The Fantastic Four's Greatest Hits

[Clobberintime]

So the wife and my boy are taking off this weekend to go and visit her mother, and I'm sitting down with a couple of six packs and about 400 issues of FF. Rather than try and slog through them methodicaly, I thought I'd dip in and out and read some of the better storylines.

So, I ask you: What's your favourite FF story? Which one/s did you like the best? And most importantly, which issues were they in? Help me reach beer-soaked FF bliss this weekend by recommending your fave FF storylines, and I'll report back afterwards with a quick review of what I managed. :)

[Babylon23]

Well, any of the Lee/Kirby issues are well worth reading, but their second creative boom (45-60) is really the high point. You get the intro of Galactus, the Silver Surfer, Black Panther, The Inhumans, and Him (Adam Warlock). Issue 51 is the classic 'This Man, This Monster' story.

There's also the awesome Thing vs. Hulk story (25-26).

Byrne's stuff is excellent, especially issues 242-250 - Everybody vs. Galactus (242-244), followed by the amazing 'Childhood's End' (245), then a brilliant Doom story ('This Land is Mine', 246-247), and finishing up with the FF vs. Gladiator all in brawl (249-250).

[Dagger]

Well, any of the Lee/Kirby issues are well worth reading, but their second creative boom (45-60) is really the high point. You get the intro of Galactus, the Silver Surfer, Black Panther, The Inhumans, and Him (Adam Warlock). Issue 51 is the classic 'This Man, This Monster' story.

There's also the awesome Thing vs. Hulk story (25-26).

Byrne's stuff is excellent, especially issues 242-250 - Everybody vs. Galactus (242-244), followed by the amazing 'Childhood's End' (245), then a brilliant Doom story ('This Land is Mine', 246-247), and finishing up with the FF vs. Gladiator all in brawl (249-250).
Don't forget the trial of Reed Richards, the inclusion of She-Hulk and the 'LAST SKRULL STORY' that ran in both Fantastic Four's annual and the Avengers annual that same year.

[Clobberintime]

Mmm, I like the sound of all that. Right, they're on the list, and the annual too, being the Shulk fan I am. Excellent choices, thank you! :D

[ANewHope]

I know I'm a relatively new Fantastic Four fan, but I loved McDuffies current run, especially 551-553 with Doom and the Fantastic Four from the future.

I began reading the FF during the Civil War, and wish I could read JM-Straczynski's entire run. If I had the funds, I would go on ebay and buy them all.

JMS is absolutely brilliant. And if the popularity of his recent work in Silver Surfer Reqiuem, Thor and Twelve is any indication of true talent, I'm sure his Fantastic Four run would be nothing less than spectacular.

When did JMS begin writing the Fantastic four at what issue?

[Dagger]

Mmm, I like the sound of all that. Right, they're on the list, and the annual too, being the Shulk fan I am. Excellent choices, thank you! :D
While it's not a FF story, Shulkie was a member of the group of the time, I would suggest getting the Sensational She-Hulk GN by John Byrne. Very entertaining story.

[Joe Acro]

I forget the issue number (as I don't believe it's an FF issue), but the issue with Johnny pulling a series of practicaly jokes on Thing solely because of April Fool's Day is certainly one of my favorites.


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That's a run-on sentence!

[CyberCoyote]

Can't tell ya exactly where it starts (LOST my DVD.. I'm gonna cry! And I'm not digging through the boxes in the basement) but in the mid to late 100's (175?)leading up to issue 200 is a great run. It begins with the FF splitting up (great cover of them walking away from a paper on the ground announcing the rift), there's single stories for them illustrated wonderfully by Keith Pollard and Joltin Joe, mostly written by Marv Wolfman I think) culminating in issue #200 where Reed and Doom face one another in their greatest one on one battle ever.. cover by none other than Jack Kirby. Doom didn't show up for a LONG time after this series, for good reason.

[Mister Mets]

Fantastic Four Annual #3) Just fun. And a lot of chaos.

Fantastic Four #48-51) Lee/ Kirby at their best. "The Coming of Galactus" and the 'This Man, This Monster" epilogue.

Fantastic Four #242-247, 258-262) Byrne's epic with great battles against Doctor Doom and Galactus.

Fantastic Four #249-250) The Fantastic Four VS Superman in a balls out battle with lots of guest appearances. The best story of one of the oldest Fantastic Four foes.

Fantastic Four #267) "A Small Loss" Perhaps the best standalone Fantastic Four issue.

Fantastic Four #496-511) Waid's Doom epic.

[Clobberintime]

Wow, that's some smokin' recomendations right there! I can't wait to settle down and get cracking... I've already read the first 13 issues to get myself in the mood, plus I've been catching up on some of the newer stuff. Thanks again for the advice peeps, this is going to be great! :)

[Reptisaurus!]

Can't tell ya exactly where it starts (LOST my DVD.. I'm gonna cry! And I'm not digging through the boxes in the basement) but in the mid to late 100's (175?)leading up to issue 200 is a great run. It begins with the FF splitting up (great cover of them walking away from a paper on the ground announcing the rift), there's single stories for them illustrated wonderfully by Keith Pollard and Joltin Joe, mostly written by Marv Wolfman I think) culminating in issue #200 where Reed and Doom face one another in their greatest one on one battle ever.. cover by none other than Jack Kirby. Doom didn't show up for a LONG time after this series, for good reason.

Really? Even Wolfman disowned these! Or said they weren't that good. Or something.

But I kind of like this run, myself. It just surprises me that anyone else has nice things to say about it.

Except for FF # 200, which is a front-to-back classic. And probably the best Reed vs. Doom story ever.

[Slyfer]

Yes, Waids Entire run is a must read, brilliant

Also I am not sure but the run with the FF, Shari as Thing, Ironman, Thor and Gladiator trying to stop Galactus, that was epic

Abraxis run was kool too, also very important to continuity, it explains how Franklin lost his powers.


Any run with DOOM.

[Norrin Radd]

FF #258 rules. It's probably my fave issue of all FF....and it's not even about the FF.