John Byrne begins his legendary stage with the fantastic four in a luxury volume published by Panini Comics

Together with the phase of Stan Lee y Jack Kirby at the head of The Four Fantasticthat of John Byrne It is probably the most famous in the editorial life of the popular superhero group. Now thanks to Panini Comics We will be able to enjoy this was glorious in a luxury format in seven volumes, the first of which falls within the title of Marvel masterpieces. The fantastic four by John Byrne 1 of 7.

Reinvent the Fantastic Four

In 1981 Byrne took total control of the series of First family Mark one of the most influential and loved phases of the collection. His approach combined all the elements that had triumphed the group with some additions that operated perfectly: spectacular action, good characters and a modernization of the concept of Fantastic Four.

Byne begins his stage with DiabloThe Immortal Alchemist, as a bad guy. More than a revolutionary story, this number is a declaration of intentions: to recover the team’s adventurous and familiar essence, moving away from the inconsistency of previous years. This can also be seen when the group has to face EgoThe Living Planet, in an epic battle that strengthens the cosmic aspect of the series.

And what these heroes would be if they didn’t have in front of the Doctor Doom From time to time? The bad guy will return to one of the best numbers of this volume to capture our protagonists in a miniature city where they believe they are normal people without powers. Other classic group enemies, Skrullsthey will also return to kidnap Alicia Masters in a story in which the Lore From this race he expands and is enriched. Something similar to what he does with the Skrulls is also done by the author with the Inhuman In his latest number contained here.

The treatment that byrne makes on the characters can be seen in the number in which a single member of the group monopolizes all the prominence of history, the one in which the Human torch It helps a death sentence to demonstrate its innocence. But the revolutionary of his proposal can be seen above all in the history that follows this, a science fiction story in which the 4f They barely appear and where a normal man gets divine powers.

His innovative character can also be seen when he brings us a Christmas story Franklin Richards As the protagonist or in the number in which the group discovers a community with hidden mutant children, an episode with Air of the Television Series Twilight area. From very soon byrne clarified that with him every number would have been something different from the previous one. Wait for the unexpected.

Forge a mythical phase

In these first numbers contained in this volume we already find the keys that have made this a stage marked in the history of these characters. It can be seen that byrne understood the essence of the fantastic 4 better than anyone else from Lee and Kirby’s time and who knew how to make the group shine. He balanced the action, the exploration in the purest style of the science fiction of the 1950s and the development of characters, modernizing the team without losing his classic spirit.

And not only modernizes the team, but also for many aspects of its ecosystem, that small universe of characters and places located within the great Marvel Universe. Byrne’s ambition goes beyond simply writing and drawing a large series, but it is proposed Marvel Comics. And the truth is that it reaches her.

Jack Kirby’s influence

In the graphic section you can see a certain influence of Kirby in Byrne’s art. In the following years, this aspect can be completely lost, but in these numbers we see that Kirby’s shadow looms on that characteristic dynamism of the byne style in recent years. The British stylize and reaffirm the figures of Kirby, but the background is there, especially when it is time to show epic and visually large scenes.

Where byne’s personality is talking more visually is in the appearance of each of the protagonists of his series, altering his figures compared to the previous phases based on the personality he gives him. The author’s breaking proposal is also seen in the composition of the bold page with which each number must face, using extreme corners, forced perspectives, diagonal vignettes and Splash pages as resources used frequently. All these elements explain why this phase has reached the fame it has.

Him Volume Posted by Panini Comics On the rigid cover it contains 352 color pages with a size of 17 x 26 cm. and includes the translation of the American edition of the numbers #232 to #240 Fantastic Fourof the annual 16 of the same series and the special Fantastic four one-shot roastIn addition to all the covers of the numbers included, an introduction written by Byrne himself and a succulent section of Extra at the end. The recommended sale price is € 42 and was offered for sale in March 2025.

Marvel masterpieces. The fantastic four by John Byrne 1 of 7

The Fantastic 4 returns to essences, by John Byrne. This volume presents its debut as a complete author of the first family, in one of the most famous phases in Marvel’s history. Byrne renewed the nucleus of the characters, revitalized old enemies, introduced new concepts and gave the fantastic incredible vitality. The first family returns to the greatness of his first days, in a volume that celebrates the twentieth anniversary of his birth.

It also includes an annual by Steve Ditko, the legendary roast fantastic Four and many extra materials. Restored by the originals, this is the definitive edition of one of the true classics of Marvel.

AUTORAres: Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Byrne, Stan Lee Y and Hannigan