Impossibly Bad
Daily Ramble 35: Impossibly Bad
While I played a few games today, I was so disappointed with the issue of the Fantastic Four I read, I had to focus on that.
Fantastic Four #11: A Visit with the Fantastic Four and The Impossible Man
This issue contained 2 stories – one that retold things and the other that was just boring. I know things get better, I just hope so soon.
Seems like the trouble the Fantastic Four have had in the previous issues has subsided. No longer are people angry at them for destroying things nor are they going bankrupt and there are no authorities hunting them because they’re criminals in this issue. Rather, people want to read their magazine and kids want to be them. Such a change in so short a time must make the team pretty happy.
Sadly, this first storyline centers around the origin story once again and it’s just another retelling. I’m not sure how many times this is, but I’m so glad modern comics have become more self assured and tell the origin less than once a year. At least this is the first time in 1963 the origin has been retold.
Story B: The Impossible Man
The second story was truly a bad story.
Basically the Impossible Man could turn into anything he chose and there was nothing the Fantastic Four could do that would slow him down. He wasn’t a bad guy and didn’t do anything necessarily evil, but no one could stop him from doing whatever he wanted. He essentially was a child who just wanted to play. The solution turned out to be ignoring him so he got bored and left. Sadly, in boring the Impossible Man, I grew bored as well…not a good story.
What did I learn:
* Fans of the time wrote in and seemed to want to downplay Sue’s contributions to the team and some even suggested kicking her off the team because she didn’t do enough. Stan and Kirby didn’t let the insults stand and highlighted her accomplishments and showed how valuable she is to the foursome.
* Another attempt by Reed to “cure” The Thing fails.
* Sue’s so enamored by the Submariner, it’s interfering with her relationship with Reed and they even put a pin-up of Prince Namor in the back of the comic.
* The police are so happy with the FF they’ve got a hotline that goes directly to them for help.
The was a very disappointing issue and I rate it my lowest rating yet…a D. The only redeeming point was the defense of Sue’s contributions but other than that, this was a bad issue.