Fantastic Four: Monsters Unleashed

Fantastic Four (1961) #347-350, 352-354

by Walter Simonson, Arthur Adams

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Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Walt Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist, best known for a run on Marvel Comics' Thor from 1983 to 1987, during which he created the character Beta Ray Bill. He is also known for the creator-owned work Star Slammers, which he inaugurated in 1972 as a Rhode Island School of Design thesis. He has also worked on other Marvel titles such as X-Factor and Fantastic Four, on DC Comics books including Detective Comics, Manhunter, Metal Men and Orion, and on licensed properties such as Star Wars, Alien, Battlestar Galactica and Robocop vs. Terminator.

He is married to comics writer Louise Simonson, with whom he collaborated as penciller on X-Factor from 1988 to 1989, and with whom he made a cameo appearance in the 2011 Thor feature film.

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Fantastic Four are apparently killed and giant monsters begin attacking cities worldwide, Spider-Man, Wolverine, the Hulk and Ghost Rider step in to save the day as the new Fantastic Four. However, there is even more going on than they realise and they will have to contend with Skrull infiltrators and the armies of the Mole Man before they get to the bottom of things.

The plot of this book in pretty convoluted, with fake-out deaths, mind-control, shapeshifters and more but, despite all that, it still manages to remain internally consistent when it could easily have become a contradictory mess.
But, to be fair, that's par-for-the-course when it comes to the FF, I suppose.

This book's real strength comes from the make-up of the new (sadly temporary) Fantastic Four.
Spidey, Hulk, Logan and Ghost Rider are among Marvel's coolest but also most individualistic heroes, so having them team-up is endlessly entertaining. Having this version of the FF then fight alongside the original team (plus Ms Marvel/She-Thing) just increases how much fun this book is.

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com *

[Mike Reiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly story that covers itself with a fig leaf of knowing winks, but the art is clearly the star here, with Art Adams growing into his full vision, light years ahead of his contemporaries and also ahead of the Image Revolution.

[Charles Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

as perfect as my childhood memories of this 3 issue run of Fantastic Four

[Ezma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off with a lot of ridiculous promise. And, indeed, it's clear that Walt Simonson is at his best here when he's being fun, because when he's not, the book drags down to a halt.

The first arc is undoubtedly what you're here for: The New Fantastic Four. In a plot so absurd the book has to acknowledge that it may not ever make sense, but it will be entertaining, the Fantastic Four get kidnapped by an evil Skrull (eviler than normal, at least). Another Skrull ship decides to draw her out by releasing a bunch of Mole Man's giant monsters. Her response is to bring together Ghost Rider, Hulk, Wolverine, and Spider-Man to fight them.

And it is a blast. This story arc shows a lot of potential for the absurd team who absolutely cannot get along, and while the artwork in that arc can dip into absurdly 90s at times, the work on the monsters is top-notch. It leaves you wishing the rest of the book was just them fighting giant monsters.

Sadly, it's not, and as the classic Fantastic Four take over, the stories become almost yawn-worthy. There's a fight with Doctor Doom that has an interesting concept, but is so overloaded with "that was an impostor" that you feel like it was all pointless in the end. And then the Fantastic Four gets held by the Time Authority, a 2-issue story which manages to feel dragged out. When the Thing yawns from boredom in the first issue of it, I felt the same way. The one advantage to these later stories is Simonson takes over on art, but when nothing's happening, his art just feels wasted.

The action is simply too standard and the story doesn't have a lot to do. It's a shame that the entire book can't match up to a concept which is now seen as a joke.

[Benjamin Kimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fantastic Four are finally defeated by a Skrull! That Skrull then forms a new Fantastic Four in order for her to stop more Skrulls and carry out her nefarious plans. Giant monsters attack the earth and these guys fight them. There’s not a whole lot to this story but it’s a fun and simple one. Walt Simonson is a very solid writer with a fun take on the FF. Art Adams is a very solid artist with a good visual sense for all of our characters involved. A nice little afternoon read.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of an alternate Fantastic Four that has to take to the field when the original team is laid Low. Excellent Art Adams illustrations. Recommended