Western-educated, technocratic African leader taking his people forward into a post-colonial, independent future. Wakanda turns this up to 11 - they’ve already outpaced American science and the Panther brings the FF to his country to prove the point. Stan, though, consistently has the American characters remark on the trivial stuff - you can get high fashion in Africa, apparently - in a way that doesn’t really flatter them or him. (Ben Grimm in particular is a massive dick about Wakanda for no very obvious reason). I get the feeling the two creators are working in a high gear but not always in concert, and that’s true across most of this slightly frustrating stretch.
It’s a phase where Stan and Jack have worked out how fun (and presumably profitable) it is to have the FF comic read as a continuous rolling story. Done well this results in thrilling comics, the readers and creators uncovering new ideas and mysteries at the same pace the characters do. But you’re not going to come up with a Galactus or Attilan every month. And bits of this volume feel like Lee and Kirby spinning wheels waiting for inspiration to strike. They have components they want to fit together - the Inhumans, Johnny Storm’s quest to free them, Wyatt Wingfoot, the Silver Surfer, Reed and Sue as newlyweds, and more. What they don’t have is the story. The Inhumans material is a particular head-scratcher - issue after issue of Johnny, Wyatt and Lockjaw wandering around looking for a way to break the Inhumans out of their impenetrable prison and then the Inhumans just… escape, in the middle of an overlong story (Doom gets the Power Cosmic) they do nothing to resolve.
It’s no surprise that the issue here that’s most held its status as a classic is the done in one that starts the volume (“This Man… This Monster”) - Stan in moralist mode. I think there are moments in this volume where each creator is having a lot more fun - Kirby’s designs for Prester John’s weird lost land, and Lee’s gloriously OTT dialogue between Doom and the Silver Surfer, for instance. But “This Man…” is Lee and Kirby with a story to tell and some level of agreement on how to tell it.
Can you say the same of the Black Panther intro - the most significant part of this volume? I’m not sure. Lee played up the Civil Rights movement as an inspiration for T’Challa ever since, but that’s not really what Kirby’s drawing here. He’s playing with another 60s archetype - the young, Western-educated, technocratic African leader taking his people forward into a post-colonial, independent future. Wakanda turns this up to 11 - they’ve already outpaced American science and the Panther brings the FF to his country to prove the point. Stan, though, consistently has the American characters remark on the trivial stuff - you can get high fashion in Africa, apparently - in a way that doesn’t really flatter them or him. (Ben Grimm in particular is a massive dick about Wakanda for no very obvious reason). I get the feeling the two creators are working in a high gear but not always in concert, and that’s true across most of this slightly frustrating stretch.
January 14, 2021
The Marvel Masterworks volumes are fantastic reprints of the early years of Marvel comics. A fantastic resource to allow these hard to find issues to be read by everyone. Very recommended to everyone and Highly recommended to any comic fan.
June 2, 2023
Multi-issue story arcs with multiple plotlines intersecting, great Kirby art, and Doctor Doom steals Silver Surfers power cosmic and rides the silver surfboard. This era of Marvel doesn't get much better even though I find Lee's dialogue an exposition dull.
February 12, 2016
I haven't read much classic Marvel in this format, most Marvel stories from the 1960s I've encountered have been as scattered single issues included in trades collecting modern stories for the purpose of padding them out. It's quite a different experience to get a series of sequential issues, playing much better to the strengths of the material.
The included stories of Fantastic Four had several upsides, the biggest being Stan Lee's ability to juggle multiple different storylines as events proceed. This tome starts out with the Inhumans trapped in their city and Johnny Storm desperate to find a way to rescue them in order to reunite with his paramour Crystal, a sub-plot that gets attention in most of the included issues and presumably reaches a conclusion in one of the future Marvel Masterworks volumes. The hero Black Panther is introduced early on, and even after his story is dealt with the results of his meeting with the Fantastic Four continue to resonate in later stories. Regardless of how short or long a story arc is, everything feels vitally important and consequential, with things building upon each other and mattering in a way that Marvel's modern output constantly fails to replicate. The shifts between the different plot threads can be a bit choppy, but you're always left feeling that the events have a greater meaning.
Jack Kirby's art is instantly recognizable, perhaps being better served in wild cosmic stories like The New Gods, but fitting in well with the alternate dimensions, bizarre gadgets, and wild technological landscapes that frequently pop up in the adventures of the Fantastic Four. Stan Lee's writing is both the best and worst of the book, with dialogue boxes narrating the action with a plethora of two-dollar words that are ridiculously, wonderfully melodramatic; however, most characters' dialogue is written in exactly the same fashion, which comes off as clunky when anyone other than Doctor Doom is speaking. There's an unfortunate duality to the stories as well, dealing with a lot of surprisingly big themes while at the same time having characters do and say things that make them come across as complete idiots (Thing, Human Torch), callous monsters (Mr. Fantastic, Black Panther), or Stepford wives (Invisible Woman, Alicia Masters). This volume is also the point at which the Fantastic Four gained a sidekick in Wyatt Wingfoot, who joined the long list of completely uninteresting characters put into superhero stories simply for kids to have a regular Joe that they could project themselves onto.
There's enough wild, manic fun and poignancy to the Silver Age Fantastic Four books that makes for an interesting read, but there's an equal amount in them that has aged poorly in the past fifty years. At least it's less hokey than what DC was putting out at the time, and worlds better than what DC or Marvel is putting out now.
The included stories of Fantastic Four had several upsides, the biggest being Stan Lee's ability to juggle multiple different storylines as events proceed. This tome starts out with the Inhumans trapped in their city and Johnny Storm desperate to find a way to rescue them in order to reunite with his paramour Crystal, a sub-plot that gets attention in most of the included issues and presumably reaches a conclusion in one of the future Marvel Masterworks volumes. The hero Black Panther is introduced early on, and even after his story is dealt with the results of his meeting with the Fantastic Four continue to resonate in later stories. Regardless of how short or long a story arc is, everything feels vitally important and consequential, with things building upon each other and mattering in a way that Marvel's modern output constantly fails to replicate. The shifts between the different plot threads can be a bit choppy, but you're always left feeling that the events have a greater meaning.
Jack Kirby's art is instantly recognizable, perhaps being better served in wild cosmic stories like The New Gods, but fitting in well with the alternate dimensions, bizarre gadgets, and wild technological landscapes that frequently pop up in the adventures of the Fantastic Four. Stan Lee's writing is both the best and worst of the book, with dialogue boxes narrating the action with a plethora of two-dollar words that are ridiculously, wonderfully melodramatic; however, most characters' dialogue is written in exactly the same fashion, which comes off as clunky when anyone other than Doctor Doom is speaking. There's an unfortunate duality to the stories as well, dealing with a lot of surprisingly big themes while at the same time having characters do and say things that make them come across as complete idiots (Thing, Human Torch), callous monsters (Mr. Fantastic, Black Panther), or Stepford wives (Invisible Woman, Alicia Masters). This volume is also the point at which the Fantastic Four gained a sidekick in Wyatt Wingfoot, who joined the long list of completely uninteresting characters put into superhero stories simply for kids to have a regular Joe that they could project themselves onto.
There's enough wild, manic fun and poignancy to the Silver Age Fantastic Four books that makes for an interesting read, but there's an equal amount in them that has aged poorly in the past fifty years. At least it's less hokey than what DC was putting out at the time, and worlds better than what DC or Marvel is putting out now.
December 16, 2014
Continuing to improve with more complicated and involved stories--one issue starts with an escape by the Sandman and the Wizard but shifts gears to Dr. Doom with the others still on the loose. There are still too many clichés, "I'll get you yet," and so forth, but the characterization is consistently getting more and more interesting. The Kirby-Sinnott artwork, while looking slightly primitive in direct contrast to coming from Colan in Iron Man vol. 3, is bold, exciting, and some of the King's best work on the title so far. So much is involved in explaining the Silver Surfer's powers (as Dr. Doom uses them--I was not expecting to see Dr. Doom on the Silver Surfer's board) that I'm glad I didn't jump to volume 1 of his series yet, which I believe takes place after vol. 8 of this one. The material with the Inhumans is fleeting but exciting, although Johnny is getting a bit wearying. Whitey Mullins is back from the end of the previous volume, but doesn't do much here except annoy Johnny for a few panels.
The major new characters here are the Black Panther and Wyatt Wingfoot. The greyish colorization of the Africans, as with Gabe Jones, is a bit annoying, and Lee's need to have every new superhero introduce himself in a big fight against an existing superhero (or in this case) is already old. I love the striking image of the carved panther above the banquet table almost as much as the wooden ship in the Tales of Asgard splash in The Mighty Thor vol. 3. Both characters appear throughout the volume, African and Native American, although Black Panther is almost a deus ex machina by the end, making cameos as he provides technology that appears to be beyond Reed's capabilities. Tony Stark gets a behind-the-scenes appearance, off-stage having made the working version of the device that finally defeats Dr. Doom at the end of the volume (as though you didn't know that was coming so you can complain about spoilers). Such self-deprecation and direct address to the reader is frequent from Lee throughout the volume, at one point Lee even telling the reader to create the sound effect instead of putting a big onomatopoeia in the panel.
The major new characters here are the Black Panther and Wyatt Wingfoot. The greyish colorization of the Africans, as with Gabe Jones, is a bit annoying, and Lee's need to have every new superhero introduce himself in a big fight against an existing superhero (or in this case) is already old. I love the striking image of the carved panther above the banquet table almost as much as the wooden ship in the Tales of Asgard splash in The Mighty Thor vol. 3. Both characters appear throughout the volume, African and Native American, although Black Panther is almost a deus ex machina by the end, making cameos as he provides technology that appears to be beyond Reed's capabilities. Tony Stark gets a behind-the-scenes appearance, off-stage having made the working version of the device that finally defeats Dr. Doom at the end of the volume (as though you didn't know that was coming so you can complain about spoilers). Such self-deprecation and direct address to the reader is frequent from Lee throughout the volume, at one point Lee even telling the reader to create the sound effect instead of putting a big onomatopoeia in the panel.
December 1, 2011
For some reason these are the only Marvel Masterworks collections my library seems to receive. The first comics with Black Panther, Inhuman interludes, and the well known story where Dr. Doom usurps Silver Surfers board and cosmic powers (the culmination is honestly a huge, quick wrap let down though.) The more and more I read these, I'm dazzled by Jack Kirby's artwork. While I've loved more photo-realistic (John Cassady) or surreal (Jae Lee) comic artists, you can't beat Kirby's flowing movement of character action and kinetic, crackling energy. It's like a three dimensional immersive cartoon; also complimentary, as he fully embraced the comic/cartoon in comic book, breaking artistic boundaries while fully embracing its juvenile tone: none of his totemic, statuesque villains or insanely detailed machines look realistic but they look so, so much fun. Once again I can't say I'm a fan of Stan Lee's overly grandiose dialogue for every single character, but at this point, you can't imagine Lee and Kirby without each other.
November 16, 2023
Buyer beware: Only the Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 2 Hardcover, this particular printing of the Masterwork hardcover, and the 2011 (and forward) softcover printings have this superior, “high def” presentation. There is a second printing of the Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 2 Hardcover coming later this year. There are also economical black and white phone books called Essentials for those on a budget. No matter which way you read it, the Lee/Kirby era of Fantastic Four is essential reading for any serious comic book fan.
Issue 51's This Man...This Monster! is a powerful story about a scientist named Ricardo Jones who uses his Duplication Apparatus to steal the Thing's rocky hide and powers while turning the Thing back into ordinary Ben Grimm. He did so so that he may infiltrate the Fantastic Four and destroy Reed Richards, a man of whom he is insanely jealous of because of his accomplishments. Issue 52 introduces the Black Panther, the first black superhero in comic books. The thing that I love about the character is that he was introduced near the height of the civil rights movement, and his native country, the mythological Wakanda, was wealthier and more technologically advanced than the United States. That took balls in 1966.
The Fantastic Four had a great supporting cast in this era. The Silver Surfer, the Inhumans, and Wyatt Wingfoot are all recurring characters. Some long-term villains are introduced, such as Klaw and the sentient computer Quasimodo (Quasi-Motivational Destruct Organ). It was introduced in Annual No. 4, which also features the Mad Thinker, who revives the original android Human Torch, whom Ultron would go on to revive as the Vision.
Stan Lee's writing may be a tad dated for today's so-called sophisticated readers, but his characterization was great. The then-newlywed Reed and Sue dynamic being a prime example. Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) was basically a neglectful asshole to his blushing bride. The Johnny Storm (Human Torch) pining away for Crystal plotline was also great, even if it seems silly that he could be so obsessed with a girl that he barely knew...at least what we saw “on screen”. I'm sure that some hack has gone into way too much detail over what really happened over the years. The highlight of this book is Doctor Doom stealing the Silver Surfer's power in issues 57-60. Kirby's Doctor Doom is second to none. No one can draw Doom as great as The King did. The Inhumans escape from the Great Refuge during these issues when Blackbolt finally speaks. This is just great stuff, and holds up well on the re-read.
This printing uses the same color and linework restoration as the Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 2. It is excellent except for a page or two in issue 55, specifically Page 4 (page 88 of the book), which has visible pixelation on panel 3. Still, one or two pages out of 232 is not bad at all. Most folks wouldn't even notice or know what the Hell I rant about anyways. Your mileage may vary.
There is a softcover version of this book available, but I am uncertain if it has had any upgrades in terms of restoration. Some of the softcover Marvel Masterworks have had additional spit shining, even after being remastered a third time for the Omnibus.
Issue 51's This Man...This Monster! is a powerful story about a scientist named Ricardo Jones who uses his Duplication Apparatus to steal the Thing's rocky hide and powers while turning the Thing back into ordinary Ben Grimm. He did so so that he may infiltrate the Fantastic Four and destroy Reed Richards, a man of whom he is insanely jealous of because of his accomplishments. Issue 52 introduces the Black Panther, the first black superhero in comic books. The thing that I love about the character is that he was introduced near the height of the civil rights movement, and his native country, the mythological Wakanda, was wealthier and more technologically advanced than the United States. That took balls in 1966.
The Fantastic Four had a great supporting cast in this era. The Silver Surfer, the Inhumans, and Wyatt Wingfoot are all recurring characters. Some long-term villains are introduced, such as Klaw and the sentient computer Quasimodo (Quasi-Motivational Destruct Organ). It was introduced in Annual No. 4, which also features the Mad Thinker, who revives the original android Human Torch, whom Ultron would go on to revive as the Vision.
Stan Lee's writing may be a tad dated for today's so-called sophisticated readers, but his characterization was great. The then-newlywed Reed and Sue dynamic being a prime example. Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) was basically a neglectful asshole to his blushing bride. The Johnny Storm (Human Torch) pining away for Crystal plotline was also great, even if it seems silly that he could be so obsessed with a girl that he barely knew...at least what we saw “on screen”. I'm sure that some hack has gone into way too much detail over what really happened over the years. The highlight of this book is Doctor Doom stealing the Silver Surfer's power in issues 57-60. Kirby's Doctor Doom is second to none. No one can draw Doom as great as The King did. The Inhumans escape from the Great Refuge during these issues when Blackbolt finally speaks. This is just great stuff, and holds up well on the re-read.
This printing uses the same color and linework restoration as the Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 2. It is excellent except for a page or two in issue 55, specifically Page 4 (page 88 of the book), which has visible pixelation on panel 3. Still, one or two pages out of 232 is not bad at all. Most folks wouldn't even notice or know what the Hell I rant about anyways. Your mileage may vary.
There is a softcover version of this book available, but I am uncertain if it has had any upgrades in terms of restoration. Some of the softcover Marvel Masterworks have had additional spit shining, even after being remastered a third time for the Omnibus.
November 23, 2025
We come to issues 51 through 60 with the inclusion of Annual No. 4. Following the introduction of the Inhumans, the Silver Surfer and Galactus, Kirby and Lee weren't ready to let things slide. In Issue 52, they introduced the Black Panther.
Now, I'm not crazy about the first couple Black Panther appearances. Aside from his visual appearance and the general background that he is chieftain of Wakanda, an African tribal city with astounding technological development and the control of the rare element vibranium, the Panther had too much power and was written with too much condescension for his race to make the first issue especially hard to read. But they got over this eventually, and the fast friendship between the FF and the Panther made for a nice touch.
Meanwhile, issue 51 remains one of the best comic books of its time, a story which introduced sub-space as an obsession for Reed Richards while at the same time delving into the nature of jealousy of superheroes. Every time I've read it over the years it's remained surprising and unique.
What else? Klaw, the master of sound is introduced. The Inhumans struggle to escape the Negative Zone barrier Maximus placed around their Great Refuge, and Johnny Storm along with his new college roommate Wyatt Wingfoot go off searching for a way to get them out so he can reunite with Crystal. The Silver Surfer battles the Thing because Ben Grimm can't accept his girlfriend talking to another man, even one with cosmic power. And that cosmic power gets transferred to Doctor Doom for a four part epic which includes half a dozen subplots and a sense of true peril for our heroes.
1966 did not match the heights of 1965 but it made up for it by packing so many concepts into nearly every issue. And Jack Kirby's art, now inked always by Joe Sinnott in this book, never looked better to my eyes.
Now, I'm not crazy about the first couple Black Panther appearances. Aside from his visual appearance and the general background that he is chieftain of Wakanda, an African tribal city with astounding technological development and the control of the rare element vibranium, the Panther had too much power and was written with too much condescension for his race to make the first issue especially hard to read. But they got over this eventually, and the fast friendship between the FF and the Panther made for a nice touch.
Meanwhile, issue 51 remains one of the best comic books of its time, a story which introduced sub-space as an obsession for Reed Richards while at the same time delving into the nature of jealousy of superheroes. Every time I've read it over the years it's remained surprising and unique.
What else? Klaw, the master of sound is introduced. The Inhumans struggle to escape the Negative Zone barrier Maximus placed around their Great Refuge, and Johnny Storm along with his new college roommate Wyatt Wingfoot go off searching for a way to get them out so he can reunite with Crystal. The Silver Surfer battles the Thing because Ben Grimm can't accept his girlfriend talking to another man, even one with cosmic power. And that cosmic power gets transferred to Doctor Doom for a four part epic which includes half a dozen subplots and a sense of true peril for our heroes.
1966 did not match the heights of 1965 but it made up for it by packing so many concepts into nearly every issue. And Jack Kirby's art, now inked always by Joe Sinnott in this book, never looked better to my eyes.
December 13, 2020
This set of ten issues is well-known for a reason. From "This Man, This Monster" to the groundbreaking introduction of the Black Panther to the continuing saga of the Inhumans and Doctor Doom gaining the power cosmic, there is a lot of groundbreaking stuff going on here. The dynamics of the team continue to develop even though the characters spend long stretches of time split up. Wyatt Wingfoot is a welcome addition to the Fantastic Four family (though some of the descriptions of her that appear in narrative captions are dated and a little racist), and his friendship with Johnny is something to really admire. My kids are particular fans of his. One thing I particularly appreciated about the last few issues, and this era of the FF in general, is that the threats actually seem real. There doesn't seem to be a guarantee that the FF will triumph in the end. Doctor Doom, in particular, is a genuine threat in a way that he doesn't really seem to be in modern comics. Or perhaps it's the opposite--that the FF aren't as superpowered as they are in the comics coming out now. Either way, the stakes feel higher, which makes for an extremely engaging read. Sue still has not reached her full potential as a character--and I don't think she will for quite some time. Reed still orders her around, telling her when to use her force fields to help out. But those moments when she does take the initiative and acts of her own volition show huge potential for her character.
I read this with my four-year-olds, who are extremely into the Inhumans (and a little in love with Crystal themselves). They continue to enjoy the series. We actually read this as the last 10 issues of Omnibus #2, but I'm reviewing it here instead to track when we finish each set of 10 issues.
I read this with my four-year-olds, who are extremely into the Inhumans (and a little in love with Crystal themselves). They continue to enjoy the series. We actually read this as the last 10 issues of Omnibus #2, but I'm reviewing it here instead to track when we finish each set of 10 issues.
August 11, 2019
For silver age comics this is actually pretty good. Over the top as can be but tons of fun and Stan Lee doesn't let the plot stagnate. In this volume everything keeps moving forward and fast, each issue has a clear plan and a fun set up for the next issue.
In this volume, you get the debut of Black Panther and Klaw, you get the return of Inhumans, Silver Surfer, Sandman and of course the Return of Doctor Doom and his comically evil self. All of these elements tie into each other leading to a fun showdown with an overpowered Doom, where you actually see Reed come up with a unique and surprising way to beat him that was foreshadowed in the earlier parts of the volume.
Although this volume suffers from issues of the 1960s era of comics its honestly fun, imaginative and has elements that are really good and could be incredible in the hands of modern era writers.
In this volume, you get the debut of Black Panther and Klaw, you get the return of Inhumans, Silver Surfer, Sandman and of course the Return of Doctor Doom and his comically evil self. All of these elements tie into each other leading to a fun showdown with an overpowered Doom, where you actually see Reed come up with a unique and surprising way to beat him that was foreshadowed in the earlier parts of the volume.
Although this volume suffers from issues of the 1960s era of comics its honestly fun, imaginative and has elements that are really good and could be incredible in the hands of modern era writers.
December 24, 2022
I had been enjoying the Fantastic Four early comics but this collection was the first time for me it felt like a grind. So much to irritate me.
I'm used to Susan Storm being portrayed as the weakest link but here she does absolutely nothing. Her sole contribution to the group is to ask who what where when why. I'm starting to understand why Reed Richards is always telling her to shut up.
Johnny Storm's college roommate, Wyatt Wingfoot, hangs around and around and around. You've overstayed your welcome, Wyatt.
Speaking of the Human Torch, he's absolutely obsessed with Crystal and the Inhumans. Throughout most of this selection Johnny is off trying to find a way to free his girlfriend, leaving our team to be more of the Fantastic Three.
I'm used to Susan Storm being portrayed as the weakest link but here she does absolutely nothing. Her sole contribution to the group is to ask who what where when why. I'm starting to understand why Reed Richards is always telling her to shut up.
Johnny Storm's college roommate, Wyatt Wingfoot, hangs around and around and around. You've overstayed your welcome, Wyatt.
Speaking of the Human Torch, he's absolutely obsessed with Crystal and the Inhumans. Throughout most of this selection Johnny is off trying to find a way to free his girlfriend, leaving our team to be more of the Fantastic Three.
December 17, 2017
This book shows what I love and what I hate in Marvel comics.
Here are some grandiose stories with superb art (by none less than Jack Kirby). But you will also find plots slugging through a lot of pages and even a few issues to a feeble conclusion. At each ending I've found myself musing "what for?". We got a lot of strong poses and words but very little actually happens. This feeling of going nowhere is what ultimately drove me way from the Fantastic Four back in the 80's. At least here you get all issues together, instead of waiting each month for a big conclusion (that would not be there).
Anyway, I still enjoyed it, mostly for the art and the nostalgia.
Here are some grandiose stories with superb art (by none less than Jack Kirby). But you will also find plots slugging through a lot of pages and even a few issues to a feeble conclusion. At each ending I've found myself musing "what for?". We got a lot of strong poses and words but very little actually happens. This feeling of going nowhere is what ultimately drove me way from the Fantastic Four back in the 80's. At least here you get all issues together, instead of waiting each month for a big conclusion (that would not be there).
Anyway, I still enjoyed it, mostly for the art and the nostalgia.
April 5, 2018
Getting caught up with four volumes - way too many firsts to go into detail, but these stories are terrific. Okay, the awkward bits, like Reed telling Sue that she's "only" a female, don't age that well, but seeing the entire cosmology of the FF established, and develop (naturally and organically) is powerful stuff. The plot are adventurous and fun, and the character work still better than most superhero comics today.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 10, 2017
Issues 51-60- probably a peak for Lee and Kirby.
Dr. Doom steals the Silver Surfer's cosmic powers and runs riot for three or four issues.
Also Annual # 4 which is the Human Torch battling the original Human Torch, who 'serves' the Mad Thinker.
I liked it better than 41-50, and probably better than 61-70, and don't like any of them well enough to keep going.
Dr. Doom steals the Silver Surfer's cosmic powers and runs riot for three or four issues.
Also Annual # 4 which is the Human Torch battling the original Human Torch, who 'serves' the Mad Thinker.
I liked it better than 41-50, and probably better than 61-70, and don't like any of them well enough to keep going.
March 9, 2018
A coworker lent this to me so I could read the first appearance of Black Panther. That wasn't bad. Honestly, this was my very first exposure to the Fantastic Four, as well. And while this has a certain amount of charm, the overall storytelling was just a bit too simplistic for me. Between that and all the fighting I know I won't be picking up any more of these old timey marvel comics.
August 7, 2021
I think it started at the end ot the last volume during the Galactus issues, but this is the point where Kirby really ups his game. The Fantastic Four aren't really the draw here, now we are reading it for the tiny details and the imaginary machines that only Kirby can draw. Black Panther and Wyatt Wingfoot are now reoccuring support characters and the tone has become a little more serious. Other things that stand out to me are Prester John, with his cool "Celestial" armor and Doctor Doom riding Silver Surfer's board. Things that hurt these stories are Ben Grimm feeling sorry for himself and Black Panther thinks he needs to fight the FF before they become best friends.
June 14, 2020
The sagas here exceed the highly-regarded Inhumans and Galactus stories from the previous volumes. "This Man, This Monster!" The coming of the Black Panther! And the truly awesome epic in which DOOM truly comes into his own as the preeminent villain of the Marvel Universe.
March 15, 2023
Seemed to have struck gold on this one. Continuing on from the previous volume, worlds are stretched, barriers broken, clobberin' more timely than ever, and Storm's blazing at a high 2 million degrees. A True Believer; I Am.
April 29, 2018
Excellent classic tales and super writing and art
Classic Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Excellent art and writing! A must for any collection. Marvel comics at its best.
Classic Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Excellent art and writing! A must for any collection. Marvel comics at its best.
January 27, 2019
And the Lee/Kirby train continues. By this time I'm ready for a new creative team, although I am enjoying the opportunity to watch Kirby's art improve as he has more space and time.
November 16, 2020
3.5 Stars.
July 17, 2022
A lot of unevenness in the quality of the stories collected here, but it ends well.
July 17, 2023
June 27 through July 8, 2023. Goodreads error.
September 17, 2023
Fantastic Four #51-60, Annual #4.
April 21, 2016
The Fantastic Four travel to the African nation of Wakanda and spar against the sovereign chieftain, a masked man known as the Black Panther. The Four befriend Black Panther and assist him against his father's murderer, a physicist named Klaw who pursues Wakanda's cache of the metal vibranium. Meanwhile, the city of Inhumans is shown trapped within a dome and the royal family attempts to escape. Lastly, the Silver Surfer explores the world he's confined to, finally meeting the one man who could be a threat - Doctor Doom.
Continuing my heavy research into key characters starring in the upcoming Civil War movie, this volume depicts the first appearance of Black Panther prior to him joining the Avengers. It also spends a good deal of time on fleshing out the Inhumans and the Silver Surfer/Doom plot thread, both of which spread themselves out and overlap over several issues. Considering the sheer volume of Silver Age comics that are unconnected one-shot adventures, it's this increasing complexity in the plot and interweaving of the efforts of different characters that make this volume distinct. The identifiable art by Jack Kirby also has to be mentioned, including full-page abstract depictions of Wakandan, Inhuman, and Latverian technology. All of this is countered by the dated relationships between the Four, especially the "absent-minded husband" Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Girl, who notably served coffee and generally cowered when not involved in an action scene. I was also not really understanding the role of Wyatt Wingfoot, Johnny Storm's unpowered friend, who manages to stay alive despite being directly involved in the Four's adventures. Overall, a nice collection of FF that has very little filler and some good action involving characters I've become familiar with over the past few years.
Continuing my heavy research into key characters starring in the upcoming Civil War movie, this volume depicts the first appearance of Black Panther prior to him joining the Avengers. It also spends a good deal of time on fleshing out the Inhumans and the Silver Surfer/Doom plot thread, both of which spread themselves out and overlap over several issues. Considering the sheer volume of Silver Age comics that are unconnected one-shot adventures, it's this increasing complexity in the plot and interweaving of the efforts of different characters that make this volume distinct. The identifiable art by Jack Kirby also has to be mentioned, including full-page abstract depictions of Wakandan, Inhuman, and Latverian technology. All of this is countered by the dated relationships between the Four, especially the "absent-minded husband" Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Girl, who notably served coffee and generally cowered when not involved in an action scene. I was also not really understanding the role of Wyatt Wingfoot, Johnny Storm's unpowered friend, who manages to stay alive despite being directly involved in the Four's adventures. Overall, a nice collection of FF that has very little filler and some good action involving characters I've become familiar with over the past few years.
July 1, 2023
This volume opens with a very poignant story about the tragic figure of Ben Grimm, although the real power behind this particular yarn has little to do with the Thing. But this is quickly overshadowed by one of the most momentous moments in Marvel memorabilia … the coming of the Black Panther and the introduction of Wakanda. Next up is a story focusing on the Human Torch and his college roommate, Wyatt Wingfoot, which introduces another cosmic level device, the Evil Eye. After that is the much reprinted and ridiculous battle between the Thing and the Silver Surfer over the attentions of Alicia Masters. And as the team returns to the Baxter Building, they are set upon by Klaw, the Master of Sound. At this point we switch over to Fantastic Four Annual #4 which offers up the return of the Golden Age Human Torch. And that brings us to the epic 4-part event that pits the Fantastic Four against a Doctor Doom who’s empowered by the cosmic forces of the Silver Surfer. But there’s also the ongoing arc featuring the Inhumans attempting to free themselves from their negative zone prison and the menace of the Frightful Four as the Sandman escapes from Prison. Yep, Jack Kirby is firing on all pistons with this one.
August 8, 2014
more goofy silver age adventures from Lee and Kirby.
the subplot with the Inhumans is probably the best thing about this book, although I also really enjoyed the introduction of the Black Panther. nevertheless, the bickering and back and forth between the men of the FF is really getting old, as is Sue Storm's woe-is-me damsel routine. at least she gets some good licks in against Dr Doom in this volume.
i like the addition of Wyatt Wingfoot. nice to have another non-FF member around (in addition to Alicia Masters) to round out the cast and bring some new relationship dynamics to the book.
the subplot with the Inhumans is probably the best thing about this book, although I also really enjoyed the introduction of the Black Panther. nevertheless, the bickering and back and forth between the men of the FF is really getting old, as is Sue Storm's woe-is-me damsel routine. at least she gets some good licks in against Dr Doom in this volume.
i like the addition of Wyatt Wingfoot. nice to have another non-FF member around (in addition to Alicia Masters) to round out the cast and bring some new relationship dynamics to the book.
June 17, 2015
This is definitely a step backwards in quality from the previous sets of issues. Issue 51 (“This Man, This Monster”) is an all time great, but none of the rest match up. The Black Panther stuff is certainly interesting and historically important, but it also doesn’t make a ton of sense, is kinda dumb and and also kinda racist. Issues 54, 55 and 56 are straight up bad. Issues 57 through 60, the Doomsday arc where Doom gets the Power Cosmic are pretty good, though, excluding the terrible deus ex machina. And the Annual (old Human Torch vs new Human Torch) is very good.
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