Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The World's Greatest Comic Magazine (Fantastic Four (1961-1996))

It's the 75th anniversary of the Marvel Universe this year (how time flies), and as part of the celebrations, Marvel are releasing the first volumes of each title in their Epic Collection range. Seeing as the ECs have been non-chronological in their releases up until now, these will be the earliest stories thus far. And what better place to start this birthday bonanza than with the comic that launched the modern iteration of the universe in 1961 - Fantastic Four?Covering the first 18 issues of FF (spanning the years 1961-1963), this chunky book is a fascinating look at how Stan Lee and Jack Kirby built a world from the ground up and revolutionised superhero comics in the process. Here you will see the fateful voyage into space that transformed four friends into an unbeatable cosmic-powered team, as well as the re-emergence of the Sub-Mariner into the present day, the awesome menace of Doctor Doom, the first appearance of the Watcher, and more.To readers used to sophisticated modern comics, perhaps the plots are a little clunky, the dialogue a little corny. And certainly the occasional spot of casual sexism and the recurring fear of communism are both very much of their time. But the sheer energy and creativity shown by these early stories are incredible; new ideas burst from every page, and each story rattles along at breathless speed. Lee's scripts are filled with purple prose and conspiratorial asides to the reader, while Kirby's heroes and villains are larger than life, bursting with dynamism in a world of incredible devices and unearthly spaceships.Most of all, it's great imagining just how DIFFERENT the Fantastic Four must have seemed in 1961. Here was a superhero team that squabbled, that was more of a family unit than a crime-fighting force. Each member had their own fears and hopes, and acted like a real person rather than a genre stereotype. Everything that the Marvel U has become owes a great debt to the stories contained in these pages.Including original art and script synopses as well, this Epic Collection will be of interest to both scholars of comics history, and more importantly, to anyone who wants to see how everything started. The material here has been collected many times already, but this is personally my favourite format so far, and I'm glad to see the first 'Volume 1' in the series has been presented so well.

This volume collects the first 18 issues of the comics that saw the birth of the Marvel Silver Age in 1961.I have read these stories several times over the years, most recently as black & white reprints in  Essential Fantastic Four Volume 1 TPB (All-New Edition)  but now we have them in colour and on better quality paper.Marvel fans will know the origin story of how 4 friends were affected by cosmic rays during their mission to be the first humans into space and how the powers reflected their personalities. The first issue has them based in Central City but they were soon re-homed in New York which allowed for other Marvel characters created around that time to show up in guest appearances here.As a team they were unusual as they are more like a family than any other comic book team complete with personality clashes especially between The Thing and the Human Torch and an odd love triangle.The legendary team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby held reign over this particular title for many years and there are some really memorable tales included here including the first appearances of the Moleman, Skrulls, Miracle Man, Doctor Doom, Sub-Mariner, Puppet Master and his step daughter Alicia, Impossible Man, Red Ghost and his apes, the Watcher, Mad Thinker and his android and the Super Skrull.Stan and Jack themselves also appear in one story as do the Hulk and Ant-Man.Many of the tales do have some fairly abrupt almost contrived endings but that only adds to their charm and there is no denying the impact they had on many later tales, I have read them many times over the years and will no doubt continue to read them.There's some nice extras including copies of the original pin-ups and at the back of the book there are copies of a few pages of the script for the start of FF#1 as well as some unused covers and original artwork.

Great early issues with a few 'Monster' style stories at the start but some great issues also (loved the "meet the FF" issue as well as all those early poster pages and information pages ... why don't they add them in he current Marvel issues ). Epic includes the superb Super Skrull, Red Ghost etc as well as Dr Doom and Sub-Mariner etcSome wonderful bonus material included in this epic edition such as the early inked FF 5 page which looks amazing and it is so sad to see how to finally printed page doesn't really match up to quality of that artwork - so much must have been lost in the final process). Some great early covers are also added. The synopsis of the FF 1 is fascinating.

This is when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the Fantastic Four and perhaps the greatest chapter in Marvel Comics began. And soon followd Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, X-Men and many more......

Volume is partially damaged

Loved reading these when I was a Youngster in the 60s.As My Wife says "You're having a second childhood" Yeah!!!

It is just fantastic to have these all time classic comic books at such a low price in one book!

loved it