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| CHARACTER APPEARANCES |
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| GROUP APPEARANCES |
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| ISSUE REVIEW |
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There is no review of this issue. |
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| ISSUE SYNOPSIS |
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There is not synopsis for this issue. |
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| RECOMMENDING READING |
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- There is no recommended reading for this issue.
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| ISSUE'S LETTERS |
Dear Stan and Jack:
Issue Number 9 was your usual best, which is darn good. This tale carried an intriguing title, "The End of the Fantastic Four," and one that sort of had you going. The thing that made this story was the reappearance of the Sub-Mariner. These Sub-Mariner-Four tales are masterpieces and this is due to the clash in personalities. One, at first glance, would look at Namor as a rival of the Four, but at second glance you see things differently. It was probably summed up in what Sue Storm said, "After all, he lives by a different code than we do – he can never really understand us! And – whatever he did – he did for – love." Artwise, you come off pretty well. If you stick to the way you've drawn the Thing in this issue, especially the overflowing eyebrows as in pages 3 and 4, you would have an almost perfect looking (as far as I'm concerned) Thing. The only complaints I have artwise run thusly: 1) You can't draw the Torch. I especially dislike the way the Torch looks when he's standing still. Besides looking bad, it doesn't seem right. Here you've said that his flame burns for only a limited period of time, and then you have him using up this limited period of time just standing around. And 2) it may seem silly but – you can't draw human-looking feet. Maybe it's because you're so used to drawing the huge-toed Thing and the Hulk, but improvement would be appreciated. Thanks for your time and your great publication. Regards.
Tommy Jones
622 Plater
Aberdeen, Maryland
Stan is answering this one. Jack is in a corner learning to draw feet. The reason the TORCH flames on occasionally when he's just standing around is that his flame is somewhat like a battery – it must be charged once in a while. If it isn't used every so often, it might not ignite when he needs it.
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Dear Stan and Jack:
In answer to so many requests for back issues of FF, Tales to Astonish, Strange Tales, Hulk, etc., please send me your complete "want" list, as I have a small stock of the FF group. Submit your highest bid and you may beat a straight sale price so as to be sure to obtain a desired issue. All my issues are in fine to mint condition. All issues will be mailed flat. Best o' luck, Stan and Jack, and may your sales be many.
Dean Newman
P.O. Box 855
Bard, California
We don't publish "want" lists, but we ARE printing your letter, Dean, in case some of our fans might want to contact you.
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I think,…No, I know the FF is the greatest magazine on the market! When I read the lettter from PAUL GAMBACCINI I could have kicked that x!!- °/? in the seat! Imagine! Saying the FF is stupid, the artwork horrible, etc.! he must be a KOOK not to love the FF on sight! I have read every printed issue of FF, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for 100 of any other magazine! As for that PAUL WHAT'S HIS NAME?, if he hates your magazine, nobody is forcing him to read it. Please don’t add, subtract, divide, or multiply the FF's or change the characters or their dispositions. I love the idea of a FF T.V. series as mentioned in a previous issue. I wish you turned out an issue a week, but I suppose it is hard to write such wonderful stories. My favorite FF characters are in this order: 1. Johnny Storm, 2. Susan Storm, 3. Mr. Fantastic, 4. The Thing.
Please, please print this letter; include everything stated so we can show every kook in the world like that Paul, that FF is the world's greatest magazine, and in case anyone wants to argue with me, send their complaints to Marsha Cox, Route 5, Nampa, Idaho.
Marsha Cox
Nampa, Idaho
Thanks, Marsha, we appreciate your enthusiasm. Hope we don’t later learn that you're just a wily stamp collector!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Have had the latest issues of Fantastic Four, Strange Tales, Journey Into Mystery, and The Incredible Hulk for some time, and it is time for me to throw my two-bits worth into the ring. FF #9…very, very good. I don’t see Reed Richards losing his shirt on a bunch of stocks (after all, if he'd invested in the blue chip stocks he still would have had an appreciable amount of money coming in), but otherwise it was a fine story. Sub-Mariner's scheme was intriguing and Invisible Girl-Namor battles were great, but I'd have liked to have seen Torch and Mr. Fantastic battle the Sea Monarch. There were some discrepancies in the layout of S.M. Studios. After all, the personalities shown all belong to various and sundry studios, and despite Namor's wealth, he couldn't have gotten them out from under their contracts. Also, Bing Crosby and Jackie Gleason were barely recognizable and I have yet to figure out who it was that was talking to Gleason after Jackie talked to the Thing. Oh yes, why'd the FF have to hitch-hike? Torch could have flown, and Mr. Fantastic could easily have covered the distance with "mile at a time" strides. Talking about Mr. Fantastic, he should use his abilities more. He could have scouted that island thoroughly by standing in one spot and stretching up to get an aerial view. I realize that Mr. F. probably isn't used to his fabulous powers, but don’t you think he would have realized the possibilities by now? Regarding Dr. Doom in FF #10: I like both Namor and Doom, but how about some other villains? Mole Man should be making a return about now. Also, Miracle Man could escape, find (I don’t know how) the Skrulls, and hypnotise [hypnotize] them into going back into their original state and working for him. The possibilities of those shape-changing outer space types never were realized in FF #2.
Steve Perrin
4420 Meadowlark Lane
Santa Barbara, California
The only way to handle a letter like this is to devote a whole issue to answering it! But – not for a few years! Besides, mebbe some of our readers would like to answer a few of Steve's comments?
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I've been reading the Fantastic Four ever since it came out, and I'd like to say it's great! It's original, highly entertaining, and realistic. Here's my opinion of your characters: Mr. Fantastic: Reed Richards is the ideal type of hero to lead such an organization. I think his name should remain the same. Maybe the name 'Mr. Fantastic" is too egotistical, but it gives the magazine that extra touch. He is my favorite character. The Thing: I think the conflict between Ben Grimm and his fellow members gives the mag another touch not often used in a comic magazine. I'm also glad that Ben can't turn back to a human at will. Reed's formula (in 'Prisoners of the Puppet Master"), although at first I thought it was going to ruin the mag, actually made me an even-more-ardent fan, because of its limitations. However, he looks different now. Compare him in issues 1 and 8, and see how the art changed. The Invisible Girl: Susan Storm ought to play a more important part in your stories. As for M. Ross's suggestions about kicking her out because she never does anything, he can like it or lump it for all I care. I think Reed should go out for her more than he has been doing. The Human Torch: Great! I like the way Johnny's flame sometimes dies out when in flight, and the way he can make it do whatever he wants it to do. I think he got what he deserved in the story about the "Puppet Master" and believe me, he deserved it! As for Alicia, I hope she at least becomes an honorary member. I agreed with H. Sher about who should play the heroes (and heroine) in the movies. And I picked out stars to play the villains. They are: The Mole-man, Peter Lorre (with Makeup); Dr. Doom, Boris Karloff; Sub-Mariner, Johnny Weismuller; The Puppet Master, Yul Brynner, with a little makeup. This is too long to print, I know, but thanks for listening.
Steve Utley
Trenton, New Jersey
Too long to print? Not a chance! Why do you think we increased this section to two pages?
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Never have I seen a truer title than "THE END OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR!" I love the F4. I have every issue, and love ever issue. But #9 was kind of silly. The idea of heroes going bankrupt is ridiculous! Fans read comics because the heroes in them act like comic book heroes, and not like real-life people. For Heaven's sake, don’t ruin the FANTASTIC FOUR! They've come along so well, and now to have a plot like the "END OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR!" your best bet would be to have startling adventures – see if your other readers agree. I also think SUB-MARINER should become a hero. SPIDERMAN should join to make it THE FANTASTIC FIVE, and TORCH should get his own book. One last "thing" – the reason the F4 fight is because of THE THING. Get rid of him!
Fred Bronson
11620 Port Road
Culver City, California
Every super-villain we've had has tried to get rid of the THING – and you expect US to do it? We can't even get rid of an annoying rattle in our radiator!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
I've but one comment to make regarding your magazine, which is: "IT STINKS." That is if you don’t like great stories, original and unique characters, and wholesome entertainment. As for the controversy about the THING, I believe he should be kept as is, except that Reed might invent a serum that would change him back to Ben Grimm for limited periods of time. As for adding more members, definitely not. Ditto for evicting Sue Storm, alias INVISIBLE GIRL. This would only serve to detract from the FF's originality and uniqueness. I find no words which describe "The End of the Fantastic Four." However, you overdid the beginning. Surely some rich philanthropist or some organization would realize the importance of the Fantastic Four and contribute something to their cause. Also, at the end of the story Namor states, "The movie will be produced – as promised." How could it be, when in the chapter entitled, "The Fury of Mr. Fantastic" Namor states, "…Now to return home. We're finished here." The same goes for the HUMAN TORCH episode. Keep up the good work.
David Zeltzer
23861 Rennsselaer
Oak Park, Michigan
When Namor said the movie would be produced, he then hired new writers and legitimate cameramen and they produced it. But – that's another story.
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Once I asked you for FF #1. Of course you didn’t have it. Now I wish you would publish my full name and address, I will give anyone 50˘ for that issue if no pages are missing or anything is wrong with it. Aloha!
Edward Corbett
145 Sanford Street
Glens Falls, New York
P.S. Compliments to the world's greatest comic magazine.
Hey! If we knew they'd be worth so much, we'd have charged 50˘ each OURSELVES!
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Dear Stan and Jack:
Oboy, was Fantastic Four #9 ever great! The idea of a super-hero team going broke is almost heresy by conventional comic book standards, but it's such off-the-beaten-path-stories as the End of the Fantastic Four that makes yours the greatest mag going. You guys aren't afraid to place your characters in human situations, and the constant by-play between the Thing and Human Torch and Susan and Sub-Mariner is so true to life that it makes other pseudo-dramatic comics look pretty sick. I suppose – to be realistic – I should find some word of criticism (negative, that is) to say about your comic, but I can't. Having followed Mr. Kirby's wonderful art since the '40's, I can truthfully say that you couldn't have gotten a better artist to do FF. He has a way with costume heroes that has been mastered by few other artists in the medium and, also, his highly original renditions of monsters with gaping jaws and cracked hides make the Thing, at once, a figure of awe and sympathy. This is art -- no question about it. The superior and imaginative scripts by Mr. lee further insure that when the day comes that comics are accorded their rightful place in the Arts, along with music, painting, and drama, the Fantastic Four magazine will be held up as the best example of this. Thanks for many hours of entertainment.
Landon Chesney
1955 Harle Avenue
Cleveland, Tennessee
Landon, old pal, if you ever run for president, let us know!
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IMPORTANT NOTE: The FANTASTIC FOUR make a guest appearance in the new AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Comics, #1, on sale December 10th. DON'T MISS IT!
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| COMMENTS |
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fragsel Says: |
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2011-11-06 13:02:45 |
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Seriously? MEMBERSHIP CARD IN A SUBVERSIVE COMMUNIST-FRONT ORGANIZATION? In a wallet? Are you f*@!%?& kidding me !!!!???!!!! |
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thomassp74 Says: |
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2011-11-19 17:30:24 |
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They wonder why Sue's the least popular character, but film footage of the Hulk scares her so much that she loses control of her powers? Holy sexism Batman. For example:
Ross: "A pretty young lady can always be of help--just by keeping the men's morale up!"
Reed: "That's just the way we feel about sue, General!"
Why did General Ross suddenly change uniform color?
Seems out of character for Reed to be competing with Johnny and Ben about who has the best superpower.
I'm just about sick of the whole "a number of our fans throughout the country had written to us to say..,." bit.
"A voice from nowhere! The place is haunted!" That's a new one.
Torch can heat up the ocean by putting flames close to the water, but he can douse his hand and shake hands with Rick without burning him?
The Hulk can become a living tornado?
I'm starting to really dislike the FF. At least the guys. They're the most conceited bunch of super heroes I've ever seen. haha |
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thomassp74 Says: |
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2011-11-19 17:32:08 |
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Plus two stars for Hulk appearance, but minus two for having to witness them showing off for Ross like a bunch of toddlers and for more of that BS about their readers writing letters. |
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Safis Says: |
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2012-01-31 21:19:12 |
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This issue has it all! The first major crossover, the Hulk vs. The Fantastic Four (and specifically, the Hulk vs. the Thing), a brand new (and far better-looking) Fantasticar, hilarious old-fashioned sexism, communists, robots, wacky 60's science fiction, great writing and even better art... I could go on! |
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Webslinger Says: |
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2012-03-29 23:19:25 |
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A very humorous issue, but even Reed posing in for General Ross was somewhat corny, lost one star for that, anyway, the F4 keep the good pace, and the letters page is as always pretty fun to read! |
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Jukebox_Hero Says: |
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2012-05-11 02:29:29 |
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A membership card for Communist Sabotagers Anonymous. WOW. |
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darkdragonne Says: |
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2012-05-28 17:28:25 |
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Now wasn't this a sexist issue?
But besides that, was I the only one who found it weird that they didn't know the Hulk's real identity? In a previous issue the FF were reading a Hulk comic... |
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pik.asso Says: |
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2012-06-10 03:21:54 |
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Wow, seeing this brandnew Fantasticar, the old one really looks crappy! I like the new design.
And: Hulk and Thing really fit together. They could be brothers! |
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Dark_Knight93 Says: |
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2012-06-28 21:41:57 |
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Well there's certainly a few gripes to be had over this issue. First of all, Reed is way out of character by showing off with Torch and Thing. Second, Susan Storm is still worthless and that's made all the more obvious with the blatant sexism in this issue. Other than that, this was a good issue. |
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olgamon Says: |
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2012-07-16 13:09:57 |
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All of the above plus more. I don't think I'm a fan of the FF :/ |
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Ice Says: |
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2012-07-20 12:36:19 |
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And, here's the reason we all read Marvel comics, and the reason The Order is even a thing! It's the first big crossover in what will become a huge, shared universe story.
I won't say this issue's story is some amazing classic. But, I will say that this is the first time in the order where I've actually been excited to read what happens next. I wanted to see The Hulk and Thing duke it out!
I gave it an extra couple stars for all that. And, I let the obvious villain with a communist membership card bit slide. (Though, I will say, every time Banner talked about "the wrecker", I was hoping he'd be a big bruiser with a crow bar.) |
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jfpj1991 Says: |
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2012-07-23 19:06:41 |
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Well the Hulk can barely support his own comic, let's see what happens if we put him elsewhere. |
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specialque Says: |
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2012-09-12 21:25:46 |
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I'm starting to get really tired of the Thing flipping out and destroying crap for no reason. |
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Phantasmagoria Says: |
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2012-10-23 10:18:22 |
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I quite enjoy this issue. Johnny's showing off for Rick and the better designed Fantasticar are the high points of this issue for me, aside from the obvious entertainment value of the very first Hulk vs. Thing bout. |
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Spider-Borg Says: |
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2012-11-17 08:42:16 |
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Finally a story in which I was excited to see the outcome! |
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gonzo Says: |
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2012-12-09 17:43:48 |
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I carry all the membership cards to all my subversive terrorist organizations in my wallet. Don't you? |
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edgar987 Says: |
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2012-12-22 12:58:14 |
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Loved this one just for Jack Kirby story telling what an amazing comic book artist.Fun stuff even with all the corn mentioned above. |
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minicheddaz Says: |
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2013-03-03 17:04:21 |
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i really hated: 1 the thing losing his cool far too easily, 2 the way sue gets frightened and turns invisible at the sight of FOOTAGE of the hulk, 3 the way ben, torch and reed act like schoolboys showing off in front of ross, 4 the sexism displayed here towards sue, 5 reed going on about readers letters again, 6 the communist front membership card!
things i liked: the new fantasticar and the brief fight between the hulk and the thing.
this issue promised so much but i was really disappointed with it on the whole. |
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Blinkyscores Says: |
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2013-04-15 05:24:50 |
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we apologize Thing, you see the only way to recognize the Hulk is by his super human strength. Oh, by the way, here is a photo of him. huh. |
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skabeaters Says: |
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2013-05-09 16:06:36 |
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Hulk vs. Thing? I had to give it four stars. Can't wait to see round 2. |
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REVIEWS/SYNOPSIS/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
Submit a Review, Comment, Synopsis, Issue Blurb, if this issue should be essential or not, or any suggestions regarding this issue. See the Site FAQ for quidelines on what to submit for each selection.
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