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Fantastic Four (1961) #242-244, 257-262
The Fantastic Four: The Trial of Galactus
The secrets of the planet-devouring Galactus, one of Marvel's mightiest cosmic menaces! Attend the trial of Mister Fantastic for daring to save his godlike life! See the Silver Surfer fight to drive his master away from a world gone mad!
176 pages, Comic
First published January 1, 1984
69 people want to read
About the author
John Byrne
2,962 books361 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.
Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 26, 2018
Maybe you know someone who feels that the Fantastic Four's current absence from the Marvel universe doesn't leave a tremendous void.
If you do know such a person then it's obviously a sad state of affairs. However, I have good news for you. All you have to do is show them this book. This is wonderful stuff, pure magic. It's the kind of story that could only exist as a Fantastic Four tale.
They'll read it. They'll love it. You will have fixed them. Then their voice can join the chorus clamoring for the Four's return.
If you do know such a person then it's obviously a sad state of affairs. However, I have good news for you. All you have to do is show them this book. This is wonderful stuff, pure magic. It's the kind of story that could only exist as a Fantastic Four tale.
They'll read it. They'll love it. You will have fixed them. Then their voice can join the chorus clamoring for the Four's return.
February 12, 2025
The art featured in this collection (illustrated by John Byrne) was ultimately what kept me reading. Byrne has a great style that had me stopping throughout every page to admire and take in every detail. Sadly, I can’t say the same about the writing. This book follows the Fantastic Four as they once again come face-to-face with the world devourer - Galactus. It was a very sluggish start, which ramped up towards a fascinating middle, and fizzled out in the end with an unsatisfying conclusion. If you’re a fan of Doctor Doom, he has an amazing arc that particularly had me hooked. Beyond that, the story struggles providing a satisfying payoff for interesting setups.
July 15, 2024
This is an excellent piece of work from writer/artist John Byrne.
It covers a substantial bit of Marvel’s First Family as they first deal with Terrax the Tamer, assist Galactus in obtaining a new herald while also elevating Frankie Raye beyond her status as a love interest to the Human Torch. We see the utter destruction of the Skrull throneworld (something they’ve never recovered from), and a very good Doctor Doom appearance, also featuring a great guest-appearance of the Silver Surfer.
It culminates in a short but effective Cosmic tour-de-force, featuring The Watcher Uatu, Odin, and even Byrne himself written into the story.
Plenty of action along the way, while also showcasing the disparate elements of the origins of Galactus.
There is a lot going on in this one, but it is a really well-done story in all.
Byrne’s art is excellent, and his skill as a storyteller is quite evident. Each character is shown very much in character, and particularly is Susan Storm Richards given growth and personal strength as well as developing her force field powers.
Truly enjoyable stories!
It covers a substantial bit of Marvel’s First Family as they first deal with Terrax the Tamer, assist Galactus in obtaining a new herald while also elevating Frankie Raye beyond her status as a love interest to the Human Torch. We see the utter destruction of the Skrull throneworld (something they’ve never recovered from), and a very good Doctor Doom appearance, also featuring a great guest-appearance of the Silver Surfer.
It culminates in a short but effective Cosmic tour-de-force, featuring The Watcher Uatu, Odin, and even Byrne himself written into the story.
Plenty of action along the way, while also showcasing the disparate elements of the origins of Galactus.
There is a lot going on in this one, but it is a really well-done story in all.
Byrne’s art is excellent, and his skill as a storyteller is quite evident. Each character is shown very much in character, and particularly is Susan Storm Richards given growth and personal strength as well as developing her force field powers.
Truly enjoyable stories!
December 29, 2021
The best Galactus story ever done - a real shame the follow-up story, The Last Galactus Story, also written and illustrated by John Byrne, was never completed - and a worse shame that modern Marvel has mostly trashed this character - Byrne presents Galactus as a noble, tormented soul, tasked with a grizzly purpose, and burdened with the very weight of the universe - the ultimate expression of the classic-era Marvel credo: With great power comes great responsibility... and little happiness.
Five stars. A cosmic classic ahead of its time.
Five stars. A cosmic classic ahead of its time.
December 31, 2014
Galactus the devourer of worlds is weakened and at the mercy of the Fantastic Four. He is put on trial for the deaths of billions but who can truly judge a force of nature?
A well constructed and largely character driven story featuring some of Marvel's greatest heroes and one of the most powerful of all their adversaries. The morality and origins of Galactus are revealed as are the nature of his abilities and need to consume planets. The artwork is typical of classic Marvel.
A well constructed and largely character driven story featuring some of Marvel's greatest heroes and one of the most powerful of all their adversaries. The morality and origins of Galactus are revealed as are the nature of his abilities and need to consume planets. The artwork is typical of classic Marvel.
May 1, 2017
Sigo con la lectura del trabajo de John Byrne en Fantastic Four y encuentro una narrativa old school llena de acción y con un buen desarrollo de personajes. Byrne mantiene el hilo de la historia principal mientras va agregando subplots que tendrán consecuencias en números posteriores. Aparte, la historia final la resuelve de una manera ingeniosa.
November 20, 2020
The ‘Trial of Reed Richards’ is the worst & laziest example of metanarrative in the history of comics &, moreover, psychotically genocidal. It betrays the genius of Kirby’s ‘Galactus Trilogy’ & reeks of both human exceptionalism & the bloodiest sort of social Darwinism. Byrne is a beautiful artist but horrible writer.
August 3, 2025
I enjoyed this much more than the coming of galactus as galactus is in this for much longer and is relevant to the story the whole time. His character and origins are explored well. Silver surfer cool
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2012
kickass old FF graphic novel. everything john byrne does is kickass.
September 1, 2019
Pretty tough to defend a devourer of worlds who's single-handedly responsible for the slaughter of trillions of people ...
April 19, 2013
I was going to give this one a 3, but the more I thought about it the more I liked it.
August 1, 2013
I'm not a big FF fan but John Byrne does it right!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews