In 1961, the first issue of FANTASTIC FOUR was drawn and written by the brilliant team of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, and set a new standard for heroic adventure comics. Few people realize that the Fantastic Four -- a family of sci-fi adventurers gifted with amazing powers -- was actually based on the lives of real people. As often is the case, real life was as astonishing as fiction!
The art is by Guy Davis and even though he may try to blot his copybook by working on some joyless projects you can't fault his natural figure work and excellent settings. Various help is given by R. Sikoryak (a RAW alumni) and Michael Vrana (previously the publisher at Blackeye). It's a strange heritage but this is no jokey peek back, no Alan Moore-ish deconstruction and all the players are respectful with the history. Read Full Review
I have to thank Guy Davis' art for keeping me from putting this one back on the shelf after it ended up in my pull box, as this is a very entertaining twist on the Fantastic Four, as while I don't place much stock in the idea that the Fantastic Four were actually based on a real foursome of adventurers, James Strum deserves full marks for making the idea look seem quite plausible. What's more while this issue is a little on the quiet side, and there's very little in the way of action to add some punch to the material, the issue does a very solid job of introducing us to this foursome, and making them into a fairly interesting collection of personalities. If nothing else this issue makes good use of its 1950s setting, as while it's a bit before my time, the 1950s is one of my all time favorite periods when it comes to films, and as such I can recognize when a writer has managed to capture the underlying feel of this era. Read Full Review
Amazing issue one. Art is some of the best art I’ve ever seen. Read Sturm’s notes at the end too
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