FANTASTIC FOUR #103
(Cover by John Romita Sr. and John Verpoorten)
Published and © by Marvel, Oct. 1970
“At War With Atlantis!”
Synopsis: The Sub-Mariner and Magneto team to take on the Fantastic Four and the world — until one villain betrays the other!
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciler: John Romita Sr.
Inker: John Verpoorten
Review: To many, Fantastic Four #103 marks the beginning of the Bronze Age at Marvel (the other contender to that title, Conan the Barbarian #1, was published the same month). From a story standpoint, not much has changed: this is a thrilling, action-packed issue, typical of Stan Lee’s run on FF. (It also displays Lee’s dated treatment of women.) What’s different here is who’s missing: Jack Kirby, who’d moved on to the Distinguished Competition. John Romita fills in admirably, providing a nice bridge to John Buscema, the artist whose work would come to typify the characters during the early Bronze era.
Grade: B+
Cool factor: A new era dawns for the Fantastic Four.
Not-so-cool factor: Losing The King is never cool.
Notable: First post-Kirby issue helps usher in the Bronze Age. … Richard Nixon cameo.
Character quotable: “Our armed forces will be ready — in case you fail!” — President Richard Nixon (that should make everyone feel better!)
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