Fantastic Four in 1967

I appreciate the family-like elements that this series has been slowly developing. To give an example, Ben Grimm is casually reading horror stories in the lounge, and comments that it’s not believable and must be made for children. From behind, Reed puts his hand on Grimm’s shoulder and sends him running in fear. An embarrassed Grimm pretends that he’s practicing his “isometric panic lessons” or whatever. As they walk together to the lab, Reed teases Grimm, like any family member would.

Anyway, I’m really enjoying the continuity of this series. There’s not altogether too much going much, but what IS there invests the reader in continuing with the series. 

Doom has been an ever-present element in FF in a similar vein to Magneto in the X-Men. Yet Magneto is overly simplistic and megalomaniacal in these early years, barely serving as more than an “evil mutant” representation. Doom has levels of depth (or as much depth as possible for a silver age villain) owing to a severe inferiority complex against both Reed Richards and his own early years. I think this makes it harder for Doom to overstay his welcome; every failure by Doom adds to his own story.

We also get Ronan the Accuser and a very strong formal introduction of alien Kree culture at the mid-year point, followed by a story about a being who would become Adam Warlock (long story…). Unfortunately, as we move into winter, the stories move from a galactic scope to internal navel gazing. This ratcheting-up of internal tension stuff may work in other series, but it doesn’t seem like a great fit for FF, at least at this juncture.

This drama is brought on by Mad Thinker, who I don’t think is particularly compelling either.

Speaking of not compelling…