Three different looks at the Fantastic Four.
Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne, Vol. 8 (Marvel) [collects #287-295]
w/a. John Byrne, et al.
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These 1986 (!) tales marked the end of Byrne’s era on the FF (Roger Stern and Jerry Ordway slip in toward the end). It’s fascinating looking at that time — She-Hulk was on the team, the FF face the Beyonder (who is, here at least, suitably menacing), Doctor Doom keeps changing identities, Iron Man is in his white-and-red armor …
The stories are complex for the time, often with Twilight Zone twist endings, but with plenty of love for the Lee/Kirby era that was a hallmark of Byrne’s run. Aside from some continuity that has passed it by, these stories could be run today with little change, a tribute to Byrne’s vision (as it were).
Fantastic Four by J. Michael Straczynski, Vol. 1 (Marvel) [collects #527-532]
w. Joe Straczynski; a. Mike McKone
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This was the beginning of JMS’ run on FF, one marked with a lot of high concepts and some nicely personal touches. Joe’s run had some nice events, but was fairly short, and some of the elements he introduced never came fully to fruition, while most were largely dropped by subsequent writers (a problem that Marvel’s had in the last five years on this title). It was good seeing Joe having a chance to play in the FF’s playground, though, even for a little while.
Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest (DC) [collects #554-561]
w. Mark Millar; a. Bryan Hitch
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Millar reinvents (sort of) the FF, with Hitch bringing an “Ultimate FF” feel to the proceedings. Big, high-concept stuff here, well-executed, very engaging, and definitely worth reading. Problem is, there’s no guarantee that any of it will survive the next creative team to arrive on the book, which diminishes its charm by just a bit. At least it’s collected here for future enjoyment.
Listening to: Monty Norman Orchestra, “James Bond Theme” (Best of James Bond – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition))
Finally, something I’ve read (the originals, not the trades)! Remember 30 years ago when we read the same titles? I never did branch out from the straight super-hero fare set in the Marvel and DC universes the way you have. I guess I’m just old-fashioned.
Nothing wrong with that, by any means.
A lot of people tell me there is. I’m missing out on all these great stories, and such. Bottom line for me is that I have to care about the characters, and for me that means the ones I grew up with.
Well, you do miss out on some good stuff — but, then, if you’re finding sufficient good stuff in what’s out there now, then that’s fine.