Which generation of Fantastic Four comics are your favorite?

[christinecooper]

Just read this stellar article, Essential Fantastic Four runs now that the Hickman run is over, and would like to hear which generation of Fantastic Four comics are your favorite? And please state if you have yet to read any of them.

I have read them all beside the first generation (Stan Lee & Jack Kirby) and my favorite is certainly John Byrne's work. I am however quite found of the latest entry as well.

[Rheged]

It's almost impossible to beat the Stan Lee / Jack Kirby run.

[Jakerose]

Millers run.

[Push You Down]

I really love the John Bryne-era.
I think in terms of a more story-based time-- I love the Thing as leader and into the Simonson stories but my interest drops off around #350.

[FoxMulder2012]

I love John Byrne's run. He really seemed to get a major part of what made the Fantastic Four unique in the superhero realm. And in terms of that, I think he was the best. But he too had his failings. His characterization of Sue was weak and I thought he was one of a large slew of writers since the beginning who simply didn't understand the character of Reed. And he got rid of Thing for a large portion of his run (I believe he didn't come back for the rest of his run) and it always bothers me when writers break up the team. It always feels like a really cheap way to leave their mark on the franchise and it feels like most of the major runs have done it since.

I also really like Waid's. I had the pleasure to read through it in a couple of sittings recently and I was shocked at how well it all flowed together. Imaginauts to Hereafter read as one big story. It was kind of derailed by Avengers Disassembled (like most things were), but even Waid maintained a level of quality in the title that wasn't interrupted by a pointless tie-in.

I also really liked Hickman's. He was probably the closest successor to what Lee and Kirby accomplished on the title.

But of course, like Rheged said, it's almost impossible to beat the Lee/Kirby run. Ahead of its time doesn't even describe it. The wealth of ideas that was brought in their staggering 100+ issue run is one of the most impressive thing ever accomplished in superhero comics. If you haven't read it and you call yourself a fan of the Fantastic Four, why are you still on this thread?

[Bad Wolf]

Byrne
Moench & Sienkiewicz

[Caio]

Stan Lee and Kirby
John Byrne
Waid
Hickman
Millar
Walt Simonson

[gma2darescue]

Up until the current Fraction run, all I've ever read was the post-Civil War McDuffie stuff through five issues into Millar's run.

However, I'm really enjoying this current stint, although it's only 3 (5 including FF) issues in.

[XPac]

I gotta go with the John Byrne era.

[MonteMike72]

My Favorite runs:
Stan with Kirby, Romita and Buscema.
Roy Thomas, his second run.
Len Wein's all to short run.
John Byrne's run. Second only to Stan and Company.
Lobdell and Davis' 3 issues.

[Monty_Cristo]

My favorite run has only begun.

[danielsan52]

I loved Ben's team (Sharon, Ben, Johnny, Crystal). I'd LOVE to see a reunion of this team.

I loved the She-hulk era

I loved the Ant-Man, Lyja era.

[Mechano]

300-400...

[nosocialize100]

Whatever run it was when Mark Bagley drew it. I think it was 1998

[OBrianTallent]

I got into the Fantastic Four when Byrne brought in She-Hulk and that remains my favorite run with Hickman's being a solid second. I enjoyed Claremont's, Waid's & lobdell's as well. But Byrne's still holds that spot in my heart.