The Fantastic Four, perhaps more than any other Marvel comic from the 1960s and 70s, established an unbelievable quantity of lore that would define the brand’s shared comic universe. I didn’t know it as a new comics reader in the late 1980s, but many of the core themes, concepts, and characters I loved were started in the pages of the Fantastic Four from that era. Thankfully, Marvel has been reprinting these seminal issues, and this Epic Collection is yet another fine assortment of tales from their first family.
Containing Fantastic Four #147-167, Avengers #127, and the FF Giant-Size #2-4, this Epic Collection has a lot of comic action within a single book. These issues were all published between 1974 and 76, so the indispensable Roy Thomas and Len Wein are still guiding the ship, but Gerry Conway also does some fine work. Following Kirby’s run, Thomas fashioned the template that the Fantastic Four would forever be known for high cosmic fantasy and sci-fi, wrapped in comic melodrama, complimented by outlandishly colorful illustrations. Even if this is your first look at the classic Fantastic Four, this trade is a delightful way to explore this crew’s astounding, imaginative output.
Credit: Marvel
Like other comics from this era, this trade is packed with narrative content. While plot lines build and develop, individual issues are far more self-contained and story-dense than your standard modern fare. We have short arcs that explore the Inhuman royal family, an invasion of New York by Namor, and the return of Silver Surfer and Doctor Doom, all while Sue and Reed Richards’ relationship is strained under the team’s responsibilities to mankind. There is a lot to absorb, but it never feels needlessly convoluted or burdensome. There is a finesse to the pacing that is admirable to read, even though these issues are nearly 50 years old.
Credit: Marvel
My favorite issues are #155-157, featuring Doctor Doom, Silver Surfer, and Mephisto thrown in for good measure. Doom capture’s Shalla-Bal to turn the surfer against the Fantastic Four, only to have his plan backfire. The life given to these fantastic characters lights up the page with energy; they are incredibly fun reads accompanied by Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott’s incredible pencil work. Janice Cohen’s colors also don’t get enough credit when discussing the success of these issues, as her vibrant work adds so much to every panel.
Marvel outdid themselves with the supplementals in this Epic Collection as well. We get full-page reproductions of covers from previous trades, the ubiquities of sketch and ink pages, and Charley Parker’s F.O.O.M. parody strip from this period. For folks like me, who enjoy reading these trades to get my mind in the headspace of the era they originated, Parker’s comical strip only helps add to the retro vibe.
The Crusader Syndrome collects some incredible Fantastic Four comics that helped establish the Marvel Universe we know and love today and should be required reading for any superhero genre fan.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.