Every week we'll pick a handful of awesome comics from the thousands available through Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited. From creator spotlights to editor's picks and more, this'll be your spot to find something new and cool.
Since this week sees both the first issue of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's run on FANTASTIC FOUR and the release of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's final FF tale in THE LOST ADVENTURE, we figured now would be the time to bring some classic Fantastic Four gems out of the Digital Comics vault. So, without further ado, behold five Fantastic Four tales culled across their long and storied career.
FANTASTIC FOUR #2
Long before the Secret Invasion was even a twinkle in Baby Bendis' eye, this issue had the very first appearance of the shape-shifting Skrulls. Intent on—you guessed it—taking over the world, a group of Skrulls impersonate the Fantastic Four and turn the world against them. After uncovering the Skrulls' plot, Mr. Fantastic comes up with a plan to stop them and turn them into cows. Yes, that's right, cows. Too bad that trick probably won't work twice...
FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3
The marriage of Susan Storm and Reed Richards wasn't all that different from your average wedding. Well, instead of your Uncle Jimmy and Uncle Bill getting into a slugfest, it's the Thing and Doc Doom. And there were more super heroes there. And the Watcher showed up. So really, it was nothing at all like your average wedding. But that's what makes this annual so entertaining: seeing Jack Kirby pack as many random cameos as he possibly can into every panel.
FANTASTIC FOUR #51
"This Man, This Monster" has long been hailed as one of the greatest FF stories ever told, and with good reason. When a mad scientist, jealous of Reed Richard's success, infiltrates the Baxter Building posing as the Thing, he is finally in a position to take his "revenge" on Mr. Fantastic… only to find out it isn't so easy. But mere words can't do this story justice, so click on over and check it out for yourself. We promise you won't regret it.
FANTASTIC FOUR #232
Diablo, one of the Fantastic Four's greatest and most under-utilized villains, makes yet another attempt to defeat our heroes in John Byrne's first issue as both writer and artist. And, yeah, we could spend this time making fun of Diablo's costume (seriously, what's up with the giant pointy mask?), but what's really important here is the great story and art. So go read it, and remember: giant pointy masks are silly and can poke someone's eye out.
FANTASTIC FOUR #60
Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo kick off their incredible three-year run with this issue. It's a regular day in the life of Marvel's first family, though with this group you know "regular" is a relative term. Wieringo's pencils injected a joy and playfulness into the squad's interactions, and Waid's script in this issue shows us why the Fantastic Four are a family above all else.
