To be exact, it's been 48 years.
When the first issue appeared in 1967, I was stunned - it featured work by some of Marvel's top creators - including a Fantastical Four pastiche by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (!!) - and it was absolutely hysterical.
The issues that followed jabbed Marvel's greatest heroes (Ironed Man! Charlie America!) and even their competition's characters (Stuporman! Gnatman and Rotten!) - and 11-year-old Chuck was a huge fan.
I wish I could say the same about the latest installment, but geezer Chuck (who, admittedly, is not the target audience), read this issue without ever managing to laugh out loud. (I did smile a few times.)
The problem is that the issue is making fun of modern conceits (Cap is a member of Hydra! Deadpool and Gwenpool are everywhere! Let's give all the heroes new female counterparts!) - and the humorous takes are too close to what we're actually seeing in the comics.
Well, that's probably too harsh - younger readers might get a huge kick out of this comic, since it focuses on their heroes.
As for me, I'll keep hoping for the return of the Fantastical Four. Or, you know, the actual Fantastic Four.
Grade: C+
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2 comments:
"the actual Fantastic Four."
It's been what, four years now since their last issue appeared?
I think the last issue was released April 2015 - so it's been two-and-a-half. I wonder if Marvel realizes how annoying it is to longtime fans that each month we're missing "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine?"
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