I picked this up to get ready for August’s Essential Human
Torch Vol. 1. This is the volume that includes the
introduction of Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and the Inhumans.
General Information
Title: Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 3
Credited to: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Original Publication Date: 2001 reprint of material first published
from 1965-1967.
The Issues: This contains issues 41-63 of volume one, as well as
annuals 3 and 4. Summaries of all issues can be found at Jay’s Comic Book
Compendium, which is extremely complete.
ISBN: 0-7851-0782-7
Cover Price: $14.95US, $21.95Can
Buy from: Amazon.com
or Amazon.ca
Premise
Marvel’s First Family is forced to deal with the hunt of the Black
Panther, the empowerment of Doctor Doom, the coming of
Galactus, and
more.
High Point
Issue 59, with the cosmically powered Doctor Doom and Black
Bolt’s
scream.
Low Point
The depiction of Wyatt Wingfoot. Has there ever been a Native
American comic book character who wasn’t a peaceful, athletic
giant
who has a natural way with animals?
The Scores
The introduction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer added a
cosmic
element to the stories that wasn’t previously present in the
Marvel
Universe. That, combined with the introduction of the Inhumans
and a
few new villains, gives this a more original feel than
the
previous volume. I give it 5 out of 6.
The Jack Kirby artwork is Jack Kirby artwork. It’s
clean and
clear, and at this stage of the game, always on model. The lack
of
colour detracts from some of the images, though. I give it 5 out
of
6.
The stories being told are usually well done. Some
of the
three-part stories feel a big dragged out, and the coming of
Galactus
didn’t live up to its reputation. (For example, there is no mention,
at all, of the Ultimate Nullifier’s effects or limitations. All we
know is that it scared Galactus, and he offered to leave Earth,
but
only if he could take the weapon with him. I don’t know why Reed
trusted him enough to hand it over, though.) I give the stories 4
out
of 6.
The characterization of the characters we’d already
met
hasn’t changed a bit. We still see the same aspects to all of
them
that we saw last time. Most of the new characters are villains,
and
they’re very one-dimensional. The only well developed new
character
is the Silver Surfer, but if that’s what you’re looking for, I’d
suggest picking up his own Essential volume first. I give this
volume
2 out of 6.
The emotional response this produced was weak for
most of
it. The Coming of Galactus didn’t live up to its reputation, and
most
of the villains were too boring to make me care about the battles.
Issue 59, with the Inhumans, Silver Surfer, and Doom all working
parallel stories, did work very well. I give the entire volume 3 out
of 6.
The flow is cursed by Stan Lee’s wordy combat
dialogue.
Otherwise, it’s very good. I give it 3 out of 6.
Overall, it’s an entertaining read, if imperfect. I give
it
4 out of 6.
In total, Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 3 recieves 26
out of 42.
Other Essential reviews
Great job with reviewing the Essentials. It appears the only ones left (excluding Conan) are:
Avengers 3
Captain America 1
Captain America 2
Doctor Strange 1
Howard the Duck 1
Marvel Team-Up 1
Any plans for your next Essential? If not, do you do requests?
Re: Other Essential reviews
I should have the Essential Dr. Strange review up tomorrow morning,
actually. I plan to own and review them all. Essential Human Torch
Vol. 1 is due out on August 20, and Essential Tomb of Dracula Vol. 1 is
due on October 29. I’ve pre-ordered both. The rest will be reviewed
as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on them. After Dr. Strange,
I’ll probably review the recently acquired Kingdom Come.
Requests are taken, and encouraged. The list of stuff I plan to review
is at this
site. Requests can be made here or via e-mail.
Re: Other Essential reviews
In that case, I’d like to place a request for Howard the Duck please.