Fantastic Four by J. Michael Straczynski

Fantastic Four (1998) (Collected Editions) #12

by J. Michael Straczynski, Mike McKone (Artist)

The new ongoing creative team of writer J. Michael Straczynski (Amazing Spider-Man, Supreme Power) and artist Mike McKone (Teen Titans, Exiles) unite their talents to chart a new course for the world's greatest comic magazine! First an intriguing offer for a conflicted Reed, and a windfall for Ben! A visit from state officials has dire ramifications for Sue and the rest of the Richards clan! Collects Fantastic Four #527-532.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.

Reviews

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good!

It starts with Reed working with the govt agencies after the drama with Latveria in Waid's run and thus he has to help them with solving some problems like replicating the accident that created them and well as the govt wants its soldiers to get powers and all, Ben dealing with being rich, Sue thinking how to deal with child welfare agents who question her parental and raising skills and its all drama until we see what happens when these things intersect and they are the outlaw, meeting cosmic entities, Reed witnessing the big bang of the universe and then having an important realization which haunted him from the start.

Its a pretty good volume and like does well to balance most characters and also ties into some philosophical discussions about how life is about the small moments in between which is imp for Richards and brings the element of family to this book which is its core strength which I loved. The story with Ben was weird and I didn't like that part and we never got to see the resolution of the story with Sue but then again Johnny barely got anything.

But overall its a decent read and a one time at that and reminding you about the element of family and showcasing a good light on Reed and everything. Plus the art is really good and clean and making the reading easier.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume contains two story arcs. The first expands on the cosmic FF origin. It mostly follows Reed Richards on a secret government mission and would have been more suited to a solo story, instead of trying to squeeze in the side stories with Ben becoming rich, and Sue's Social services drama. Kind of stupid in my opinion. The initial idea is pretty clever, but I am not sure about the execution.
The second story is essentially a fight between The Thing and The Hulk. Nothing new but, really, who doesn't want to see that. So far I like Straczynski's Spider-Man run better than FF's. To be fair, it's hard not to be underwhelmed after reading Mark Waid's FF collection, which was excellent.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story arc, cosmic, if you will, and mostly satisfying and complete in this volume, before the creative team is sideswiped by the Marvel Civil War event in the next arc. McCone's art is wonderful, and colorist Paul Mounts never fails.
Recommended

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a whole bunch of JMS lately, I was fully prepared to hate this (perhaps even biased against it). His run on Spider-Man has recently become one of my least favorite in comic book history, and since he began writing Fantastic Four around the same time, I was dreading this. But hey, I guess I can you can't always judge a book by its author(?).

Don't get me wrong, this has its problems. The ideas are a little done (big cosmic entity searching for the meaning of life, exploration of how/why the FF got their powers, fighting aliens that won't listen to reason, etc.), but they're actually executed pretty well this time around (aided immensely by Mike McKone's pencils and action sequences). So I guess I'm saying, while JMS's ideas aren't new, they aren't boring, either.

The one thing that really irked me, which is a recurring theme in his writing, is an unsatisfying, unrealistic attempt to make things "grounded." It's his formula he uses in every single comic book he ever writes. Spider-Man becomes a school teacher. Thor moves Asgard to Oklahoma. Superman: Earth One is just about a normal kid becoming Superman. Superman: Grounded has grounded right there in the title. It's his only move, and in this book, it's the introduction of a social worker who comes to analyze whether or not the Baxter Building is a safe place for the Richards kids to live, what because of all the interstellar bad guys and such. I mean, give me a break. This is the Fantastic Four! They're a cosmos jumping super team that frequently fights Galactus. I don't need them to be grounded.

Also, how would this even happen? The FF are celebrity protectors of earth, and a social worker decides this is the best use of her time? Not helping any of the thousands of children who live in actual rough homes? This would be like if a social worker approached Barack Obama and was like "Since you're the president, you're constantly under threat of violence. As such, we are taking your kids away." It's idiotic.

So, while that perturbed me pretty thoroughly, the rest of the book reads as a pretty decent sci-fi thriller. It's almost 100% focused on Reed, with the other FF getting barely any screen time, but sometimes that's just the way it has to be for a given story, so I can overlook it. I do wish JMS hadn't wasted time on a new subplot about The Thing being rich and dressing like a dandy, because it's just another classic example of JMS not having a clue how to be funny, but so little time is devoted to this that I barely even cared.

In the end, I was right down the middle on this one. It was a fine read, but I'm definitely not going to read any further FF from JMS. If his Spider-Man run is any indication, this first story will probably be the best of the bunch, and the rest will continue to roll downhill until they land in a pile of shit. So I'm just going to avoid that tumble altogether and think fondly back to the story about the Fantastic Four that JMS "didn't ruin."

[Terry Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I'm on an Fantastic Four kick, following up the end of Waid and 'Ringo's FF run with new writer J. Michael Straczynski's take on the Marvel flagship title. Some clever ideas on the surface are retreads of classic material (the origin story gets a fresh look, but it's still the FF origin story yet again; the FF are broke, but this time, they don't get tricked by the Sub Mariner making a movie as they did back in the first year of the series; etc.), but other story beats (Ben Grimm is crazy Rich unlike Reed/Sue/Johnny; child welfare comes calling about the Richards's kids living in a battle-zone of an environment) are clever and in Ben's case, revealing. There's an overall ... sadness to these stories that I can't put my finger on, like even the Fantastic Four realizes their era is over and done, and that's a shame. Solid storytelling and well done story and art sees this collection fall under the helm of "I liked it." Also of note is the first reference by Sue about the bedroom delights of having a husband who can transform and stretch his entire body ... not sure if I like it or find kind crass, but it did make me smile.

[Ronald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fantastic Four Super Hero check list – GO!
1 Reid Richards (Mr. Fantastic) is distracted and aloof. Check
2 The Thing (Ben Grim) is suddenly super rich and acting stupid. Check
3 Johnny Storm (Human Torch) does not even count as 2nd fiddle and follow the Thing around blandly. Check
4 A Black Social Worker threatens to take the Richards Kids away and only the Invisible Woman is there to keep the family together (does it badly). Check

After reading several other compilations of comics written by the famous JMS I was not expecting much. But seriously he could not come up with one new idea to run with for the Fantastic Four? Even Superman grounded started with a great premise. But this run on the comic was so pedestrian it was disappointing.

[Adam Rodgers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fantastic Four are having money troubles - well all except the Thing who is loaded! Meanwhile a branch of the military is trying to replicate the event that created the FF, and social services have decided Franklin and Valeria may not be being raised in the safest environment.

This starts off well, Straczynski having a good handle on each of the FF and their family dynamics. Johnny and Ben are largely relegated to a comedy relief side-story where Ben tries to enjoy his new found wealth but can never make up for his monsterous appearance. Reed is succonded by some goverment agency to assist in the recreation of the experiement that granted the FF their powers while Sue is left to deal with social services that could potentially take their children away; accusing her and Reed of putting them at risk with their superhero hi-jinks. This is all before a cosmically powered alien shows up pursued by an alien armada.

As stories go this is okay and hi-lights the qualities of the FF that they are most loved for, but really this is Mr Fantastic's story. Reed gets to explore the FFs genesis and then the meaning of life itself.

Where the book shines is when the main cast get to demonstrate their strength as a family. Reed at one point is offered the answers of the Universe - but the price is to leave his family, a price he pleasingly wont even contemplate and would rather work out himself anyway. There is the potential for a better book here, but ultimately a more safe story is opted for that doesnt really progress the FF mythos but it doesnt tarnish it either.

[Paul Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the colorful, imaginative story. The entire 144-page novel is one story arc. It is kinda' neat that the story ultimately hinged on the deepest questions: why are we here? Why does the universe exist? What is the purpose of life? Some of the statements resonated: As I am, you may become. The notion that relations and moments matter far more than kings and wars. And Richards' musings near the end that he was losing details, that "Some things, it seems, are too big for the human mind to retain for very long."

Not surprisingly, the writers did not find the truth of the universe. The truth is that God created everything so intelligences could progress to become like Him. It is our choices to follow the path of good and right and honor and virtue that allow Him to raise us to live with Him again.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its funny, as I tend to think FF comics are either really good (like Byrne, Waid or Simonson's issues) or horribly bad (most other issues). But I think the start of Straczynski's run is solid without being spectacular....he has a good handle on the characters and the plots are very much in the same tune as the best on the series, but it's missing just a little bit of the wonder that characterizes their best adventures. I'd love to see what else he could do with the series, but sadly he's about to see his entire run hijacked by the atrocious Civil War crossover.

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

JMS takes a weird approach to the FF in that he is clearly most interested in Reed as a character. He kind of brushes Johnny and Ben aside with a (fun, but stupid) subplot about Ben is now rich or whatever (the attitude the story treats it with). Sue is stuck protecting the family from government bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Reed is discovering the mysteries of the universe and the origins of life and existence itself. It's a fun story, but I definitely was ready to get the gang back together by the end of it.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

JMS obviously has skills as a writer, but his trend toward rewriting origins proves more an annoyance here than increasing the import of his story. This yarn feels more like non-continuity sci fi story than having a place in the Fantastic Four mythos. I actually am uncertain if they've kept JMS's retcon as cannon. I feel like they ignore his changes to Spider-Man.

That all being said, JMS has good moments. He has more polish than your average comic writer, possibly from his screenwriting experience.

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some very, very good bits in this, especially the secondary plot bits about the kids of Reed and Sue and Ben's money. Even the main plot line has interesting bits but that really falls apart to stupid blubbering blop in the last issue. That was just stupid way to end a story, a bit like "it was just a dream...."

[Markel Tumlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big cosmic meaning of life issues that wind up celebrating less sensational aspects of existence. My favorite FF stories continue to be the Jack Kirby tales of my childhood. This isn’t one of those, but it’s okay. A lot of focus on Reed Richards in this one, if that’s your thing.

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this two years ago, ordered it from the library not realizing, and then remembered when i opened it. so glad to see the story holds up. it might be a little hard to follow, and a little out there, but the heart is there and that’s what fantastic four comics are.

[Damon H. Serota · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing job Mr. Straczynski

Loved the portrayal of Reed And Ben in this.

Sue as well. Johnny is, well, a hot head as usual. On par with the Galactus FF stories. Truly enjoyed reading this.

[Bookbabble · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gotta love a superhero story with social services and tax accountants. *Yawn*

[Simon Farrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story is only really worth a 3, the art by Mike McKone is bloody gorgeous bumping this book up to a 4.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book revisits the FF's origins in a way that is not especially fulfilling.

[July · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy bueno

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story. It blended reality,with Sue talking to the hated family services, and meta fiction, with Reed creating the universe, quite well.

[Jamil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuff

[Kiéran · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume collects the first five issues written by Straczynski, and includes a complete story arc set against the trademark Marvel heroes-with-problems back drop. The child welfare office is investigating to see if Franklin and Valeria have a suitable home, the government has seized the Richards' monetary assets so they can't afford to eat anything except beans'n'franks for dinner (though Ben finds out that he's rich), the IRS is auditing them... but in the meantime they have to go out and save the universe again. The story is more cosmological and philosophical in nature than many of the ones of the previous couple of decades, and I found it to be a welcome return to the spirit of the early days of the run. There's still a good leavening of humor, too. Likewise the art is very well done, particularly the broad astronomical vistas, though the characters for me will always look the way that Jack Kirby drew them. The book is a sturdy hardback with high-quality slick paper and vibrant coloring rather than a flimsy, stapled volume of newsprint, but the old-fashioned sense of wonder is still there.

[Dan Magaha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up at the local used bookstore a while back and finally read it this evening.

Of all of Marvel's "big franchises", I probably know the least about FF canon and in particular, where the characterizations of the main players have been taken recently. I recall the 90's sexification of Sue and the whole Reed-Sue-divorce thing, and (if I'm not mistaken) Franklin becoming the world's most dangerous kid, like that Twilight Zone episode where the kid could think anything and it would happen. In the late 80's I had some random intermittent FF issues I bought off spinner racks at drug stores and I know about the Negative Zone and Annihilus.

Now, where all that stuff stands today? You've got me. I actually assumed when I bought this that it was a reboot, Ultimates-style, but it turned out to be just a new arc in the venerable FF monthly series. I won't spoil the plot but suffice it to say it gets fairly pretentiously ambitious by the end, and I wasn't terribly impressed with the central conceit of the story.

With all that said, the action and character interaction is solid, and the art is crisp, colorful and satisfying. Liked it but didn't love it; not a keeper.

[Dmitry Yakovenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Four: Vol. 1 by J. Michael Straczynski, Fantastic Four: The Life Fantastic, Civil War: The Road to Civil War, Civil War: Fantastic Four.

После рана Уэйда последовал ряд историй ещё одного невероятно знаменитого автора – Джозефа Майкла Стражински, что заставил четвёрку сражаться не только кулаками с суперзлодеями, но и умом с бюрократами, что хотели отнять детей у Сью и Рида, а также сердцем заставлять выбирать сторону во время печально известной Гражданской Войны.

В своём ране Стражински достаточно много размышляет и поглубже залезает в головы центральной четвёрки персонажей, от того в его сюжетах не так много какого-либо яркого действия, зато много вопросов и попыток на них ответить. Завершает он ран подготовкой ФЧ к Гражданской Войне, а также будням команды в те тяжёлые дни. Великолепно показано то напряженное и печальное время войны, а также раскол внутри команды, после которого семья распалась. Наконец, такими великолепным этот ран делает рисунок Майка МакКоуна, что рисовал каждый выпуск, который писал Стражински.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice easy read, and yet it had a bit of depth to it. If you are familiar with the author from his work on Babylon 5, you may feel right at home as the author does delve into some philosophical issues of existence. The basic plot is that the U.S. Government is trying to replicate the flight that turned the family into the Fantastic Four. And they may be close to doing it too. And then, along the way, an alien shows up. Sounds a lot like business as usual for our heroes. The comics here still keep some of the classic humor and feel of the Fantastic Four. Though I will say the whole nanny/babysitter/child services subplot did feel a bit forced. The art in this series was very good as well. Fans of the Fantastic Four will likely be pleased with this volume.

Personally, a big reason I picked this up was because Straczynski was the author this time around. I was pleased overall. A nice little story to entertain on a nice afternoon.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was *very* JMS. The things Reed learns in here - the ultimate message - reminded me a lot of Babylon 5. That isn't a bad thing - it's part of what I love about B5.

Overall, though, I thought this book was okay, but not great. I didn't like Ben in here at all - the humor didn't quite fit, in my opinion. And the child services problem seemed very construed, but okay, apparently that sort of thing happens to the Fantastic Four a lot. I also wasn't a big fan of the art.

What I did like, though, was Reed's characterization and his quest for knowledge. And my favorite part about the Fantastic Four remains Reed and Sue's marriage.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writer J. Michael Straczynski gives some added emotional and intellectual depth to this above average FF saga. There is also some nice humor here as social services shows up to determine whether or not their home is a safe environment in which to raise children, and Ben gets a financial windfall. I enjoyed the idea of trying to replicate the original space flight that gave the FF their powers, and Reed's quest for knowledge gave the story some weight. Nicely done all around, with a good mix of action, drama, humor, and philosophy.

[Colm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. A weird trip back through the Fantastic Four's origins without doing a reboot, lots of metaphysics and astrophysics with a Carl Sagan feel to it, and an impressively villainous visit from child services which while officially nothing to do with Civil War takes a look at "What happens when you apply the standard metrics of bureaucracy to superheroes? How do they measure against the rules normal people have to abide by?" and therefore sets the kind of tone that leads to Civil War.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok adventure. Reed is asked to check out a science project by the government. At the same time, The Thing is coping with having money, and social services are checking up on the kids. There's some nice character moments with the Thing and some good space opera stuff too. Just read a lot better Fantastic Four books.