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Fantastic Four Omnibus
Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 6
Collects Fantastic Four (1961) #164-203 And Annual (1964) #11-13, Marvel Two-In-One (1974) # 20 And Annual (1976) #1 And What If? (1977) #1, #6 And #11. A classic era of the Fantastic Four - primed for their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2025! Fantastic Four launched the Marvel Age of Comics in the 1960s, and the series remained a creative force in the 1970s under the guidance of Marvel's top writers and the artistry of the brothers Buscema, Keith Pollard and breakout talent George Pérez! This Omnibus edition presents FF adventures on a massive scale like Galactus vs. the High Evolutionary, while seating the drama in the closeness of the team as a family. All families have their struggles though - and when the FF break up, it really could be the end. But their greatest enemy will bind the team back together, and the return of the Mole Man and the Inhumans will channel the mythology that makes Fantastic Four the World's Greatest Comic Magazine!
1072 pages, Hardcover
Published June 10, 2025
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,560 books282 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
This is likely more of a 3.5 Star. It has some fantastic George Perez art with mostly good stories. The biggest issues come with the treatment of Sue, big surprise. It also has some fun What If? issues at the end.
Fantastic Four #164 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Crusader Syndrome!”
Jack Kirby cover, George Perez interiors. I think I’m in love. It also has Sue being a full member of the team, and a great intro for Frankie Raye! The team is back together, and Thomas seems to finally be understanding the team. Sure, the Crusader is somewhat lame, but he’s a real threat and makes a brutal impact (pun not intended).
Fantastic Four #165 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Light of Other Worlds!”
Magnificent interior art for this and the next few issues. The team continues firing on all cylinders, but the Crusader is mostly a let down. It’s still a solid, but more average issue.
Fantastic Four #166 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “If It's Tuesday, This Must be the Hulk!”
Following up Marvel Superstars #1, there is some convenience in the airplane crash here, but I love how the team works to stop it. The Thing is a bit peaked, but I think it actually works as his mood builds and affects the powersurge later.
Fantastic Four #167 ⧫ 3 Stars “Titans Two!”
A fun follow-up, but it suffers from some less effective fights and teamwork. It’s a decent enough finish though, and the Perez artwork definitely helps as do Sue’s contributions. There is a status quo change for the Thing at the end of the story, and it fuels the next arc.
Fantastic Four #168 ⧫ 3 Stars “Where Have All the Powers Gone?”
Why is Ben such a jerk? Why is Reed such an ass? Why is Johnny so whiny? Luke Cage is cool and the Wrecker stuff is fun, which somewhat saves the issue. However, Thomas seems to be losing the team’s dynamic for some cheap drama. Please not again.
Fantastic Four #169 ⧫ 4 Stars “Five Characters in Search of a Madman!”
A much better issue all around. The start established Ben’s issue with some cool reference to past fights. The Luke Cage, Sue, Alicia, and Franklin stuff is great, and the reveal at the end (even though I knew the twist) was fun and plays with the multi-universe war from issues 160 to 163. Rich Buckler goes out with a bang, and honestly, this shows how far the books as come in a mere ten issues.
Fantastic Four #170 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “A Sky Full of Fear!”
It ends with an Alicia issue? That’s pretty awesome. We also get a few pages more of Buckler before getting more of that Perez goodness. It’s more of a fight issue, but the Puppet Master, Ben, and Alicia stuff is great, as is Luke’s coda. Though, I still with there was another issue to round out the Thing and Luke Cage stuff before he returns to his seedy Times Square Office. A great end to a low-key story.
Fantastic Four Annual #11 ⧫ 3 Stars “And Then–the Invaders!”
Okay, so the time travel plot spins out of the Luke Cage Fantastic Four arc. Reed really needs to put a cover or something over that switch. It’s getting a bit ridiculous. Fortunately, I actually enjoyed this arc with its various teams as well as the Fantastic Four’s thoughts on time travel and the Invaders themselves. It’s a solid issue.
Marvel Two-in-One Annual #1 with the Liberty Legion ⧫ 2 Stars “Their Name Is Legion!”
Continuing from Fantastic Four Annual #11, this one contradicts the way time travel works by turning it into one of my least favorite (and least sensical) versions of time travel. Buildings fade in the present because stuff changed in the past… Nope, why is our hero’s observation linked to the event? Is it because of the Watcher? Whatever, this one is also a very generic Thing goes place, meets villains, is saved by heroes, rinse, repeat. It basically alternates introducing heroes and villains until the issue realizes that it needs another issue of very similar things just to finish.
Marvel Two-in-One #20 with the Liberty Legion ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Showdown at Sea!”
This is the issue that finishes the fighting. Throughout both these issues of Two-in-One, the Liberty Legion isn’t well characterized. They basically just show their powers. I would compare this to Marvel Two-in-One #5 with the Guardians of the Galaxy because their plots are both running around and pointlessly fighting, but the Liberty Legion has double the pages and plenty of time for character. There just isn’t any. Fantastic Four Annual #11 is worth the read, but neither of the Marvel Two-in-One follow-ups are any good.
Fantastic Four #171 ⧫ 3 Stars “Death is a Golden Gorilla!”
I like the Frankie and Johnny relationship stuff, and the twist was good. The problem is that I don’t think the start works… Johnny lets a critical situation go just because Frankie freaks out? Really? The George Perez art is always good, and the ending cliffhanger is great.
Fantastic Four #172 ⧫ 2 Stars “Cry, the Bedeviled Planet!”
Okay, this issue is really stupid. It’s a ton of pointless fighting with the FF acting like suspicious assholes. The reveal that the Golden Gorilla is from Counter-Earth made me way less excited than if it had been a random planet of golden gorillas. How cool would that have been. Nope, he’s a creation of perhaps my least favorite Marvel character: the incredibly misnamed High Evolutionary. If someone wants to point me to a good story with him, I’d actually be appreciative because I’ve read Evolutionary War, the Quicksilver/Scarlet Witch origin with him, and the crap Uncanny Avengers retcon, and I’ve always felt the High Evolutionary was a lame, charisma vacuum whose presence in a story only serves to bring down the quality of said story by 50%.
Fantastic Four #173 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Counter-Earth Must Die--At the Hand of Galactus!”
This one is better. It’s cool seeing Torgo back, but his heel turn is crap. Also, the medieval land is curious. However, the cliffhanger and stakes still aren't’ working for me. Can’t the High Evolutionary create another planet? Why don’t he and Galactus team up, and the High Evolutionary can be Galactus’ chef? He can whip up worlds apparently. The big draw here is the moral conversation, though it was handled better in Fantastic Four #50 and will be handled better during Byrne’s run. I’m always sad to see a great artist on a middling story.
Fantastic Four #174 ⧫ 2 Stars “Starquest!”
The “battle issue” is fine, though I really don’t like Sue freaking out, the High Evolutionary becoming impatient and the stupid conclusion to the medieval plot. Why can’t Galactus eat the medieval planet again? The only really good thing is the moral resolution to the Torgo arc and the art. The art is strong all through here.
Fantastic Four #175 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “When Giants Walk the Sky!”
Predictable, but not quite. I found the High Evolutionary vs. Galactus fight to be boring, but the stuff that happens later is a bit more interesting. I’m still not sure about how I feel about this ending. It’s fine, but I think it’s the only arc in the Thomas return run after it finds its feet in 160 that I didn’t wholly enjoy.
Fantastic Four #176 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Improbable As It May Seem–The Impossible Man Is Back In Town!”
This starts off with some silly space stuff, but I always love seeing the Bullpen, even if it’s quite fictional. The Impossible man going through it and using powers from various heroes. It’s just fun.
Fantastic Four #177 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Look Out for the Frightful Four”
The Frightful Four tryouts continue the fun. I think Sue gets a little undercut, and the Fantastic Four are beaten a bit too easily. However, it’s nice to see Tigra and Thundra.
Fantastic Four #178 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Call My Killer the Brute”
The Brute is cool and his assault on the FF is fun, but the cliffhanger from last episode is reversed too soon and reused… However, the release of the team, the fight with the Frightful Four, the guest stars, and even the cliffhanger, despite its partial reuse, are really great, and I like where this is going.
Fantastic Four #179 ⧫ 3 Stars “A Robinson Crusoe in the Negative Zone”
A good issue. I like the downtime and interaction much of the team gets to do. The Thing and Tigra fight is nice, but weird. The Robinson Crusoe portion was fine. It reminded me a little too much of Robinson Crusoe in Space, which is also fine, but undeniably stupid. Great cliffhanger, though, and it leads to a great issue.
Fantastic Four #180 ⧫ REPRINT of Fantastic Four #101
Fun Cover, though it should be on the next one.
Fantastic Four #181 ⧫ 4 Stars “Side by Side with - Annihilus??”
Roy Thomas’ last issue is great. It is a subplot issue, but the character work is always appreciated, especially in the 70s. All four stories manage to all be interesting. The cliffhanger for Sue’s is a little questionable, but I love Ben’s Impossible Four. Johnny is an ass, but he’s in a very real situation, and it works. I really love the reversal with Reed’s story, and I sense it will bring the Four back together. Let’s see how Wein, Mantlo, and Shooter do.
Fantastic Four #182 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Enter: The Mad Thinker”
A nice idea, but it still seems like Ben and Johnny are too gullible, though I can forgive that. Sue puts up a great fight, and the ending cliffhanger is strong.
Fantastic Four #183 ⧫ 4 Stars “Battleground: The Baxter Building”
This one’s a really strong issue that perhaps only stumbles by not giving the Brute enough time at the end. Sue’s Thunderous Three have a great showing (I love making up names for these temporary teams). Meanwhile, the other three members make their way through the Negative Zone
Fantastic Four #184 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Aftermath: The Eliminator”
Everything except for the Eliminator is fantastic here. I rather wish they’d just given this over to the conclusion and epilogue of the previous story because I’ve read this arc, and I have no idea what the Eliminator has to do with anything that happens in the next two issues. They explain it, but it doesn’t make any sense given how the Salem’s Seven are defeated in issue 186. Fortunately, the cleanup parts and additional member departures are gold.
Fantastic Four #185 ⧫ 3 Stars “Here There Be Witches”
Once again, I like everything until the car drives into “New Salem.” Okay, the fights are good too. However, I famously dislike witches and how their magic is used, and none of these three issues convinces me otherwise.
Fantastic Four #186 ⧫ 2 Stars “Enter: Salem's Seven”
So… the Salem’s Seven would get a TKO from Stilt Man? Wow, this gets really stupid, really fast. There’s some okay fighting and team interaction, but the resolution is just… ugh. The low point of this Wein run.
Fantastic Four #187 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Trouble Times Two”
Really? The Salem’s Seven arc gets more epilogue… Whatever, the Klaw and mystery villain arrive, and the Impossible Man actually gets to fight! Now I want more fights with him since he’s been quite fun for the past ten issues. The way this goes down seems a little weird, but I think Agatha and Reed’s conversation is meant to reflect the ending of the next issue more than this.
Fantastic Four #188 ⧫ 3.75 Stars “The Rampage of Reed Richards”
I’m torn on this issue. I love most of it. The relationships, the fighting, the crazy stuff Perez gets to draw. However, Agatha and Reed’s conversation from the last issue seems to contradict this one. It’s just so fun that I almost want to ignore it.
Fantastic Four #189 ⧫ REPRINT of Fantastic Four Annual #4
Fantastic Four #190 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Way It Was”
It’s a fine overview of the FF’s breakups, but in an era where I can (and have) just read all this, it’s quite skippable.
Fantastic Four #191 ⧫ 4 Stars “Four No More”
The Fantastic Four split up, and it’s one of the best issues of the series. All the members struggle with the decision, and the villain is only relevant in enhancing the ultimate tragedy. It’s a must read.
Fantastic Four Annual #12 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The End of the Inhumans... and the Fantastic Four”
The Johnny-Crystal-Pietro stuff is a really good example of how to deal with break-ups. Ben is fun, but feels underutilized. Sue gets some great stuff to do, but has to deal with some sexism from Reed. Reed feels like he’s the early Roy Thomas era of Fantastic Four with his sexism and the way he ignores some of the team’s feelings. The biggest problem is that the villains are crap. Neither of them have any real reason to exist other than villain. I think this officially begins the current thinking that Annuals aren’t for a big event or team-up or hot new villain, but should be used for filler. It’s not awful, just meh.
Fantastic Four Annual #13 ⧫ 3 Stars “Nightlife”
This is a much better annual than the last, though I think the idea that the blind and ugly don’t experience beauty is an issue to say the least. Also, did it need Sue arguing for her place on the team again? Still, decent Mole Man story if you ignore all that. Also, I think this is followed up in a future annual that I like.
What If? #1 ⧫ 3 Stars “What If Spider-Man Had Joined the Fantastic Four?”
I really love Spider-Man on the Fantastic Four, but the ending of this is… not great. It starts the idea of most What Ifs ending badly, which is something I don’t love.
What If? #6 ⧫ 4 Stars “What If the Fantastic Four Had Different Super-Powers?”
This is where it’s at. I love Sue taking a more active role in this Fantastic Four, and the ending foreshadows some fun stories later.
What If? #11 ⧫ 3 Stars “What If the Fantastic Four Were the Original Marvel Bullpen?”
It’s just weird fun.
Other Comics Reviews
Fantastic Four Omnibus #5
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
Fantastic Four #164 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Crusader Syndrome!”
Jack Kirby cover, George Perez interiors. I think I’m in love. It also has Sue being a full member of the team, and a great intro for Frankie Raye! The team is back together, and Thomas seems to finally be understanding the team. Sure, the Crusader is somewhat lame, but he’s a real threat and makes a brutal impact (pun not intended).
Fantastic Four #165 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Light of Other Worlds!”
Magnificent interior art for this and the next few issues. The team continues firing on all cylinders, but the Crusader is mostly a let down. It’s still a solid, but more average issue.
Fantastic Four #166 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “If It's Tuesday, This Must be the Hulk!”
Following up Marvel Superstars #1, there is some convenience in the airplane crash here, but I love how the team works to stop it. The Thing is a bit peaked, but I think it actually works as his mood builds and affects the powersurge later.
Fantastic Four #167 ⧫ 3 Stars “Titans Two!”
A fun follow-up, but it suffers from some less effective fights and teamwork. It’s a decent enough finish though, and the Perez artwork definitely helps as do Sue’s contributions. There is a status quo change for the Thing at the end of the story, and it fuels the next arc.
Fantastic Four #168 ⧫ 3 Stars “Where Have All the Powers Gone?”
Why is Ben such a jerk? Why is Reed such an ass? Why is Johnny so whiny? Luke Cage is cool and the Wrecker stuff is fun, which somewhat saves the issue. However, Thomas seems to be losing the team’s dynamic for some cheap drama. Please not again.
Fantastic Four #169 ⧫ 4 Stars “Five Characters in Search of a Madman!”
A much better issue all around. The start established Ben’s issue with some cool reference to past fights. The Luke Cage, Sue, Alicia, and Franklin stuff is great, and the reveal at the end (even though I knew the twist) was fun and plays with the multi-universe war from issues 160 to 163. Rich Buckler goes out with a bang, and honestly, this shows how far the books as come in a mere ten issues.
Fantastic Four #170 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “A Sky Full of Fear!”
It ends with an Alicia issue? That’s pretty awesome. We also get a few pages more of Buckler before getting more of that Perez goodness. It’s more of a fight issue, but the Puppet Master, Ben, and Alicia stuff is great, as is Luke’s coda. Though, I still with there was another issue to round out the Thing and Luke Cage stuff before he returns to his seedy Times Square Office. A great end to a low-key story.
Fantastic Four Annual #11 ⧫ 3 Stars “And Then–the Invaders!”
Okay, so the time travel plot spins out of the Luke Cage Fantastic Four arc. Reed really needs to put a cover or something over that switch. It’s getting a bit ridiculous. Fortunately, I actually enjoyed this arc with its various teams as well as the Fantastic Four’s thoughts on time travel and the Invaders themselves. It’s a solid issue.
Marvel Two-in-One Annual #1 with the Liberty Legion ⧫ 2 Stars “Their Name Is Legion!”
Continuing from Fantastic Four Annual #11, this one contradicts the way time travel works by turning it into one of my least favorite (and least sensical) versions of time travel. Buildings fade in the present because stuff changed in the past… Nope, why is our hero’s observation linked to the event? Is it because of the Watcher? Whatever, this one is also a very generic Thing goes place, meets villains, is saved by heroes, rinse, repeat. It basically alternates introducing heroes and villains until the issue realizes that it needs another issue of very similar things just to finish.
Marvel Two-in-One #20 with the Liberty Legion ⧫ 1.5 Stars “Showdown at Sea!”
This is the issue that finishes the fighting. Throughout both these issues of Two-in-One, the Liberty Legion isn’t well characterized. They basically just show their powers. I would compare this to Marvel Two-in-One #5 with the Guardians of the Galaxy because their plots are both running around and pointlessly fighting, but the Liberty Legion has double the pages and plenty of time for character. There just isn’t any. Fantastic Four Annual #11 is worth the read, but neither of the Marvel Two-in-One follow-ups are any good.
Fantastic Four #171 ⧫ 3 Stars “Death is a Golden Gorilla!”
I like the Frankie and Johnny relationship stuff, and the twist was good. The problem is that I don’t think the start works… Johnny lets a critical situation go just because Frankie freaks out? Really? The George Perez art is always good, and the ending cliffhanger is great.
Fantastic Four #172 ⧫ 2 Stars “Cry, the Bedeviled Planet!”
Okay, this issue is really stupid. It’s a ton of pointless fighting with the FF acting like suspicious assholes. The reveal that the Golden Gorilla is from Counter-Earth made me way less excited than if it had been a random planet of golden gorillas. How cool would that have been. Nope, he’s a creation of perhaps my least favorite Marvel character: the incredibly misnamed High Evolutionary. If someone wants to point me to a good story with him, I’d actually be appreciative because I’ve read Evolutionary War, the Quicksilver/Scarlet Witch origin with him, and the crap Uncanny Avengers retcon, and I’ve always felt the High Evolutionary was a lame, charisma vacuum whose presence in a story only serves to bring down the quality of said story by 50%.
Fantastic Four #173 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “Counter-Earth Must Die--At the Hand of Galactus!”
This one is better. It’s cool seeing Torgo back, but his heel turn is crap. Also, the medieval land is curious. However, the cliffhanger and stakes still aren't’ working for me. Can’t the High Evolutionary create another planet? Why don’t he and Galactus team up, and the High Evolutionary can be Galactus’ chef? He can whip up worlds apparently. The big draw here is the moral conversation, though it was handled better in Fantastic Four #50 and will be handled better during Byrne’s run. I’m always sad to see a great artist on a middling story.
Fantastic Four #174 ⧫ 2 Stars “Starquest!”
The “battle issue” is fine, though I really don’t like Sue freaking out, the High Evolutionary becoming impatient and the stupid conclusion to the medieval plot. Why can’t Galactus eat the medieval planet again? The only really good thing is the moral resolution to the Torgo arc and the art. The art is strong all through here.
Fantastic Four #175 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “When Giants Walk the Sky!”
Predictable, but not quite. I found the High Evolutionary vs. Galactus fight to be boring, but the stuff that happens later is a bit more interesting. I’m still not sure about how I feel about this ending. It’s fine, but I think it’s the only arc in the Thomas return run after it finds its feet in 160 that I didn’t wholly enjoy.
Fantastic Four #176 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Improbable As It May Seem–The Impossible Man Is Back In Town!”
This starts off with some silly space stuff, but I always love seeing the Bullpen, even if it’s quite fictional. The Impossible man going through it and using powers from various heroes. It’s just fun.
Fantastic Four #177 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Look Out for the Frightful Four”
The Frightful Four tryouts continue the fun. I think Sue gets a little undercut, and the Fantastic Four are beaten a bit too easily. However, it’s nice to see Tigra and Thundra.
Fantastic Four #178 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Call My Killer the Brute”
The Brute is cool and his assault on the FF is fun, but the cliffhanger from last episode is reversed too soon and reused… However, the release of the team, the fight with the Frightful Four, the guest stars, and even the cliffhanger, despite its partial reuse, are really great, and I like where this is going.
Fantastic Four #179 ⧫ 3 Stars “A Robinson Crusoe in the Negative Zone”
A good issue. I like the downtime and interaction much of the team gets to do. The Thing and Tigra fight is nice, but weird. The Robinson Crusoe portion was fine. It reminded me a little too much of Robinson Crusoe in Space, which is also fine, but undeniably stupid. Great cliffhanger, though, and it leads to a great issue.
Fantastic Four #180 ⧫ REPRINT of Fantastic Four #101
Fun Cover, though it should be on the next one.
Fantastic Four #181 ⧫ 4 Stars “Side by Side with - Annihilus??”
Roy Thomas’ last issue is great. It is a subplot issue, but the character work is always appreciated, especially in the 70s. All four stories manage to all be interesting. The cliffhanger for Sue’s is a little questionable, but I love Ben’s Impossible Four. Johnny is an ass, but he’s in a very real situation, and it works. I really love the reversal with Reed’s story, and I sense it will bring the Four back together. Let’s see how Wein, Mantlo, and Shooter do.
Fantastic Four #182 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Enter: The Mad Thinker”
A nice idea, but it still seems like Ben and Johnny are too gullible, though I can forgive that. Sue puts up a great fight, and the ending cliffhanger is strong.
Fantastic Four #183 ⧫ 4 Stars “Battleground: The Baxter Building”
This one’s a really strong issue that perhaps only stumbles by not giving the Brute enough time at the end. Sue’s Thunderous Three have a great showing (I love making up names for these temporary teams). Meanwhile, the other three members make their way through the Negative Zone
Fantastic Four #184 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Aftermath: The Eliminator”
Everything except for the Eliminator is fantastic here. I rather wish they’d just given this over to the conclusion and epilogue of the previous story because I’ve read this arc, and I have no idea what the Eliminator has to do with anything that happens in the next two issues. They explain it, but it doesn’t make any sense given how the Salem’s Seven are defeated in issue 186. Fortunately, the cleanup parts and additional member departures are gold.
Fantastic Four #185 ⧫ 3 Stars “Here There Be Witches”
Once again, I like everything until the car drives into “New Salem.” Okay, the fights are good too. However, I famously dislike witches and how their magic is used, and none of these three issues convinces me otherwise.
Fantastic Four #186 ⧫ 2 Stars “Enter: Salem's Seven”
So… the Salem’s Seven would get a TKO from Stilt Man? Wow, this gets really stupid, really fast. There’s some okay fighting and team interaction, but the resolution is just… ugh. The low point of this Wein run.
Fantastic Four #187 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Trouble Times Two”
Really? The Salem’s Seven arc gets more epilogue… Whatever, the Klaw and mystery villain arrive, and the Impossible Man actually gets to fight! Now I want more fights with him since he’s been quite fun for the past ten issues. The way this goes down seems a little weird, but I think Agatha and Reed’s conversation is meant to reflect the ending of the next issue more than this.
Fantastic Four #188 ⧫ 3.75 Stars “The Rampage of Reed Richards”
I’m torn on this issue. I love most of it. The relationships, the fighting, the crazy stuff Perez gets to draw. However, Agatha and Reed’s conversation from the last issue seems to contradict this one. It’s just so fun that I almost want to ignore it.
Fantastic Four #189 ⧫ REPRINT of Fantastic Four Annual #4
Fantastic Four #190 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The Way It Was”
It’s a fine overview of the FF’s breakups, but in an era where I can (and have) just read all this, it’s quite skippable.
Fantastic Four #191 ⧫ 4 Stars “Four No More”
The Fantastic Four split up, and it’s one of the best issues of the series. All the members struggle with the decision, and the villain is only relevant in enhancing the ultimate tragedy. It’s a must read.
Fantastic Four Annual #12 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “The End of the Inhumans... and the Fantastic Four”
The Johnny-Crystal-Pietro stuff is a really good example of how to deal with break-ups. Ben is fun, but feels underutilized. Sue gets some great stuff to do, but has to deal with some sexism from Reed. Reed feels like he’s the early Roy Thomas era of Fantastic Four with his sexism and the way he ignores some of the team’s feelings. The biggest problem is that the villains are crap. Neither of them have any real reason to exist other than villain. I think this officially begins the current thinking that Annuals aren’t for a big event or team-up or hot new villain, but should be used for filler. It’s not awful, just meh.
Fantastic Four Annual #13 ⧫ 3 Stars “Nightlife”
This is a much better annual than the last, though I think the idea that the blind and ugly don’t experience beauty is an issue to say the least. Also, did it need Sue arguing for her place on the team again? Still, decent Mole Man story if you ignore all that. Also, I think this is followed up in a future annual that I like.
What If? #1 ⧫ 3 Stars “What If Spider-Man Had Joined the Fantastic Four?”
I really love Spider-Man on the Fantastic Four, but the ending of this is… not great. It starts the idea of most What Ifs ending badly, which is something I don’t love.
What If? #6 ⧫ 4 Stars “What If the Fantastic Four Had Different Super-Powers?”
This is where it’s at. I love Sue taking a more active role in this Fantastic Four, and the ending foreshadows some fun stories later.
What If? #11 ⧫ 3 Stars “What If the Fantastic Four Were the Original Marvel Bullpen?”
It’s just weird fun.
Other Comics Reviews
Fantastic Four Omnibus #5
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 17, 2025
Loads of fun, and even more than that when the artwork is by George Perez and Joe Sinnott.
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