FANTASTIC FOUR #261
(Cover by John Byrne)
Published and © by Marvel, Dec. 1983
[Buy from Mile High]
“The Search for Reed Richards”
Synopsis: Finally realizing their leader is missing, the Fantastic Four turn to the Watcher for help in finding Reed Richards.
Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: Byrne
Inker: Byrne
Review: After a pair of issues with cosmic-fueled big punching (see Comics Bronze Age’s reviews of Fantastic Four #259 and #260), writer/artist John Byrne decides to crank the cosmic up to 11. With the help of the Watcher, the FF race through space in an effort to find and save the missing Reed Richards. There are some wonderful “big” concepts here, such as the delegate council of survivors from world’s destroyed by Galactus. But the big never overwhelms the intimate, as Byrne’s FF is always driven by well-executed character moments. Byrne is a master at balancing these extremes.
Grade: A-
Second opinions: “The pacing is kind of weird, and I’m not sure why we need another origin flashback, but the story still reads well for being almost 30 years old.” — Kello, Four Freedoms Plaza. … “Byrne’s art is tremendous as always, his renditions of various characters — the Watcher, Galactus — being so close to perfection that they could easily be considered definitive … 8/10.” — Matt C, Paradox Comics Group. … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).
Cool factor: Love that cover.
Not-so-cool factor: A pregnant Sue Richards making out with the Sub-Mariner while her husband has been abducted and is being tortured on the other side of the galaxy. Definitely not cool, Sue.
Notable: Guest appearances by the Sub-Mariner, Marina and the Silver Surfer. … This entire issue is offered as a free preview at Marvel Digital Comics.
Character quotable: “With Reed missing, I am the acting leader of the Fantastic Four. We will do what I say.” — The Invisible Girl, not so invisible now.
Collected in: Fantastic Four Visionaries: John Byrne Vol. 4 [Buy from Mile High]
