“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” Fantastic Four No. 208

23 Monday Feb 2026

Posted by percivalhenry in The World's Greatest Comic Magazine

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1979, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four 208, marv wolfman, Marvel comics, Nova, Sal Buscema, Sphinx

Fantastic Four 208
“The Power of the Sphinx!”
Published April 1979
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Pencils: Sal Buscema
Inks: “D. Hands”
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colors: Glynis Wein
Editor: Wolfman
Cover: Keith Pollard and Joe Sinnott

Synopsis

After destroying their spaceship in a case of mistaken identity, Nova rescues the Fantastic Four, who confront the Sphinx aboard Nova’s ship. As they approach Xandar, the Sphinx senses the power of the Xandar living computer and teleports to it. Meanwhile back on Earth, the Human Torch returns to the Baxter Building where he is also teleported to Xandar, and where he rejoins the rest of the FF. The FF and the champions of Xandar then battle the Sphinx, who has tapped the living computer and has become vastly more powerful. After swatting away their attacks, he heads to Earth vowing to destroy it. The issue ends with Reed concluding they need the help of Galactus to defeat the Sphinx.

What’s going on here?

Marv Wolfman’s confusing and tedious space epic drags on. While it’s all revealed in the final few issues of Nova (also written by Wolfman), he never explains why the Sphinx seems to have joined forces with Nova, and why all these other characters are along for the ride. Dr. Sun? Powerhouse? Diamondhead? The Comet and Crimebuster? Who are these guys? Don’t expect to get any answers here. I’m repeating myself but it’s a major failing of Wolfman’s and of Jim Shooter for allowing him to be his own editor. And it speaks to the general neglect of the FF by the powers-that-be during this era.

Here’s a bunch of them fighting the Sphinx, whoever they are.

The Sphinx is an odd Marvel character. He’s powerful and cosmic, but never got the traction of other, similar characters like Galactus or Thanos. He does reappear over the years, but in second-tier books and never in the Fantastic Four or Avengers main titles. It could be because he debuted in Nova, somewhat of a Marvel backwater, or because he was so closely associated with Marv Wolfman. It’s also possible that he was pre-empted by Apocalypse, another powerful, grey-skinned villain with origins in ancient Egypt.

Sal Buscema is again the penciler, while the inks in the comic are credited to “D. Hands,” which is Marvel code for inkers by committee (sometimes it’s M. Hands). Mike’s Amazing World of Comics credits Al Milgrom with the inks, while GCD says it’s a combination of Milgrom, Frank Giacoia, and Frank Springer.

Keith Pollard contributed the cover (with Joe Sinnott inking) and it might be the best single thing about this comic.

What I liked

When preparing these reviews, I occasionally have to strain to find something positive to say, and this is one of those issues.

We do get a cool splash page from Buscema:

And I liked Johnny’s journey from the Baxter Building to Xandar:

(Incidentally “Suzerain” seems to the wrong title for Adora, since Xandar is not a vassal of another entity, but it’s own independent state. I’m guessing the editor-less Wolfman just liked the sound of it and no one told him not to use it. In later comics she is called Queen Adora, which seems more appropriate.)

What I didn’t like

We are reminded early in this comic that the FF have been subject to a Skrull aging ray, which is beginning to take effect and weaken them. Here, Reed has trouble stretching and Ben can barely lift a chair:

But that all seems forgotten it comes time to fight the Sphinx:

Anything else?

This was a good comic for ads featuring wholesome, all-American sports heroes like Johnny Unitas and, um, Pete Rose and, well, errr, hmm … O.J. Simpson.

Overall

Can this arc end soon? Please?

“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” Fantastic Four No. 207

14 Saturday Feb 2026

Posted by percivalhenry in The World's Greatest Comic Magazine

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1979, Fantastic Four, marv wolfman, Marvel comics, Sal Buscema, Spider-Man

Fantastic Four 207
“Might of the Monocle!”
Published March 1979
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Pencils: Sal Buscema
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: Ben Sean
Editor: Wolfman
Cover: Keith Pollard and Sinnott

Synopsis

Hypnotized by the Monocle, the Human Torch and rest of the students at the elite Security College are forced to steal items of value to be used for world domination by the secretive Enclave, the employer of the Monocle. Meanwhile, news photographer Peter Parker gets an assignment to infiltrate Security College and take photos. Once there, he realized something is up and as Spider-Man, follows the hypnotized students to an army depot. Spider-Man rescues the soldiers from the mob of students and hypnotized Torch, and then, back in the dorms, enlists Johnny to take on the Monocle, who has broken with the Enclave and is working on a plot of his own. The Monocle briefly hypnotizes Johnny again and he fights Spidey, but comes to his senses. Neither is able to stop the Monocle from escaping and the Enclave plots its revenge in a scheme that involves kidnapping Medusa of the Inhumans.

What’s going on here?

This issue resolves the Torch/Monocle storyline and just as last issue featured the rest of the Fantastic Four with no mention of the Torch, this issue has no mention of the rest of the FF and is devoted solely to the Torch.

Except that’s not really true, since the issue’s real star is Spider-Man, with the Torch in a supporting role. In fact the comic feels more like an issue of Marvel Team-Up than the Fantastic Four, perhaps because Marv Wolfman has spent the last year writing Amazing Spider-Man along with the FF.

Also contributing the Spider-Mannish feel of the comic are the guest pencils of Sal Buscema, who had just finished a long run on Spectacular Spider-Man and will go on to draw Spidey for the next 30 years or so. Buscema recently passed away and while he was never one of my favorites, his career was legendary and he was without a doubt, along with his brother John, an indispensable pillar of Marvel in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Buscema picked up this issue because of the departure of Keith Pollard, who moved on to pencil Thor. Pollard, who is generally underrated, will return to the FF in about 100 issues. Buscema will draw the next issue as well before stepping aside for John Byrne, in the first of his stints on the FF.

As a story, FF 207 is perfectly adequate. Nothing too exciting, nothing too disappointing.

What I liked

Buscema certainly knows how to draw comics, and this is a great splash page. The bold, san-serif title gives it power, even if “Might of the Monocle” seems a little ridiculous.

The Spidey/Torch banter is fun, and I liked this reference to Superman.

As I mentioned, it’s basically a Spider-Man comic, but that’s OK. Here, Peter Parker finally catches a break, which is always worth celebrating:

What I didn’t like

The cover seems to think comics readers are desperate to see the Torch and Spider-Man fight before, as if they haven’t done this a million times before.

And ironically, when it comes time for the two to tangle, it’s over in a single page. Here’s the whole “battle:”

And one plot hole bugged me: Peter Parker is on campus ostensibly to meet the headmaster. He’s not the son of any one powerful or connected, so how does he end up in a dorm room that night?

Anything else?

Some fun ads, and another perceptive letter from future Eclipse editor-in-chief Cat Yronwode.

Overall

A perfectly fine issue of Marvel Team-Up

“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine! Fantastic Four Annual No. 13

14 Sunday Dec 2025

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Annual, Bill mantlo, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four Annual 13, Marvel comics, Mole Man, Sal Buscema

Fantastic Four Annual 13
Published July 1978
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Pencils: Sal Buscema
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Irving Watanabe
Colors: Françoise Mouly
Editor: Marv Wolfman
Cover: Keith Pollard and Steve Leialoha

Synopsis

In the aftermath of their big confrontation with Dr. Doom, the re-formed Fantastic Four is taking stock of their new situation (since they moved out of the Baxter Building) while a mysterious figure is kidnapping homely and blind New Yorkers, while also stealing statues. At Alicia master’s studio, they discover the Mole Man is behind the abductions. He subdues the FF and captures Alicia, and the FF pursue him to Subterrenea. There, he explains he is capturing outcasts who might prefer a life underground and providing them with statues to enjoy (really). He then lets free anyone who wants to return to the surface while Alicia presents the Mole Man with a statue of himself.

What’s going on here?

This is a lackluster comic, and feels like a regular issue that was padded out into an annual. Nothing of much consequence happens, and after the big events of the last few issues, it makes sense for the FF to chill for a bit. Still, I think annuals should bring something extra, either in terms of story or the creative team, to justify the additional length and cost. This story mostly felt tedious. If it’s notable for anything, it’s the presentation of the Mole Man as a sympathetic figure who’s trying to help the misfortunate. I’m not sure it’s convincing but it’s an interesting evolution of a character that’s been around as long as the FF. And you can draw a through line from how he’s treated in this comic to his depiction in the new Fantastic Four movie.

Oddly, this is the second story in a row Alicia has been kidnapped for her sculpting skills..

Bill Mantlo is the writer, and given his history as a last-minute fill-in specialist, I wonder if he was pressed into service because Marv Wolfman couldn’t get it done in time. Sal Buscema delivers his usual workmanlike pencils which are enhanced by some dramatic inking by Joe Sinnott.

The cover is by Keith Pollard and inked by Steve Leialoha making his FF debut. Leieloha’s inks add a supple, fluid quality to the already strong Pollard and the cover is probably the best thing about this comic.

What I liked

Beginning with Len Wein, continuing with Wolfman and now with Mantlo, there’s been a real effort to upgrade Sue’s powers and role with the team. Here, in a well-told sequence, she pursues the Mole Man by herself, then casually insults the rest of the team and puts Reed in his place (although has anyone outside of comics ever referred to someone as “husband-mine?”).

The padded-out story does give Mantlo room for a few running gags, like having Ben encounter obnoxious Yancy Streeters are every turn (incidentally, I’m pretty sure there aren’t any newsboys in NYC in 1978).

I also enjoyed this cameo of Daredevil. It’s completely incidental to the story, but reinforces the idea of all of Marvel’s heroes living in the same world. These little surprises were one of the things I liked most about reading comics as a kid.

What I didn’t like

Whatever Mantlo’s intentions, the central premise of the story felt clunky and forced. The Mole Man is kidnapping ugly people AND blind people? As if they are the same thing? And giving them statues to enjoy? None of it makes much sense and feels half-baked.

And while we have been trained to believe the Mole Man is a formidable opponent, it’s hard to accept he can take down the entire FF by himself. Here, he knocks out Ben with one zap of his staff.

There’s also some sloppiness that speaks to a lack of communication between Mantlo, Wolfman and Buscema. Here, Reed explains the pogo plane is in storage, except the FF just used it to fly to Latveria and back.

And here, Reed claims the flare gun can now fit in the FF’s belts on a shot that shows Sue holding a bulky gun and wearing a skin-tight uniform.

Lastly, Sal Buscema has some strengths as an artist but drawing faces isn’t one of them. Otherwise why would this fireman look so much like Peter Parker?

Anything else?

Fun house ad for Ms. Marvel (later Binary, later Warbird, later Captain Marvel) by Dave Cockrum.

Overall

Meh

“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” Fantastic Four No. 183

03 Sunday Aug 2025

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1977, Annhilus, Bill mantlo, Fantastic Four, mad Thinker, Marvel comics, Sal Buscema

Fantastic Four 183
“Battle Ground: The Baxter Building!”
Published March 1977
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Pencils: Sal Buscema
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: Gaspar Saladino
Colors: Phil Rachelson
Editor: Archie Goodwin
Cover: George Perez and Sinnott

Synopsis

Tigra, Thundra and the Impossible Man save the Invisible Girl — defenestrated by the Brute (who is an evil Reed Richards from Counter Earth) at the end of last issue — then they all band together to overcome the Baxter Building’s defenses and attack the Brute. Meanwhile, The Thing, the Human Torch and a powerless Mr. Fantastic strike a deal with Annihilus to recover his cosmic control rod from the Mad Thinker’s Android in exchange for the use of his ship to escape the Negative Zone. The story concludes in the Baxter Building, where the Android attacks the Brute, and restores him to human form. The FF arrives, and the Thing snatches the cosmic control rod, rendering the Android inert. The Mad Thinker escapes and the Counter Earth Reed, no longer evil, enters the negative Zone to fulfill the other Reed’s pledge to return the control rod to Annihilus.

What’s going on here?

This issue marks yet another where a complicated, multi-part storyline ends with a whimper, not a bang. It’s hard to blame writer Bill Mantlo, who was handed this mess by a departing Roy Thomas, and who had to tie it up in a way that made some sense. But all the various plot threads introduced over the last four issues turned out to be easily, and in some cases lamely, resolved. Annihilus? Becomes an ally, then disappears from the story. The Android? Quickly defeated by Ben. The Mad Thinker? Skulks off without ever confronting the FF. Evil Reed? Miraculously cured of his evilness and, much like the nameless villain in issue 51, makes amends by plunging into the Negative Zone. The only loose end seems to be the Impossible Man, who wanders off mid comic.

For Mantlo, being given a thankless assignment was nothing new. He earned a reputation as an emergency fill-in guy, who could quickly churn out a story after the regular writer dropped the ball. It kept Mantlo busy and employed, but as I explored in my 2017 article about Mantlo’s tragic life, it meant he was often overlooked for more interesting work. He eventually quit comics to become a lawyer, only to suffer a massive head injury in a roller blading accident, never to fully recover.

Again filling on pencils this issue was Sal Buscema, adding to the ad-hoc feel of the comic. The “regular” creative team — although they have yet to produce an issue together — of Len Wein and George Perez takes over next issue with a clean slate, thanks to Mantlo and Buscema. (Perez did return for this issue’s cover, but it’s almost unrecognizable as his).

What I liked

The highlight of the comic was the team-up of Sue, Thundra and Tigra. As written by Mantlo, they have three distinct personalities, making for fun interactions. And led by Sue, they also rose to the occasion by fighting their way in the Baxter Building.

I am on the record as being unenthusiastic about Sal Buscema’s art, which is workmanlike without ever being very exciting. But I have to admit, the man can draw a punch.

What I didn’t like

As previously stated, much of this issue suffers from anti-climax or deus ex machina resolutions. The sudden reversion of the Brute to evil Reed by the Andoid’s cosmic rays is one example.

Another is his “cure” from being a bad guy:

Also aggravating, and taking up far too much of this comic to bother reproducing, is the convoluted explanation of the Android’s origins. While it clears up some of the confusion from last issue, it also feels like a cobbled-together explanation to tie the Mad Thinker to Annhilus and tie up the loose ends Thomas began.

Lastly, I am very weary of titles that involve some combination of “Battle” and Baxter Building.”

Overall

An unfortunate pratfall.

“The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine!” Fantastic Four No. 182

27 Sunday Jul 2025

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1977, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four 182, negative Zone, Sal Buscema

Fantastic Four 182
“Enter: The Mad Thinker!”
Published February 1977
Plot: Len Wein, Archie Goodwin and Jim Shooter
Script: Bill Mantlo
Pencils: Sal Buscema
Inks: Joe Sinnott
Letters: John Costanza
Colors: George Roussos
Editor: Goodwin
Cover: Ron Wilson and Sinnott

Synopsis

The Thing returns the bank-robbing android to the Baxter Building, and the evil Reed Richards doppleganger claims it comes from the Negative Zone, sending Ben and Johnny there ostensibly to investigate but in fact to strand them with the real Reed. In the Negative Zone, they encounter Reed and Annihilus battling a giant android, and after a brief battle, they flee and realize that they’ve been fooled by the evil version of Reed. The android vanishes, and it is revealed it is being summoned back to our dimension by its creator, the Mad Thinker. Meanwhile, Sue and Alicia travel to Agatha Harkness’s home on Whisper Hill to retrieve Franklin, only to witness the the child and his nanny abducted by mysterious, apparently supernatural creatures. Back home, Sue confronts the evil Reed, who turns into the Brute, and after a brief battle, throws her out of a Baxter Building window.

What’s going on here?

This issue is jammed full of plots and sub-plots, and coheres fairly well, despite it being the product of four (!) writers, including the FF debut of Jim Shooter. While Shooter was never a regular FF writer, he had a big impact on the comic as Marvel editor-in-chief from 1978 to 1987. He sadly passed away earlier this month at age 73.

Why so many writers were needed is unclear, although last issue Roy Thomas suggests he made an abrupt departure from the FF, leaving incoming editor Archie Goodwin in the lurch. Also filling in is penciler Sal Buscema, Marvel’s ultimate journeyman penciler, making his Fantastic Four debut. Buscema, younger brother of John, would contribute a few more fill-in issues before taking over as semi-permanent penciler in 1986. And Ron Wilson penciled the cover.

There are so many creators for this issue that it appears they only added credits for the letterer and colorist as an after thought:

It’s no secret Marvel was in a state of editorial flux, if not chaos, in the late seventies and the revolving door of creators during this stretch of comics is certainly evidence of a lack of stability. In the four issues from 178 to 182—and not including 180, a reprint of issue 101 (and more proof of the upheaval) the Fantastic Four was credited with six writers, three pencilers, two inkers, two editors and four cover pencilers.

What I liked

Sue finally confronted the evil Reed, a satisfying resolution to an uncomfortable storyline.

I also liked this elegant solution that established that the Reed on Earth was in fact the evil version.

This scene was appropriately unnerving:

As was this:

What I didn’t like

This vignette with the Mad Thinker was deeply confusing, in part because issue 69 (discussed here) doesn’t really explain what’s going on.