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Fantastic Four Omnibus
Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 5
You didn't think we were going to stop with Vol. 4, did you? Marvel presents a fifth oversized Omnibus of the series that started it all! Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, John Buscema and Rich Buckler continue the FF's adventures as the Frightful Four launch a surprise attack with their newest member - Thundra - that pushes Reed and Sue to the breaking point! And when Sue leaves the team, an Inhuman joins the FF. Who will it be? Also featuring Agatha Harkness, world's creepiest babysitter; Annihilus' plan to harness the enormous powers of Franklin Richards; the return of the Silver Surfer; Namor's invasion of New York; a royal wedding; and, of course, Doctor Doom! Plus: All four of the FF's Giant-Size adventures, letters pages and more! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (1961) #126-163, GIANT-SIZE SUPER-STARS #1, GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR (1974) #2-4 and AVENGERS (1963) #127.
1008 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1975
3 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,480 books272 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 30, 2025
2.5 Stars
Most of these reviews are actually from when I read these issues in 2017-2018. I do own this omnibus, but I didn’t reread this whole uneven era of the Four. It tends to range from fine to awful. There is good stuff, but I’d say this omnibus is a “fans only” buy in.
Fantastic Four #126 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Way It Began!”
The first full retelling of the Four’s origins with a great homage cover. I really like the opening, even if that kind of thing has become cliche today. The Four squabbling is fine, but it does seem to get intense for no other reason than to start one of my least favorite ongoing plots of the 70s. Thomas lampshades the origin retelling by having Ben say, “I been carryin’ on a regular talk show with myself-- an’ I don’t know why,” at the end of the flashbacks. It’s all around adequate, and mostly interesting as a jumping-on point for the series, though this isn’t where I’d start anyone I was introducing to the FF.
Fantastic Four #127 ⧫ 2 Stars “Where the Sun Dares Not Shine!”
Is Ben imaging Alicia in the shower on panel four of page 3? It looks like bubbles swirling around her. Ben’s stuff, I like; Everyone else's? Not so much. The Reed-Sue rift widens as Johnny continues to be moonstruck over Crystal. The Mole Man has a new plan, and a nobody Iron Man character returns. That along with the weird and silly ending make this rather dull.
Fantastic Four #128 ⧫ 2 Stars “Death in a Dark and Lonely Place!”
The adventuring stuff early on is good, but the end is a mess. Reed can perfectly disguise as a moloid? Sure, I guess. There’s like four double crosses, during which the Mole Man forgets about his plan to destroy the surface world and so does everyone else, including the reader.
Fantastic Four #129 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Frightful Four–Plus One!”
Thundra! She’s one of the main draws of this series, and she shows up surprisingly fully formed. True, she’s kind of a stereotype, but her complexity gets shown almost immediately. THe less good stuff involves the continuing disintegration of the team with Johnny being kind of a child, and the Sue-Reed crap getting ready to melt down. A very mixed issue with some great art.
Fantastic Four #130 ⧫ 3 Stars “Battleground: The Baxter Building!”
This one is strong until the final pages when one of my least favorite plots kicks in, and Jerk-Reed returns. However, the Frightful Four are always fun, and the battles with them throughout the issue are great. Johnny’s return to the great refuge is also strong with Buscema’s artwork really giving emotion to the situations.
Fantastic Four #131 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Revolt in Paradise!”
The Johnny, Pietro, and Crystal stuff is really the only thing that works. The Omega storyline is crap.
Fantastic Four #132 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Omega! The Ultimate Enemy!”
½ Star for the start, 4 Stars for the Epilogue–Skip to the fantastic epilogue with Medusa joining the team, and Johnny and Ben’s interaction. The rest is really bad. The Omega storyline is muddled, and Thomas’ attempt at an anti-slavery narrative is borderline offensive as not only has he turned the Inhumans into heartless slavers, it’s all about how those slavers feel.
Fantastic Four #133 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Thundra at Dawn!”
From the melancholy opening, which is sort of an extension of the excellent epilogue, to the big fight, this issue is really strong. There are a few oddities: how did Thundra get her message on that marquee, and how did she beat up the Trapster and release Alicia at the end? However, the superb guest artist, Ramona Fradon, and some wonderful colors enliven a strong Thing-centered tale.
Fantastic Four #134 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “A Dragon Stalks the Skies!”
Gideon has managed to become less interesting since his first appearance a hundred issues ago. He’s a supervillain stereotype rather than a business stereotype, and his plot is convoluted… again. There’s some nice bits with Sue and Johnny, but overall, it’s not of much note.
Fantastic Four #135 ⧫ 2 Stars “he Eternity Machine”
The team works together to escape, and there’s a nice epilogue. Unfortunately, there’s far too much Gideon and his silly plan.
Fantastic Four #136 ⧫ ½ Star “Rock Around the Cosmos!”
See next issue.
Fantastic Four #137 ⧫ ½ Star “Rumble on Planet 3”
These two issues are near incoherent nonsense, and pretty much entirely skippable. It’s a mess of a story with everyone out of character. The “can do anything” Shaper of Worlds can’t do anything right, let alone stay consistent. They try to add a race relations message at the end, and it’s just.. Bad… really bad.
Fantastic Four #138 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Madness Is... the Miracle Man!”
Wyatt’s back! Unfortunately, outside of the graduation and Johnny’s reflection on it, this story is crap and brings back one of the most forgettable villains ever, except he’s got godlike powers because of racism…
Fantastic Four #139 ⧫ 1 Star “Target: Tomorrow!”
Some okay setup for the next plot can’t overwhelm the crap fight and crap ending. Seeing the team work together with Wyatt’s tribe is kind of cool, but that’s about all there is that’s good in this story.
Fantastic Four #140 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Annihilus Revealed!”
I’m not a fan of Buscema’s Annihilus. He looks like he’s wearing an oversized pink jumpsuit and has a buck tooth. That said, this issue brings the team back together to face Annihilus again. It also includes his origin, which is very 50s science fictiony, and I rather love it. If not for the way Annihilus looks and Reed’s absentmindedness at the start, then this would be a bit higher.
Fantastic Four #141 ⧫ 3 Stars “The End of the Fantastic Four!”
This issue is much more cluttered, but still fairly fun. The cover is a classic silly cover, and it actually reflects the story of the book! There’s a bit too much running around in the middle, and the ending is rushed, but this storyline is one of Conway’s best.
Fantastic Four #142 ⧫ 3 Stars “No Friend Beside Him!”
A rather uneven start, but a decent one. Darkoth isn’t terribly inspired, and the twist ending is somewhat predictable. However, there are nice moments for the four, and I especially like the more outgoing and vivacious Medusa. It’s kind of a shame that I don’t think it lasts.
Fantastic Four #143 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Terrible Triumph of Doctor Doom!”
That table in front of Doom disappeared between issues. After that little fun at the start, things rapidly deteriorate as the heroes go through similar beats to the last issue except more exaggerated, like when Johnny nearly kills Wyatt. Doom’s plan is also revealed to be stupid, so I’m calling Doombot.
Fantastic Four #144 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Attack!”
More nonsensical action as Doom’s plan and the plot’s coherence implode simultaneously. Oh, and there’s another couple-page-filling Doom android. Lame.
Fantastic Four #145 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Nightmare in the Snow!”
I like the en-media-res opening quite a lot, but the episode declines into nonsense quickly. I’m down for a Yeti story, but when the Yetis become 70s Bond villains, I get a little bored. The art is fairly strong, and it’s nice to see a Johnny and Medusa team-up. These just can’t quite overcome the inanity of the villain.
Fantastic Four #146 ⧫ 3 Stars “Doomsday: 200° Below!”
The conclusion is a bit stronger since it features Johnny and Medusa grappling with his issues from #141. I also like the giant ice caverns and the ancient thing they find at the end. The sexy girl yeti is weird, but rather of the time, and the story doesn’t really improve. However, some character development is always nice even when it takes place while following a sexy yeti in a bikini through an underground ice cave.
Giant-Size Super-Stars #1 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Mind of the Monster!”
The Thing and Banner’s camaraderie along with some Thundra fun make this issue a very enjoyable read. I like the switch-up with the Hulk-Thing fights, especially given that in reading order, they just fought in Marvel Feature #11. The anticlimactic, nonsensical ending and the fact that I don’t think this affects Thundra at all bring this episode down, but not quite out.
Fantastic Four #147 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Sub-Mariner Strikes!”
I like the first part with Reed receiving the notice. I'm less fond of the broken up Namor fight, misunderstanding, second Namor fight, and the ending. Would the FF really just leave without any questions? Is this an Avengers #200 situation? I don’t know, but I’m pretty dissatisfied.
Fantastic Four #148 ⧫ 3 Stars “War on the Thirty-Sixth Floor!”
Okay, the frightful four are back and the FF are so distracted by events with Namor and Sue that they barely register the infiltration. Thundra returns, and I’m really starting to like her complexity, though she doesn’t seem to remember Giant-Size Super-Stars #1. It’s a fighty-fight issue, but the emotional turmoil of the four and Thundra development help to bolster what could be just another Frightful Four attack story.
Fantastic Four #149 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “To Love, Honor, and Destroy!”
Wow, that was dumb. I understand Medusa’s motivation, but everyone else seems pushed too far. I’ve liked the emotion in the past few issues, yet the way it’s handled here is just ridiculous. Also, Namor and Sue need to be completely out of character for any of this to work.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Cataclysm!”
It’s okay filler with a bit of a fun twist, but nothing to write home about. Don’t think about the plot at all because it doesn’t make any sense.
Avengers #127 ⧫ 3 Stars “Bride and Doom!”
The Omega stuff really doesn’t work, but all the nice little character touches do. I like the Wanda, Pietro, and Quicksilver stuff. I even think Mantis somewhat works, but Swordsman is unbearable.
Fantastic Four #150 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Ultron-7: He'll Rule the World!”
Similarly to Avengers #127, FF #150 carries over the same stupid villain problem while having some strong character moments. It has more character and less plot, so it comes out a bit better. The Johnny and Crystal stuff has a satisfying conclusion.
Fantastic Four #151 ⧫ 3.75 Stars “Thundra and Lightning”
The villain may be stupid, but I love all the team interactions and Thundra character development. After these issues of character development, I’m going to be sad next issue when the plot kicks back in. It also has a fantastic cliff hanger!
Fantastic Four #152 ⧫ 3 Stars “A World of Madness Made!”
Some interesting action in the bridge issue. I like that the team immediately springs into action to help Thundra. It’s just nice to have a team again, and it continues next issue!
Fantastic Four #153 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Worlds in Collision!”
I really like the resolution of the cliffhanger. The drama is dismissed and the team works together! Again! I wish the early seventies had been more like this. Unfortunately, the resolution of the story is nonsense, and really brings down an okay story arc.
Fantastic Four #154 ⧫ 1 Star “The Man in the Mystery Mask!”
Mostly a reprint of Strange Tales #127, this story and its reveal are quite dumb. The reprint features Ben and Johnny at their worst, and the wraparound is just stupid.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #3 ⧫ 2 Stars “Where Lurks Death... Ride the Four Horsemen!”
The two stars are mostly for the extended clobberin’ time joke and the defeat of the FF duplicates. Otherwise, this is a pretty, but boring battle issue.
Fantastic Four #155 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Battle Royal!”
So, the Silver Surfer attacks the FF, which can be fine, but just look at how much the dialogue has to cover for the lack of action in the art. It literally goes from the Human Torch charging the Surfer to the Surfer blasting Reed and Medusa with only a frantic dialogue bubble to fill the gap. The explanation for the story seems far too convenient, and the epilogue in issue 157 is not enough to explain the tons of convenience in this story. The art is nice, but the story is meh.
Fantastic Four #156 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Middle Game!”
I suppose seeing the last issue from another perspective is cool, but I wasn’t that into the fight. Doom’s plan continues to be highly convenient. Our heroes do a few cool things while the Silver Surfer continues to be an indecisive idiot.
Fantastic Four #157 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Endgame Cometh!”
And they fight a big robot… This one is a little better thanks to some Shalla-Bal stuff, but this three parter is a reason why I think most 70s Doom appearances are actually malfunctioning Doombots.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 ⧫ 3 Stars “Madrox the Multiple Man”
I did not know Madrox first appeared in a random 70s cash grab. Like all of these, this is essentially a long fight book with some framing. The mystery around Madrox is fine, but his origin isn’t all that inspiring. It’s good enough, and better things will come from this.
Fantastic Four #158 ⧫ 1 Star “Invasion From the 5th (Count It, 5th!) Dimension”
The first couple pages with Ben and Johnny are good; then, it goes quickly downhill with Reed being an ass and outright snubbing Medusa. Next for good measure, Roy Thomas brings back a Strange Tales villain from one of the more forgettable stories in a possible attempt to get readers to buy the reprint title (Out now! Well, then...). I just cannot with the 70s Marvel right now. Maybe I was too hard on the Surfer/Doom issues.
Fantastic Four #159 ⧫ ½ Star “Havoc in the Hidden Land!”
Nonsensical action and a plot that shifts around at will. It starts with Reed being an utter dick; did Roy Thomas not like him? The art does not help here as it’s mostly bad. It continues with standard FF stuff. About the only thing I like is the surprise guest.
Fantastic Four #160 ⧫ 4 Stars “In One World–And Out the Other!”
Okay, this is great. The team is back together! The use of past stories enhances them rather than rehashes them. This sets up several great plot threads during character development that actually pay off in a few issues. There hasn’t been a more drastic change of quality in the series since my split between the main story and the epilogue of issue 132.
Fantastic Four #161 ⧫ 4 Stars “All the World Wars at Once!”
Building tension? More character development? The plot thickens? If this keeps up, I may have to change my opinion about Mr. Thomas’ FF run.
Fantastic Four #162 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Shape of Things to Come!”
Okay, still enjoying it. The explanation is fine. The cliffhanger nearly made me laugh out loud. At least, I’m not wearin’ hockey pads… oh wait…
Fantastic Four #163 ⧫ 3 Stars “Finale!”
Gaard is still dumb, but the pathos around his defeat is really effective. I really wish Sue had been more involved. Thomas still excludes her for some reason. However, my main problem is actually that this ended too quickly. We don’t really get any epilogues with anyone, and that’s a shame. It should have been five parts! An epilogue issue with the characters chatting and resolving things would have been great. Too bad they didn’t do that in the 70s. I really hope Thomas can keep this up.
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Most of these reviews are actually from when I read these issues in 2017-2018. I do own this omnibus, but I didn’t reread this whole uneven era of the Four. It tends to range from fine to awful. There is good stuff, but I’d say this omnibus is a “fans only” buy in.
Fantastic Four #126 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Way It Began!”
The first full retelling of the Four’s origins with a great homage cover. I really like the opening, even if that kind of thing has become cliche today. The Four squabbling is fine, but it does seem to get intense for no other reason than to start one of my least favorite ongoing plots of the 70s. Thomas lampshades the origin retelling by having Ben say, “I been carryin’ on a regular talk show with myself-- an’ I don’t know why,” at the end of the flashbacks. It’s all around adequate, and mostly interesting as a jumping-on point for the series, though this isn’t where I’d start anyone I was introducing to the FF.
Fantastic Four #127 ⧫ 2 Stars “Where the Sun Dares Not Shine!”
Is Ben imaging Alicia in the shower on panel four of page 3? It looks like bubbles swirling around her. Ben’s stuff, I like; Everyone else's? Not so much. The Reed-Sue rift widens as Johnny continues to be moonstruck over Crystal. The Mole Man has a new plan, and a nobody Iron Man character returns. That along with the weird and silly ending make this rather dull.
Fantastic Four #128 ⧫ 2 Stars “Death in a Dark and Lonely Place!”
The adventuring stuff early on is good, but the end is a mess. Reed can perfectly disguise as a moloid? Sure, I guess. There’s like four double crosses, during which the Mole Man forgets about his plan to destroy the surface world and so does everyone else, including the reader.
Fantastic Four #129 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Frightful Four–Plus One!”
Thundra! She’s one of the main draws of this series, and she shows up surprisingly fully formed. True, she’s kind of a stereotype, but her complexity gets shown almost immediately. THe less good stuff involves the continuing disintegration of the team with Johnny being kind of a child, and the Sue-Reed crap getting ready to melt down. A very mixed issue with some great art.
Fantastic Four #130 ⧫ 3 Stars “Battleground: The Baxter Building!”
This one is strong until the final pages when one of my least favorite plots kicks in, and Jerk-Reed returns. However, the Frightful Four are always fun, and the battles with them throughout the issue are great. Johnny’s return to the great refuge is also strong with Buscema’s artwork really giving emotion to the situations.
Fantastic Four #131 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Revolt in Paradise!”
The Johnny, Pietro, and Crystal stuff is really the only thing that works. The Omega storyline is crap.
Fantastic Four #132 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Omega! The Ultimate Enemy!”
½ Star for the start, 4 Stars for the Epilogue–Skip to the fantastic epilogue with Medusa joining the team, and Johnny and Ben’s interaction. The rest is really bad. The Omega storyline is muddled, and Thomas’ attempt at an anti-slavery narrative is borderline offensive as not only has he turned the Inhumans into heartless slavers, it’s all about how those slavers feel.
Fantastic Four #133 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Thundra at Dawn!”
From the melancholy opening, which is sort of an extension of the excellent epilogue, to the big fight, this issue is really strong. There are a few oddities: how did Thundra get her message on that marquee, and how did she beat up the Trapster and release Alicia at the end? However, the superb guest artist, Ramona Fradon, and some wonderful colors enliven a strong Thing-centered tale.
Fantastic Four #134 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “A Dragon Stalks the Skies!”
Gideon has managed to become less interesting since his first appearance a hundred issues ago. He’s a supervillain stereotype rather than a business stereotype, and his plot is convoluted… again. There’s some nice bits with Sue and Johnny, but overall, it’s not of much note.
Fantastic Four #135 ⧫ 2 Stars “he Eternity Machine”
The team works together to escape, and there’s a nice epilogue. Unfortunately, there’s far too much Gideon and his silly plan.
Fantastic Four #136 ⧫ ½ Star “Rock Around the Cosmos!”
See next issue.
Fantastic Four #137 ⧫ ½ Star “Rumble on Planet 3”
These two issues are near incoherent nonsense, and pretty much entirely skippable. It’s a mess of a story with everyone out of character. The “can do anything” Shaper of Worlds can’t do anything right, let alone stay consistent. They try to add a race relations message at the end, and it’s just.. Bad… really bad.
Fantastic Four #138 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Madness Is... the Miracle Man!”
Wyatt’s back! Unfortunately, outside of the graduation and Johnny’s reflection on it, this story is crap and brings back one of the most forgettable villains ever, except he’s got godlike powers because of racism…
Fantastic Four #139 ⧫ 1 Star “Target: Tomorrow!”
Some okay setup for the next plot can’t overwhelm the crap fight and crap ending. Seeing the team work together with Wyatt’s tribe is kind of cool, but that’s about all there is that’s good in this story.
Fantastic Four #140 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Annihilus Revealed!”
I’m not a fan of Buscema’s Annihilus. He looks like he’s wearing an oversized pink jumpsuit and has a buck tooth. That said, this issue brings the team back together to face Annihilus again. It also includes his origin, which is very 50s science fictiony, and I rather love it. If not for the way Annihilus looks and Reed’s absentmindedness at the start, then this would be a bit higher.
Fantastic Four #141 ⧫ 3 Stars “The End of the Fantastic Four!”
This issue is much more cluttered, but still fairly fun. The cover is a classic silly cover, and it actually reflects the story of the book! There’s a bit too much running around in the middle, and the ending is rushed, but this storyline is one of Conway’s best.
Fantastic Four #142 ⧫ 3 Stars “No Friend Beside Him!”
A rather uneven start, but a decent one. Darkoth isn’t terribly inspired, and the twist ending is somewhat predictable. However, there are nice moments for the four, and I especially like the more outgoing and vivacious Medusa. It’s kind of a shame that I don’t think it lasts.
Fantastic Four #143 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Terrible Triumph of Doctor Doom!”
That table in front of Doom disappeared between issues. After that little fun at the start, things rapidly deteriorate as the heroes go through similar beats to the last issue except more exaggerated, like when Johnny nearly kills Wyatt. Doom’s plan is also revealed to be stupid, so I’m calling Doombot.
Fantastic Four #144 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Attack!”
More nonsensical action as Doom’s plan and the plot’s coherence implode simultaneously. Oh, and there’s another couple-page-filling Doom android. Lame.
Fantastic Four #145 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Nightmare in the Snow!”
I like the en-media-res opening quite a lot, but the episode declines into nonsense quickly. I’m down for a Yeti story, but when the Yetis become 70s Bond villains, I get a little bored. The art is fairly strong, and it’s nice to see a Johnny and Medusa team-up. These just can’t quite overcome the inanity of the villain.
Fantastic Four #146 ⧫ 3 Stars “Doomsday: 200° Below!”
The conclusion is a bit stronger since it features Johnny and Medusa grappling with his issues from #141. I also like the giant ice caverns and the ancient thing they find at the end. The sexy girl yeti is weird, but rather of the time, and the story doesn’t really improve. However, some character development is always nice even when it takes place while following a sexy yeti in a bikini through an underground ice cave.
Giant-Size Super-Stars #1 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Mind of the Monster!”
The Thing and Banner’s camaraderie along with some Thundra fun make this issue a very enjoyable read. I like the switch-up with the Hulk-Thing fights, especially given that in reading order, they just fought in Marvel Feature #11. The anticlimactic, nonsensical ending and the fact that I don’t think this affects Thundra at all bring this episode down, but not quite out.
Fantastic Four #147 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Sub-Mariner Strikes!”
I like the first part with Reed receiving the notice. I'm less fond of the broken up Namor fight, misunderstanding, second Namor fight, and the ending. Would the FF really just leave without any questions? Is this an Avengers #200 situation? I don’t know, but I’m pretty dissatisfied.
Fantastic Four #148 ⧫ 3 Stars “War on the Thirty-Sixth Floor!”
Okay, the frightful four are back and the FF are so distracted by events with Namor and Sue that they barely register the infiltration. Thundra returns, and I’m really starting to like her complexity, though she doesn’t seem to remember Giant-Size Super-Stars #1. It’s a fighty-fight issue, but the emotional turmoil of the four and Thundra development help to bolster what could be just another Frightful Four attack story.
Fantastic Four #149 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “To Love, Honor, and Destroy!”
Wow, that was dumb. I understand Medusa’s motivation, but everyone else seems pushed too far. I’ve liked the emotion in the past few issues, yet the way it’s handled here is just ridiculous. Also, Namor and Sue need to be completely out of character for any of this to work.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Cataclysm!”
It’s okay filler with a bit of a fun twist, but nothing to write home about. Don’t think about the plot at all because it doesn’t make any sense.
Avengers #127 ⧫ 3 Stars “Bride and Doom!”
The Omega stuff really doesn’t work, but all the nice little character touches do. I like the Wanda, Pietro, and Quicksilver stuff. I even think Mantis somewhat works, but Swordsman is unbearable.
Fantastic Four #150 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Ultron-7: He'll Rule the World!”
Similarly to Avengers #127, FF #150 carries over the same stupid villain problem while having some strong character moments. It has more character and less plot, so it comes out a bit better. The Johnny and Crystal stuff has a satisfying conclusion.
Fantastic Four #151 ⧫ 3.75 Stars “Thundra and Lightning”
The villain may be stupid, but I love all the team interactions and Thundra character development. After these issues of character development, I’m going to be sad next issue when the plot kicks back in. It also has a fantastic cliff hanger!
Fantastic Four #152 ⧫ 3 Stars “A World of Madness Made!”
Some interesting action in the bridge issue. I like that the team immediately springs into action to help Thundra. It’s just nice to have a team again, and it continues next issue!
Fantastic Four #153 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Worlds in Collision!”
I really like the resolution of the cliffhanger. The drama is dismissed and the team works together! Again! I wish the early seventies had been more like this. Unfortunately, the resolution of the story is nonsense, and really brings down an okay story arc.
Fantastic Four #154 ⧫ 1 Star “The Man in the Mystery Mask!”
Mostly a reprint of Strange Tales #127, this story and its reveal are quite dumb. The reprint features Ben and Johnny at their worst, and the wraparound is just stupid.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #3 ⧫ 2 Stars “Where Lurks Death... Ride the Four Horsemen!”
The two stars are mostly for the extended clobberin’ time joke and the defeat of the FF duplicates. Otherwise, this is a pretty, but boring battle issue.
Fantastic Four #155 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Battle Royal!”
So, the Silver Surfer attacks the FF, which can be fine, but just look at how much the dialogue has to cover for the lack of action in the art. It literally goes from the Human Torch charging the Surfer to the Surfer blasting Reed and Medusa with only a frantic dialogue bubble to fill the gap. The explanation for the story seems far too convenient, and the epilogue in issue 157 is not enough to explain the tons of convenience in this story. The art is nice, but the story is meh.
Fantastic Four #156 ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Middle Game!”
I suppose seeing the last issue from another perspective is cool, but I wasn’t that into the fight. Doom’s plan continues to be highly convenient. Our heroes do a few cool things while the Silver Surfer continues to be an indecisive idiot.
Fantastic Four #157 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Endgame Cometh!”
And they fight a big robot… This one is a little better thanks to some Shalla-Bal stuff, but this three parter is a reason why I think most 70s Doom appearances are actually malfunctioning Doombots.
Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 ⧫ 3 Stars “Madrox the Multiple Man”
I did not know Madrox first appeared in a random 70s cash grab. Like all of these, this is essentially a long fight book with some framing. The mystery around Madrox is fine, but his origin isn’t all that inspiring. It’s good enough, and better things will come from this.
Fantastic Four #158 ⧫ 1 Star “Invasion From the 5th (Count It, 5th!) Dimension”
The first couple pages with Ben and Johnny are good; then, it goes quickly downhill with Reed being an ass and outright snubbing Medusa. Next for good measure, Roy Thomas brings back a Strange Tales villain from one of the more forgettable stories in a possible attempt to get readers to buy the reprint title (Out now! Well, then...). I just cannot with the 70s Marvel right now. Maybe I was too hard on the Surfer/Doom issues.
Fantastic Four #159 ⧫ ½ Star “Havoc in the Hidden Land!”
Nonsensical action and a plot that shifts around at will. It starts with Reed being an utter dick; did Roy Thomas not like him? The art does not help here as it’s mostly bad. It continues with standard FF stuff. About the only thing I like is the surprise guest.
Fantastic Four #160 ⧫ 4 Stars “In One World–And Out the Other!”
Okay, this is great. The team is back together! The use of past stories enhances them rather than rehashes them. This sets up several great plot threads during character development that actually pay off in a few issues. There hasn’t been a more drastic change of quality in the series since my split between the main story and the epilogue of issue 132.
Fantastic Four #161 ⧫ 4 Stars “All the World Wars at Once!”
Building tension? More character development? The plot thickens? If this keeps up, I may have to change my opinion about Mr. Thomas’ FF run.
Fantastic Four #162 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Shape of Things to Come!”
Okay, still enjoying it. The explanation is fine. The cliffhanger nearly made me laugh out loud. At least, I’m not wearin’ hockey pads… oh wait…
Fantastic Four #163 ⧫ 3 Stars “Finale!”
Gaard is still dumb, but the pathos around his defeat is really effective. I really wish Sue had been more involved. Thomas still excludes her for some reason. However, my main problem is actually that this ended too quickly. We don’t really get any epilogues with anyone, and that’s a shame. It should have been five parts! An epilogue issue with the characters chatting and resolving things would have been great. Too bad they didn’t do that in the 70s. I really hope Thomas can keep this up.
Other Comics Reviews
Fantastic Four Omnibus #6
Marvel Two-in-One Epic Collection Vol. 1: Cry Monster
Fantastic Four: The Overthrow of Doom
Doctor Doom: Books of Doom Omnibus
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #1
Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #2
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #3
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #4
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #5
Spectacular Spider-Man Omnibus #1
X-Men Omnibus #1
X-Men Omnibus #2
Epic Collection Volume 4: It's Always Darkest Before the Dawn
Champions Classic Complete Collection
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus #1
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus #2
X-Men Classic Omnibus
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus #3
New Mutants Omnibus #1
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus #4
Defenders Epic Collection Vol. 8: The New Defenders
Defenders Epic Collection Vol. 9: The End of All Songs
Alpha Flight Omnibus #1
Dazzler Omnibus
Captain Britain Omnibus
Power Pack Omnibus #1
Uncanny X-Men Omnibus #5
X-Factor: The Original X-Men Omnibus #1
New Mutants Omnibus #2
X-Men: Mutant Massacre Omnibus
X-Men: Fall of the Mutants Omnibus
July 11, 2025
There’s a lot of good, but a lot of filler as well. Still good overall and I am very glad I read it!
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