Product Description
The destruction of Buffy's hometown, plus covert and powerful slayer "cells" around the world, add up to a new label for the Scoobies: Terrorist threat. Speaking of Sunnydale, the crater formerly known as, has opened to reveal the witch Amy, and boy is she mad.
Season Eight continues as Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to Season Seven of the smash-hit TV series.
Customer Reviews:
And the story continues.......2007-04-22
Warning: Thar be spoilers ahead!
Remember each week those exciting words (which alerted us that we were about to get a new exciting episode of the best show on TV)? "Previously on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER . . . " The new comic series seems to be doing something along these same lines. On the inside of the outer cover are printed the following:
"This story takes place after the end of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Season Seven.
"The Slayer population of the world has gone from two to nearly two thousand. Almost five hundred are working around the world with Buffy's organization in squads--or "terrorist cells," according to the American military. Buffy, Xander, Dawn, and a passel of Slayers are currently bunked out in a Scottish castle, where the latest mission revealed a strange symbol carved into human bodies.
"Also, Dawn's a giant."
This may be a summary that is rewritten each month to reflect what has happened in the previous issues.
The first episode in Season Eight established the situation; this one begins moving the story forward. The U.S. military (or rather, a military leader who has on his chest the strange symbol referred to in the monthly summary) has authorized Amy the witch and her army of zombies to go after Buffy and her cohorts. After the story begins with three very different approaches to training the new slayers by first Giles, then Buffy, and finally Andrew (who actually couldn't be said to be training them at all) we find Xander explaining why Dawn took the form of a giant when it was possible she could have assumed other forms instead (obviously, she is trying to get her sister's attention in the most blatant manner possible). The catch is, does Xander really tell any of this to Buffy or is it all just part of what we later learn is a spell-induced sleep in which she experiences an unbroken nightmare. And in a fairy-tale twist she can only be awakened by the kiss of true love. We can, of course, imagine a line of possible candidates for that: Angel and Spike fighting to be first in line. Well, of course Buffy will be awakened, and sooner rather than later. Can't imagine her being asleep at the end of the next episode. The tricky part is how one defines "true love." That needn't mean romantic love. My gut tells me that the kiss won't come from any of the usual suspects. My money is on Dawn. Yeah, I know. No one likes Dawn. But the brute fact is that except for struggling to save her in Season Five, Buffy has been a truly awful sister. Not in a Cinderella step sisterly way, but in the completely neglectful, can't-spare-her-a-minute way. But early in Season Six, Dawn seemed to miss her more than anyone. Like I said, my money is on Dawn.
The issues ends with Buffy asleep, the castle under assault by hundreds of zombies they can't keep at bay, Amy gloating that she could handle slayers with ease, so there was no one there who could take her on. The final frame is of someone who says that they would "like to test that theory." And thus Willow makes her first appearance in the story.
I am going to say something that I don't think I can say often enough. I don't want Joss Whedon writing comics. I want him creating new television shows. I suspect he enjoys the control that a comic gives him. I am sure he is tired of battling studios and networks. I can understand that. But once the battles have been waged and the BS has been waded through, Joss Whedon has been able to create some of the most extraordinary, most timeless television that has ever been made. He needs to get back to it. That being said, I am so much happier with him doing BUFFY Season Eight than either his X-Men project or the Runaways (and mind you, I like both the X-Men and the Runaways). There are others who can tell further stories about the X-Men and the Runaways, but Joss Whedon is only one who can give us authoritative Buffy stories. So I am acquiring these with joy and my heart and impatience in my soul. But I want him back in television. We've had some great TV since BUFFY and ANGEL left the air. LOST, 24, VERONICA MARS, and especially BATTLESTAR GALACTICA have filled the huge gap BUFFY left at its departure. But LOST needs to start winding down (whether it will has to be seen), BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (the only show to completely match the brilliance that was BUFFY) has possibly only one more season left and at most two before Ron Moore brings his series to an end. 24 is definitely in decline. VERONICA MARS might be cancelled. In short, JOSS! WE NEED YOU TO COME BACK TO TELEVISION! But in the meantime, I'll wolf down every one of these issues.
Episode Two: Attack of the Rat.......2007-04-05
Buffy fans will be expecting a lot after seven stellar seasons on television and the success of the first issue of "Season Eight." So the question here is this: Does Issue #2 deliver?
In short, yes. I have to say though--there is so much going on, so many jokes, and so much foreshadowing that I wasn't able to completely enjoy the Jossy goodness until my second read. The first read intrigued me, but the second wow-ed me.
The plot continues directly from the previous issue. Amy (the former rat) is working with the government to take out Buffy and the slayers, and she has an army of zombies to back her up. The ending sequences are amazing--I'm already itching for May 2nd to come so I can get my hands on the third issue. There was a big revelation about half-way through the comic, and clues to who the Big Bad of the season will be as well. Giant Dawn is great, Buffy is true to herself, and Xander is playing the biggest role he's played since the first season.
This issue also re-introduces two fan favorites: Giles and Andrew. So, all in all, this issue is just as good as the first. But did anybody expect anything less? I mean, come on--Joss Whedon wrote it.
9/10
Average customer rating:
- HULK vs. THING-'nuff said
- Lee/Kirby build a legend
- Great stories, ok format.
- Fantastic Four Merely OK...
- Fantastic stories at a great price!
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Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee , and
Jack Kirby
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
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ASIN: 0785107312 |
Customer Reviews:
HULK vs. THING-'nuff said.......2001-08-15
While this issue also contains many great classics such as the introduction of the Frightful Four,a fab X-Men crossover and a couple great Dr. Doom tales,it proudly re-produces the greatest comic-story ever told. FF#25 is,in my opinion,the greatest fight ever produced by the twin towers of Lee & Kirby(I, by the way have,over the years,read every issue of all Avengers,Spiderman,FF,Thor,Hulk,X-Men...all the way down to Dazzler,Spiderwoman and even (ouch) Eternals,titles marvel has come out with, as a great family friend founded and still owns the main comic/book store in St.Paul,Mn.-my hometown). The whole issue is one big knock-down drag-out between aunt Petunias favorite nephew bashful benjamin and old jade jaws, the likes of which has rarely been approached and never equaled in all of comic-dom. Face Front True Believers- this one is a can't miss!
Lee/Kirby build a legend.......2001-01-09
This book has better plotted stories than the 1st "Essential FF". However, the idea of the group fighting/breaking up recurs too many times as a plotline. Other than that, we get several excellent Dr. Doom stories-his origin and the "Battle of the Baxter Building" are classics. The Baxter Building story has a poignant moment when Reed Richards must decide whether to turn Ben Grimm back into the Thing (possibly forever). The Hate Monger, in his 1st appearance is a very provacative character for the era. The stories featuring Dr Storm and Gideon are pure melodrama best read only by completists. Plus we get 5 crossovers with other characters (4 in a row at one point)-Most of them carried by the misunderstanding that leads the FF to battle other heroes. However the Daredevil crossover is a classic. These stories function as filler before the next volume which should feature the premiere appearances of Galactus, Silver Surfer, the Black Panther and the Inhumans.
Great stories, ok format........2000-12-19
The Marvel Essential series of books leaves me with a bittersweet feeling. While I love the stories, think it's great that we get twenty issues reprinted per volume, and can't deny that the price is right, there is always the spectre of the superior Marvel Masterworks series hanging overhead.
Here are the facts: With the Essential series you get about twenty comics reprinted in a paperback format, with black and white artwork, on what seems to be pulpy acidic paper.
The Masterworks series, which cost about three times as much, give you (usually) ten comics reprinted in hardback format, with color artwork, on glossy paper.
The choice is clear for me: Make Mine Masterworks!
Fantastic Four Merely OK..........2000-08-02
Comics fans usually date the Silver Age of the medium from the first appearance of the Fantastic Four in FF#1. By the time the issues collected in "Essential Fantastic Four vol.2" appeared, however, the magazine had lost quite a bit of its initial steam. Jack Kirby's art still retained its powerful punch, but Stan Lee's writing began to show the strain as he tried to crank out multiple Marvel titles every month.
As a result, the FF went through a number of odd mood swings, such as when Sue Storm joined the Thing and the Human Torch in trying to oust her own fiance as leader of the group because he spent too much time working on scientific projects. The stoic Mr. Fantastic responds to this leadership challenge with all the grace of a three-year-old. While the Torch and Thing's bickering has always been part of the formula, Lee usually plays Richards and Storm with some nuance.
There is plenty of good stuff here as well. The first appearance of Dragon Man is a keeper, as are Dr. Doom's appearances (including the legendary "Battle of the Baxter Building"). Of particular interest is a story wherein in the aftermath of a battle with the Frightful Four, the FF lose their powers and develop alternate means of taking the fight to their enemies.
I recommend this collection to die-hard FF fans (like they don't already have it) and Jack Kirby fans interested in the very beginnings of his cosmic style. For all others, pick up the first volume instead.
Fantastic stories at a great price!.......2000-01-24
Another excellent tome in the "Essential" collection, this one covers the "mid" years of the Lee/Kirby run, between the outstanding inventiveness of the earliest material and the legendary run in the #40-#60 range that introduced Galactus, the Inhumans, etc. So what's the highlight here? Well, #20-#40 pretty much are reprinted, and even in black and white they mostly shine - the best stories include the origin of Dr. Doom, a slam-bang battle between the FF, the Hulk and the Avengers, an awesome confrontation between a powerless FF and Doom, and the introduction of the Frightful Four! Woo! Great stuff! I'm only knocking this down one star because of the hideous inking Kirby's pencils got on the first five or so issues included in this collection - it's slapdash and sketchy, awful stuff compared to Chic Stone's great inking in the last 2/3 or so of this mammoth book. Buy it!
Book Description
The early adventures of Marvel's First Family continues, featuring showdowns with the Incredible Hulk, Namor, Dr. Doom and the shape-shifting Super-Skrull, who has all the combined powers of the FF! Plus Ant-Man, Spider-Man and the mysterious Watcher!
Customer Reviews:
Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 2.......2007-09-04
These are great compilation books! My husband is collecting them & he loves them! They are filled with glossy color pages inside & the book is hard cover with a dust jacket. You get 10 comics per book & it is a great way to collect these rare jewels. I will continue to purchase these books for my husband in the future.
This book contains annual #1.......2007-06-01
Some of the above reviews state that this book contains
annual #2. That is not true, this volume has annual #1
with the Sub-Mariner.
Make Mine Fantastic.......2006-02-21
Securely contained in a flat mailer and shrinkwrapped, this hardcover volume arrived perfect and ready to be enjoyed. Oh, and the content is excellent, a genuine Cold War artifact.
An excellent collection.......2005-09-03
Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four.
INTRODUCTION:
Although Stan "The Man" Lee is now a legend in the comic book world, he wasn't always thought of this way. Early in the sixties, Lee had already been producing comic books for over a decade, and none of them had become very successful. That was, until he and collaborator Jack Kirby created The Fantastic Four. Although Lee's earlier ventures didn't gain him any real success, this new tale of a crimefighting quartet with super powers and a real world atmosphere won over audiences. And now, the Marvel Masterworks collection has reissued many of the classic Fantastic Four comics! Read on for my review of these collections.
OVERVIEW:
The Fantastic Four was one of Stan Lee's first comics to achieve major success. Although the series is not as well-known as some of Lee's later creations like Spider-Man, the series itself is no less loved by comic die-hards. The basic storyline involves a foursome taking a trip into outer space in a rocket to study a form of light rays. But it's a short-lived trip into space they'll never forget. The effects of the rays cause each member of the foursome to gain powers. Sue Storm becomes the Invisible Woman, with the power to become invisible or visible at will. Her brother Johnny Storm becomes the Human Torch, who can turn himself into a living fireball. Sue's lover Reed Richards becomes Mr. Fantastic, who has elastic-like limbs that can reach great distances and become extremely flexible. And last, but certainly not least, is Ben Grimm. The radiation transformed him into The Thing, a rock-bodied powerhouse whose strength is virtually unrivaled. The foursome agrees to use their powers to fend off the various evils that threaten the world.
REVIEW:
These stores are awesome, and it's great to get so many of them in one quick and convenient place. I'm sure plenty of fans were getting sick and tired of having to hunt down and buy these comics at radically-inflated prices. Each story is reprinted extremely well, with beautifully-remastered color. These reprints, however, do NOT include all the original ads and letters, but if you're just in it for the stories themselves, that's a GOOD thing. On average, each collecton contains ten full-length comics. If you're a fan of the series, these Masterworks collections are a worthy addition to your library.
EDITION NOTES:
There are two versions of these collections available - Hardcover and Paperback. Unfortunately, the less-expensive paperback editions are Barnes And Noble exclusives, which will be a problem if you don't have one near you. I really wish they would release a CD-ROM comic collection for The Fantastic Four, like what they did for Spider-Man. But, that doesn't look too likely. And as it is, the Masterworks are the most effective way to build a Fantastic Four collection.
OVERALL:
The only thing that there is really left to say is that this is a great collection. It's great to have these stories back in print, and all in one convenient location. With roughly ten comics in every collection, the Marvel Masterworks series is strongly recommended. If you're a fan and you don't own this yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your collection. No fan should be without these classic stories.
Marvel gathers momentum.......2005-07-28
Classic villians make their debut in Marvel's second FF Masterworks volume, and as a longtime reader and fan of Stan and Jack's fabulous foursome I thoroughly enjoyed this volume. The FF always seemed like some crazy amalgammation of DC's Challengers of the Unknown and the Justice League to me, and since there were elements of both these titles in FF that appealed to my imagination I have almost never read a disappointing issue collected within the first six volumes of this series.
However, that having been said, the first story in this volume featuring the Impossible Man is utterly ridiculous. Even though it introduces a character that will be handled well by other writers later on in the series, it does not have any of the verve and inventiveness apparent in the nine stories that follow it. Do not let this deter you from buying this collection. It features legendary encounters between the FF and the Hulk, as well as Ant-Man and Spider-Man in later issues. Doctor Doom appears at least twice, as well as the Sub-Mariner, The Mad Thinker and The Molecule Man, not to mention the Super Skrull.
What makes this volume worthwhile is the focus on character development and humour, which certainly makes for some entertaining reading (especially when the FF quarrel amongst themselves). Far better than volume one, this Masterworks collection will not disappoint any fan of the classic Marvel age of comics.
Average customer rating:
- Keeps you guessing
- Not great, not bad
- Blackbolt is now my favorite hero.
- A grand and enchanting spotlight on some of Marvel's most overlooked characters
- A little melodramatic
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The Inhumans (Marvel Comics, Fantastic Four)
Paul Jenkins
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
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ASIN: 0785107533 |
Customer Reviews:
Keeps you guessing.......2007-08-08
If you want to see Inhumans kicking butt, then this isn't the book for you. This book will give you a close look at the personalities of the Inhumans. This book also has mysteries that you won't figure out right away. A great tale of suspense and thrill, along with a twist of the new generation of young Inhumans to go through the terrigen mists. AWESOME READ!!!
Not great, not bad.......2007-06-23
This book features great art, but I am an admitted fan of Lee's work. The story on the other hand is not great. You read the whole book expecting that something good or interesting will happen, but it never does. With hindsight, I would only purchase it if the price was right.
Blackbolt is now my favorite hero........2007-05-31
I've read a lot of comics. Never have I felt that I understood and connected with a character such as Jenkin's Blackbolt. For Blackbolt to save his people's lives he had to sacrife their trust in him. AMAZING. To have to meditate an hour everyday so that a cough or a hiccup doesn't kill everybody you love and care about; that's INCREDIBLE. For your brother to be your greatest enemy and yet after he brings the whole city to the brink of destruction you feel sorry and forgive him like he just eat the last piece of cake? UNIMAGINABLE. This my fellow readers is a masterpiece. 1 of the top five books I have EVER read. Nuff' Said.
A grand and enchanting spotlight on some of Marvel's most overlooked characters.......2007-05-11
The Inhumans are some of the most compelling characters in the Marvel universe, despite being decidedly obscure. Speculative fan grudge matches rarely include the citizens of Attilan, despite the fact that a sustained scream from Black Bolt would probably vaporize much of the known Marvel universe. But for this 12-issue miniseries puts the Inhumans take center stage, as their peaceful seclusion is threatened by a human invasion.
Jenkins takes us into Inhuman society without asking for any prior knowledge of the characters, introducing us to the Inhuman royal family: the martial, obstinate Gorgon; the contemplative, tattooed Karnak; the devoted and self-sacrificing Medusa; the noble, compassionate Triton; the passionate and free-spirited Crystal; the demented and corrupt Maximus; the lovable giant dog Lockjaw (whose Ben Grimm chew toy is a priceless flourish); and of course, the silent king of Attilan, Black Bolt.
Through deft use of second-person narration, Jenkins accomplishes the formidable task of allowing us to identify with one of the Marvel U's most powerful and enigmatic characters. A first-person account of Black Bolt's thoughts would cheapen his silence, but Jenkins' gently speculative outsider view coupled with the king's gestures and postures conveys multitudes.
Jae Lee's rich, gorgeous artwork brings the Inhumans' highly advanced but deeply traditional society to life. Lee is currently receiving some well-deserved acclaim for his sumptuous, lavish work on The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born miniseries, and his contributions from years earlier don't disappointment.
The series isn't perfect - it tends to drag a bit towards the middle, and we can empathize with the family's frustration at Black Bolt's seeming inaction as he patiently observes the events unfolding around him. But it makes up for this with a battery of priceless moments and set-pieces. The second issue's portrayal of a group of adolescents' terrigenesis is flawless; Triton's involvement at the sinking of the Lusitania is riveting and moving; and the view of the chaos in Attilan from Lockjaw's point of view is deeply endearing and tons of fun.
The Inhumans' profile has been raised a bit as of late, thanks to Black Bolt's involvement in the Illuminati and the fallout from the House of M. It's as good a time as any to revisit this treasure of a miniseries, which presents the Marvel U's greatest ever characterization of Attilan's aristocracy.
A little melodramatic.......2007-02-13
I bought this after reading the Transformers/GI Joe with Jae Lee. The drawing was stunningly dirty and the story was communicated through action. This reminded me a lot of Infinity Crisis (which people also love)- a lot of talk about what it means to be heroes and heroes in heroic poses.
Book Description
These early classic Stan Lee/Jack Kirby adventures of Marvel's First Family - The Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, the Thing, and Mr. Fantastic - defined the Marvel Age of Comics! Collects Fantastic Four #1-20 and Annual #1.
Customer Reviews:
OUTSTANDING!.......2007-05-25
I really liked this volume (and subsequent numbers 2-5 for that matter). It brought me back to a more simpler time in my life when all I worried about was how the Fantastic Four was going to beat Dr. Doom again, and not today when I worry about the rent or who is going to be the next President.
GOOD STUFF! I would somewhat disagree with those reviewers who commented about how the paper is not as good (it isn't) or the fact that it is published in black and white and not color. As DC has done with their titles in their "Showcase Presents" series, both of these were obviously done to keep the price down to the consumer, and for that I am grateful.
One personal quibble. At the front of each volume, they have a couple pages listing each volume by number, and the writer, penciler, inker, and letterer, but they failed to list the title of the individual book there (ie. Fantastic Four 21#:'The Hate Monger', Fantastic Four 22# 'The Return of the Moleman," etc). To me this seemed incomplete as it forces you to look through the full volume for one villian. That may have been the publishers intentions, but I wish they had followed DC's example in the way they did theirs.
I personally own about a quarter of the original volumes listed in the entire "Fantastic Four Marvel Essential" series (bought them as a kid), and keep them in special individual plastic sleeves to preserve them. Not so much for financial reasons, but more for the memories. Therefore, for me, it was good to read them in this complilation set, and not having to worry about the condition if I were to take mine out of their sleeves to read them.
Looking forward to volume six when it comes out.
Buy This Book And Read It If You Love Comics.......2007-04-29
I love classic comics! I wasn't even alive when these were printed and being born twenty years later I'm happy they reprinted these classics. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby are my favorite comic celebrity team. The writing and stories are classic comics with a capitol c. The art is awesome. The books still hold up today. They're really enjoyable stories with great art. It'll make you a better person to read these. The black and white printing annoys me a little in this day and age. We have the technology to at least print them on color newsprint... but it does help you enjoy the art in its simplicity. But who can complain at the price? Great for summer reading outside!
PERHAPS THE BEST OF THE MARVEL ESSENTIALS.......2007-03-14
The Essential Fantastic Four, Volume I is possibly the greatest bound volume of the Marvel Essentials. Included is the origin storyline of perhaps the greatest villain of all time, namely the brilliant and psychologically complex Doctor Doom. Prevalent throughout this work are displays of top-notch science fiction along with great characters who display unending moments of unpredictability, thus leaving the readers at the edge of their seats.
Of course, the characters that make each issue come to life are the Fantastic Four members themselves. Leading the pack is Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, who is esteemed as the most ingenious scientific mind on Earth and who possesses the ability to stretch his body over vast distances. Next in line is Ben Grimm, who comes to be known as the Thing, since his once natural, human body becomes, on the positive side, an entity that can lift heavy objects in a way comporable to the Hulk's feats, but on the negative side, has his flesh already transformed to a hideous, multilayered composition of rocks. Third is Sue Storm, who is known as the Invisible Girl and is the girlfriend (and would years down the road become the wife) of Mr. Fantastic; she possesses the power to turn invisible and in these early issues has not discovered or honed her abilities to project forcefields to protect her and her loved ones from various oncoming invaders and their weapons. And then there is Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch and brother of the Invisible Girl; he is the only member who can fly and who can turn his body into flame and project his elevated body heat to burn, melt and vaporize various objects, to say the least.
As a unit, the Fantastic Four are the most interconnected fighting team in the comic book universe. Their origins have a unifying commonality, and that is the exposure to high levels of cosmic radiation during a spaceflight that would give each member its own abilities. Collectively, they are regarded as one of the greatest superhero teams of all time, and since they were already a tightly knit unit on an interpersonal level before attaining their superpowers, the Fantastic Four arguably know one another's strengths and weaknesses at a level that not even the Justice League or The Avengers could equal.
Again, Doctor Doom is perhaps the greatest villain of all time, but he does not necessarily mop up the stage in regards to the characters posing difficult challenges for the Fantastic Four. Making their presences felt are The Mole Man, The Puppet Master, The Mad Thinker, and the emotionally complex hero/villain Namor, the SubMariner.
In all, the heroes and villains set up perplexing stages and situations that can stump many a brilliant mind. One side can, proverbially speaking, go in with the best chess moves and pieces in their arsenals and strategies only to find out that they have ended up at the poker table. The developments that ensue are enough to create discussions among those interested in game theory; it is apparent that even the renowned mathematician, John von Neumann, would have been pleased with these stories.
Along with the intellectual flashes of brilliance displayed among the characters are the scientific gadgets that, visualized almost half a century ago, are yet to be developed and that would seem impressive and advanced even by early twenty-first-century standards if their existence came to fruition.
All in all, this bound volume was created during the space race and the Cold War against Russia, and the first man had yet to land on the moon. It is quite apparent that people had a faith in technology that modernizing civilizations could improve living standards and make societies happier, as well as more progressive and peaceful. Indeed, one today now wonders where everything seems to have gone wrong with what apparently amounts to a RAM and ROM cesspool.
Absolutely Essential.......2006-10-30
One gripe, it's in black and white. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I love this book. I'm more of a fan of the DC heroes (Flash, Green Lantern, etc), but this is where the "Marvel Age of Comics" began. Lots of fun to read (for an old guy like me).
Dr Doom, Sub Mariner, Puppet Master....it all starts here, true believer. Kerby and Lee at thier finest. If you are interested in comics and want a good read, look no further.
A Fantastic Look Through Time.......2006-04-24
This book is an excellent collection of the earliest adventures of the Fantastic Four. Every reader, whether they are just discovering the FF or are a long time fan, will enjoy this book. Although the adventures are a bit campy, they accurately reflect the state of comic art and storytelling during the 1960s. Long time fans are likely to discover new facts about the team that are not well known. For example, Reed Richards fought in World War II and Susan Storm had not yet manifested her force field power during this early period. As expected, this book contains the origin story of the FF. Just as entertaining, however, are the origin and first appearances of such villains as the Mole Man, the Skrulls, and Dr. Doom. The Fantastic Four was also used by Marvel Comics as a venue to re-discover the Sub Mariner from the 1940s and `50s. In addition to the stories, this book provides a window into the past. Some of the dialogue and fashion would clearly be out of place today. For example, not too many teenagers, like Johnny Storm, would go on a date wearing a fedora. The only down side is the lack of color. The comics are printed in black and white. This shortcoming, however, is easily overlooked by the reader once they begin an adventure. Bottom line, this book is a great look through time at both the origin of the FF and the world of the 1960s. Flame On!
Customer Reviews:
Lee and Kirby Continue on a Roll.......2005-12-17
Following their classic Galactus trilogy, Lee and Kirby continue to produce the best comics of their careers. There are a few trite "Leeisms" in the issues (See the ending of "This Man, This Monster") but remember that it was Lee himself who made these trite because he first created, then overused them; however, the combination of Kirby and Lee worked magic that's rarely been matched. Joe Sinnott continues as inker which makes Kirby's art sparkle. If you can only pick one FF Masterwork, pick up #5, but the whole run is excellent. Also, if you want a real bargain, check out the "44 Years of FF" where you get all these issues and more on DVD.
Another proof of the FF creators' talents........2005-09-04
The Fantastic Four volume 6 was the first book of this collection I chose to purchase because I knew that it contains some of the most inspired episodes of the quartet.'This Man, This Monster', for example,is one of the best FF issues I've ever read. It develops a quite strange idea : a rejected scientist, jealous of Red Richards' notoriety, so in a way wishing he was Red, becomes the Thing... In this volume we also see the titanic clash between the Silver Surfer's purity and the Doctor Doom's impeccable duplicity. A duel between Johnny Storm and the first Human Torch, the Inhumans' struggle to break free from the dome and the ravages caused by Ben Grimm's furious jealousy are some of the events to witness here. There are also the first appearances of the Black Panther and the master of sound.
Stan Lee not only proposes interesting original ideas but he also knows how to develop them into unexpected turns. Nothing here is ever foretold, on the contrary there can be real surprises, take for example Doctor Doom's reaction when he defeats the FF...well, lets not reveal more. About Jack Kirby all we can say is that his drawing is growing more and more personal, stylized , mastered, in one word brilliant.
So if you don't know which volume from the Lee/Kirby's FF to choose, try this one, you won't regret it.
Product Description
Pony up, True Believer, the amazing eighth manic Masterworks featuring the First
Family of Funnybooks is coming your way! Collecting an ironclad cadre of consecrated
classics, this ones packed with more drama than you can shake a Skrull at!
Lets break it down: the Silver Surfer pursued by none other than the world-devouring
Galactus; the FF vs. Spidey, DD and Thor in a barnstorming brouhaha; a fantastic voyage
into the Microverse to battle the Psycho Man; the Thingcured!; the first appearance of
Annihilus; Crystal, the Inhuman, joins the FF, and one of comics most historic moments,
the birth of Franklin Richardsit just doesnt stop!
This ones a humdinger so chock-full of excitement its ready to burst! And its all
brought to you by no less than the minds that made Marvel magnificent, Stan and Jack!
Nuff Said!
Customer Reviews:
Lee and Kirby at Top of Game.......2005-10-16
Lee and Kirby at the top of their collaborative game continue to churn out FF stories that mix slug-fests and humorous bickering between characters. Reed is as stiff as ever, the Torch is maturing, Sue is pregnant (you'll have to overlook the quaint 60s view of pregnancy), and the Thing is, as always, the Thing.
Kirby's stylized art always looked best with Joe Sinnott's inking, and Lee's text flows with their combined plotting. You get the Silver Surfer (Kirby's invention) developing as a character and the ground-breaking birth of Franklin.
Marvel at the top in the 60s. 'Nuff said. However, if you can only buy one Masterwork FF title, get the earlier volume with the Galactus trilogy.
Average customer rating:
- Stan Lee ends his run on "The Fantastic Four" with help from John Buscema
- Hard to Go Wrong
|
Essential Fantastic Four, Vol. 6 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee ,
Roy Thomas ,
Gerry Conway ,
John Buscema ,
Ross Andru , and
Joe Sinnott
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 078512697X |
Book Description
From the Monster from the Lost Lagoon to the Overmind from beyond the stars, menaces from across time and space converge on Earth's most fabulous foursome! A space angel of death! Future warrior women! The horrors of the 1950s! Plus: Doctor Doom, Diablo and Dragon Man! Guest-starring the Inhumans! Collects Fantastic Four #111-137
Customer Reviews:
Stan Lee ends his run on "The Fantastic Four" with help from John Buscema.......2007-08-07
You might be surprised at how many times you can take one away from four and get three, but that is a common thread in the comic book issues collected in "Essential Fantastic Four, Volume 6" (which would be issues #111-37 of "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine"). Sue Storm has temporarily left the FF to take care of baby Franklin, with help from Agatha Harkness. The Invisible Woman had been replaced in the lineup by Crystal, but Johnny Storm's girlfriend has gone back to the Inhumans. By the time you read the first half-dozen stories in this volume first the Thing and then Mr. Fantastic will turn against the group, and then the Human Torch flies off to let off some steam. In these issues Stan Lee turns over the scripting chores to Roy Thomas and Archie Goodwin, while most of the art is by John Buscema, doing an admirable job of replacing the legendary Jack Kirby (when you consider Buscema also had to follow Barry Windsor-Smith on "Conan the Barbarian" you have to give him major props as the best replacement artist Marvel had in those days).
When last we left our heroes, Reed had once again invented a machine that would help the Thing turn back into Ben Grimm. However it affected the Thing's mind and he has run amok, leaving the FF and spoiling for fight (#111). That is exactly what he finds when he runs into the Hulk and the two slug it out (#112). The FF are dealing with the city turning against them when the Watcher pops up and warns them to "Beware the Over-Mind" (#113). But it is hard for the FF to fight somebody when they are being evicted from the Baxter Building (#114). Things get even worse when, after the Watcher tells the story of the Over-Mind, the bad guy takes over Reed's mind and turns him bad (#115). This explains what you see on the cover of this collection as Sue Storm turns to Dr. Doom to help the FF defeat the Over-Mind and save Reed, at which point the Human Torch flies off mad (#116) and discovers his girlfriend Crystal has been captured by Diablo (#117) and it is her turn to turn against the FF in a big fight (#118).
Things get political in #119, when the Thing and Torch rescue the Blank Panther, who feels compelled to call himself the Black Leopard all of the sudden, from the nation of Rudyarda, one of the last remaining strongholds of white supremacy on the African continent. Then we get to Stan Lee's final run of stories on this title, beginning with the arrival of Gabriel, an air-walker who blows his horn and declares the end of the world is at hand (#120). Gabriel defeats the FF but then has to deal with the Silver Surfer (#121), which is a big that the newcomer is the Surfer's replacement as the herald of Galactus (#122). Similar to how things went in the first go round with Galactus, Mr. Fantastic gets aboard Galactus' ship to find a way to turn the tide (#123). The issue is also notable for an appearance by President Nixon who wants the FF to just turn over the Surfer to Galactus, although to be fair it is Reed Richards who is the tricky one in this story. Unfortunately Lee did not leave the book on this high note, finishing instead with a two-part battle between the FF and a monster doing a take off on "The Creature of the Black Lagoon" that is fairly pedestrian. You really expected Lee to go out with more of a bang.
Roy Thomas takes over as scripter on issue #126 with a retelling of the Fantastic Four's origin, which leads to a rematch with the Mole Man (#127) who, in keeping with the common theme in so many of these stories, manages to turn the rest of the FF against the Thing (#128). The walk down memory lane continues with the FF taking on the Frightful Four (#129-30), and the Human Torch losing his cool in the land of the Inhumans (#131), before somebody new pops up in the form of Omega, the ultimate assassin (#132). Medusa becomes Crystal's replacement as Sue's replacement in the FF as Gerry Conway starts writing the book and the Thing had a big fight with a girl, namely Thundra (#133). After that point the Dragon Man captures Sue and the baby (#134) at the behest of Gideon (#135), and the Shaper of Worlds decides to turn reality into a sci-fi biker world (#136) and a rumble against War-Head (there is a definite 50's vibe to this two-parter).
There is some bonus art at the bank of this volume, including earlier versions of the covers of "Fantastic Four" #130 and #131, which were penciled by Jim Steranko and inked by Joe Sinnott. Nothing in this collection manages to get to the level of a true classic: having Dr. Doom lead the group had the potential, but it becomes a one shot deal rather than something that gets developed for several issues (which is what they should have done). You can make the argument that Sue Storm is a key stabilizing influence on the group, because when she is not around the boys take their bickering to a new level. The idea that the public turns on the FF was getting interesting, but then it got abandoned in the wake of the group saving the world again (twice actually). It is interesting to read these stories again with Medusa replacing Crystal replacing Sue because over the years the make-up of the FF has been juggled from time to time, which is the case today with the Black Panther and Storm having replaced Reed and Sue as they work out their marital problems in the wake of the Civil War. This stories do not reflect the glory days, but "The Fantastic Four" is still a solid comic book at the start of its second decade in the early 1970s.
Hard to Go Wrong .......2007-06-27
The FF marches on in this collection of vintage Marvel from the early 70s. After King Kirby left the chores, one would have expected the FF to suffer. Nonetheless, the FF remained the stand out comic of its day, among its Marvel peers.
With amazing artwork from John Buscema (also at his superheroic peak); impeccable inking by Joe Sinnott and of course Stan Lee and Roy Thomas at the helm - the Fab Four makes for classic and essential reading. While the villains aren't always up to par, the Thing, Reed Richards, the Human Torch and Invisible Girl are such well defined characters that they have a life of their own.
Why get this collection? There is an epic face off with Galactus, and as the cover indicates, a brief alliance with Dr Doom, and the ongoing soap drama love affairs between our male alpha heroes and their female counterparts. While all this happens, the FF literally destroy half of New York City and the Baxter Building issue after issue - but remain untouchable.
These guys earned their title of the World's Greatest Comic Magazine. Something the movie series has yet to live up to. 'Nuff said.
Customer Reviews:
Masterworks: Fantastic 4 vol. 1.......2007-09-04
These books are great! This is a fantastic way to read the first 10 comics without having to buy them ha ha ha rich guy! The books are hard cover with dust jackets. The pages are full color & glossy. Makes a great collection & I will continue to purchase each volume!
AWESOME.......2007-01-23
STAN LEE & JACK KIRBY AT THEIR RAWEST. NEW CHARACTERS AND TEAM, JUST STARTING OUT. NEAT TO SEE HOW THEY STARTED, 40 YEARS AGO!
Pre-Marvel Age Fantastic Four.......2006-05-09
I think one of the off-shoots of the 1960s U.S.-Soviet space race turned out to be the Marvel Age of comics. Like the invention of Superman decades earlier, a response to the Hitlerian "superman," these characters showed that the U.S. was ready, able, and willing to compete in the modern world. Literally originating out of space travel, the FF took on any monster or sinister force that threatened humanity, including communism. Much later the FF conquered deep space and even sub-molecular venues. These issues include "cameo" appearances of Nikita Kruschev and John F. Kennedy.
These first 10 issues of the self-proclaimed "world's greatest comic magazine" nowadays appear crude and the art does not match Kirby's earlier version of a super-foursome who were also born of an aeronautical mishap, Challengers of the Unknown.
It appears Stan Lee rushed out the first issues of the FF in response to the successful comic by DC about a team of superheroes, the Justice League of America. But the strategy worked and the hip FF caught on like wildfire, to paraphrase Lee. Although Lee prints his original script for the first FF issue in this volume, concepts introduced much earlier by Kirby and Wood in Challengers of the Unknown, are repeated here, but in a much more focused and hugely entertaining style. Lee knew how to write. The comic eventually earned its nickname (world's greatest) in this series of issues 1 - 10 and soon thereafter, Lee announced the Marvel Age of Comics. What a showman! With the introduction, in later issues (see Marvel Masterworks FF volumes 2, 3, ...) of inkers Chic Stone, Vince Colletta, and Joe Sinott, I think Lee achieved his boast. As a kid I just couldn't get enough of these and due to poor distribution where I lived, sometimes I couldn't even get the next issue! I find these Marvel Masterworks superior to the original comics, because the pages are all printed on glossy paper, they are conveniently collected together and reading the original comics is dicey because of their fragile nature.
Early history of the mighty FF, well worth reading.......2005-10-23
The artwork and dialog is from early in the careers of Lee and Kirby, so it doesn't have the quality of the later issues. However, it does introduce some of the major villains that the FF will be doing battle with throughout the series. Dr. Doom (my favorite), the Puppet Master, the Mole Man, the Submariner and the Skrulls all make their first appearance against the FF.
The powers of the FF are also not yet at the peak that they will achieve later in the series. Sue Storm is still only "The Invisible Girl", she has not yet reached the point where she can project a force field. Johnny Storm still flames out after using his powers, his final potential has not been achieved. I had forgotten that Ben Grimm's blind girlfriend Alicia is the daughter of the Puppet Master, and that there was a romantic entanglement between Sue Storm and the Submariner. The political reality of the cold war also appears early in the series. In the first issue the four who would become the mighty FF are debating the flight into space that gave them their powers. Ben Grimm expresses skepticism and Sue Storm replies, "Ben, we've got to take that chance ... unless we want the commies to beat us to it!"
I enjoyed reading this book, as someone who grew up reading the comic books of the sixties, it was a trip back to my youth. The modern comics are quite different and don't always project the qualities of the early ones.
And so it began.......2005-10-21
The artwork is early 1960s Kirby and Stan Lee hasn't hit his full stride yet, but this is classic early Marvel. Simply put: it was nothing like anything else in the drug store on the comic shelf. We all knew what to expect from a DC comic, but Stan Lee and Company surprised us issue after issue. DC comics all looked alike, but Marvel titles all had individual looks based on the artist--Kirby and Ditko and Heck and Wood and (later) Romita. Great stuff to look forward to each month. The colors reproduced here aren't the same, but today we wouldn't tolerate the crude printing we had then--rarely did colors stay within the "lines." If you want to see early comics at their best, pick this up.
Product Description
Certifiably the Worlds Greatest Comic Collaboration, the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby Fantastic Four run stands as one of the high-water marks in the history of the medium. The ten titanic years on the title laid the very foundation of the Marvel Universe, and birthed more amazing concepts and creative characters than perhaps any series before or since. In this tenth Masterworks volume, we celebrate the entire Lee/Kirby run with essays by critics, creators and luminaries in the field of comics.
But it just aint waxing nostalgic, True Believer! This is a Marvel comic, after all! Expect plenty of explosive action and family drama a-go-go as the FF build up to their 100th issue featuring everyone from Doc Doom to Dragon Man! Theyll also help mankind take one giant leap when the Krees robot Sentry tries to stop the Apollo 11 moon landing! Just for good measure, well throw in the uncanny Inhumans and Attilan, and the whole shebang comes to a head when the mutant menace, Magneto, teams up with Namor in a bid to conquer the worldNixon is not pleased!
Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR #94-104.
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