Featuring: Fantastic Four Release: October 12, 1965 Cover: January 1966 12 cents Story by our leader, Stan Lee Illustrations by our idol, Jack Kirby Inking by our star, Joe Sinnott Lettering by our letterer, Artie Simek 20 pages
Who is Black Bolt? He’s fast. He’s strong. Strong enough to stagger the Thing with one blow. The antenna on his mask converts electrons into his strength and speed.
Featuring: Fantastic Four Release: September 9, 1965 Cover: December 1965 12 cents Incredible story by: Stan Lee! Incomparable pencilling by: Jack Kirby! Invincible inking by: Joe Sinnott! Inevitable lettering by: Artie Simek! 20 pages
I know how it feels to be a misfit– to haveta depend on your strength– because you aint got anythin’ else to offer anyone!
This is an incredible moment in Marvel’s history. The same month that introduces the Inhumans, the Eternity Saga comes to a climax as Dr. Strange engages Baron Mordo in final battle. And the Master Planner Saga begins in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. (We’ll read that story right after this one.)
Gorgon has captured Medusa. Dragon Man has captured Sue. The remaining FF members are caught in a collapsing building caused by Gorgon’s shock wave kick.
Thing seems particularly down on himself: “I’ve been nothin’ but a thorn in yer sides for months anyway!” In fairness, he did quit the team and join the Frightful Four.
The Torch too. “I failed you–both of you–when you needed me the most!” Quite the pity party here.
Featuring: Fantastic Four Release: August 10, 1965 Cover: November 1965 12 cents Dreamed up by: Stan Lee Sketched down by: Jack Kirby Inked in by: Joe Sinnott Lettered around by: S. Rosen 20 pages
I’ve had enough of this domestic bliss bit! Hanging around here is like being on the set of Ozzie and Harriet!
“The world’s greatest comic magazine!” That’s what is says on the cover. Despite being a comic not as good as the company’s own Dr. Strange or Spider-Man stories. But it’s always been one of Marvel’s best comics and has gotten continually better. We’ve noted assorted leaps forward in quality, such as in issues 13, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39… At some point, we enter into the great era of Fantastic Four. And if we weren’t there already, we’re definitely there now.
One missing ingredient was Joe Sinnott on inks. Often cited as Kirby’s best inker. He’s not entirely new, as he inked the introduction of Dr. Doom back in issue 5. He’d also been the regular artist on Thor for a bit, but did a pretty terrible job. He later recalled in interviews that he hadn’t realized at the time anybody expected these comics to be good. He took the Thor assignment as a job to churn out some disposable work. He seems to take this Fantastic Four assignment more seriously.
Featuring: Fantastic Four Release: November 10, 1964 Cover: February 1965 12 cents Adequate script: Stan Lee Satisfactory art: Jack Kirby Passable inking: Chic Stone Sufficient lettering: Artie Simek 20 pages
The page count in these books had been gradually dwindling. At first it was to make room for more letters pages or announcements, or the occasional pin-up. This is the third FF story in a row to clock in at 20 pages. Before that, they’d been 21 or 22; 23 pages even earlier. It doesn’t seem to be a fixed quantity. We still have the occasional 21-pager coming up, but 20 pages seems to be the new rule. Other titles have followed this pattern.
Comics have not gotten much more expensive over time. There were a dime in 1939 and a dime in 1961. In 1964, they’ve only increased to 12 cents. What’s changed is how many story pages you get for those pennies, often 70-80 pages for that dime in 1939. (These days Marvel comics tend to go for $3.99)
The comic returns us to State U, the alma mater of Reed and Ben. Reed is giving a guest lecture.
Where is State U? I assume it’s in New York somewhere. They seem to have brought a lot of luggage. They go galavanting all over the world and into space and into the depths of the ocean with far less.
