1970s FF Year in Review 2010

[brentlambert]

1970s FANTASTIC FOUR 2010: Year in Review

(#1-4) by Scott Casper

The Cast: Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch, Namor, Thing, Crystal, Agatha Harkness, Alicia Grimm, Hulk

Antagonists Faced: Annihilus, The Thing, and Over-Mind

Standout Character: The Thing

Best Moment: Reed realizing exactly what has caused Ben’s mental problems

Overall: I will be the first to admit that titles set in the past (such as X-Men: Hidden Years and the like) never have really appealed to me. I prefer to read stories that push forward instead of settling into nostalgia. So I had to put aside that obvious bias when reading this title and I found my best way to do that was just to approach it as an alternate reality instead of a nostalgic exercise. The stories are entertaining if a bit simplistic in the long run, but they fit the era they’re meant to portray. I think the most sophisticated thing in the entire four issues was the problem surrounding The Thing and his adjusting to a new identity. I like the fact that the FF is more than just the usual four, but I am wondering why Invisible Woman isn’t in the mix. I’m not entirely sold on Crystal and Johnny being married as I never saw the couple headed that way, but I’m open to being convinced. The biggest strength that Scott has is that he’s fully capable of presenting the tone of the era he is writing in. I think that’s a pretty worthy skill to have.

[scottenkainen]

Of all the FF, Sue was always most ready to settle down and lead a normal life. Reed keeps getting sucked back into superheroics because of his expertise, but Sue's already got her "happily ever after" so I haven't featured her much (though you will see her soon in Amazing Adventures of the 1970s: Featuring the Black Widow!).

For the entirety of Kirby's run since Crystal was introduced, Johnny and Crystal were a tight couple. Only after Kirby left did Lee shake Crystal loose, but only to preserve the status quo. I'm not respectful of changes made just to preserve the status quo.

Although I have my own biases too, obviously, I think there's just as much, if not more, "pushing forward" here as you'll find in any other fanfiction titles; it just starts from an earlier starting point than you're used to.

~Scott C.

[brentlambert]

May 10, 2011 13:32:46 GMT -5 scottenkainen said:

Of all the FF, Sue was always most ready to settle down and lead a normal life. Reed keeps getting sucked back into superheroics because of his expertise, but Sue's already got her "happily ever after" so I haven't featured her much (though you will see her soon in Amazing Adventures of the 1970s: Featuring the Black Widow!).

For the entirety of Kirby's run since Crystal was introduced, Johnny and Crystal were a tight couple. Only after Kirby left did Lee shake Crystal loose, but only to preserve the status quo. I'm not respectful of changes made just to preserve the status quo.

Although I have my own biases too, obviously, I think there's just as much, if not more, "pushing forward" here as you'll find in any other fanfiction titles; it just starts from an earlier starting point than you're used to.

~Scott C.

Well, looking at the entirety of the two's history I just don't think Johnny is a compatible match for Crystal. IMO, she's way above his pay grade. As for Sue, she's always struck me as the member of the FF with the most in the way of leadership skills. If she wasn't with Reed I'd imagine her running a very successful business.

I have to admit there has been progression in the 70s titles, but I guess the old school feel makes it hard for me to shake. But like I said, my remedy to that is to just approach it as an alternate reality instead of an old school re-telling.