Marvel’s FF becomes Future Foundation
Marvel announced today that “FF” #1, by Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting, will present the debut of the Future Foundation.
After the death of the Human Torch, the surviving members of the Fantastic Four—Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman and
FF #1 Acuna variant
Thing—join with Spider-Man and additional top secret members to form The Future Foundation.
The group aims to save the Marvel Universe from its greatest threats and prevent future dangers from arising.
“FF will alter the very fabric of the Marvel Universe,” Tom Brevoort, Senior Vice President of Publishing, said in a release. “Jonathan and Steve have crafted a unique, powerful new series that’s going to surprise a lot of fans with its combination of mind-blowing ideas and visuals.”
The $3.99 issue is scheduled for March 23.
- Matt Price
Death comes to hero in Marvel’s Fantastic Four #587
In “Fantastic Four” #587, released early to comic-book shops today, Marvel revealed the death of a popular super-character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Happy 88th birthday, Stan Lee!
Stan Lee (AP)
Happy birthday to Stan Lee, who co-created many of Marvel Comics’ mainstays, including Spider-Man, X-Men, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four and many many more. It’s safe to say that without Stan Lee, modern comics wouldn’t be what they are today.
Stan turns 88 today. On his 85th birthday I made a list of 85 Stan Lee comic books you should read.
Let me add three more issues for the three years since then:
86. Avengers #8 — introducing the time-traveling villain Kang.
87.Fantastic Four #2 – introduction of the Skrulls
88. Amazing Spider-Man #28 – Peter Parker graduates high school, and the Molten Man is introduced.
- Matt Price
Fantastic Four 583 preview
Marvel has provided this preview of Fantastic Four 583, kicking off the “Fantastic Four: Three” storyline, with art by Steve Epting. The issue will have a variant cover by Art Adams and will go on sale Sept. 22. “Fantastic Four” is written by Jonathan Hickman. Marvel describes the issue as follows: The War of Four Cities has begun and by its end, one of the Fantastic Four will fall. Who will perish?
- Matt Price
60 comics by John Byrne that you should read
Uncanny X-Men 141
Today is the 60th birthday of John Byrne, writer/artist of many of my favorite comics throughout the years.
In the late 1980s, Byrne was my absolute favorite artist and one of my favorite writers. There was a time that, if you read comics, you had read Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s X-Men. Byrne’s “Fantastic Four” is often considered one of the top runs on those storied characters, as well. What I’ve listed below are 60 comics from Byrne that I think are a great cross-section of some of his best work, and worth taking a look at, especially for superhero fans. Even with this list, there’s a ton of John Byrne work that won’t be mentioned – Alpha Flight, Hulk, Babe, Danger Unlimited, Batman, Namor… the man is very prolific. What are your favorite Byrne issues? Feel free to share in the comments.
Uncanny X-Men #141-142
“Days of Future Past” has been referenced and homaged a number of times, as the X-Men try to stop a dystopic future from coming to pass. In the future, following the assassination of Senator Robert Kelly, mutants live in concentration camps, and the United States is under the heel of robotic, mutant-hunting Sentinels. Kate Pryde travels back in time, taking over the mind of her younger self to warn the X-Men of the danger.
Fantastic Four #242-244
I’d recommend eventually reading the entirety of John Byrne’s Fantastic Four, but that would be 62 issues all by itself, and wouldn’t make for a very varied list. In issues 242-244, the FF face Galactus, and Reed Richards makes a momentous choice.
Uncanny X-Men #129-138
The Dark Phoenix saga features X-Man Jean Grey’s corruption by the powers of the Phoenix. The X-Men are forced to make a choice between a founding member and the fate of the universe.
Man of Steel #1-6
Byrne updated Superman for the 1980s in this six-part miniseries. This brought a lot of attention to Superman, and a lot of Marvel readers over for the ride.
Fantastic Four #236
“Terror in a Tiny Town” is the 20th anniversary issue of the FF, which homages their origins while telling an original compelling story.
Fantastic Four 258-262
The FF face off against Doctor Doom, and Reed’s decision about Galactus puts him in dire straits.
Captain America #247-255
With Roger Stern, this short but influential run featured Captain America considering running for President; a faceoff with Baron Blood; and a streamlining of Cap’s origin.
John Byrne’s Next Men # 0-12
This series ran 30 issues, which are all worth seeking out in my opinion. During the first 13 issues, five teenagers discover they’ve been living in a Matrix-like world. These superpowered teens had powers triggered by the government. Once taken from the sheltered world of the Greenery, they must deal with a real world that’s harsher than anything they had imagined.
Fantastic Four #285
After a fan of the Human Torch dies by setting himself on fire, Johnny Storm considers never becoming the Human Torch again.
John Byrne’s 2112
The graphic novel set in the future of the “Next Men” world features the evil Sathanas vs. Safeguard, Inc.
Batman/Captain America
Batman and Robin and Captain America and Bucky face off against the Joker and the Red Skull in the waning days of World War II. Written in a Golden Age style, this one-shot is a lot of fun.
Superman (Vol. 2) #9
Superman faces off against the Joker, who has kidnapped Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. In a back-up story, “Metropolis – 900 Miles,” Byrne takes a look at what makes Lex Luthor tick.
Fantastic Four #257
Galactus destroys the Skrull homeworld.
Superman #12
A flash back to Superman’s college days, and his love with Lori Lemaris.
Marvel Team-Up #50
The Thing vs. the Thing in the past.
Fantastic Four #252
A sideways issue in which the FF journey into the Negative Zone.
Sensational She-Hulk #1
After introducing the She-Hulk to the Fantastic Four, John Byrne writes and draws her own fourth-wall-breaking comic book series, which was something like an action-packed sitcom.
Action Comics #595
The first appearance of the Silver Banshee, who has returned to vex both Superman and Supergirl in recent years.
- Matt Price
Fantastic Four to get reboot at Fox
Variety reports that Fox is rebooting the “Fantastic Four” film franchise. Whether or not this will mean recasting is up in the air, but signs point to probably.
Akiva Goldsman will oversee the reboot as producer. I still hold him partially responsible for “Batman and Robin,” but maybe that’s not fair. Michael Green, (“Heroes” and the upcoming “Green Lantern” script) will write the script for the new “Fantastic Four” film.
The first thing this brings to mind for me is, is this Fox making sure they have the characters in development so they don’t revert back to Marvel, now with the power of Disney behind them? Maybe.
According to Variety, Fox controls “Fantastic Four” in perpetuity — as long as it continues making the films. This is the same deal Fox has on “X-Men,” “Daredevil” and “Silver Surfer.” So, I’d expect to hear an announcement on “Daredevil” someday soon as well.
- Matt Price
Fantastic Four to debut new logo
Starting with issue #570, the Fantastic Four will sport a new logo, reminiscent of the team’s 1970s logo. This issue kicks off the storyline by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham. Issue #570 goes on sale August 26.
Marvel provides first look at Fantastic Four #570
The new team of Jonathan Hickman (Nightly News) and Dale Eaglesham (JSA) take over Fantastic Four with issue #570, and Marvel Comics has released a preview of that art.
- Matt Price
No Fantastic Four 3, says Evans
In an interview with JoBlo.com promoting his new movie “Push,” former Human Torch Chris Evans throws cold water on hopes for a third “Fantastic Four” film.
“I think they’re done,” Evans said. “They’ve closed the book on that franchise. I think if there was talk I think that I would’ve heard about it by now.”
– Matt Price
DVD review – Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes, the complete first season
“Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes” mixes the characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby with modern animation and anime-influenced design.
The Fantastic Four is a super-team. The team’s adventures are based on the Marvel Comic book.
Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) is the genius leader who can stretch his body like elastic. Sue Storm (Invisible Woman) can turn invisible and project force fields. Ben Grimm (The Thing) is an orange, rocky monster, and Johnny Storm (Human Torch) can turn himself into a flame and fly.
The melding of 2-D and 3-D animation could be jarring for some, and the designs aren’t directly lifted from the comic book. French animation house Moonscoop tried to modernize the look, with the “4” logo seemingly spray-painted on The Thing’s rocky hide and the Torch sporting a Japanese anime-style haircut.
Several guest-stars from Marvel Comics appear, including Hulk and Iron Man.
The featurette “From Origin to Animation” is a treat for fans, as Lee talks about the Fantastic Four’s creation. The “Rise of the Rogues” featurette showcases the Fantastic Four’s villains, including Doctor Doom. Also included is a partial reprint of the “Ultimate Fantastic Four” No. 1 comic book.
— Matthew Price
