Fantastic Four in 1966

We’re rolling right from the conclusion of the Inhumans story (they’re forcefully locked away from human society after discovering there’s no genetic difference between humans and Inhumans) into the mother of all sagas: Galactus. The Fantastic Four note several atmospheric anomalies in their return to New York and Reed Richard’s decides to investigate in his lab. The results are unpleasant for the team. 

There’s so many layers in the Galactus arc. Silver Surfer is on the hunt for planets with convertible life force for Galactus to consume. The Watcher is normally Switzerland on these matters, but determines that Galactus is too much of a threat.

I was particularly impressed with how the Watcher reveals that he’s been using atmospheric effects to try to mask the Earth from the Silver Surfer, which explains the earlier anomalies. As a side note, Silver Surfer is an effortlessly cool character… something only Jack Kirby could make real.

Yet Silver Surfer makes his arrival anyway and signals Galactus. A probe tests the Earth and finds it suitable for consumption. Finally, Galactus makes his appearance and debates The Watcher. The Fantastic Four, the titular heroes are sidelined and worthless at this point. When else before this have the heroes of a comic series been entirely useless — not just as setting up a challenge, but from the situation’s very premise? Galactus literally drops insect repellent to shoo them away. This is perfectly emblematic of why I give Lee/Kirby (and the Marvel method) a ton of creative credit — a bad writer could not have pulled this story from the void in 1966.

Ultimately, Thing’s girlfriend Alicia Masters appeals to Silver Surfer’s humanity and the Surfer ends up betraying his master.

So what’s after this arc? A rare gem for a one-shot regarding a fraudulent Thing, followed by the introduction of Black Panther. Following this, there’s an extended jaunt into two romantic subplots: Johnny Storm ventures back to where the Inhumans are trapped to try to free Crystal, while Thing fumes with jealousy about Alicia’s innocent relationship with Silver Surfer. The year caps off with an epic battle between Surfer and Thing, and then a cliffhanger where Doom gains Silver Surfer’s powers.

If any comic series can be a 10 for an entire year, this is about as close as you can get.