{"product_id":"marvel-comics-library-fantastic-four-vol-1-1961-1963-9783836594257","title":"Marvel Comics Library. Fantastic Four. Vol. 1. 1961-1963","description":"\u003cp\u003eHoping to break out of a sales slump at Marvel in the early 1960s, veteran comic creators \u003cstrong\u003eStan Lee\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eJack Kirby\u003c\/strong\u003e hit on the idea of doing a super team. Kirby, who thought superheroes were due for a revival after 15 years of being pushed aside by romance, horror, and war comics, saw it as smart business. Lee just once wanted to \"do the type of story I myself would enjoy reading.\" \u003cstrong\u003eThe\u003cem\u003e Fantastic Four\u003c\/em\u003e forever changed their careers, their lives, and the comic book industry.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Some of the most iconic moments in Marvel history are here, starting with Reed Richards, his girlfriend Sue Storm, his best friend Ben Grimm, and her little brother Johnny Storm crash landing their rocket after it has been hit cosmic rays and discovering they have been transformed into Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Thing, and the Human Torch in issue No. 1. They were emotionally complex characters, who weren't always sure whether their powers were a benefit or burden. Stories were set in New York City, not some fictional stand-in, and Marvel heroes regularly crossed over into each other's books. The art was dynamic and the writing conversational and engaging. \u003cstrong\u003eLee and Kirby were like the Lennon and McCartney of comic books. \u003c\/strong\u003eWhere the talents of one ended and the other began was not always clear, but together one plus one equaled three.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Collected here in an XXL-size volume are the first 20 issues reproduced from \u003cstrong\u003ethe most pristine pedigreed original comics\u003c\/strong\u003e, which were cracked open and photographed in close collaboration with Marvel and the Certified Guaranty Company.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Featured alongside the comics is an in-depth essay by acclaimed Marvel writer \u003cstrong\u003eMark Waid\u003c\/strong\u003e, a foreword by former \u003cstrong\u003eNASA astronaut Mike Massimino\u003c\/strong\u003e, and original art, photographs, and other rarities. Welcome true believers to the Marvel Age of Comics.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e (c) 2022 MARVEL\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirby, Jack:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJack Kirby\u003c\/strong\u003e (1917-1994) was one of comics' most legendary and prolific artists whose notable cocreations include Captain America, Avengers, X-Men, Incredible Hulk, Ant-Man, S.H.I.E.L.D., and Thor. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLee, Stan:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStan Lee\u003c\/strong\u003e (1922-2018) is known to millions as the man whose super heroes propelled Marvel to its preeminent position in the comic book industry. His cocreations include Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, and hundreds of others. While the Chairman Emeritus of Marvel, he was also the Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment, where he created numerous new characters and stories in areas including publishing, film, reality TV, stage, documentary, and multimedia. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWaid, Mark:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Waid\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e best-selling author who has written nearly two thousand comics and graphic novels over the course of his career. He has penned adventures for dozens of characters including Superman, Batman, the X-Men, Archie, and the Fantastic Four.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Taschen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680502845714,"sku":"9783836594257","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_2dcbb66e-757d-436d-8dd2-68935255fe34.jpg?v=1772012585","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/marvel-comics-library-fantastic-four-vol-1-1961-1963-9783836594257","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}