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Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four #2
Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four, Vol. 2
The early adventures of Marvel's First Family continues, featuring showdowns with the Incredible Hulk, Namor, Dr. Doom and the shape-shifting Super-Skrull, who has all the combined powers of the FF! Plus Ant-Man, Spider-Man and the mysterious Watcher!
291 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1988
63 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,566 books2,334 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 7, 2023
I have to admit that the Fantastic Four has never been one of my favored comic titles. I get that they are the "First Family" and as a member of a family that owned a comic shop where Dad owned it, Mom had a kiosk for family entertainment, and I managed my younger siblings, you would think that I would love it, but I didn't. The Storm-Grimm-Richards family was dysfunctional AF. Sure, they love each other, but in almost every issue somebody storms off like a whiny @$$#0l3, and if I were to be honest, occasionally my siblings would storm off, but that was rare. When you love the people around you, you get mad, you scream, you cry, but you don't abandon them. You get the job done, and then when there's a respite, then you storm off. Of course in 1963, during the second year of the "World's Greatest Comic," they were still figuring it out. Marvel Masterworks #6 is also Vol. 2 of the Fantastic Four collecting issues #11-19, and Annual #1 of the comic. Stan Lee wrote them, Jack Kirby drew them with a little help from Dick Ayers and Steve Ditko, with lettering by Art Simek, Sam Rosen, and Ray Holloway. One of my major concerns is the constant uselessness of the Invisible Girl who other than behave as a traitor to the team with her apparent pining for Namor the Submariner contributes very little to the first few stories. In fact, this was such a source of consternation even way back in 1963 that issue #11 attempts to argue for the times that she actually helped the team defeat a villain. In the intervening years, Sue has become a very powerful character in her own right, but back then I wanted Mr. Fantastic to drop her like a bad luck penny, coated in poop. The issue seems to be resolved in the Annual, but if you know anything about the Fantastic Four, the issue continues until the Invisible Girl becomes the Invisible Woman. Still, these are objective classic issues with the Hulk meeting the Thing for the first time, the creation of the Red Ghost, the Watcher, Rama-tut the Pharaoh, the Super Skrull, the Atlanteans, and Molecule Man.
June 24, 2012
This book collects issues 11-20 of the Fantastic Four along with the first annual. Highlights include a face-off with The Hulk, the return of Doctor Doom, and COMMUNIST SUPER-APES IN OUTER SPACE GOD HELP US ALL:
All of these issues were written way back in 1963, and it’s safe to say that they can feel pretty dated at times…
Wow, computers were pretty sweet in the ‘60s!! Not very portable, though. Anyway, you either enjoy the Stan Lee style or not. If the panels above made you groan, the last thing you need is 300 pages of this. There are no seminal issues in this collection. However, the quality of these early Fantastic Four issues really is a cut above most of Marvel’s other early work, and if you like this kind of stuff there’s plenty to enjoy here. 3 stars.
All of these issues were written way back in 1963, and it’s safe to say that they can feel pretty dated at times…
Wow, computers were pretty sweet in the ‘60s!! Not very portable, though. Anyway, you either enjoy the Stan Lee style or not. If the panels above made you groan, the last thing you need is 300 pages of this. There are no seminal issues in this collection. However, the quality of these early Fantastic Four issues really is a cut above most of Marvel’s other early work, and if you like this kind of stuff there’s plenty to enjoy here. 3 stars.
July 21, 2023
My journey into the original Fantastic Four run continues as Marvel Masterworks FF volume 2 contains issues 11-20 and Annual no. 1. Stan Lee's dialogue is still consistent and Jack Kirby's artwork progresses with each issue.
I did find it funny that in the beginning of issue 20, Reed Richards was holding this weird looking rock and was like, "this proves that there is life beyond earth!" My guy, you've just met AT LEAST three different alien lifeforms over the course of twenty issues already. You're not exactly living up to the whole smartest man on the team reputation.
The Invisible Woman, Sue Storm shines a bit more in this volume, instead of just being there. She fights a bit more and acknowledges the fans thoughts on her during the first 10 issues about how she's doesn't really do much for the team and would love to see her more in action. Her catchphrase throughout would be, "Oh, good heavens!"
The Thing remains the heart of the team in this volume. He and Johnny Storm continue to banter, but it's confirmed Johnny will gladly give his life for Ben's if they ever found themselves in a dire situation.
Lastly, I really don't like the whole Sue Storm trying to decide between Reed Richards or Namor plot.
But I would definitely recommend. I'm looking forward to the next 80 issues or so. I was told the entire 100 issue run by Lee and Kirby were worth reading. If they run for longer than 100, I'll read until Kirby stops, then dive into Jonathan Hickman's run.
I did find it funny that in the beginning of issue 20, Reed Richards was holding this weird looking rock and was like, "this proves that there is life beyond earth!" My guy, you've just met AT LEAST three different alien lifeforms over the course of twenty issues already. You're not exactly living up to the whole smartest man on the team reputation.
The Invisible Woman, Sue Storm shines a bit more in this volume, instead of just being there. She fights a bit more and acknowledges the fans thoughts on her during the first 10 issues about how she's doesn't really do much for the team and would love to see her more in action. Her catchphrase throughout would be, "Oh, good heavens!"
The Thing remains the heart of the team in this volume. He and Johnny Storm continue to banter, but it's confirmed Johnny will gladly give his life for Ben's if they ever found themselves in a dire situation.
Lastly, I really don't like the whole Sue Storm trying to decide between Reed Richards or Namor plot.
But I would definitely recommend. I'm looking forward to the next 80 issues or so. I was told the entire 100 issue run by Lee and Kirby were worth reading. If they run for longer than 100, I'll read until Kirby stops, then dive into Jonathan Hickman's run.
January 4, 2021
Fantastic Four 11-20, Annual #1 (1962-1963)
First Appearances of the Impossible Man, the Red Ghost and his Super Apes, the Watcher, the Blue Area of the Moon, the Mad Thinker and his Android purloined from Reed’s workshop, the Super-Skrull, Rama-Tut (Kang the Conqueror), and the Molecule Man.
With appearances from the Hulk, Ant-Man, Namor, Doctor Doom, and Willy Lumpkin.
The Marvel Age of Comics expands as the world explodes with ideas and an increasing development of a shared universe. While still shy of their peak, Lee and Kirby are starting to get a feel for the new rooms they have discovered in the language of comics.
The annual of Namor’s origin and invasion of New York was a milestone of the increasing epic productions the Marvel team was developing.
As with the previous 10 issues, as much as I want others to love these for the historical artifacts they are, I realize I cannot give these to people and expect them to understand their greatness.
(George R. R. Martin’s first published work is found in the letter column of issue #20)
First Appearances of the Impossible Man, the Red Ghost and his Super Apes, the Watcher, the Blue Area of the Moon, the Mad Thinker and his Android purloined from Reed’s workshop, the Super-Skrull, Rama-Tut (Kang the Conqueror), and the Molecule Man.
With appearances from the Hulk, Ant-Man, Namor, Doctor Doom, and Willy Lumpkin.
The Marvel Age of Comics expands as the world explodes with ideas and an increasing development of a shared universe. While still shy of their peak, Lee and Kirby are starting to get a feel for the new rooms they have discovered in the language of comics.
The annual of Namor’s origin and invasion of New York was a milestone of the increasing epic productions the Marvel team was developing.
As with the previous 10 issues, as much as I want others to love these for the historical artifacts they are, I realize I cannot give these to people and expect them to understand their greatness.
(George R. R. Martin’s first published work is found in the letter column of issue #20)
May 25, 2023
Jack Kirby and Stan Lee headline this second volume of Marvel’s first Family in this prestigious, high quality edition. Ant-Man (& the Wasp makes a cameo as well), Hulk, Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Impossible Man, & the Watcher join our fantastic foursome against the likes of the Red Ghost & his super-apes, the first appearance of Rama-Tut (aka the man who would be Kang), the Molecule Man, the Mad Thinker and his stolen Android, the Super-Skrull, and, of course, Doctor Doom. The art improves, if that’s even a possibility for Kirby, from the previous volume, and the style continues to look more and more like what most people would call Classic Kirby. Brilliant stuff and loads of fun. “Nuff said.”
August 11, 2018
The FF is back and better than ever! Namor--epic! The Watcher--inscrutable! Dr. Doom--nefarious! The Impossible Man--kooky! The team really hits its stride in this second collection of classic Silver Age issues.
BRING ON THE BAD GUYS: Dr. Doom, Namor, the Puppet Master and the Skrulls reappear; Puppet Master is still super weird, but Dr. Doom solidifies his position as a grand mastermind, while Namor pursues his reputation as Marvel's greatest 1960s antihero. Also appearing: the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes (yeah...), Rama-Tut (which represents the first appearance of a significant time traveler in another guise), and the over-powered Molecule Man. Overall, there's a decided slide away from aliens-and-commies-of-the-month and toward unique original creations and popular returning menaces.
LADYWATCH: Don't quote me on this, but I think only three named women appear in this entire collection: Sue, Alicia Masters, and Atlantean noblewoman Dorma. Not a great record. There is a little undercurrent of Stan and Jack seeming to want to justify Sue's place on the team, perhaps in response to critical letters, but of that's the goal, they're approaching it rather half-heartedly (though I cheer every time Sue kicks ass in some way). Alicia is a very gentle and humane presence who makes me feel filled with well-being. Dorma is an interesting, fiery presence I look forward to getting to know better.
SUPERHERO TEAMUP: Two major crossovers in this collection--first, the Fantastic Four meet the Hulk (very momentous), then Ant-Man helps them battle Dr. Doom (somewhat less momentous). The annual issue also features an extended re-telling of the FF's first encounter with Spider-Man.
COSMIC ENCOUNTERS: The first appearance of Uatu the Watcher, giving readers their first hint of the wider and more bizarre multiverse of cosmic beings that the Marvel Universe would have in store for them! Uatu perfectly sets up his entire character arc in his first pair of appearances: shows up, proclaims that he can take no part in the struggles of the FF, waits around just long enough for things to get dire, then totally takes a part. Come on, dude, everybody else in the cosmos colors inside their lines: the Collector collects, the Stranger stranges, Eternity eterns. Why can't you watch?!
CONTINUITY NOTES: No mention whatsoever of any of Johnny's concurrent adventures over in "Strange Tales," even when you think they might come up, like when they encounter Namor again. The Wasp appears in exactly one panel (oh yeah, she's a female character I forgot about) in the same month she first appears in Tales to Astonish, an interesting bit of in-story cross-promotion. The returning villains all have their past appearances cited.
BRING ON THE BAD GUYS: Dr. Doom, Namor, the Puppet Master and the Skrulls reappear; Puppet Master is still super weird, but Dr. Doom solidifies his position as a grand mastermind, while Namor pursues his reputation as Marvel's greatest 1960s antihero. Also appearing: the Red Ghost and his Super-Apes (yeah...), Rama-Tut (which represents the first appearance of a significant time traveler in another guise), and the over-powered Molecule Man. Overall, there's a decided slide away from aliens-and-commies-of-the-month and toward unique original creations and popular returning menaces.
LADYWATCH: Don't quote me on this, but I think only three named women appear in this entire collection: Sue, Alicia Masters, and Atlantean noblewoman Dorma. Not a great record. There is a little undercurrent of Stan and Jack seeming to want to justify Sue's place on the team, perhaps in response to critical letters, but of that's the goal, they're approaching it rather half-heartedly (though I cheer every time Sue kicks ass in some way). Alicia is a very gentle and humane presence who makes me feel filled with well-being. Dorma is an interesting, fiery presence I look forward to getting to know better.
SUPERHERO TEAMUP: Two major crossovers in this collection--first, the Fantastic Four meet the Hulk (very momentous), then Ant-Man helps them battle Dr. Doom (somewhat less momentous). The annual issue also features an extended re-telling of the FF's first encounter with Spider-Man.
COSMIC ENCOUNTERS: The first appearance of Uatu the Watcher, giving readers their first hint of the wider and more bizarre multiverse of cosmic beings that the Marvel Universe would have in store for them! Uatu perfectly sets up his entire character arc in his first pair of appearances: shows up, proclaims that he can take no part in the struggles of the FF, waits around just long enough for things to get dire, then totally takes a part. Come on, dude, everybody else in the cosmos colors inside their lines: the Collector collects, the Stranger stranges, Eternity eterns. Why can't you watch?!
CONTINUITY NOTES: No mention whatsoever of any of Johnny's concurrent adventures over in "Strange Tales," even when you think they might come up, like when they encounter Namor again. The Wasp appears in exactly one panel (oh yeah, she's a female character I forgot about) in the same month she first appears in Tales to Astonish, an interesting bit of in-story cross-promotion. The returning villains all have their past appearances cited.
January 17, 2023
This volume includes issues 11 to 20 of the original run of the Fantastic Four along with their first Annual issue, a 72-page extravaganza. As the cover suggests, the stories highlight appearances by other Marvel characters like the Hulk, Ant-Man, and Spider-man. Villains reoccur too, like Doctor Doom and the Skrulls. The Annual features a story where Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, reconnects with his lost underwater kingdom. He rallies the people to fight the humans on the surface of the Earth, leading to a global conflict that the Fantastic Four has to stop.
The stories are okay, some are more entertaining than others. Namor is an interesting villain since he is looking out for the good of his people and the ocean in general (though he does not come off like an environmentalist--he's far too aggressive). The storytelling gets a little to self-referential, especially when the characters talk about their comic books or the stories are flagged up as requests from the readers. The writing is bombastic, claiming each new issue as "the greatest challenge for our heroes" or "the direst threat the world has faced." The Fantastic Four are famous for their bickering, family-like relationships. When troubles happen, they work together well; during their down time, they get on each other's nerves. The camaraderie is playfully handled. As a writer, Lee struggles with Sue Storm/The Invisible Girl's character. At moments, she's treated very much like a damsel in distress or a woman focused on her appearance rather than a member of the team. At other times, she uses her abilities effectively, turning the tide against a foe. Overall, it's a mixed bag.
Mildly recommended--this is more for people interested in the original stories of the characters.
The stories are okay, some are more entertaining than others. Namor is an interesting villain since he is looking out for the good of his people and the ocean in general (though he does not come off like an environmentalist--he's far too aggressive). The storytelling gets a little to self-referential, especially when the characters talk about their comic books or the stories are flagged up as requests from the readers. The writing is bombastic, claiming each new issue as "the greatest challenge for our heroes" or "the direst threat the world has faced." The Fantastic Four are famous for their bickering, family-like relationships. When troubles happen, they work together well; during their down time, they get on each other's nerves. The camaraderie is playfully handled. As a writer, Lee struggles with Sue Storm/The Invisible Girl's character. At moments, she's treated very much like a damsel in distress or a woman focused on her appearance rather than a member of the team. At other times, she uses her abilities effectively, turning the tide against a foe. Overall, it's a mixed bag.
Mildly recommended--this is more for people interested in the original stories of the characters.
May 8, 2023
In many ways the crew has improved over the first ten issues regarding Kirby' firmer lines and Stan Lee's focus on the family dynamic. The humour is cheeky, but surprisingly funny. I loved the very first pages when they were discussing fan mail. Adorable
Still, many things I had issues with were prevalent here and I have just become more jaded. The stories are cheesy, which is something I can live with, but even I must roll my eyes too many times after so many ridiculous elements push the story forward. It becomes evermore apparent that Stan doesn't know what to do with Sue, i.e. maybe the only female face Kirby learnt to draw (even Ben accidentally refers to Alicia as Sue once; an oops on Stan's part). In the issue with the Hulk, after illustratively listing all the ways other members can help out with the situation, Sue's potential contribution is relegated to "moral support" in one speech bubble, and Reed agrees with it. I am glad she is getting her power shields in the next issue. Situation must change eventually
In any case, Sue's role is only a small issue in this volume. The stories are just not that engaging, but the characters still have a fun relationship.
Best issues: 16 and 17 (ALL HAIL DOOM!)
Worst issues: 14 and 20
Still, many things I had issues with were prevalent here and I have just become more jaded. The stories are cheesy, which is something I can live with, but even I must roll my eyes too many times after so many ridiculous elements push the story forward. It becomes evermore apparent that Stan doesn't know what to do with Sue, i.e. maybe the only female face Kirby learnt to draw (even Ben accidentally refers to Alicia as Sue once; an oops on Stan's part). In the issue with the Hulk, after illustratively listing all the ways other members can help out with the situation, Sue's potential contribution is relegated to "moral support" in one speech bubble, and Reed agrees with it. I am glad she is getting her power shields in the next issue. Situation must change eventually
In any case, Sue's role is only a small issue in this volume. The stories are just not that engaging, but the characters still have a fun relationship.
Best issues: 16 and 17 (ALL HAIL DOOM!)
Worst issues: 14 and 20
March 18, 2010
This one was a bit of a chore to get through compared to volume 1, which at least had the novelty of Lee and Kirby sort of figuring things out. The one advantage this volume has compared to the first is that Lee and Kirby finally stopped relying on the boring Sub-Mariner (who only appears once) and introduced some new villains.
January 1, 2012
The first story tries to stick up for the importance of Sue on the team and pretty much fails. I have a better understanding of how different and fresh Storm and Phoenix may have appeared to readers seeing this story. It took me months to make it through this volume and I would not have even tried without Kirby's art.
April 5, 2023
Gems include the 1st Thing v. Hulk, Puppet Master controlling Namor, Ant-Man v. Doom, Doom kidnapping Alicia, "Sub-Mariner v. Human Race!", FF's 1st meeting w/ Spidey, & debuts of Willie Lumpkin, Red Ghost & Super-Apes, Mad Thinker & Awesome Andy, Super-Skrull, Rama-Tut, & Molecule Man
October 19, 2025
This book collects most of the Fantastic Four comic books from 1963, issues 11 through 20 including the first Annual. It would be a couple issues before Jack Kirby's imagination would be let completely loose to come up with some incredible ideas, but this run has its share of good stuff, too.
The Marvel Comics worldscape was tightening - the FF met up with the Hulk and Ant-Man during these issues. The first two appearances of the Watcher come in this book - though Lee very quickly made him into a deus ex machina of sorts, the concept of a race of beings who merely observed the rest of the universe was a fascinating one, and at least relatively well done in these two issues. Villains the Red Ghost, the Mad Thinker, the Super Skrull, and the Molecule Man show up for the first time. Dr. Doom, the Puppet Master, and Sub-Mariner recur. And there's whatever one wants to think of the Impossible Man.
The characterizations of the FF members are becoming sharper, and you can feel Lee and Kirby trying hard to find ways to make the Invisible Girl - she wasn't called a Woman for a few more decades - useful. I think the next volume they up the ante on her powers.
Some of the stories are absurd, especially the extra-long Annual in which the Sub-Mariner is suddenly restored to the throne of Atlantis and uses his ability to control all undersea life in ridiculous manner to conquer the world. But for the most part, these comics, almost none of which I had read before as even when I was accumulating back issues of Marvel Comics in the late 70s, the early FF books were out of my price range, are remarkably entertaining. It's easy to tell why Marvel Comics were making waves at the time.
The Marvel Comics worldscape was tightening - the FF met up with the Hulk and Ant-Man during these issues. The first two appearances of the Watcher come in this book - though Lee very quickly made him into a deus ex machina of sorts, the concept of a race of beings who merely observed the rest of the universe was a fascinating one, and at least relatively well done in these two issues. Villains the Red Ghost, the Mad Thinker, the Super Skrull, and the Molecule Man show up for the first time. Dr. Doom, the Puppet Master, and Sub-Mariner recur. And there's whatever one wants to think of the Impossible Man.
The characterizations of the FF members are becoming sharper, and you can feel Lee and Kirby trying hard to find ways to make the Invisible Girl - she wasn't called a Woman for a few more decades - useful. I think the next volume they up the ante on her powers.
Some of the stories are absurd, especially the extra-long Annual in which the Sub-Mariner is suddenly restored to the throne of Atlantis and uses his ability to control all undersea life in ridiculous manner to conquer the world. But for the most part, these comics, almost none of which I had read before as even when I was accumulating back issues of Marvel Comics in the late 70s, the early FF books were out of my price range, are remarkably entertaining. It's easy to tell why Marvel Comics were making waves at the time.
January 23, 2024
--2.5 stars rounded down--
I was excited going into this as I'd really started to enjoy the series towards the end of the first volume (after a shaky first few issues). In this volume, the reverse happened - I enjoyed the first few issues and then gradually my enthusiasm started to wane.
People keep commenting about how Stan clearly doesn't know what to do with Sue, and I do agree, but it's not much of an issue for me in comparison to the same old problem Stan has (at least at this stage) of ruining the pacing of pretty much every single issue and, in many cases, turning them into a bit of a drag.
My preferred issues were #13 (with The Red Ghost), and #14 (with Sub Mariner). Annual #1 was good too, although by this point in the collection I had already started skipping over a lot of Stan's captioning. I also enjoyed #15 (The Mad Thinker), although this was partly because of the ridiculousness of a character whose special ability is constantly saying 'as I expected', no matter what happens.
By the end, I just couldn't be bothered to read #19 or #20 and, from this point on, I'll only be reading specially selected issues of these early Marvel books, unless something really grabs me, as it's all becoming a bit tiresome.
Highlights: #13, #14, #15 Annual #1
I was excited going into this as I'd really started to enjoy the series towards the end of the first volume (after a shaky first few issues). In this volume, the reverse happened - I enjoyed the first few issues and then gradually my enthusiasm started to wane.
People keep commenting about how Stan clearly doesn't know what to do with Sue, and I do agree, but it's not much of an issue for me in comparison to the same old problem Stan has (at least at this stage) of ruining the pacing of pretty much every single issue and, in many cases, turning them into a bit of a drag.
My preferred issues were #13 (with The Red Ghost), and #14 (with Sub Mariner). Annual #1 was good too, although by this point in the collection I had already started skipping over a lot of Stan's captioning. I also enjoyed #15 (The Mad Thinker), although this was partly because of the ridiculousness of a character whose special ability is constantly saying 'as I expected', no matter what happens.
By the end, I just couldn't be bothered to read #19 or #20 and, from this point on, I'll only be reading specially selected issues of these early Marvel books, unless something really grabs me, as it's all becoming a bit tiresome.
Highlights: #13, #14, #15 Annual #1
May 16, 2023
Some pretty goofy stories. Overall I feel like its a bit of a step-down from the first volume. The best villains here are ones we've seen before Doctor Doom and Namor namely.
We get the introduction of The Watcher, a team-up with Ant-Man, a little battle with the criminal Spider-Man, a run in with The Hulk. One of the better stories is the FF going back in time and battling time-travelling Pharaoh Rama-Tut, a tyrant of a man who lived in 3000 AD but got bored with how peaceful everything was.
Stan Lee is doing his best to ruin the pacing with his text which I admittedly skim.
Most of the stories start with some new big bad with outrageous powers and even more outrageous goals. Usually the goal taking over the world... and the only thing that stands in their way is the Fantastic Four! The Fantastic Four struggles to beat them but they figure out a way.
There's usually a scene of the FF just hanging around - Thing and Johnny getting into little fights. It's quite nice actually. So many superhero books sort of forget that these people are humans. Little slice of life moments makes the book so much more powerful.
We get the introduction of The Watcher, a team-up with Ant-Man, a little battle with the criminal Spider-Man, a run in with The Hulk. One of the better stories is the FF going back in time and battling time-travelling Pharaoh Rama-Tut, a tyrant of a man who lived in 3000 AD but got bored with how peaceful everything was.
Stan Lee is doing his best to ruin the pacing with his text which I admittedly skim.
Most of the stories start with some new big bad with outrageous powers and even more outrageous goals. Usually the goal taking over the world... and the only thing that stands in their way is the Fantastic Four! The Fantastic Four struggles to beat them but they figure out a way.
There's usually a scene of the FF just hanging around - Thing and Johnny getting into little fights. It's quite nice actually. So many superhero books sort of forget that these people are humans. Little slice of life moments makes the book so much more powerful.
June 5, 2018
This volume introduces some great, new characters to the Marvel Universe: Impossible Man, the Watcher, and the Super-Skrull, for example. Also has the first meeting between the Thing and the Hulk, and of course more adventures with Sub-Mariner and Doctor Doom.
The constant sidelining of Sue Storm is getting tiresome, so I'm looking forward to seeing that change as I know it eventually does. There's a panel in this volume where Reed Richards defends Sue's value to the team by talking about how she keeps up the morale of the male members. "Different times," yada yada, but it's a huge distraction for me.
The volume wraps up with Fantastic Four Annual #1, which is a cool way to close. It's a huge, exciting story in which Sub-Mariner has finally found his lost people and leads them in an invasion of New York City. That battle has some truly exciting moments, even by today's standards.
The constant sidelining of Sue Storm is getting tiresome, so I'm looking forward to seeing that change as I know it eventually does. There's a panel in this volume where Reed Richards defends Sue's value to the team by talking about how she keeps up the morale of the male members. "Different times," yada yada, but it's a huge distraction for me.
The volume wraps up with Fantastic Four Annual #1, which is a cool way to close. It's a huge, exciting story in which Sub-Mariner has finally found his lost people and leads them in an invasion of New York City. That battle has some truly exciting moments, even by today's standards.
March 25, 2021
This volume of FF stories has some great stuff in it. But I didn't find it had the same momentum as the first volume of the earliest stories. There's always some silliness and camp in early Marvel, but the early stories were also animated by more tension and more on-the-fly invention as Kirby and Lee figured out how this new world and its inhabitants were going to work. After developing that world as one with more emotional complexity than usual superhero fare of the time, this volume sees Lee largely squander that nuance in favor of one-shot comic relief character (like a visitor from the planet Poppup) or silliness that lessens the power of actual villains (like Dr. Doom's tiny world, where he can imprison and kill the FF... once he shrinks them down to tiny size first, of course). Looking forward ton the next volume!
September 2, 2024
The Marvel Age marches on! It’s hard to believe that concurrently while writing the next ten issues, Stan and Jack were also penning and penciling five other books and making ten different characters. The action is still as zany as ever, but the relationships are better defined. Annual #1 is a seminal story for the FF’s relationship with the Sub-Mariner. Sue Storm finally settles herself on Reed afterwards, it seems.
The Thing is at his best with the quips and jokes. It is fitting that the most tragic character is also the most comical.
If you read the first one, you can’t pass up this collection. ‘60s Americana action/adventure at its best in comic form.
The Thing is at his best with the quips and jokes. It is fitting that the most tragic character is also the most comical.
If you read the first one, you can’t pass up this collection. ‘60s Americana action/adventure at its best in comic form.
January 7, 2021
The second group of ten issues of the “World’s Greatest Magazine” is not so great. The stories remain formulaic, often beginning with the Thing and Human Torch acting like a couple of seven-year-olds fighting, Reed pining for Sue who can’t understand her feelings for the Sub-Mariner, and plots that resolve themselves easily in one issue. The only bright shining moment is that Lee finally gives the Invisible Woman some more powers other than just the ability to make herself invisible. Only for the dedicated fan.
April 3, 2018
Unlike some of the other Masterworks, this volume is hard to enjoy. It's goofy, wordy silver age comics but without any of the heart that makes you like it as much. Sue is basically useless in this volume, Johnny just gets beat up all the time, Thing/Ben Grimm literally repeats his rage and Richards is the only reasonable character. Honestly, the best parts of this collection are when: they meet Spiderman, and the Dr.Doom issues. Outside of that it's hard to enjoy.
June 27, 2020
Another great volume of FF comics! I read this with my four-year-olds during the 2020 pandemic quarantine. They were super into the stories and able to follow along with what was happening in each issue. I admit my frustration with Sue's being pretty useless (sorry, issue #11, but I'm on board with those letter-writers who wrote in to express this sentiment), but I know she comes more into her own in future volumes.
May 20, 2022
Siguen sin ser geniales, y muchas veces Sue sigue siendo la damisela en apuros, pero siento que de a poco le están dando a su personaje más chances de mostrar por qué está en el equipo, muuuy de a poco, pero por algo se empieza.
Me gustó la aparición de otros personajes, como Ant-Man, Spider-Man y Hulk. El de Spidey ya lo había leído hace un tiempo, pero me sigue dando risay un poco de cringe.
Me gustó la aparición de otros personajes, como Ant-Man, Spider-Man y Hulk. El de Spidey ya lo había leído hace un tiempo, pero me sigue dando risa
April 23, 2018
The Fantastic Four continue to do their job and do it well, as in they continue to entertain me. There is always plenty of action from the moon and back, under the sea, far into the past, and down into the teeny weeny itsy bitsy microscopic world. Only Marvel could bring us a love triangle involving a woman, a rubber band, and a fish. (Take that, Guillermo del Toro!)
September 11, 2024
Lee and Kirby continue to flesh out their heroes and villains. The completely contained narratives can make individual issues feel less essential. There are still plenty of nonsensical "scientific" explanations for solutions that are either wildly dangerous or just utterly incoherent. Still, they're fun. The vibrancy of these early characters still resonates sixty years later.
April 19, 2020
Some of this nearly 60-year-old material does not date well, most especially in the characterization of lone female FF4 member Sue Storm. Lee and Kirby still deliver mostly entertaining storytelling and art respectively. Especially enjoyed the longer Sub-Mariner story from the first FF4 Annual where Kirby's imaginative renderings of the undersea world of Atlantis shine.
December 22, 2024
DNF
Going to skip to some later issues of the Lee/Kirby run because these early one-offs honestly blow. It’s a chore to read and one I don’t have the patience for with so much good material out there.
Going to skip to some later issues of the Lee/Kirby run because these early one-offs honestly blow. It’s a chore to read and one I don’t have the patience for with so much good material out there.
November 14, 2018
/ so sorry for spamming y'all with all these updates. just discovered that Marvel Masterworks are on Goodreads! ;)
January 5, 2019
A little more polished than the first volume, but we're still waiting for this team to really start to shine.
August 14, 2019
Calificación: 5
December 31, 2019
Continuing reading Marvel...
March 29, 2021
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews