It was an event so big that this comic came out on a Tuesday. It's Fantastic Four #587 and it's the issue that kills off a member of the first family of comics.
With that said,
{ EDIT: You know what, let's put some spoiler space in here just in case...I know how people sometimes read at this place and I don't want it to be OUR fault... - Ed. }
“FLAME OFF!” In a move sure to shock comic fans worldwide, Marvel unveiled that its ever popular super hero the Human Torch will meet his demise and die heroically in Fantastic Four #587, hitting stores tomorrow (Wednesday, January 26th). Concluding the “Three” storyline that captivated the mainstream media and industry press alike, this issue and the death of such a renowned character from the First Family of comics signals the beginning of major changes for the Marvel Universe as the Fantastic Four lose one of their founding members.
“Jonathan Hickman [writer of Fantastic Four] came to us two years ago with a vision for evolving the characters and concepts introduced to fans 50 years ago in Fantastic Four #1 – and quite frankly his vision blew us away,” said Tom Brevoort, Marvel Entertainment SVP of Publishing. “The death of the Human Torch is the first major move in this incredibly exciting evolution of the legendary Fantastic Four franchise and a necessary part of the larger story we will be telling featuring the beloved characters moving forward.”
I'm really shocked, since I thought the biggest impact would come from a Reed Richards death. Killing off Johnny seems more like a way to kill the heart and soul of the team, though, which explains why the book is being completely canceled.
I'm also surprised because this pretty much kills Johnny's character and personality. Yes, death never sticks in comics. He'll probably be back in a few years. But will he ever be the same? Would it make sense for him to be the same? If he's been DEAD, why would Johnny Storm go back to his former personality? It wouldn't work.
I'm a little soured by this move. Let's all react to the latest death of a comic book staple: "The Human Torch" Johnny Storm.
(edited by CRZ on 25.1.11 1252)
"You wear a disguise to look like human guys, but you're not a man, you're a chicken, Boo!"
Everything will be back to normal in a couple of years. It always is. I haven't read any of the most recent Hickman FF, but his first few story arcs were really good, so I trust him to make this an interesting one.
Lloyd: When I met Mary, I got that old fashioned romantic feeling, where I'd do anything to bone her. Harry: That's a special feeling.
Originally posted by samoflangeEverything will be back to normal in a couple of years. It always is. I haven't read any of the most recent Hickman FF, but his first few story arcs were really good, so I trust him to make this an interesting one.
Spiderman is still fucked up beyond belief as well as no more mutants minus Hope also isn't Bucky still Cap? I was thinking Reed or Sue for the single parent aspect considering how poor they are made out to be parents in the books. Johnny is an interesting choice and I hope they keep him dead for awhile. Also, I didn't hear the book was canceled. It would be a giant shock to me to cancel the foundation book for the Marvel universe just for a PR cash in or editorial reason or a single writer's wet dream or for any reason.
The stories to be told from Johnny's death should at least go into Spiderman since they were the first crossover characters who didn't really get along. They damn well better have Ben go off the chain unlike Logan when Kurt died. Yeah, Logan is cold, but Kurt was the only friend he had coming into the team, you don't sidestep it because the writer is too young or stupid to remember their vast history. I just hope they don't auto replace him to quick.
Originally posted by lotjxThe stories to be told from Johnny's death should at least go into Spiderman since they were the first crossover characters who didn't really get along.
Originally posted by Marvel's March SolicitationsAMAZING SPIDER-MAN #657 Written by DAN SLOTT Pencils by MARCOS MARTIN & Humberto Ramos Cover by MARCOS MARTIN A “THREE” TIE-IN! Following up on the shocking ending to February’s issue of FANTASTIC FOUR, SPIDER-MAN visits the FF for a very private wake—just for family. 40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99
In retrospect, this probably should have been the telltale sign that Johnny was going to bite it.
(edited by It's False on 25.1.11 1237)
"You wear a disguise to look like human guys, but you're not a man, you're a chicken, Boo!"
Spidey has been linked to FF since day two of his life that it would make sense of him to go regardless of who died. I wonder if they are going to think about giving him the spot or at least discuss it and he turns it down. I am just glad they remembered that part of their continuity ie Spidey is the FF's best friend/little cousin and vice versa.
I had no Idea FF was getting cancelled. I mean, the comics were always a bit contrived, and the story arcs were never as gripping as anybody elses, and in terms of altruismic heroes they were up there with Superman, but they were Iconic.
They don't stay 3 for long.
"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Frown and the world laughs at you." -Me.
Well, canceled of course as in "this book stops" but a FF comic starts up. Fantastic Foundation or something?
I assume they'll break up the team as it is. Not a simple replacement like they did when one of them was off doing other things (Reed/Sue being replaced by the Panther & Storm comes to mind)
At first I thought this was the least inspired choice. But they are probably able to write some interesting stories with the remaining three. Reed and Sue might want to find a way to bring him back. Ben walks off, that sort of thing.
It would be interesting to see how/when they bring him back. I think I read somewhere that basically Quesada said that they will bring him back in time, but not how we expect it.
Btw, Spider-man isn't fucked up anymore (tho he still isn't married again) And there was never anything wrong with 'no more mutants' and despite Bucky being Cap still Steve Rogers is alive and kicking again like he never missed a beat. So yeah, even if they status quo changes somewhat, deaths still mean nothing.
As long as Spidey is not married then he is fucked up. They rebooted him back to the 70s for no reason then comic book characters can't grow up. Steve being in charge of SHIELD is just weird and even more awkward with Bucky being Cap. Winter Soldier was an interesting idea, but he should have died at the end of that storyline instead of running around in daddy's clothes. No more mutants is a toss up, it lead to the Messiah storylines, but the idea that most of the named mutants got to keep their powers made the entire thing meaningless. Logan knowing his origin do to the spell, I don't know that seems like it should have stayed a mystery at least for him.
Originally posted by lotjxAs long as Spidey is not married then he is fucked up. They rebooted him back to the 70s for no reason then comic book characters can't grow up. Steve being in charge of SHIELD is just weird and even more awkward with Bucky being Cap. Winter Soldier was an interesting idea, but he should have died at the end of that storyline instead of running around in daddy's clothes. No more mutants is a toss up, it lead to the Messiah storylines, but the idea that most of the named mutants got to keep their powers made the entire thing meaningless. Logan knowing his origin do to the spell, I don't know that seems like it should have stayed a mystery at least for him.
(edited by lotjx on 26.1.11 0647)
It's all about varying mileage I guess. I agree that some things work out, some don't. Logan knowing his past worked for the first 25 episodes or so. Then they did Romulus... Bucky Cap seems to be doing well. They actually did some good stories on how he feels about being in daddy's outfit, and he's grown into his own.
So yeah, I don't think the Torch death will stay. I do think that it will be a lot longer than his resurrection until the Fantastic Four ride again. Expect a lot of angst, distrust and what not first.
Fantastic Three, or FF, can't last long. For what is the Fantastic Four without the alliteration? It's always been the secret to their success.
I read it last night. Considering it's a middle chapter in a multi-part storyline, I had little idea what was going on. But then I was only reading for the death anyway.
** SPOILERS **
The Star Trek II homage, good. The actual death of being torn apart by thousands of Negative Zone insectoids, bad. If I had to guess how the Human Torch would die, I never, ever would have come up with that.
The biggest surprise for me was Valeria Richards. One, I didn't even realize she existed. (I knew about Franklin but that's how disconnected I've been with the Fantastic Four comics.) Two, I liked how intelligent she was. She's a chip off the old rubber band. (Or is she Doom's kid? Then she's a chip off the old Doombot.)
If I had read the comic without all the hubbub about a major death, I wouldn't interpret this as a death. It's a disappearance. It's a fine issue, and the lead-up to the last pages is solid (thankfully, Epting was brought in to draw the arc). The bagged comic and the mainstream media coverage seems like an excessive packaging of a very normal comic instance.
I am curious about the adjustment made now to the franchise, and I appreciate Hickman doing Big Stuff. Still, Sue's development in this issue is as big as Johnny's, and I'm much more curious about how that subplot plays out.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Matt TrackerIf I had read the comic without all the hubbub about a major death, I wouldn't interpret this as a death. It's a disappearance.
A lot of astute readers and followers of the series are pointing that Lyja (Johnny's Skrull girlfriend) voluntarily stayed behind in the Negative Zone during Secret Invasion, so there's the big out, if Marvel chooses to re-visit this in a couple of years.
I've also seen scenarios that involve Reed Richards eventually finding a way to pluck Johnny out of the timeline right before the moment of truth, which sounds like a great, in-character way to bring him back.
(edited by It's False on 28.1.11 1419)
"You wear a disguise to look like human guys, but you're not a man, you're a chicken, Boo!"
I was so hoping the sales would reflect apathy from the fan base over yet another pointless death, but I was wrong. One of the things I have liked about this series is that it seemed “above” this type of stunt. Then again, I felt the same way about Cap until they reached #25. I guess I never learn.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
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1. Is that what they're going for? 2. I was gonna say no, but damned if it doesn't. I hope not thought. I'd really like some Batman stories without any supernatural or cosmic bullcrap for awhile. 3. Probably because fanboys would bitch.