Classic Review: Marvel Masterworks- Fantastic Four Vol. 13

Quick Summary

Pros: Almost all of the stories here are exciting and fun. A few of the stories have interesting themes to them. The character development accomplished here works well and will, hopefully, lead to even better stories in the future. The artwork looks great and goes well with the storytelling.

Cons: Some story elements are introduced and then dropped in strange ways. The fight against the Frightful Four is somewhat weak.

Overall: Though this is a new era for the Fantastic Four, the stories are still highly entertaining. This volume has exciting action, creative concepts, interesting themes, and beautiful artwork to back it all up. It also takes the individual members of the Fantastic Four on a journey of discovery that is already great to see. Longtime fans of the Fantastic Four can enjoy these adventures and newer fans may find this to be a worthwhile place to jump into things.

Story

Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 13, by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, is another solid collection of Fantastic Four adventures. The stories told here are bold and put the team in situations that are both creative and exciting. What’s more, the personal stories stretching across these adventures are some of the best from this series. Together, these elements seem to indicate an evolution for this comic, one that I am genuinely excited to see play out.

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The major opening story arcs of Fantastic Four Vol. 13 are all filled with intense displays of action. The journey with the Inhumans and the fight against Gideon have the team face off against seemingly unbeatable enemies. Meanwhile, the bizarre fight against the Shaper of Worlds allows for some really creative encounters. The weak point here is definitely the Fantastic Four’s fight with the Frightful Four but even this allows for the introduction of Thundra, who is a great addition to this series. 

Two of these arcs also blend in metaphor in a way that makes them more interesting. The Inhumans’ struggle against a physical manifestation of their own guilt shows how social inequality can damage all parties involved and, therefore, should be eliminated. Meanwhile, the creations of the Shaper of Worlds allow for a quick trip through the highs and lows of the 50s and 60s in America. I really enjoyed seeing the deeper meaning behind these stories and found this to be the best aspect of this collection.

However, these opening arcs also contain strange places where previously introduced elements of the story suddenly become unimportant. The first arc starts with Reed and the rest of the FF literally about to collapse because they are so tired, only to discover they have to fight a villain that has just arrived. I expected this to have a big impact on the fight and was watching out for this the entire time, only for it to be completely ignored. Later on, this trend is repeated when Mr. Fantastic and the Thing go through a lengthy brainwashing session only to come to their senses almost immediately after. It makes it feel like certain plot points are completely unnecessary and leaves the reader wondering why they were even included in the first place.

The following stories are less focused on deeper meaning but are no less exciting. The first has the Fantastic Four fighting against the Miracle Man, who has way more power than before. Then, they go up against Annihilus, who continues to be one of the team’s most formidable enemies.

All throughout Fantastic Four Vol. 13 there are also subplots about the personal struggles undergone by the characters themselves. After years of being underappreciated and poorly written, the Invisible Woman walks out on Reed and the Fantastic Four narrative. It is a move that perfectly suits her character and, hopefully, will allow her to come back even better at some point in the future. This event also breaks the aura of “perfection” that typically surrounds Reed, which will also, hopefully, allow him to better himself. Meanwhile, Johnny experiences severe heartbreak and a new subplot is teased regarding Alicia. Every member of the Fantastic Four is tested here in a way that comic characters are not often tested, especially in this era.

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Art

The majority of the artwork in Fantastic Four Vol. 13 comes from the incredibly skilled pencil and ink team of John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. These artists work in harmony to create a visual presentation that is every bit as bold as the story. Right from the start, the characters all look great but, as the volume progresses, updates allow them to look even better and stay true to the changing times. Meanwhile, creative imagery helps make the wonderful world of the Fantastic Four feel as imaginative as ever, especially in Fantastic Four #136-137. 

Page layouts also play a big part in the proper execution of specific moments. Some pages are packed with panels and allow action or exposition to play out in quick succession. Meanwhile, a few rare full-page spreads are reserved to properly capture a single moment of awe. In general, the artwork in this collection works out at nearly every turn.

Continuity

Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 13 continues the story from Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 12 (Review).

The story here continues in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 14 (Review).

This volume also makes references to other comic books, detailed below:

• Black Bolt’s battle for the Inhuman throne, from Amazing Adventures #8, is mentioned. This story is collected in Inhumans: Beware the Inhumans. 
• Fantastic Four #131 references the events of Avengers #104, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 11 (Review).
• Maximus’s defeat in Avengers #95, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 10 (Review), is mentioned.
• Luke Cage started operating as a “Hero for Hire” in Heroes for Hire #1, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Luke Cage, Hero For Hire Vol. 1. 
• A note in Fantastic Four #133 references the Thing and Spider-Man’s team-up from Marvel Team-Up #7, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Team-Up Vol. 1. 
• Fantastic Four #134 mentions that Gideon was a major character in Fantastic Four #34, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 4 (Review). 
• Fantastic Four #134 also mentions that Dragon-Man’s last appearance was in Sub-Mariner #16. This is incorrect, as Dragon-Man’s last appearance was actually in Sub-Mariner #15, collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Sub-Mariner Vol. 4. This mistake is fixed in the reference found in Fantastic Four #135.
• The Fantastic Four‘s origin from Fantastic Four #1, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 1 (Review), is brought up.
• In Fantastic Four #134, a copy of World Unknown #1 can be seen.
• Dorrie broke up with the Human Torch back in Fantastic Four #45, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 5 (Review). 
• A note mentions that the Shaper of Worlds was first seen in Hulk #155, collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk Vol. 8. 
• Wyatt Wingfoot was last seen in Fantastic Four #80, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 8 (Review).
• The Miracle Man was last seen in Fantastic Four #3, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 1 (Review). 
• Annihilus was defeated back in Fantastic Four Annual #6, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 8 (Review). 
  • Annihilus also tried to invade Earth in Marvel Team-Up #2, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Team-Up Vol. 1.  
• A note in Fantastic Four #140 explains that the events of Sub-Mariner #67, collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Sub-Mariner Vol. 8, take place in the middle of this issue.
• Some of Reed and Sue’s history is referenced here.
  • The two were married in Fantastic Four Annual #3, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 5 (Review). 
  • It was revealed that Sue was pregnant in Fantastic Four Annual #5, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 7 (Review).