Fantastic Four (1961-1998) #49

Fantastic Four (1961)

by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (Artist)

The Fantastic Four must work together to save the Earth from the evil hands of Galactus! Meanwhile, the Silver Surfer's motives are weakened by the wonders of Alicia Masters and he decides to defeat his master!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Comic Book, Graphic Novels

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 1966

About the author

Stan 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.

Reviews

[Tiag⊗ the Mutant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of the Galactus Trilogy, such a cool comic book cover.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this issue, the Fantastic Four try and fail to beat Galactus, who is making preparations to consume Earth's seas for their energies. Only with the help of the Watcher have they been able to delay Galactus but when the planet-eater sets the Punisher on the FF, they are the ones being delayed. The Silver Surfer, pushed into action by the words of Alicia Masters, attempts to do the right thing but we'll see if what he does is help or doom the planet! This issue was basically a filler for the (hopefully) big finale next issue. I definitely want to know what happens next!

[zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

more fun than the last but i am not a fan of seeing sue do nothing but stand around in the background begging reed to be safe.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

IF THIS BE DOOMSDAY
April 1966

"That guy makes Dr.Doom seem like a piker"
Ben comments of Galactus minion ...

the FF encounter Galactus ready to siphon Earth's energy and destroy it..plus Alicia meets the Surfer and tries to show him what he's being doing.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Without meaning to, the Silver Surfer may himself be the cause of Earth's total destruction!"

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be truthful I first read these books way back in 1966, when I was not quite 12 yrs old. Sure wish I held onto them. I came across a DVD-ROM Collector's Edition that covers 44 Years of Fantastic Four.

This time around the End of the World is standing on top of the Baxter Building. Who can stop Galactus?

The torch flies off to another dimension with the Watcher's aid, and is the Silver Surfer finding a conscience? Will he take on his master?

Leading up to the ultimate showdown with Galactus! A big deal anytime, but a super big deal back in 1966! Pretty sure no other comic at that time or before 1966 had come up a global threat like Galactus. This was BIG!

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at their Sunday best!

[Shane Stanis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread for My Marvelous Year Five: 1966 pt. 1

First Galactus arc part 2.

Read for incredible Kirby art in an action packed issue where Reed finally shaves, Alicia Masters gives the Silver Surfer purpose, and Galactus sends in the Punisher. No, not THE Punisher, just A punisher.

[Jacob Almonte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calificación: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½

Estuvo bien. Es cierto que se siente más como una preparación para la conclusión, pero me gustó.

Sin ninguna duda lo mejor de este capítulo es Silver Surfer.

[Max's Comic Reviews and Lists · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Edited)
"Here's some mud in yer eye ya creepy king sized crum bum!" Put that on a T-Shirt. Part 2 of the Galactus Trilogy was a comic that I was pretty excited to read (overnight) since I enjoyed the previous issue a lot more than I thought I would. Something I had forgotten to mention in my review of issue #48 was Jack Kirby's art. It's very damn good when it comes to the detailing and the human figure. You can tell this was at the height of his game. I did like this issue overall, but not as much as the previous. I dunno man, issue #48 was something great because I did not expect to like, and think about that comic as much as I did. The huge-ass fight we got the build-up for is fought... but by the Punisher. No not Frank Castle, but this weird frog robot thing that was obviously Stan and Jack's way of saying ya there is no way the Fantastic Four can fight Galactus without getting destroyed if he sneezes. But sadly I know how the story ends because I read Marvels. And I actually like that ending (from what I know now) so the fight between the F.F. and the "Punisher" is fine. The Silver Surfer's part in this book was actually kind of funny but I dug it. The way his motives change isn't necassarily rushed, but when you read it, it feels like it. To be honest my favourite part of this comic is the absolutely euphoric scene when Johnny is in space looking for THE OBJECT. It's a great "in the moment" scene. The cheesiness and blatant nature of some of the fighting dialogue did wear on my nerves because most of it did just explain all of the panel even though we can SEE IT! In the end, this issue as I said isn't as good as the build-up we got the last issue but I did instantly want to read the last issue of the trilogy, so there's that. Letter Grade: (B)

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand why this is so iconic now, this is such a good storyline. Galactus just comes in here and then treats everyone as beneath him, just having a casual conversation with the watcher as he lays out his plans for destroying the world and consuming its energy. The FF try and fight him, only for Galactus to through the cosmic equivalence of bug repellent at them. It’s so petty and so terrifying to read. Johnny even has all of his flame blasts converted into energy and seemingly blasted right back at them. The watcher warns them not to engage and to wait to hear from him. And that’s exactly what they do, even to Johnny’s dismay, they decide to clean up and wait, they can’t go into this half-cocked.

But galactus actually raised an interesting question as he was promptly ignoring the human race…where is his harold? As it turns out, when Ben clobbered him across the city, the silver surfer happened to land on the roof of Alicia Masters, Ben’s girlfriend and blind sculptor extraordinaire, and he couldn’t of landed at a better place. I actually want to just talk about the surfer’s development throughout this issue as a whole instead of cutting it up throughout the notes. Alicia immediately senses the strange man who fell into her apartment and realized he needed help, but as she felt his face she knew it was vastly different from anyone she has ever met before. The surfer explains who he is, even though she doesn’t understand what he is saying, but Alicia understands he is not from this world, but she gets a sense of nobility and unimaginable loneliness from his voice. So of course, she offers him food. The surfer doesn’t quite understand the process and attempts to convert all the food and cutlery into energy to consume so that not a single gram is wasted. Double goes for her sculptures which he doesn’t understand. And through listening to him Alicia understands that he is here to destroy the earth. The surfer doesn’t see it that way, they aren’t destroying but merely changing the world’s elements into energy to sustain galactus as he is all that matters. I am so glad that the surfer met Alicia, immediately she reaches out to appeal to him, how can he be so blind as to believe that all living things are beneath galactus and do not matter. The surfer has never faced this perspective before, he hasn’t sensed such courage and beauty from someone. Alicia can now see that he is not a soulless monster, she pulls him over to the window to look out at the cowering masses, and for the first time the surfer has an up close look at the people who are effected…and he feels pity. As the issue comes to an end the surfer makes a decision, he is going to defy his master, something that was unthinkable before meeting Alicia. He has finally found something worth protecting, and although galactus is the power, the surfer knows they are both travelers of the cosmos and his own power has yet to be tested! Hell yeah!!

If you can’t tell, the surfer portions of this issue are my favorite part, but that doesn’t mean the FF don’t have some fun. All the while, galactus decided to setup shop right on top of the Baxter building, which I’m sure he doesn’t have a permit for, as he sets up his energy terraforming device. The watcher comes to the FF and shows them the information necessary to face this threat, knowledge is power after all. The watched shows them what the device does and how it has affected other worlds. It first targets the oceans and strips them of all water and turns it into energy, it then targets the cities, and finally targets the core of the planet…leaving it a lifeless empty husk before Galactus finally departs. Reinvigorated even more, the FF know they must stop him, and the watcher has a plan. Although he cannot directly obtain what they need, he can guide Johnny to get it. But it must be Johnny. As the time comes that galactus machine is ready he begins to activate it…only for nothing to happen! Galactus stands and checks the machine, only to find Ben ripping it apart!! Ben then throws the parts of the machine he tore off, sending Galactus flying off the roof! He may be able to rebuild it, but they will just keep ripping it down, hahahaha! But of course galactus is powerful enough to have an anti gravity device and he is able to float right back up. He still doesn’t want to deal with them, as he is above them, so he calls upon one of his own minions, a half robot half living alien named the punisher.

Johnny is very noticeable not fighting alongside the group, that is because the watcher has sent him on his way to their salvation. He has sent Johnny through time, all the way back before language even existed, in order to navigate through the cosmos and safely move around the celestial Barrie’s known as “un-life,” before finally passing through the final dimensional curtain to get to a distant galaxy that contains the home planet of Galactus and his space station where Johnny will find the device they need! The rest of the FF pretty quickly fall into galactus distraction as they try and fight the punisher and fail pretty miserably, eventually retreating to Sue’s force field. The little dude with his clawed feet packs quite a punch. But as the watcher looks on at the events unfolding, he also sees how the silver surfer is fairing, but this new element the watcher couldn’t even predict may lead to their destruction if they are not careful!

[cauldronofevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

”If this be Doomsday!” starts with the Watcher and Galactus having a chat while the Fantastic Four watch.

The costume is now in its traditional shades of purple. Still no sleeves and bicycle shorts however.

Thing punches Galactus in the ankle. Galactus drops a bug bomb on him. Mr. Fantastic wraps Ben up and rolls him away.

Torch starts blasting Galactus. Galactus smothers him with soot.

Galactus asks about Silver Surfer.

Mr. Fantastic decides its finally time to shave.

The Silver Surfer crawls into Alicia Masters window, being weakened by Things blow (and falling off a building). Alicia feeds him a snack.

Galactus is building a machine on the Baxter building. Mr. Fantastic, Thing and Invisible Girl go to stop him. The Watcher interrupts them to show them a film. It shows what the Elemental Converter being built will do.

Truly horrible but awesome pictures of oceans without water! And the planet being sucked dry.

The Watcher tells them there is a machine that might help, but Torch has to retrieve it because the Watcher is forbidden from interfering, yadda, yadda, yadda…

Alicia tells Silver Surfer that all lives matter. He is impressed with her (inner) beauty. But he serves Galactus.

A crowd gathers around Galactus and there is plenty of news coverage. Galactus starts his machine, but the Thing is ripping it apart. Mr. Fantastic then knocks Galactus over.

Galactus calls for backup from his ship in the form of the Punisher. Half-Robot, Half-Alive.

This is long before the gun-toting vigilante.

Meanwhile, the Watcher takes Torch into the center of infinity.

"The distance you are traveling is so great that your language holds no words which can describe it!"

Bazillion comes close.

They pass the celestial barriers known as un-life.

Is this the same as the source wall?

Then they get to the home planet of Galactus. A gargantuan space station.

An impressive machine, even for Kirby.

Thing fights the Punisher. The Punisher wins. Thing runs into Invisible Girl’s force field.

What can I say? This is a well-deserved classic. Plenty of action, great doom foreshadowing. Fantastic Kirby art.

5 stars

[Sean Korzinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Galactus treats the FF like gnats. He barely turns when taking the heroes on. He also calls a living robot hybrid that he eventually calls off after getting his world eating machine repaired. The Watcher sends the Torch to get a device capable of destroying Galactus. The Silver Surfer falls into none other than Alicia's apartment after his tussle last issue with the FF. She manages to tell him about humanity and asks him to stop Galactus. The Watcher thinks his plan to stop Galactus and the Silver Surfer getting involved will cause devastating results even though the Surfer means to help.

[Rangga Sukmawijaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dengan bantuan the Watcher, Fantastic Four berusaha mencegah usaha Galactus menghancurkan Bumi. Johnny Storm diberangkatkan ke tempat kelahiran Galactus dan tiga anggota FF lainnya berhadapan dengan Galactus. Sementara itu, ada perkembangan lain yang bahkan the Watcher sekalipun tidak pernah menduganya.

Jack Kirby membuat ilustrasi yang bagus, terutama ketika menggambarkan stasiun luar angkasa tempat asal Galactus.

[Eddie B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Half a century before Marie Kondo, we had the Silver Surfer.

[Tobias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not as exquisitly premonitory as its predecessor, #49 puts a much greater emphasis on exploring the mortality of The Silver Surfer, an angle which provides the issue with much needed depth and sentimentality. All-in all a very solid issue that stands out among the simplicity of its contemporaries.

[Chris Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 2 of what may well be Marvel's most mind-blowing story-arc, introducing the planet-devouring Galactus and his indestructible herald the Silver Surfer.
Not sure how I can review this without spoilers, so I'll just say that FF #48 to 50 are essential Marvel reading, and can be found in various Fantastic Four collections.

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Fantastic Four #49

I liked this comic a lot! I find it interesting that originally Galactus had to do things a little differently and I loved the side story of the Silver Surfer. This was a good issue!

[Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Galactus inicia la construcción que convertirá al planeta y sus recursos en energía pura y así alimentarse, los cuatro fantásticos han de buscar la manera de detener al devorador de mundos.

[Delmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic!

Even better than the issue before...love it, you need to check it out! This is how comics are meant to be. Action, adventure, suspense. Love it!

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Galactus frente a frente con el Vigilante! ¡La interacción de Alicia con Silver Surfer! ¡Y Johnny siendo enviado por el Vigilante en busca del Nulificador Supremo! ¡Todo fue muy épico!

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

the FF try to work together to stop Galactus but can’t beat him. it’s up to the Human Torch to time travel to Ta’a and the Silver Surfer to fight back..

[ʚ val ɞ · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing to say

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epic, sentimental, universal, poignant and corny.