Fantastic Four (1961-1998) #48

Fantastic Four (1961)

by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (Artist)

The ATMOGUN erupts the entire palace and the Fantastic Four are forced to deal with the consequences. Black Bolt's evil brother Maximus and the empowered Galactus are behind this evil scheme!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Comic Book, Graphic Novels

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 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

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

First appearance of the Silver Surfer (SS) and Galactus (G)! The first chapter in the Galactus Trilogy! This book is a 'super key' in every sense! I really think that the SS became the manifestation of what Stan Lee thought about the 60's: much as Rod Serling would 'hide' political commentary behind Sci-Fi. To me the SS is a 'cosmic hippie' - trying to find himself in a universe of existential abandonment. Own this book in CGC 6.5 - just a matter of time before the SS and G appear in the MCU - KABOOM!

[Max's Comic Reviews and Lists · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four comics but they took place way after this quintessential comic. This is the beginning of the classic Galactus Trilogy, and I really enjoyed it. This story starts off with The Fantastic Four helping Blackagar Boltagon to take down his brother. I promised myself I would get over the corny-ass dialogue, and to my pleasure, I did and noticed a lot of deep and layered things about the Fantastic Four's personalities. What I mean, is there is a line where Ben Grimm, the Thing says "I got a feelin I'm never gonna think of him as a kid again!" This just shows how human, and truly human these heroes are portrayed. Even when Johnny is talking to Reed in this one scene, I thought to my self "This is actually very realistic dialogue, and this was written in the 1960s. What!?" So ya good job Stan Lee. I am not implying that the comic doesn't sound like a cheesy after-school special for the most part, but I love how relatable these characters were. Speaking of which, the family dynamic is also pretty strong which just makes you see through them even more. The comic also sets up a feeling of anticipation very well. I do feel like something epic is about to happen, what with the burning sky and all. I do feel like the arrival of Galactus is a little rushed overall, but this book was written so long ago that I can't really put too much scorn on that aspect because a new threat arrived pretty much every issue back then. Seeing the Skrulls freak out was a cool little idea that I liked as well. The whole idea of the Silver Surfer showing up signifies Galactus is a great concept because it's made into an urban legend in the Marvel world, and makes the upcoming event even feel bigger. In the end, I am really surprised that I liked this and I am looking forward to the next issue. (Plus this comic has a bomb-ass cool cover) Letter Grade: (A-)

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan Lee is rightly revered as one of the most important figures in the history of comics and rightly so. Although when he was scripting back in the day, his captions and dialogue boxes could be as suffocating as Brian Bendis' work today; but I guess readers then saw this as an ample return on the 12 cents they invested on a Marvel comic. Still, at least Stan the Man knows when to let his most famous important collaborator, Jack Kirby's work speak for itself. Especially, that mixed media splash page towards the end of this issue, just epic storytelling.

Fantastic Four issue 48 is a prime example of Lee and Kirby at the height of their powers. I wish comics were still like this one and not the decompressed chapters of storyline plotted for the eventual trade paperback. Every issue should be an epic in its own right.

This digital comic is currently offered free on the Marvel Digital comic app and site. It is also available for free on ComiXology. A timely piece of marketing by Marvel really, this issue has the Inhuman, currently the concept dujour of Marvel editorial; the first appearance of the Silver Surfer, who will be getting his own Marvel NOW ongoing; and stars the Watcher, who will be featured in Marvel event this year. Just try it though to see two comic book masters at the peak of their talents.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This issue closes the Inhuman story line (for now) but it felt really rushed! It was like they were so exited about the new story that they wanted to conclude the current one as quickly as possible! I would've liked them to expand on the Inhumans a little more. Moving on, this ish contains the first appearance of the Silver Surfer! That part of the story was really good! It was suspenseful and mysterious, making you crave more. I'm excited to see where this goes and how the FF deals with the planet-eating Galacuts!

[Kris Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny is separated from Crystal and is very unhappy about it. Also, Maxiumus,(Black Bolt's brother) is out to kill the humans, but it is discovered that Inhumans are the same as humans just with extra abilities.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE COMING OF GALACTUS
march 1966

"a being whom we shall call the Silver Surfer for want of a better name"
" the danger is Galactus! for he is the ultimate danger-perhaps the final danger".

despite the Silver Surfer being played by Jennifer Garner in July's FF movie ...here's the real iconic version...

Johnny looses Crystal and Reed has a beard.

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be truthful I first read this book way back in 1966, when I was not quite 12 yrs old. Sure wish I held onto it.

I came across a DVD-ROM Collector's Edition that covers 44 Years of Fantastic Four. For most of those years I was a loyal reader. This story brings me back in time. Stan Lee as the author and the great one Jack Kirby as the artist. I am going to read #48, #49, and #50 (the first appearance of Galactus and the Silver Surfer). Simply a classic. In another few issues the first appearance of the Black Panther. The good ole sixties!

[Eddie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kirby unleashes his colorful cosmics.

[zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

the story wasn’t my favorite but jack kirby’s artwork was fantastic like always

tbf i haven’t done much reading of the early ff stuff, perhaps my unfamiliarity with stan and jack’s early run is why i didn’t click too much with this. i may revisit this run in its entirety in the future

[Jacob Almonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aquí tuvimos la primera aparición de Silver Surfer y de Galactus.

Es un cómic con muchos aspectos positivos.

Ben y Johnny. Amo su amistad y su dinámica. Todo lo ocurrido con Crystal afecta a Johnny y ver a Ben consolarle, verle con ganas de ayudarle se me hizo muy bonito. De hecho, refleja la unidad de la familia como tal. Todos se apoyan y se extienden la mano cuando algún miembro lo necesita.

Reed y Sue. Me gustó ese pequeño conflicto que integraron. Sue se siente abandonada, pues Reed está tan ocupado en el trabajo, que este mismo olvida lo personal. Me gustó ese detalle humano y emocional, en una historia que se basa en una aventura cósmica.

La construcción de tensión y llegada de Galactus. Pienso que se construye muy bien esa llegada. La tensión se siente, el peligro es real. Galactus ya viene. Todo eso se plantea muy bien con el vigilante.

Buen cómic. Este es el primer capítulo de la trilogía de Galactus y me da mucha emoción saber que mañana le veremos en pantalla grande al igual que a Silver Surfer.

[Shane Stanis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread for My Marvelous Year Five: 1966 pt1

This books suffers a bit from whiplash ending one arc and starting another. The inhumans finale is particularly rushed - good ideas that could have been fleshed out better.

Read for the end of the inhumans arc, a skrull cameo, the Watcher doing more than watching, once again…and the Silver Surfer, heralding …. Galactus! ‘Nuff said.

[Mikey Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

the FF are finishing a mission when suddenly the earths skies are engulfed in flames people think it’s because of Johnny Storm, but it’s actually the Watcher trying to hide the earth from the Silver Surfer. Galactus is coming..

[Sean Korzinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

First chunk is wrap up to the Inhuman arc. After Maximus turns his machine on it ends up not working. Humans still live. Maximus reverses the machine and creates a negative zone around the Great Refuge trapping all the Inhumans inside. Torch is heartbroken over Crystal being trapped. Before they can even land at the Baxter building a fire is created in the sky. We are introduced to the Silver Surfer soaring through the cosmos and then told by the Watcher who is now helping Reed hide the planet from Silver Surfer and his master Galactus. The subterfuge does not work and the Surfer lands and signals Galactus. The last 2 pages are Galactus landing and we get our first look at him.

I was surprised Black Bolt while powerful did not speak at all and show his true power. That must come later as I know if he talks he can destroy a city. Also Crystal being locked in the Negative Zone was also unexpected as I believe her and the Torch become a thing at some point. The standalone nature that was previous Masterwork volumes is now replaced with rolling storylines that blend into multi-issue running plots and then dive mid issue into a new arc after wrapping up previous ones. Characters that were introduced earlier are now expanded on and we get good conflicts and action instead of expositional dialogue.

[Delmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic!

Highly recommend this classic from the masters Kirby and Lee, especially if you're just getting into comics. This issue kicks off the Galactus Trilogy and it only gets better!

[Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Fantastic Four #48

This is where it all begins . The original story and introduction of Galactus. It's a good and interesting read to see his character explained.

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so interesting jumping from issue 5 to 48 and seeing how much everything has changed. I really don’t do that very often so this is a fun little experiment. So it’s great to see the thing is employing his catchphrase now and is even dating Alicia, and I’m fairly certain Sue and Reed weren’t married in this first issues. But I’m really not the type at the moment to read an entire marvel run…I save that for DC, lol. Getting into the issue itself, the first part of this issue actually concludes ab inhumans plot line and wow is that a bleak ending. I know blackbolt debuts a few issues before this, which is very cool, and it seems that his evil brother has tried to use a device to wipe out all normal humans so the inhumans can take over the world. Luckily the plan failed, and blackbolt, in his silent wisdom, was able to walk up and knock his brother down for even daring this insane scheme. Unfortunately our heroes were not quick enough to stop his brother from one last gambit, he reversed the charge on his machine to create a negative zone around their land! The fantastic four were forced to escape, and Sue’s force fields were there saving grace for getting out before the negative zone closed completely around the inhumans. Unfortunately nothing is known at this time to be able to break through a negative zone, the inhumans are cutoff from the rest of the world. This is even worse when you notice that Ben had to pull Johnny away from Crystal as he had fallen in love. That sucks so much. But hey, I’m not sure if it’s canon at this point, but to my knowledge inhuman society develops powers based on their needs. So if they need to break out of the negative zone, someone should develop a power to do that, right?

As the fantastic four take their not so victorious lap home as the giant negative zone dome sinks into the Earth, we set out sites elsewhere…the cosmos. Where a silver surfer, “for want of a better name,” is flying around, dodging meteors, and scaring the daylights out of any high class civilization. The surfer marks the heralding of Galactus, and even the Skrulls employ technology to hide their world when he nears. They can’t risk galactus getting their scent in the slightest. As the fantastic four get closer to home on their private jet, suddenly the entire sky lights up in flames around them! Everyone is in a panic, and Johnny barely gives it a second thought when he flies off to investigate. Unfortunately everyone immediately assumed the flaming guy was responsible for the sky igniting, and I have to hand it to those civilians, they were able to pretty easily take Johnny down with a fire hose. That’s pretty embarrassing. Luckily the rest of the four weren’t too far behind and one hell of the thing’s phrase sent most everyone running, except one unlucky sap who thought he could punch rocks, lol. But as the fighting cleared up, suddenly they realized the sky had cleared up. It’s time to head back to the lab and figure out what exactly just happened.

As we continually check in on the silver surfer, suddenly he has come across our sun and knows that a world with the resources to sustain his master are within reach. Sue has started to grow annoyed at how long Reed has spent in the lab, he’s even growing a beard, and as she storms into the room…Ben and Johnny notice that the entire sky is filled with space debris! Sue quickly figures out why as it turns out Reed is held up with the watcher in the lab, who is employing a matter mobilizer to try and conceal the earth! What’s up dude! So cool to see that the FF have already had interactions with the watchers. Which makes it even scarier knowing that they don’t usually interfere, but the watcher explains the threat of being noticed by the surfer and if he gets the chance to call on his master…could mean doom for the human race as their entire world is drained of its elements. But it may be too late as the silver surfer flies past the debris and into Earth’s atmosphere! Johnny tries to fly up and face him, only for the surfer to avoid him, land on a roof with the rest of the FF, and then uncaringly send out a signal to galactus! The thing tries to fight the surfer, but he ends up jumping off the roof instead! His job is done and that was the quickest way to get away from them. The watcher warns them that the surfer is no longer their concern, they must now worry about galactus! Suddenly a universe spanning so where enters the atmosphere as galactus technology, and some amazing and classic Kirby collage art, fill the page and test their world to make sure it is proper. It is found to be exactly what galactus is looking for, and suddenly a ship comes down to the FF and galactus himself steps out! At the moment he is a little bit larger than they are, but that’s is because he wishes it to be that way. Oh no….

[cauldronofevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

”The Coming of Galactus!” will be an interesting read after having just seen it butchered in the theaters. This must be how X-Men fans feel about the Phoenix saga.

The story starts with Maximus firing an Atmo Gun which is causing vibrations through the atmosphere. The Fantastic Four and the Inhumans are affected. The building it seems to be coming from explodes.

Black Bolt flies to the building and sees his brother Maximus. Black Bolt smacks Maximus.

Maximus then tries to reverse the charge on the Atmo Gun. This will create a negative zone around this place. The Fantastic Four leave and Grimm grabs Johnny who is trying to grab Crystal. Sue’s Force Field keeps them from being trapped inside with the Inhumans.

Johnny is heartbroken that he has left Crystal behind. The impenetrable dome sinks into the ground.

Then we cut to the Silver Surfer in space. He passes the Skrulls who immediately order the entire Skrull solar system blacked out. A Skrull asks why they fear him so. It is because Galactus cannot be very far behind.

As the Fantastic Four is landing they see two suns in the sky and the atmosphere is in flames. They land at a deserted airport and hear the screams as the city panics. Johnny flies off to investigate but the city then think he’s responsible for the flames. They hose him out of the sky and start beating him up.

Reed, Sue and Ben find him in their sky-cycle and Ben drops down to help. Most of the crowd runs away, but there’s always one.

”Well, a belt in the labonzza will knock the wind out of your sails!”

The sky then clears. Thing thinks it might be an advertisement for a Jospeh E. Levine movie.

He made a lot of movies, but not disaster movies that I can see.

Silver Surfer meanwhile rides the waves of a super-nova towards the Milky Way. Turns out that G-type star guarantees there is a planet that Galactus will want to eat.

At the Baxter building Ben calls Alicia who has been worried that he has been gone. Sue is perturbed that her husband is locked away in his lab while she has nothing to do.

”Even Mrs Reed Richards might like to be taken out to dinner once in a while!”

Johnny has noticed that the sky is filling up with some sort of orbiting space debris. Rocks in the sky.

Sue busts into the laboratory and finds the Watcher. It was his matter mobilizer that caused the artificial fire-shield, but when he saw how it upset people he switched to space debris in its place. Calming orbital space debris. That will disguise the planet. From Silver Surfer.

Sue asks why he is interfering when he has pledged not to?

It won’t be the last time someone asks that.

He says the danger is too great this time because the Silver Surfer is on the way.

The Silver Surfer sees through the rule of floating rocks surrounding the planet and lands and signals Galactus with a burst of energy that travels through hyper-space instantaneously. Galactus’s universe-spanning sphere enters the atmosphere.

Here is a full page photo spread of devices and spacecraft floating over the city. These are devices to test earth’s composition. It’s not entirely successful, but it sure is different as hell for a comic book and you have to admire the ambition.

Galactus comes out of his ship and declares that the planet shall sustain him until it is drained of all life. So speaks Galactus!

Curiously his outfit is purple pants a green shirt (with bare arms!) and green headdress. Of course, he also has a large “G” on his chest.

While certainly dated it is every bit as legendary as it seems. The Fantastic Four specialized in “this is not your typical comic book” type of pseudo science fiction that I’m not sure is really appreciated. Certainly not by movie makers.

I can’t think of any other comic book that more frequently takes you to unexpected places like Fantastic Four did.

5 stars

[ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

first appearance of the silver surfer and galactus!! my first introduction to fantastic four comics, and it did not disappoint.

first of all, the art is fantastic (get it?), as always i love jack kirby's work.

in general, the relationship of the f4 just feels very human in this comic; they care for each other and have their own worries. like sue being bothered over reed being consumed in his work, which makes total sense. and johnny's struggle with losing crystal. johnny and ben's relationship, the way ben helped johnny, just made my heart melt for some reason. (also johnny's fine as hell, come here baby boy)

and i think the way they set up the galactus plot works well too, it gives a sense of tension and intrigue to know what will happen next.

[Shevek · Rating 5 out of 5]

El valor de este arco argumental reside por completo en la creación de dos de los personajes más asombrosos del universo Marvel: Galactus y Estela Plateada. La historia se desarrolla explorando sus motivaciones y conflictos, dejando tanto a los 4F como al lector boquiabiertos ante la situación en que queda el planeta debido a la llegada de ambos seres. Poco se puede decir ya sobre el rotundo dibujo de Kirby y la genialidad de sus diseños. El único "pero", que duele especialmente por lo innecesario que es, radica en el uso de un concepto tan absurdo como el nulificador supremo para cerrar la trama.

[Rangga Sukmawijaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diawali dengan terjebaknya para Inhumans di Zona Negatif yang mengakhiri konflik antara Fantastic Four dengan Maximus, inhuman saudara Black Bolt, cerita di nomor ini kemudian beralih ke kemunculan the Watcher di markas FF yang mengabarkan adanya ancaman besar yang sedang menuju ke Bumi dari luar angkasa. Ini adalah nomor pertama kemunculan dari Silver Surfer dan juragannya yang bernama Galactus, sang pemangsa planet.

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

The first chapter of the popular "Galactus Trilogy", one of the best Lee/Kirby collaborations which introduced Galactus and the Silver Surfer to the Marvel universe, that fact alone gets my full score. This is essential read for anyone interested in Marvel's history, it's pure goofy sixties, with all the good and bad that it entails, I had a blast reading it in digital format, I love how the colors pop out in this format, Kirby's art never looked better... "SO SPEAKS GALACTUS!"

[Tobias · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the issue consists of standard-issue Inhuman slop. Where it really shines is in its second half where Galactus' arrival is portrayed with an unrivaled sense of dread. With only a couple of pages, the as-of-yet unseen Galactus' world-ending presence is made known and, even more remarkably so, truly felt.
Too bad Stan Lee still cannot refrain from writing Sue in the most archaic sexist way possible.

[Chris Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stuff was of mythical proportions to me when I first read it aged 13 or so, and I remember thinking then then that with this story of Galactus and the Silver Surfer, Marvel Comics really did deserve the name Marvel Comics!
Todat, it still reads incredibly well, and not just because of my own nostalgia.
This is what comics can achieve when it all comes together. Wondrous, breathless.
Mythical.
I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

First appearance of Silver Surfer and Galactus!!

[Charlie Bacho · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but it was too short.

[ʚ val ɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg galactus hiiii

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am really really really not a fan of FF, sorry. I find them extremely boring, though I liked the Galactus Saga.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cosmic in conception, but corny in execution.

[Ruben · Rating 3 out of 5]

En este tomo hace aparición Galactus por primera vez así como silver surfer, al parecer toda la energía potencial en la tierra ha llamado la atención del devorador de mundos.

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pobre Johnny, cómo sufrió su separación forzada con Crystal.

Silver Surfer llega a la tierra y presagia la llegada de ¡Galactus!