Rob welcomes fellow network all-star Siskoid to the cabin to discuss FANTASTIC FOUR #235!
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Oh, most excellent – this is the *really* good stuff. I became an avid reader of Byrne’s FF from the jump (i.e., issue #232 – I was so happy after the bitter disappointment of his departure from X-men) and did not miss an issue for the next two or so years. Yes, at this point, Byrne really was firing on all cylinders (I think that’s the expression you were looking for, Rob).
As to this specific issue, even though it sort of follows up on the preceding one (which many consider one of the best single stories of Byrne’s run), it also works as a done-in-one. In fact, it’s interesting that for the first ten issues of this run, Byrne really didn’t do any multi-part sagas, instead doing a bunch of really strong single-issue stories (with only the Frankie Raye sub-plot running through some of them). Following up on what Siskoid noted, I think this was also a case of Byrne deliberately modeling his run after not just the early issues of FF, but early Marvel in general, in which mostly done-in-one stories were the rule rather than the exception.
In conclusion, great conversation, gentlemen, I thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Moms are great for those weeks where you were out of town and knew a new issue of one of your favorite comics was coming out. Thankfully my mom was a pharmacist and the pharmacy she worked at sold comics. There was a new issue of Firestorm coming out so I showed her a current cover (so she could recognize the logo) and told her the issue number. And, at that time, I believe Firestorm was also showing a preview of the cover of the next issue in the current issue so I showed her that, too. And she found it. Thanks mom!
And, speaking of Mile High Comics and moms, she also wrote some checks for some Mile High comic orders. To figure out which back issues to buy I would go to the letters page of an issue which was talking about it to help my decision making process. It was really helpful with “What If?” Nearly every early issue of “What If?” I own came from Mile High Comics.
Rob and Siskoid,
Great episode, guys! I especially loved Siskoid’s story about his “shared-custody” comics. I think we all flummoxed our parents when we were younger with our unusual requests for comics and toys. I distinctly remember having a “No, Hammerhead is not a shark” conversation with my mom at one point. As a parent of a manga-junkie, it is now my turn in the hot seat. You would think my comic collecting would prep me for the job, but I still barely know “My Hero Academia” from “Chainsaw Man”.
It’s the circle of fandom, isn’t it. My kids have asked for books and graphic novels that I’ve never heard of, and I just blindly order them. Although I have read some the of the graphic novels after they have. No regrets.
But one of the kids (well, 20 years old) is into musical groups that flummox me. Like Bear Ghost and Steam Powered Giraffe. Yes, those are their names. She even drove 3 hours to see one in concert. But hey, the other kid is into They Might Be Giants, and we’ve geeked out about their music several times. So you never know.
Fun discussion gents, and this episode reminds me a I really need to re-read the Byrne FF run. I re-read the Lee/Kirby run a few years back, and while I never noticed those direct correlations Siskoid mentioned, I defintely got the same feel from both. I also need to check out the curent comics, apparently!
Another wonderful nostalgia fueled episode. John Byrne was certainly “my Fantastic Four”. I started reading on a monthly basis not too long after this with issue 239. The one with Ben’s Aunt Petunia. I continued right up until shortly after Reed & Sue retired and Ben mutated into the spiky version of the Thing and Aharon Ventura became She-Thing. By then the book wasn’t even recognizable anymore. I still love the Byrne run and it is my favorite era of Fantastic Four, with all due respect to Kirby & Lee.
Great episode, guys! My question is for Siskoid: what part of Texas were you in?
Central. Between San Angelo and Abilene. Specifically, a town called Ballinger.
Fantastic (!) episode guys. I love the Byrne run and while I knew a lot was modeled on the Lee/Kirby years I had not realized that there were such strong parallels. Learn something new every day! I am going to have to study that more closely.
As for Ryan North’s run – I have not read them although my son has told me many times I should. Sounds like I need to finally listen to him.
And moms are great. While I don’t recall ever trusting her to pick up specific issues, when I was a teenager I recall her driving me to a couple conventions in Philadelphia around 1980 before I could drive.
Great stuff. I am going to miss this show!
This issue was during the period where I was just starting to buy new comics but not full-on collecting yet, and I happened to pick this one up. It wasn’t long after I started collecting for me to keep Byrne’s FF as a regular buy, and after discovering comic shops and conventions, I backfilled the whole run as fast as I could.
But I did get this issue right off the stands, and wow! I loved it AND it freaked me out! Normally that second part would be a deal breaker because I was so sensitive. (Not like now, uh-huh.) The artwork just kept me re-reading it, and I marveled at the comic history that played into the story, and the stunning conclusion. Is it any wonder this run is still beloved today?
I wonder how many other people read this issue without reading the previous one at the time? The tone of the story changes a lot with that context, because as far as the FF know, Earth has been devastated by Ego’s gravity and millions dead, and they’re basically on a desperate mission to safeguard the survivors, not knowing all of that destruction has been magically undone. They can’t even be sure things haven’t gotten worse while they’re away. As a reader of the second issue originally, I didn’t have any of that knowledge, and it doesn’t detract from the story. But knowing those details elevates the issue even more.
So I’d love to hear who read FF #234 before #235, and who read just #235? Or any poor souls who only read #234, because dang, what a cliffhanger to be left on!!
Talking after Byrne, there was a very brief period written by Roger Stern before Englehart stepped in, but a sadly forgettable run, which is a shame because I usually enjoy Stern’s work. Alas, his job seemed to be editorially prescribed to bring Ben back into the team and ditch She-Hulk, so it had nothing to make it stand out. Except. Except! For one bit when they’re slugging it out where She-Hulk shouts “It’s clobberin’ time!” and Ben is incensed she bogarted his catchphrase. It ends amicably, but that part does tickle me.
Between Avengers last month and FF now, you’re hitting all my sweet spots, Rob!