Customer Reviews

X-Men vs. Fantastic Four (Marvel Premiere Classic)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...although they get some points for trying to address the issue.

This is another Marvel Premiere Classic volume. It reprints the Fantastic Four vs the X-Men mini series #1-4 from 1987 and Fantastic Four #28 from 1965. Extras include the cover and article about the mini series from Marvel Age #46 and the front and rear covers of the trade paperback from 1991(?). Marvel has no doubt been hearing criticism about the relatively high cover price for only a four issue mini series in previous volumes so has tried to sweeten the deal by including the first X-Men/Fantastic Four crossover from the Silver Age. I am less than impressed since I have the issue collected in the relevant Fantastic Four masterworks volume. I suspect that will be the case for many readers of this book. I deduct a star for the low bang for the buck this volume offers.

But none of that should reflect poorly on the contents. The mini series is first rate. The plot is quite subtle and quite gripping. Reed's old notebook is found and indicates that the origin of the FF was no accident but Reed's deliberately intent. This sparks a crisis of confidence in Reed, by everyone including Reed. But in the meantime the X-Men need Reed's help and if they can't get it from him they will be forced to turn to...Dr. Doom.

This is more of an FF story than an X-Men story as reflected in the title of the original mini series. This is strange seeing how the story is written by X-Men writer Chris Claremont. The plot doesn't really require any physical conflict between the two groups but inevitably there is some. Claremont doesn't let it take the focus off the real plot though and skillfully weaves it into the story.

Highly recommended but the reader will pay more than he should.