Review of
Fantastic Four (1961) #1
Published:
November 1961
Reviewer Rating:
Avg User Rating:
(3.67)
There are a few reviews for this issue already, I'm going to try and bring two new aspects however. I'm completely new to comic books. That's right. I can literally count the number of comics I may have read on one hand...unless you count Calvin and Hobbes. The second aspect, is I want to try and look at and actually rate the different aspects: Story, art, characters/villains, and the overall enjoyment. Being new to comics I feel that I have the benefit of not being jaded by newer and "better" comic books. With that being said, let's begin!
Story - 7/10 This is it, the inception of one of the mainstays of comic book groups today...at least based upon the movies and that they are still around. In this issue we not only get the origins of how the Fantastic Four get their powers, but we see them put to use for the first time too. As far as cheesy 60's writing goes, this is great! Could they have more details on how the space rays supercharged them? Sure! Could they have made the characters less Squabbly? (Is that a word? IT IS NOW!) Of course they could. Could they have put them up against a more intimidating villain? Probably. But they didn't and it's a good thing. The characters are a confused family trying to figure out their new abilities and roles in life. The squabbling and the easy villain just means they have room to grow. I'm excited to see what happens next. And the "cheesy" writing just makes it fun.
Art - 7/10 This comic book comes from a simpler time, and simpler art. Comparing the cover to modern covers with full detailed drawings is probably not fair. The art is simple, but stylized, and does a great job portraying the story. You can see the look of confusion of the faces of the Fantastic Four as they change after being hit with the rays, you can see the sparkle of underground diamonds, and you can see why the Moleman might have been shunned by society for his looks (those superficial jerks). The art obviously isn't the greatest, but it stands the test of time in my opinion and still portrays heat when the Human Torch ignites or the bendiness now in Mr. Richards body. My biggest complaint (and only one really) is that The Thing's head unnerves me. Sometimes it is drawn like a Gorilla's head, others like an egg. This is the one thing that the artist seemed to struggle with.
Characters/Villains - 8/10 I have no idea if MoleMan is a big villain. All I can picture reading his name (even after the comic book) is the villain at the end of The Incredibles rising up through the streets. Who knows, maybe he was based on this Moleman? Anyways, this guy doesn't come across as all that dastardly or dangerous. He seems like a simply guy with simple giant monster puppies. In my opinion that is a GOOD thing though. New super heroes who are just figuring things out shouldn't be immediately thrown into save the universe from everything situations. The Fantastic Four also have a lot of room to grow, which is great seeing as how this is their first issue.
Fun Factor - 7/10 Nothing truly hilarious or amusing happens in this issue. It's epic for sure, but most of the fun is found in the cheesy writing (such as found on the cover). This would have been scored lower except the Diamond Valley actually made me stop and go "Woah, that's pretty cool" which is what I'm basing the fun factor off.
Overall I'd rate this issue 7/10. It's cheesy and relatively simple but it's a classic and a great start to the Fantastic Four if you can get past its age.
Story - 7/10 This is it, the inception of one of the mainstays of comic book groups today...at least based upon the movies and that they are still around. In this issue we not only get the origins of how the Fantastic Four get their powers, but we see them put to use for the first time too. As far as cheesy 60's writing goes, this is great! Could they have more details on how the space rays supercharged them? Sure! Could they have made the characters less Squabbly? (Is that a word? IT IS NOW!) Of course they could. Could they have put them up against a more intimidating villain? Probably. But they didn't and it's a good thing. The characters are a confused family trying to figure out their new abilities and roles in life. The squabbling and the easy villain just means they have room to grow. I'm excited to see what happens next. And the "cheesy" writing just makes it fun.
Art - 7/10 This comic book comes from a simpler time, and simpler art. Comparing the cover to modern covers with full detailed drawings is probably not fair. The art is simple, but stylized, and does a great job portraying the story. You can see the look of confusion of the faces of the Fantastic Four as they change after being hit with the rays, you can see the sparkle of underground diamonds, and you can see why the Moleman might have been shunned by society for his looks (those superficial jerks). The art obviously isn't the greatest, but it stands the test of time in my opinion and still portrays heat when the Human Torch ignites or the bendiness now in Mr. Richards body. My biggest complaint (and only one really) is that The Thing's head unnerves me. Sometimes it is drawn like a Gorilla's head, others like an egg. This is the one thing that the artist seemed to struggle with.
Characters/Villains - 8/10 I have no idea if MoleMan is a big villain. All I can picture reading his name (even after the comic book) is the villain at the end of The Incredibles rising up through the streets. Who knows, maybe he was based on this Moleman? Anyways, this guy doesn't come across as all that dastardly or dangerous. He seems like a simply guy with simple giant monster puppies. In my opinion that is a GOOD thing though. New super heroes who are just figuring things out shouldn't be immediately thrown into save the universe from everything situations. The Fantastic Four also have a lot of room to grow, which is great seeing as how this is their first issue.
Fun Factor - 7/10 Nothing truly hilarious or amusing happens in this issue. It's epic for sure, but most of the fun is found in the cheesy writing (such as found on the cover). This would have been scored lower except the Diamond Valley actually made me stop and go "Woah, that's pretty cool" which is what I'm basing the fun factor off.
Overall I'd rate this issue 7/10. It's cheesy and relatively simple but it's a classic and a great start to the Fantastic Four if you can get past its age.
