Classic Review: Marvel Masterworks- Fantastic Four Vol. 15

Quick Summary

Pros: The majority of the book’s stories are positive, especially the later ones. The majority of the book’s stories do a great job of capturing suspense and imagination. The Silver Surfer story is great. The artwork is positive throughout the book.

Cons: The opening few chapters are just alright. The later chapters have a few random moments that stick out poorly.

Overall: This is one of the better Fantastic Four volumes from this time period. Though it starts out a little slow, it really hits its stride as it progresses. The volume has action, creativity, and character development in a way that works well for the Fantastic Four and provides entertainment for fans. This is really a volume for any fan of the Fantastic Four but will particularly appeal to fans looking to see “classic” elements from their past come back into play.

Story

Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 15, mostly written by Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, and Len Wein, is a solid collection of Fantastic Four stories. Almost all of the stories here are high-quality adventures that capture the sense of adventure and creativity the series is known for. This is especially true in the volume’s second half, where the Silver Surfer shines, other dimensions are visited, and the villains are anything but generic. By the end of the volume, the team also is positioned in a great place, leaving the reader excited to see what they will do next. There are some weird problems here and there and the opening few chapters aren’t the best but, for the most part, this collection has a lot going for it.

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Fantastic Four Vol. 15 starts with a few chapters that are just alright. Gerry Conway has the team dealing with a global threat from the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and then has them help two universes on a collision course with one another. Both of these stories have fair amounts of action and suspense as the Four save the world from disaster. However, they also have weird moments as well, as the Four’s victory over the Horsemen is somewhat unclear and the conclusion of the colliding universes story is a little too neat and perfect. In the end, these chapters are average but are still good for some cheaper thrills.

From here though, the volume improves dramatically. Roy Thomas and Len Wein provide stories that are interesting and exciting from start to finish. The Fantastic Four help out the Silver Surfer in a fight against Doom, they rescue the Inhumans from otherworldly invaders, and prevent war from breaking out between three separate dimensions. Each of these stories has the high-stakes intensity one would hope for from an action comic book. However, they also have the imagination and creativity one would expect from the Fantastic Four.

What makes these stories even better is the way they develop the Fantastic Four’s presence in this era while bringing in numerous elements from their past. These stories bring Sue back onto the team, continue plot threads the Silver Surfer has been dealing with for a while, and generally make it seem like the team is wiser and more understanding than ever, especially Ben. Meanwhile, they give a nice farewell to Medusa and position the team in a lineup that has a great, “classic” feel to it.

These chapters are not all positive though, as there are little moments that throw them off. Doom’s near victory over the Silver Surfer, Reed’s decision to sell his research to a stranger, and the hockey goalie villain all feel like strange and unwarranted pieces of otherwise great stories. These problems do not severely damage the narrative but are annoying when they pop up.

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Art

The majority of the artwork in Fantastic Four Vol. 15 is positive and works well as a complement to the narrative. Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott provided some great work and appealing visuals in the previous collection and continue to do so here. This volume features awesome feats of strengths from the heroes and powerful and intimidating displays from these villains, particularly Doom. In addition, the layouts in this volume are better than the last. They feel more creative and ambitious, allowing for some really great-looking scenes that help capture exactly what the story is trying to get at. Overall, the visuals in this volume are a nice complement to the overall appeal of the book.

Continuity

Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 15 continues the story from Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 14 (Review).

The story here continues in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 16.

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

• A note in Fantastic Four #154 mentions that the original issue republished the Human Torch story from Strange Tales #127.
• Fantastic Four #156 references the Thing’s brush with the Defenders in Marvel Two-In-One #6-7, collected in Marvel Two-In-One Epic Collection: Cry Monster.
• The Silver Surfer has been stuck on Earth since Galactus created a barrier that prevented his escape. This was done in Fantastic Four #50, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 5 (Review). 
• The Silver Surfer began his association with the Defenders in Defenders #2, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Defenders Vol. 1 (Review), and most recently participated in their adventures in Defenders #11, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Defenders Vol. 2 (Review).
• The Silver Surfer thought Shalla Bal was lost back in Silver Surfer #17, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Silver Surfer Vol. 2 (Review).
• Doctor Doom temporarily stole the Silver Surfer’s power back in Fantastic Four #57-60, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 6 (Review). 
• Doctor Doom was rescued from a fall in Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up #1, collected in Super-Villains Unite: The Complete Super-Villain Team-Up.
• The original Doomsman was seen across Astonishing Tales #1-3.
• Fantastic Four #157 references the destruction of Doom’s castle from Astonishing Tales #3.
• The Human Torch faced off against Xemu in Strange Tales #103.
• Fantastic Four #160 references Arkon’s role in Avengers #84, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Avengers Vol. 9 (Review). 
• The Thing traveled to another dimension back in Fantastic Four #118, collected in Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four Vol. 12 (Review).