The murky ownership status of the Marvel franchise by Fox has been responsible for the inability to capitalize on the greatest superhero team and rogues’ gallery in the history of sequential art. To wit, the elements of high science fiction mixed with fantasy are sui generis to the point where these films should be writing themselves. A nice balance is drawn by Johnny Storm and The Thing, keeping the series grounded, while offering limitless story telling potential through the once in a generation mind of Reed Richards and the stability and resourcefulness of invisible woman, Susan Storm. The initial Kirby and Lee run in itself offers us The Silver Surfer, Galactus, The Inhumans, and Dr. Doom. A greater collection of antagonists has never existed in the history of comics. Why then, are attempts to create films worth watching continuing to fail spectacularly?
The answer lies in the focus. To date Fox has not respected its audience enough to concentrate on strong science fiction storytelling as opposed to painting the characters as wholesome and family friendly. This regrettably comes at the expense of making rich, iconic protagonists and antagonists an afterthought, and is directly responsible for the inability to create a coherent and compelling narrative worthy of its heady roots.
What does any of this have to do with back issues? Well, let’s look at two Fantastic Four runs that would make no less than nine solid films with the right creative team. We can also assume that Peter Jackson has been excluded from the short list for peaking at Return of the King, destroying The Hobbit, and more than likely ruining the Fantastic Four franchise by producing and directing thirty six films.
Fantastic Four 1-48
This run is included in many college syllabi for the simple reason that it set the foundation for the modern superhero. In this run alone we have Namor, The Inhumans, Mole Man, Dr. Doom, and last but not least, the introduction of Silver Surfer and Galactus. Any filmmaker worth his salt is going to start right here. Not only would it give the new generation an introduction to the team, but these forty eight issues encapsulate the essence of everything that makes this franchise worth studying at an academic level. These are no highbrow books, however. Kirby and Lee created entertainment for children that transcended what was previously considered a low form of art and storytelling, making comics appeal to adults for the first time in history. I’ve never written a screenplay or sat behind a camera, but I guarantee without a doubt that I would be cranking out hit films in no time. This run is just that good.
Hickman Fantastic Four and FF
Brent, if you’re reading this I was wrong. While I have always been an FF fan, before I was introduced to Hickman's Fantastic Four/ FF I considered myself a bit of a purist, refusing to read anything containing Franklin and Valeria. When this run was suggested to me I initially brushed it off. Eventually my mind kept returning to these highly lauded books and the realization that the guy who suggested them to me had great taste in comics. After finally overcoming my stubbornness, it took little time to realize that Hickman created a modern masterpiece that stands along side Kirby/Lee's contribution to the timeless franchise. It has everything from the death of Johnny Storm, to the creation of the Future Foundation, and Galactus becoming the herald of Franklin Richards. It would literally be the best act three in the history of the superhero film genre. For any Fantastic Four fan this run is literally the crème de la crème. Younger generation comic fans would probably find it the most enjoyable. Any science fiction fan reading these books will be standing up and cheering by the end. Guaranteed.
There you have it, Hollywood. Call me and I will quit my job to come be your consultant. Gather the troops. Let’s make 5 billion dollars.
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