There are two things that do fantastic Four unlike any other group of Marvel characters. One, that its history, is the first collaboration between Stan Lee And Jack Kirby on their journey together. The other, which is an original family of superheroes from the publisher. This combination makes them symbolic inside house of ideas.
For more than sixty years, its expansive story has allowed creators such as Roy Thomas, John Buscema, George Perez And John Byrne, could innovate in the methods and modes of storytelling. From using different scenarios, united by one plot, to studying the emotional evolution of its participants. Also, it is one of the names silver Age comics that are still relevant today.
Since its publication in 1961 they have been allies Avengers and opponents of villains like Galactus, Doctor Doom, Namor or Kang the conqueror who did they have a big fight with multiversions. They are critical to understanding how the world of interconnected stories that Marvel is came to be.
Long Way Fantastic 4
Argument fantastic Four was born as Marvel’s answer to justice league from COLUMBIA REGION. Stan Lee He realized that the publisher needed superheroes who could represent the values of the time. But they were not considered an imitation of one of the successes of his rival. So it is no coincidence that his origin was the prerequisite for a team united not only by good deeds, but also by kinship.
The quartet includes Reed Richards also called mr fantasticis considered the smartest person in the world. He is a resourceful scientist who is proficient in all sciences, especially electrical engineering, aerospace mechanics, chemistry, physics, and biology. He is accompanied on most of his adventures by his fiancée and later by his wife. Susan Stormnicknamed invisible womanalso committed to technological research.
On the other hand, this Johnny StormBrother Susan and with great mechanical skills. Finally found Ben Grimmfriend from college reed, astronaut and US Air Force test pilot. Each of them, although they are already extraordinary individually, they are even more extraordinary when they act in a group. With the common goal of keeping your dearest relatives safe.
New faces, old places in Marvel
Over the years, the group has changed characters, and once even Susan left her husband for Namor, the quartet’s traditional enemy who made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. But essentially, Marvel is trying to stick to the same point of view: a dysfunctional family. In addition to their abilities and leadership, various writers have always emphasized that they are connected.
The latter helps to better understand how they behave in their adventures and what decisions they make. fantastic Four they will never betray each other, and in those cases that have taken place, it is immediately clear that it was an impulse and pressure from external forces.
An unexpected accident and a long journey of adventure
According to his first volume, Fantastic Four #1, who received their abilities after being exposed to cosmic rays during a scientific mission in outer space. The radioactive effect had different consequences for each of the characters. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby decided that the premise would explore the possibility that the heroes’ abilities were not tied to a specific goal to achieve, but were random.
reed he discovered that his body could be made elastic to a biologically impossible level. When Susan, he became invisible at will. From my side, Johnny he could raise his body temperature and turn into flames in human form without being burned. Finally, the skin Ben it hardened and turned into a stone-like material and took on a reddish color.
The Fantastic Four travel through the history of modern comics.
One of the most interesting elements fantastic Four, is that its creators have designed exclusive numbers to show how they have adapted to their newly discovered conditions. At that time, the heroes of the publishing house instantly learned to use their abilities. But in the team’s case, being an accident, it forced them through trial and error to figure out what they could do.
The first stories developed in independent battles with the enemy to defeat. In his first period – which spans the entire 1960s – he was included in the adventures Namorpreviously owned timely comics. His arrival at Marvel came between confrontations with reedhis main enemy.
But it will be number five, published in July 1962, when it was presented to the public. Doctor Doom, his greatest enemy. In the early years of his life, most of the plots were battles against both villains, in which mr fantastic he used to win thanks to his superior intellect.
But the stories are no longer attractive to readers. In 1981, the Fantastic Four fell into complete decline. Despite being the source of several symbolic editorial arcs such as Black Panther And nonhumansHis story trailed off. Especially when he became a reference to other stories, and not the center of his own.
In the early eighties, fantastic Four they were considered old-fashioned and a relic destined to disappear. much more when Doug Moench And Bill Sienkiewicz, turned the usual series into identical cycles. The team beat the villain on duty with the same tricks and deductions.
It was then that the editor-in-chief of Marvel, Jim Shooter, decided to make one last attempt to update my theme. To do this, he hired John Byrne, a screenwriter who achieved significant success on the series. X-Men.
Revival that brought a second wind
The number one responsible for the new creative was Back to Basics!, Fantastic Four in July 1981. The artist was commissioned to give a second wind fantastic Four. This included rearranging their narrative routine – self-contained and very similar to each other – and even redesigning their uniforms.
Remember that in the early eighties, Marvel comics were based on error-prone characters who used their powers in anger or fear. But at the same time they retained their casual look and simple clothes, in the style of spiderman And Hulk. So fantastic Four compared to them they seemed archaic. John Byrne’s main goal was to give the comic a modern look.
Reception was lukewarm at first, and it took four more releases for the new concept to become a real sales success. The writer will be responsible for such important events as giving moral nuances reed and give love Ben. Also from evolution Susan, as something more than a wife and a minor luxury. But the most striking change was in Johnnyturned into a darker character than his previous version.
Fantastic Four at the center of Marvel’s great battles
In 1984, John Byrne’s premises held a trial of Reed Richards to destroy skull empire and presented Galactus, eater of worlds. During this year, superheroes became associated with almost all of the publisher’s arcs. What’s included Vigilant, One and even a mysterious figure Eternitywhich was shown briefly and with a different character than the comic in Thor: Love and Thunder.
In particular, the writer emphasized Galactus, has evolved into a space villain whose appearances intersect with several major Marvel stories. All under stage fantastic Fourwhose importance and influence has increased. So much so that several releases this year are a prologue to the classic version. Secret Wars Jim Shooter, first big event crossover from the publisher.
John Byrne was in charge of the characters for 63 issues and nearly five years. Scenarios got more complicated – this was the moment when Susan becomes pregnant and also becomes sensitive. From the stereotypes of the kind, and then the heroes who support others, they have become leaders of dozens of different initiatives, including Illuminati. By the time the writer ceased being the author of the comic book series, she had become one of the most important to Marvel.
The family of heroes has new faces
In the nineties, the publication included arguments from Roger Stern, Tom DeFalco, Roy Thomas And Steve Englehart. However, the quality of the conflicts has declined and their impact on the mainstream narratives has diminished. In 2009, Jonathan Hickman took control of the characters to restart their stories. But this time it wasn’t about retouching the uniform or its purpose.
The British writer achieved with his work dark kingdominclude dozens of storylines involving conspiracy theories related to Skrull. Which led to the possibility of imitation and intergalactic travel. It was a turn that resumed fantastic Four and it has taken an important place in modern comics.
Since then, various arguments have touched on issues that cover such broad topics as the alien personification of secret societies. Also change its members at different times of emergencies. From Hulk (in his personality as mr fixit), spiderman, Wolverine, Ghost rider (How Danny Ketch) He Doctor Strange They were part of their ranks.
One step forward to hit the big screen again
In 2016, due to a legal dispute between Marvel and 20th Century Fox over character licenses, their stories were removed from the publisher’s catalog. But in 2018 they are back with their original members signed by Dan Slot and with artist Sarah Pichelli in charge of cartoons. This is considered the third great renaissance in history.
At present, the classic superheroes are still popular and again, with the original members, are about to return to the world of cinema in the expected reload which will be released in February 2025. Certainly to be the narrative thread that will re-energize the Marvel Cinematic Universe when it needs it most.
Source: Hiper Textual
