Review of
Fantastic Four (1961) #1
Published:
November 1961
Avg User Rating:
(3.67)
It was pretty good since I didnt know what I was expecting, I liked the campiness of the mole-man and the potential for his eventual return that was delivered. As a villain Id say 4/5.
I also liked that this issue gave a full rundown of their powers and their multiple uses without relying solely on exposition - we see them first learning to use their powers, using their powers to move more easily and using their powers for combat. The way they first discover their powers is great too, as a previous review mentioned, very body horror, which was fun. Their powers are also quite unique to each other which adds another element. As far as an introduction to their powers goes 4/5.
A drawback of their powers does seem to be power distribution - Mr. Fantastic is quite easily the most overpowered, especially when you take into account that he can hold back the Thing. Things power is solely strength - which can often be achieved through other means, and The Invisible Girl (it really should be Invisible Woman or Miss Invisible) has powers which dont seem great for battle unless she also undergoes spy type training and learns some martial arts. (Or carries a knife).Human Torch has the middle road ability - but it doesnt quite achieve balance, he is very overpowered in some situations and completely useless in others. He seems like he could easily die if he used his powers wrong. In terms of a team power balance Id say this was a 2/5.
Team dynamics - they all have quite contrasting and clear personalities, which is nice, however, the dynamics with the Thing seem a bit off. They dont seem to get on well with each other. Everyone else seems to manipulate the Thing, and the Thing will kind of play into it. He seems really aggressive all the time, but the other Fantastics dont seem to treat it as a problem or do anything to clear the air. The Thing doesnt seem to like the other Fantastics bar Invisible Girl (and he likes her in a romantic way when shes got a fianc -which is a dynamic asking to blow up in one direction or another and also just annoying), and they dont seem to care very much about him or his feelings. Overall Id say 2/5.
I also liked that this issue gave a full rundown of their powers and their multiple uses without relying solely on exposition - we see them first learning to use their powers, using their powers to move more easily and using their powers for combat. The way they first discover their powers is great too, as a previous review mentioned, very body horror, which was fun. Their powers are also quite unique to each other which adds another element. As far as an introduction to their powers goes 4/5.
A drawback of their powers does seem to be power distribution - Mr. Fantastic is quite easily the most overpowered, especially when you take into account that he can hold back the Thing. Things power is solely strength - which can often be achieved through other means, and The Invisible Girl (it really should be Invisible Woman or Miss Invisible) has powers which dont seem great for battle unless she also undergoes spy type training and learns some martial arts. (Or carries a knife).Human Torch has the middle road ability - but it doesnt quite achieve balance, he is very overpowered in some situations and completely useless in others. He seems like he could easily die if he used his powers wrong. In terms of a team power balance Id say this was a 2/5.
Team dynamics - they all have quite contrasting and clear personalities, which is nice, however, the dynamics with the Thing seem a bit off. They dont seem to get on well with each other. Everyone else seems to manipulate the Thing, and the Thing will kind of play into it. He seems really aggressive all the time, but the other Fantastics dont seem to treat it as a problem or do anything to clear the air. The Thing doesnt seem to like the other Fantastics bar Invisible Girl (and he likes her in a romantic way when shes got a fianc -which is a dynamic asking to blow up in one direction or another and also just annoying), and they dont seem to care very much about him or his feelings. Overall Id say 2/5.
