Review of
Fantastic Four (1961) #45
Published:
December 1965
Reviewer Rating:
Avg User Rating:
(3.88)
This issue really feels like Marvel stepping across a threshold. You can sense the shift from late Silver Age stiffness toward something closer to the Bronze Age: sharper characterization, more emotional awareness, and a wider, more interconnected world. Medusas repositioning continues smoothly, but the real glow-up belongs to Sue Storm. Shes no longer framed as passive or ornamental, she thinks, reflects, and empathizes, particularly in how she treats Dragon Man and how that compassion mirrors Ben Grimms own insecurities. Bens quiet self loathing here is some of the strongest character work in the book so far.
That said, Dragon Man remains the weakest element. His presence muddies the pacing and feels like leftover Silver Age excess intruding on what is otherwise a clean narrative handoff to something new. Without him, this issue might genuinely rank among the series best to date.
Johnny Storm, meanwhile, is both hilarious and deeply flawed. His instant infatuation with Crystal, casual dishonesty, and willingness to emotionally bulldoze his current girlfriend are peak early-Marvel Torch: reckless, charming, and painfully immature. Yet his plotline is undeniably compelling, because it introduces the Inhumans, Crystal, Karnak, Triton, Gorgon, Medusa, Lockjaw, and culminates in a fantastic final-page reveal of Black Bolt. The mystery around this hidden race feels fresh and genuinely exciting, even knowing whats coming.
Visually, Kirby with Sinnott inks is a revelation. The art is cleaner, bolder, and more confident than its been in a while, reinforcing the sense that Marvel is entering a creative hot streak.
Final verdict: 7.68/10
That said, Dragon Man remains the weakest element. His presence muddies the pacing and feels like leftover Silver Age excess intruding on what is otherwise a clean narrative handoff to something new. Without him, this issue might genuinely rank among the series best to date.
Johnny Storm, meanwhile, is both hilarious and deeply flawed. His instant infatuation with Crystal, casual dishonesty, and willingness to emotionally bulldoze his current girlfriend are peak early-Marvel Torch: reckless, charming, and painfully immature. Yet his plotline is undeniably compelling, because it introduces the Inhumans, Crystal, Karnak, Triton, Gorgon, Medusa, Lockjaw, and culminates in a fantastic final-page reveal of Black Bolt. The mystery around this hidden race feels fresh and genuinely exciting, even knowing whats coming.
Visually, Kirby with Sinnott inks is a revelation. The art is cleaner, bolder, and more confident than its been in a while, reinforcing the sense that Marvel is entering a creative hot streak.
Final verdict: 7.68/10
