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Fantastic Four (1961) #334-341
Fantastic Four Visionaries: Walter Simonson, Vol. 1
After a string of successes with Thor, X-Factor and Avengers, it's sensational Simonson storytelling for Marvel's First Family - starting when the FF's Congressional hearing is disrupted by dozens of vengeance-seeking villains After the famous foursome - plus Ms. Marvel - deal with the Capitol chaos, a time anomaly sends them to find the future's fate But while Kang and Nebula take up their time, will the universe fall to Galactus? Guest-starring Thor, Iron Man and Death's Head Collects Fantastic Four #334-341.
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2007
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84 people want to read
About the author
Walter Simonson
1,263 books174 followersWalt 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 3, 2025
The first three issues of this collection serve as palate cleanser of sorts, while paying dues to editorial mandated crossover. After that, we dive into a Walt Simonson cosmic story that is ostensibly a Fantastic Four story, but is actually a Avengers story at its core.
Simonson uses abandoned plot points from a prematurely ended Avengers run. However, this works better than if it was used in the Avengers because Thor and Iron Man were made available as guest stars in Fantastic Four, who were, ironically, off limits when he was at the helm of the Avengers book. It is always great when Simonson gets to script and draw Thor, which is, full disclosure, my all-time favorite depiction of the Norse god.
Simonson uses abandoned plot points from a prematurely ended Avengers run. However, this works better than if it was used in the Avengers because Thor and Iron Man were made available as guest stars in Fantastic Four, who were, ironically, off limits when he was at the helm of the Avengers book. It is always great when Simonson gets to script and draw Thor, which is, full disclosure, my all-time favorite depiction of the Norse god.
July 15, 2016
334 - 336: With the super hero registration act looming, the Fantastic Four head to Washington DC with numerous C-list super villains attacking them every step of the way.
Walter Simonson's run starts by being shackled by the Acts of Vengeance crossover but he makes the most of it. It's very timely with Civil War in the theaters that the super heroes were battling registration almost 30 years ago. The Fantastic Four battle The Constrictor, The Beetle, the Shocker, Ramrod, Plantman, Quill, Thunderball, The Super Adaptoid, Congress, and a lot of other scrubs and come out on top.
337-341: The Fantastic Four (Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and Ms. Marvel), plus Ben Grimm, Thor, and Iron Man, use the radical dodecahedron to go into the time stream to investigate a time bubble created by a renegade celestial.
The Fantastic Four becomes the Walter Simonson show at this point as Simonson does the art chores as well as the writing. Simonson picks up some threads from an Avengers story he was prevented from writing, which shows since Thor and Iron Man have pretty big parts. The FF, Iron Man, and Thor, with guest stars Death's Head and Gladiator, battle the Council of Kangs, the Black Celestial, and Galactus, en route to collapsing the time bubble and saving the universe. All in a day's work, really.
Closing Thoughts: After Steve Englehart's run was hamstrung by editorial decisions, Simonson gets things back on track after the Acts of Vengeance speed bump. The time stream storyline was the kind of big story the Fantastic Four is made for, even if they were overshadowed by the guest stars on occasion. I forget at what point Ben becomes the Thing again but Ms. Marvel is filling his shoes well for now. I actually don't like Simonson's art here as much as I did on Thor.
3.5 out of 5 fantastic stars!
Walter Simonson's run starts by being shackled by the Acts of Vengeance crossover but he makes the most of it. It's very timely with Civil War in the theaters that the super heroes were battling registration almost 30 years ago. The Fantastic Four battle The Constrictor, The Beetle, the Shocker, Ramrod, Plantman, Quill, Thunderball, The Super Adaptoid, Congress, and a lot of other scrubs and come out on top.
337-341: The Fantastic Four (Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and Ms. Marvel), plus Ben Grimm, Thor, and Iron Man, use the radical dodecahedron to go into the time stream to investigate a time bubble created by a renegade celestial.
The Fantastic Four becomes the Walter Simonson show at this point as Simonson does the art chores as well as the writing. Simonson picks up some threads from an Avengers story he was prevented from writing, which shows since Thor and Iron Man have pretty big parts. The FF, Iron Man, and Thor, with guest stars Death's Head and Gladiator, battle the Council of Kangs, the Black Celestial, and Galactus, en route to collapsing the time bubble and saving the universe. All in a day's work, really.
Closing Thoughts: After Steve Englehart's run was hamstrung by editorial decisions, Simonson gets things back on track after the Acts of Vengeance speed bump. The time stream storyline was the kind of big story the Fantastic Four is made for, even if they were overshadowed by the guest stars on occasion. I forget at what point Ben becomes the Thing again but Ms. Marvel is filling his shoes well for now. I actually don't like Simonson's art here as much as I did on Thor.
3.5 out of 5 fantastic stars!
March 16, 2022
Begins with an Acts of Vengeance tie-in. The FF head to Washington to testify before Congress about the Superhuman Registration Act. It's really boring for the most part. Then they keep getting beset by D-level villains who keep appearing in the courtroom in trench coats and hats.
Then Simonson takes over the art as well as the writing. We get cosmic as Simonson brings in a story he wasn't able to use in Avengers. Reed discovers a time bubble in the future that could endanger all of time. So Thor and Iron Man tag along with the FF to head to the future to uncover what's happening. It's the Fantastic Four, so of course Galactus is involved. There's some fun stuff in this like Death's Head and the Council of Cross-Time Kangs. It's a good start to Simonson's time on the book.
Then Simonson takes over the art as well as the writing. We get cosmic as Simonson brings in a story he wasn't able to use in Avengers. Reed discovers a time bubble in the future that could endanger all of time. So Thor and Iron Man tag along with the FF to head to the future to uncover what's happening. It's the Fantastic Four, so of course Galactus is involved. There's some fun stuff in this like Death's Head and the Council of Cross-Time Kangs. It's a good start to Simonson's time on the book.
May 20, 2016
This volume collects Fantastic Four #334–341, all written by Walter Simonson, with art by Rich Buckler (#334–335, inks by Romeo Tanghal), Ron Lim (#336, inks by Mike Decarlo) and Simonson himself (both pencilling and inking) for the remaining five issues.
Being a huge fan of Simonson's legendary run on Thor (which is highly recommended), I was mighty curious about his run on the FF. So, how is it? Not too bad; not at all. But it is a bumpy ride.
The opening (non-Simonson drawn) three-parter is a tie-in to Marvel's mega event / crossover Acts of Vengeance from way back when. It sees the FF (Mr Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, Ben Grimm (no longer the Thing) and She-Thing (a.k.a. Sharon Ventura, ex Ms. Marvel)) being attacked by hordes of lower level criminals and a congressional hearing on registration of superhumans. On the whole, art and story, this arc did not wow me. If forced to rate it, using Goodreads scale, I would probably give it two stars.
The follow-up five-parter, "Into the Time Stream", is much more enjoyable. Simonson's art helps (although, I don't think it works as well on the FF as it did on Thor), but also the story content. Mr Fantastic has discovered a mysterious time barrier in the not too distant future and the FF, accompanied by Thor and Iron Man, sets out on a time sled to explore the phenomenon. On the way, they encounter Death's Head, Gladiator, Cross-time Kangs, Galactus and the Black Celestial. Simonson seems to pull no stops here and the result is a mighty enjoyable romp. As for grading, I would waver between three or four stars, but confidently enough to land on three stars for the volume as a whole (even accounting for its weaker opening).
All in all, it is an enjoyable read, but if you are after some first class FF material, I would first and foremost recommend John Byrne's legendary run, and Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's original one. No other FF stories I have read tops those.
Being a huge fan of Simonson's legendary run on Thor (which is highly recommended), I was mighty curious about his run on the FF. So, how is it? Not too bad; not at all. But it is a bumpy ride.
The opening (non-Simonson drawn) three-parter is a tie-in to Marvel's mega event / crossover Acts of Vengeance from way back when. It sees the FF (Mr Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, Ben Grimm (no longer the Thing) and She-Thing (a.k.a. Sharon Ventura, ex Ms. Marvel)) being attacked by hordes of lower level criminals and a congressional hearing on registration of superhumans. On the whole, art and story, this arc did not wow me. If forced to rate it, using Goodreads scale, I would probably give it two stars.
The follow-up five-parter, "Into the Time Stream", is much more enjoyable. Simonson's art helps (although, I don't think it works as well on the FF as it did on Thor), but also the story content. Mr Fantastic has discovered a mysterious time barrier in the not too distant future and the FF, accompanied by Thor and Iron Man, sets out on a time sled to explore the phenomenon. On the way, they encounter Death's Head, Gladiator, Cross-time Kangs, Galactus and the Black Celestial. Simonson seems to pull no stops here and the result is a mighty enjoyable romp. As for grading, I would waver between three or four stars, but confidently enough to land on three stars for the volume as a whole (even accounting for its weaker opening).
All in all, it is an enjoyable read, but if you are after some first class FF material, I would first and foremost recommend John Byrne's legendary run, and Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's original one. No other FF stories I have read tops those.
November 28, 2014
Acts of Vengeance (334-336). A mediocre start to Simonson's run. The plot of pathetic villains attacking the FF goes on 3 issues too long, and the plot of superhuman registration ends up being dull and heavy-handed. Both had potential, but neither comes off well [5+/10].
Into the Time-Stream (337-341). This arc has some great cosmic ideas and beautiful Simonson art. The plotting is unfortunately a bit plodding once you get past those big ideas, and Iron Man and Thor detract from this being a particularly good FF comic by stealing a lot of the screen time. It's still an interesting read [6/10].
As a whole, this volume has several wow moments, but none of it is great enough to get past the slow pacing.
Into the Time-Stream (337-341). This arc has some great cosmic ideas and beautiful Simonson art. The plotting is unfortunately a bit plodding once you get past those big ideas, and Iron Man and Thor detract from this being a particularly good FF comic by stealing a lot of the screen time. It's still an interesting read [6/10].
As a whole, this volume has several wow moments, but none of it is great enough to get past the slow pacing.
September 23, 2018
I wanted to read some older comics and rather than rereading Byrne again, I ended up reading Simonson’s run on the FF. Most of Simonson’s run has been translated into Finnish but not the first three issues in this collection.
The FF are really Fantastic Five in these stories because in addition to the Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, and the Human Torch, they include Ben who has turned back to a human (but sometimes uses a Thing costume which gives him enhanced strength) and Ms. Marvel, a female Thing, Sharon Ventura who is dating Ben. (And Johnny is married to Alicia.)
The collection starts with a three-issue Act of Vengeance tie-in. Very underwhelming supervillains try to take out the FF with mostly comical results. However, when the FF is invited to testify to four Congressmen about the superhero registration act, the singular attacks turn from amusing to annoying. In the third issue, the Act of Vengeance are wrapped up for the FF.
Then Simonson really starts going! A time bubble from the future is threatening the present. Reed discovers that and the FF (along with human Ben and female Thing Sharon) together with Iron Man and Thor dive into the time stream hoping to correct things. This is a continuation from Simonson’s Avengers run. Unfortunately, it also means that Thor and Iron Man are more prominent characters than Sue and Johnny.
Inside the time bubble is out of control Galactus, eating the whole universe. Now, the team must try to find some way to stop it. But evil blue woman Nebula has taken over Johnny’s mind and she has her own agenda. Guest-starring Death’s Head and Gladiator from the Imperial Guard.
While we get a brief recap of Avengers 296-297 and 300, I think it would have been far more reader friendly to simply include those issues in the collection, especially since I don’t think they’ve been reprinted anywhere. Of course, the whole Dr. Druid/Nebula thing started earlier, and I think those issues are reprinted in Avengers: Heavy Metal. I was subscribing to the Avengers at the time, so I have vague memories about the whole thing but readers who haven’t read them could well be quite confused, especially since the cross-time Kangs are involved (but only briefly).
But it doesn’t really matter. This is FF at their most cosmic, traveling through time with the time sled and to different places with Thor’s hammer. They encounter very dangerous foes during the desperate race to save the whole universe.
The collection ends with a cliffhanger and wraps up with Simonson’s interview and a couple of FF pin-ups. (who would have thought that Reed needs to advertise watches. 😊 )
Definitely recommended, if you like this sort of thing.
The FF are really Fantastic Five in these stories because in addition to the Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, and the Human Torch, they include Ben who has turned back to a human (but sometimes uses a Thing costume which gives him enhanced strength) and Ms. Marvel, a female Thing, Sharon Ventura who is dating Ben. (And Johnny is married to Alicia.)
The collection starts with a three-issue Act of Vengeance tie-in. Very underwhelming supervillains try to take out the FF with mostly comical results. However, when the FF is invited to testify to four Congressmen about the superhero registration act, the singular attacks turn from amusing to annoying. In the third issue, the Act of Vengeance are wrapped up for the FF.
Then Simonson really starts going! A time bubble from the future is threatening the present. Reed discovers that and the FF (along with human Ben and female Thing Sharon) together with Iron Man and Thor dive into the time stream hoping to correct things. This is a continuation from Simonson’s Avengers run. Unfortunately, it also means that Thor and Iron Man are more prominent characters than Sue and Johnny.
Inside the time bubble is out of control Galactus, eating the whole universe. Now, the team must try to find some way to stop it. But evil blue woman Nebula has taken over Johnny’s mind and she has her own agenda. Guest-starring Death’s Head and Gladiator from the Imperial Guard.
While we get a brief recap of Avengers 296-297 and 300, I think it would have been far more reader friendly to simply include those issues in the collection, especially since I don’t think they’ve been reprinted anywhere. Of course, the whole Dr. Druid/Nebula thing started earlier, and I think those issues are reprinted in Avengers: Heavy Metal. I was subscribing to the Avengers at the time, so I have vague memories about the whole thing but readers who haven’t read them could well be quite confused, especially since the cross-time Kangs are involved (but only briefly).
But it doesn’t really matter. This is FF at their most cosmic, traveling through time with the time sled and to different places with Thor’s hammer. They encounter very dangerous foes during the desperate race to save the whole universe.
The collection ends with a cliffhanger and wraps up with Simonson’s interview and a couple of FF pin-ups. (who would have thought that Reed needs to advertise watches. 😊 )
Definitely recommended, if you like this sort of thing.
January 25, 2019
I liked the book but there was a bit too much courtroom type drama going on for me. It was fun when the lesser able superheroes were coming out of the woodwork trying to fight the Fantastic Four....and they were thwarted with one punch or they tripped themselves up without any fighting. I like the outer space/future aspect of the story with Galactus trying to destroy the universe. The dream/mind domination was interesting. Teaming up with Ironman and Thor made it fun as well. Always great drawings and fun dialog with battles, battles and more battles. I just thought some of the stories went on too long with the same thing happening over and over. I will read the next volumes though, have to see where this goes.
June 30, 2019
I love Walt Simonson, and this is easily my favorite post-Kirby run on FF. Sometimes I think Simonson is the only person that should be allowed to touch Kirby's characters. While their art styles are certainly quite different, Simonson is able to match the excitement and bombast of Kirby's work in the way that no one else really can. Everything in this volume is incredibly goofy, but goddamn can Simonson (like Kirby) sell goofiness. It's really only the first three issues (drawn by nobody's favorite artist Rich Buckler) that don't completely connect, because Buckler can't sell the goofiness. When you're being goofy like this, you gotta go big and you gotta go fun, and (when both writing and drawing) Simonson can do that like almost no one else can.
November 24, 2020
I love how the following pattern goes:
1990: Walt Simonson takes over Jack Kirby's seminal Marvel series, FF, makes preceding writer/artist John Byrne look like a chump.
2000: Walt Simonson takes over Jack Kirby's seminal DC series, the 4th World, from John Byrne, makes Byrne look like a chump.
That said, the "FF Goes to Congress" story is awful & ridiculous in conception, despite fun Rich Buckler art & some witty Walt Simonson 1liners.
However, the Simonson written & drawn "Into the Time Stream" arc is magnificent, combing sublime cosmic visuals & fun psychonautic reversals, easily the best FF had been since Jack Kirby's late 60s Latverian tribute to *The Prisoner*.
1990: Walt Simonson takes over Jack Kirby's seminal Marvel series, FF, makes preceding writer/artist John Byrne look like a chump.
2000: Walt Simonson takes over Jack Kirby's seminal DC series, the 4th World, from John Byrne, makes Byrne look like a chump.
That said, the "FF Goes to Congress" story is awful & ridiculous in conception, despite fun Rich Buckler art & some witty Walt Simonson 1liners.
However, the Simonson written & drawn "Into the Time Stream" arc is magnificent, combing sublime cosmic visuals & fun psychonautic reversals, easily the best FF had been since Jack Kirby's late 60s Latverian tribute to *The Prisoner*.
May 21, 2019
Walt Simonson begins his tenure on the book with two great stories. The first is a fun romp (with some serious themes) that has some fun with one of the most ill conceived crossovers Marvel has ever had. The second is a great space/time romp in the finest FF tradition. Great adventure, fun dialogue and enjoyable guest stars! Its amazing how Simonson hits the ground running and doesn't stop.
September 16, 2018
Anything Walter Simonson puts his hands and mind on, it instantly becomes a classic. From X-Factor to his legendary Thor run, the man does great comic book storytelling, and this first collection of his FF run is just as memorable.
September 22, 2021
Good time travel fun with an out of time mystery to end it off.
August 17, 2024
Simply some of the best faux Jack Kirby you will ever read. Incredible
January 12, 2023
Three issues into this collection, I was very, very dubious. The Acts of Vengeance storyline, which has the government considering registering super-humans, felt like it was shoe-horned into the title, and the humor Walt played against the story was too forced. Awkward.
Then... man, I wish Marvel'd collection the relevant issues of Walt's Avengers run rather than the Acts of Vengeance FF issues. I was a bit confused (trying to pick up story threads from Walt's Avengers issues), but I had lots of fun reading it.
Following on those Avengers issues, which I've never read, the FF travel to the future, into a time bubble that's expanding to destroy all of time. They battle the Black Celestial and Galactus gone insane, have their own members possessed by beings with delusions of would-be godhood, and get to set off HUGE explosions. Crazy stuff, but lots of run. It's not Walt's best work, but one of the better FF stories I've read.
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I picked up Walt's FF run on Kindle (I borrowed it from the library when I read it back in 2007) and I still have mixed feelings about this first book. The opening chapters ("Acts of Vengeance") remains a tedious affair, although Walt's humor does alleviate the slog a bit. The Celestial/Galactus saga remains fun for its wildly epic scope (I think Grant Morrison learned to write wild sci-fi jargon speak by reading Simonson!), although reading it again, I found the characters a little flat and thought the entire arc could've read a bit quicker. It's still a solid superhero yarn for the bigness of it all, but it's not essential.
Then... man, I wish Marvel'd collection the relevant issues of Walt's Avengers run rather than the Acts of Vengeance FF issues. I was a bit confused (trying to pick up story threads from Walt's Avengers issues), but I had lots of fun reading it.
Following on those Avengers issues, which I've never read, the FF travel to the future, into a time bubble that's expanding to destroy all of time. They battle the Black Celestial and Galactus gone insane, have their own members possessed by beings with delusions of would-be godhood, and get to set off HUGE explosions. Crazy stuff, but lots of run. It's not Walt's best work, but one of the better FF stories I've read.
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I picked up Walt's FF run on Kindle (I borrowed it from the library when I read it back in 2007) and I still have mixed feelings about this first book. The opening chapters ("Acts of Vengeance") remains a tedious affair, although Walt's humor does alleviate the slog a bit. The Celestial/Galactus saga remains fun for its wildly epic scope (I think Grant Morrison learned to write wild sci-fi jargon speak by reading Simonson!), although reading it again, I found the characters a little flat and thought the entire arc could've read a bit quicker. It's still a solid superhero yarn for the bigness of it all, but it's not essential.
June 3, 2008
While a big improvement over the post-Byrne drek that FF had become, Walt Simonson shovels on so much cosmic stuff and tries to wrap up a bunch of story threads from other comics he's worked on that the FF get a bit lost in the shuffle and feel like guest stars in their own comic.
On the plus side, the characterization is strong, the art is nice and some of the cosmic moments are knock your socks off cool.
Just the story goes on too long and by the time it's wrapped up you are exhausted and a bit unsatisfied.
On the plus side, the characterization is strong, the art is nice and some of the cosmic moments are knock your socks off cool.
Just the story goes on too long and by the time it's wrapped up you are exhausted and a bit unsatisfied.
September 12, 2013
Although I liked the social commentary, the first story in this trade wasn't really my cup of tea. The second story (spanning 5 issues) was on a cosmic level which I usually don't enjoy but it really surprised me! Perhaps it was because of Thor (considering it was written by Simonson I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise)? I mean "Friend Iron Man, stand aside whilst Thor doth prove his mettle 'gainst yonder villains!", right guys? Not recommended as your first adventure with the FF, but still a good read.
September 20, 2011
The first story is very good. All about a Superhuman Registration Act, and only Reed Richards can stop it. It also ties in with 'Acts of Vengeance' and there is a slapstick element to the plot that can be amusing. I was surprised when reading this because I always thought that was brought in for 'Civil War', so this was interesting. The cosmic story was ok, and tied in with an Avengers storyline.
February 24, 2020
This was fun, the plot moved faster than you could keep up which for a Fantastic Four story is just fine. The collection starts weird with the FF testifying before congress which isn't very super but just as scary if not more scary than fighting skulls. Awesome start to Mr. Simonson's run.
July 26, 2010
Unexpectedly breathtaking. Crazy, insane, over-the-top superheroics at their best. This is Simonson at the peak of his powers.
March 29, 2014
Simonson did some amazing, career-defining work on Thor, but his Fantastic Four stories vary wildly between weak and incomprehensible. Very disappointing.
March 29, 2015
As fun as this volume is, it makes me glad that comic book writing has evolved over the years. Corny, cliched, slightly lame... but the story is amusing.
December 9, 2020
A beginning of an incredible saga. The most imaginative the FF has gotten since the Lee-Kirby years
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