BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Fantastic Four #261

Marvel; December 1983
Cover by John Byrne

Title: “The Search for Reed Richards”
Synopsis: Finally realizing their leader is missing, the Fantastic Four turn to the Watcher for help finding Reed Richards.

Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: Byrne
Inker: Byrne

Review: After a pair of issues with cosmic-fueled big punching, writer/artist John Byrne decides to crank the cosmic up to 11. With the help of the Watcher, the Fantastic Four race through space in an effort to find and save the missing Reed Richards. There are some wonderful “big” concepts here, such as the delegate council of survivors from world’s destroyed by Galactus. But the big never overwhelms the intimate, as Byrne’s Fantastic Four is always driven by well-executed character moments. Byrne is a master at balancing these extremes.

Grade: A-

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.

Cool factor: Love that cover.
Not-so-cool factor: A pregnant Sue Richards making out with the Sub-Mariner while her husband has been abducted and is being tortured on the other side of the galaxy. Definitely not cool, Sue.

Notable: Guest appearances by the Sub-Mariner, Marina and the Silver Surfer.

Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 75¢ Canadian variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jeweler variant.

Character quotable: “With Reed missing, I am the acting leader of the Fantastic Four. We will do what I say.” – The Invisible Girl, not so invisible now

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