Rating:  -
The Essential Fantastic Four, Volume I is possibly the greatest bound volume of the Marvel Essentials. Included is the origin storyline of perhaps the greatest villain of all time, namely the brilliant and psychologically complex Doctor Doom. Prevalent throughout this work are displays of top-notch science fiction along with great characters who display unending moments of unpredictability, thus leaving the readers at the edge of their seats.
Of course, the characters that make each issue come to life are the Fantastic Four members themselves. Leading the pack is Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, who is esteemed as the most ingenious scientific mind on Earth and who possesses the ability to stretch his body over vast distances. Next in line is Ben Grimm, who comes to be known as the Thing, since his once natural, human body becomes, on the positive side, an entity that can lift heavy objects in a way comporable to the Hulk's feats, but on the negative side, has his flesh already transformed to a hideous, multilayered composition of rocks. Third is Sue Storm, who is known as the Invisible Girl and is the girlfriend (and would years down the road become the wife) of Mr. Fantastic; she possesses the power to turn invisible and in these early issues has not discovered or honed her abilities to project forcefields to protect her and her loved ones from various oncoming invaders and their weapons. And then there is Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch and brother of the Invisible Girl; he is the only member who can fly and who can turn his body into flame and project his elevated body heat to burn, melt and vaporize various objects, to say the least.
As a unit, the Fantastic Four are the most interconnected fighting team in the comic book universe. Their origins have a unifying commonality, and that is the exposure to high levels of cosmic radiation during a spaceflight that would give each member its own abilities. Collectively, they are regarded as one of the greatest superhero teams of all time, and since they were already a tightly knit unit on an interpersonal level before attaining their superpowers, the Fantastic Four arguably know one another's strengths and weaknesses at a level that not even the Justice League or The Avengers could equal.
Again, Doctor Doom is perhaps the greatest villain of all time, but he does not necessarily mop up the stage in regards to the characters posing difficult challenges for the Fantastic Four. Making their presences felt are The Mole Man, The Puppet Master, The Mad Thinker, and the emotionally complex hero/villain Namor, the SubMariner.
In all, the heroes and villains set up perplexing stages and situations that can stump many a brilliant mind. One side can, proverbially speaking, go in with the best chess moves and pieces in their arsenals and strategies only to find out that they have ended up at the poker table. The developments that ensue are enough to create discussions among those interested in game theory; it is apparent that even the renowned mathematician, John von Neumann, would have been pleased with these stories.
Along with the intellectual flashes of brilliance displayed among the characters are the scientific gadgets that, visualized almost half a century ago, are yet to be developed and that would seem impressive and advanced even by early twenty-first-century standards if their existence came to fruition.
All in all, this bound volume was created during the space race and the Cold War against Russia, and the first man had yet to land on the moon. It is quite apparent that people had a faith in technology that modernizing civilizations could improve living standards and make societies happier, as well as more progressive and peaceful. Indeed, one today now wonders where everything seems to have gone wrong with what apparently amounts to a RAM and ROM cesspool.
Rating: -
One gripe, it's in black and white. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I love this book. I'm more of a fan of the DC heroes (Flash, Green Lantern, etc), but this is where the "Marvel Age of Comics" began. Lots of fun to read (for an old guy like me).
Dr Doom, Sub Mariner, Puppet Master....it all starts here, true believer. Kerby and Lee at thier finest. If you are interested in comics and want a good read, look no further.
Rating: -
This book is an excellent collection of the earliest adventures of the Fantastic Four. Every reader, whether they are just discovering the FF or are a long time fan, will enjoy this book. Although the adventures are a bit campy, they accurately reflect the state of comic art and storytelling during the 1960s. Long time fans are likely to discover new facts about the team that are not well known. For example, Reed Richards fought in World War II and Susan Storm had not yet manifested her force field power during this early period. As expected, this book contains the origin story of the FF. Just as entertaining, however, are the origin and first appearances of such villains as the Mole Man, the Skrulls, and Dr. Doom. The Fantastic Four was also used by Marvel Comics as a venue to re-discover the Sub Mariner from the 1940s and `50s. In addition to the stories, this book provides a window into the past. Some of the dialogue and fashion would clearly be out of place today. For example, not too many teenagers, like Johnny Storm, would go on a date wearing a fedora. The only down side is the lack of color. The comics are printed in black and white. This shortcoming, however, is easily overlooked by the reader once they begin an adventure. Bottom line, this book is a great look through time at both the origin of the FF and the world of the 1960s. Flame On!
Rating: -
I've been a huge fan of the Fantastic Four for many, many years. Even before I knew how to read, I had comic books. I was already familiar with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and the Hulk, but there was one comic with some "fantastic" characters that I knew nothing about. There was some guy who looked like he was made out of orange rocks about to punch some guy in a blue suit who was jumping out of the water. Once I learned how to read, I discovered the Thing, Sub-Mariner, Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch, Invisible Girl (back then), Dr. Doom and a whole cast of characters. So, I've had a 'thing' for the FF for a long time. (pun intended.)
I recently turned 39 and decided I would tread myself to one of the Essential comics, since I hadn't purchased any yet. It was a toss up between the Essential Fantastic Four and Essential Marvel Two-in-One (being the Thing fan I am.) Essential FF finally won out, mainly because I already have several of the original Marvel 2 in 1 issues, but mainly because I doubt I'll ever be able to afford the first 20 issues of FF.
Enough of the stroll down memory lane, this is supposed to be a review...
To call this volume "Essential" is not hyperbole. If you're interested in the Marvel Universe of today, or if you're interested in the history of comics, this is 'essential' for your understanding. In this volume, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby lay the foundations of the entire Marvel Universe, and one could argue every comic out on the market today.
It's hard to see it now, but FF was a radical departure from what super-hero comics were supposed to be up until then. Super-heroes who didn't disguise their identities? Who lived in a know address that anyone could see? Who didn't wear typical costumes, but something more like work coveralls? (I've heard Stan Lee say he didn't want them to have costumes at all, but bowed to editorial pressure by issue #3). And a super-hero who didn't want to be a super-hero? Radical! The great thing about these stories is that they're still as exciting today as they were when they were first published.
Before this turns into a gush fest, I will let you know that there are several goofy moments in here. Such as the story where the FF go bankrupt, get an offer to star in a film in Hollywood, and have to hitchhike cross-country to get to California! Hey, all the ideas can't be pearls.
But think of all the later Marvel characters that the FF spawned! Exploring the Hero or Monster theme that he started with the Thing, Stan Lee created the Hulk. If the re-introduction of the Sub-Mariner hadn't gone over so well, would they have brought back Captain America? If this new approach to comic characters had tanked, would Marvel have taken the chance on Spider-Man or X-Men?
Yep, I think "Essential" sums it up pretty well.
Rating:  -
The most enjoyable aspect of the Essential Fantastic Four Volume I is to watch what would become the Marvel Universe begin to slowly unfold. The endless bickering (often substituting for deeper characterization) and the constant defence of Invisible Girl's rather weak abilities can get a little monotonous when all the issues are read together but Stan Lee and Jack Kirby make up for it with a great host of wonderful villains (with a very low ratio of duds), including the Silver Age introduction of the Sub-Mariner, Dr. Doom, Red Skull, the Skrulls, Puppet Master, the Thinker, Molecule Man, and Impossible Man. Also evident is the cross-polination of series with both the Hulk and the Ant-Man making memorable appearances creating a feeling of an actual, specific universe. The dazzling depths of future adventures is only just glimpsed with a Dr. Doom's story expanding into two issues and the appearance of both the Watcher and the Super-Skrull. Still, even in this somewhat embryonic stage it is easy and very exciting to see where the Fantastic Four were heading.
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