John Bryne’s run on F4 means a lot to me because they were the first comics I ever read. I had an uncle who was huge into comics and one day he brought me to his attic and showed me his back issue collection. This included Superman, Batman and Fantastic Four. And it was Bryne’s stuff. It reminds me a lot of him and the time we shared. And really the run itself while it had problems to me will always be my favorite F4 run with respect to the others. Because that’s what comics were: fun stories you could get invested and for me it was a great bonding moment.
Give me John Burns fantastic four alpha flight and Superman runs and give me Perez's Wonder woman and teen Titans runs with Marv wolfman you can't get better than that
I can remember the day..............FF# 232. Racing (actually, running, as i was too young to have a driver's license) to my cherished book store to pick up my weekly books, and knowing the first John Byrne issue of the Fantastic Four would be on the shelf that night. What a great time, and run. That issue where Ego the Living Planet exploded to life on that final page left me stunned for weeks. Anyone who lived through this period of time every month was so fortunate.
I always liked Byrne’s layout of the thought/dialogue bubbles and narration boxes wherein the dialogue (internal/external) as well as the narration is intuitive to the reader. Have to agree with enjoying Byrne’s abilities to create separate voices for each of his characters that all had a wonderful level of depth.
In spite of the rest of the industry, FF has survived fairly unblemished. I just think of Susan's 90's outfit as What If or a tiny bit of Malice influence. Hahaha!
It’s a shame that Marvel couldn’t find a way to bring Byrne back for some part of the FFs 60th anniversary! He’s maybe the last of the great FF creators that made the book the World’s Greatest Comic Magazine! I’m glad Byrne’s place in comics is returning to a place of prominence right now (including this video), his work is so important to the industry.
I think it has less to do with his status as the artist who brought the ff back to popularity, and more to do with him bieng an unpleasant jerk in real life... starting fights with just about everyone
Ten year old me was annoyed at that because Ben Grimm was my favorite character in all of comics. But the FF stories around the time of She Hulk coming aboard were so awesome that it didn’t matter.
I agree. John Byrne made Sue a person, with her handling herself pretty well, figure out ways out of sticky situations, and beaten some villains. Even she still suffered the damsel in distress cliches, she has gotten herself out without the others help and is even the one to save the others like with the Roman with alien armor.
I love Byrne's Fantastic 4! The F4 has had such amazing stories looking at their back issues, which makes me wonder why the F4 has struggled to be relevant in recent years with all the rich history and characters, the unparalleled family dynamics, and the comrodery between the 4 that is some of the most pure and fantastic (pun, sorry) in all of comics.
In anyone else's hands, putting She-Hulk in the FF would have been a stunt which played itself out pretty quickly, but to this day anyone who came up reading the FF before during and after the Byrne era probably feel Jen is as part of the First Family as Wyatt, Crystal, Agatha, Franklin or even Ben.
Byrne's run on the FF is the best run on the FF in my lifetime! He really "got" the FF as a family of explorers/adventurers. I have both omnibuses (omnibi?) that cover his run on the title and they were great investments!
@@JennySparkz I found the second omnibus for cover price with some careful online searching. I think I got it on ebay, one of those "or best price" deals.
@@TheNickcone Never will, I don't know if you've seen how horribly and dirty they've done them over the years. New Avengers: killed off panel. Brought back, had a 6 issue mini-series, then no real series materialized after (even though the creators were TOLD this, verified at a convention panel). Then turned into Alpha Flight Space No-one-cares for Captain Marvel. Puck joins an incarnation of X-Force for no good reason. Sasquatch is then killed in Hulk, because apparently he's all gamma amped as a background, and not the Great Beasts as originally stated. Then we have incarnations of Omega and Gamma Flight, first with Talisman and a bunch of odd choices, and then with this gamma radiation thing going on. Like many characters, Alpha Flight has been just used and disposed as trash at Marvel's whims.
Amazing run. One of the all time greats. You can fel Byrne's deep love of characters and of the whole Lee/Kirby era. His takes on characters like Doom and Galactus (thinking particularly of 257 and 258 here IIRC) are pretty much definitive. That storyline with Tyros and the Silver Surfer is probably my favourite Byrne art ever. I used to read that whole stretch of issues around then over and over as a kid. I think Byrne is an artist who is exceptional at using expression in a naturalistic style to make us really identify with characters and make us feel what they feel. I can't think of any comic book artist who does that better than him. Considering that he also specialises in a detached sci-fi style that is used to clinically mock the characters' behaviour that's an even more remarkable achievement. My only real issue with the run was that he destroyed the Baxter Building. A terrible decision to retire a key part of the FF's iconography. Replacing it with something with the vomit inducing name '4 Freedom's Plaza' was something so awful that I was actually too young at the time to appreciate just how abysmal it actually was.
I literally JUST finished this run an hour ago. As much as I love the Lee/Kirby run (it is the foundation after all and is the height of epic), Byrne's run slightly surpassed it as my favorite. Byrne really cemented the group as science/space explorers and made them feel even more like people, in particular with his developments on Susan Storm Richards. I also loved She-Hulk's tenure on the team. I've just started Waid's run and am loving that as well, but as it stands, Byrne's FF might be my favorite run in all of comics.
I love your point about space explorers! That was one of the things I loved most about it too. The negative zone issues were so eerie but also goofy, it’s great. So different from someone like Hickman but great in its own right.
That was a great run and pretty much most of the stuff I tend to remember about the FF. It’s true though that the villains were absolutely ruthless in that run and that it was kind of a grinder to the FF at some times. They really had to earn their happy end.
I loved Byrne's FF, but I have to admit that when he left to revamp Superman, it was like I'd won the lottery. My favorite artist on my favorite character.
I agree. BYRNE's run on the FANTASTIC FOUR is one of my all-time faves. The series truly lived up to its slogan "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine!" while JN was there. And then it quickly went to the dogs when he suddenly left after ish 295. Great summation of this run, PERCH, though I would've liked it more if you discussed the TRIAL OF GALACTUS story arc. The stories leading to that are major page-turners. The art's incredible too! Mabuhay from the Philippines! 4 Aug 2021; 10:15pm
I just read the first issue of John Byrne's FF run and it's a perfect issue. It establishes the status quo of each character within the first couple of pages and gives all four of them equal screen time to perfectly showcase their distinct powers and personalities.
Back when you couldn't wait for the next Fantastic Four issue to come out so you devoured those previous issues, pouring over every page of his amazing art style. Perch you may have a more accurate description but to me his line work was super clean yet full of detail. I loved every FF issue Byrne did and even appreciated when he changed up his art style during his run. I will always view The Trial of Galactus run as possibly one of the greatest storylines. He handled some tough topics from Human Torch being responsible for a Childs death to Sue's miscarriage. Byrnes art was my gateway drug into comics and cemented my love for them and his artwork in particular. John Byrne & George Perez were comic gods to me and still hold a very dear place in my heart. Iron Fist & all those two in ones anything with a Byrne cover or art inside was comic heaven back then. Thanks for another cool topic & take.
John Byrne has always been underrated as a creator. His work still holds up in my opinion because I think that some people aren’t really paying attention to the more relevant aspects. Byrne always had a talent for taking lower tier characters from Marvel and bringing attention to them by using them effectively in his stories and plot points. He also respected the canon and continuity even when he did a different take on them.His artwork while others may think dated was highly stylish yet simplistic. You can still see his influence on the industry, even though it’s largely dismissed. I followed his work thru Marvel and am still a huge fan to this day.
Agree 100% I also go back and reread this incredible run by Byrne. He might not agree but this was him firing on all cylinders. The FF have always been my favorite and this run sometimes surpasses the classic Lee/Kirby run. So many great stories here: "Terror in a Tiny Town," "The Trial of Reed Richards," "Small Loss," "This Land Is Mine," the Annhilus run, the "Whatever happened to the original Skrulls that were turned into cows, and one of my favorites, the one with the Black Panther and the H Rider Haggard type story!
Byrne's a classic comic writer, artist whose numerous runs classified him as the Mr fix it on flagging books, he understands that comic art is meant to be a stylized interpretation of reality, bending it to suit the needs of titles he's was asked to rescue.
With mad love and respect for making my childhood look at old art and falling in love with comics books. From escape from LA comics. Respect and admiration!
I had a by-mail subscription to the Fantastic Four starting with #256, and it carried through the Secret Wars and She Hulk coming aboard. I was 10 years old when the subscription started. This was a perfect year of a comic book series. It spoiled me for comic books for the rest of my life.
Totally agree. Byrne definitively made an unforgettable mark upon the history of these characters. His only misstep, in my humble opinion, was the Johnny Storm/Alicia Masters romance. (So happy THAT was written out of continuity!) But his writing--and of course his stellar art--spoke volumes to readers of solid sci-fi action and adventure. Every single issue was not always terribly memorable, but as a whole, the run was entertaining and award-winning, and well worth rereading. My favorite stories from that run came in the first 30 issues or so, from his first issue #232 to about #262, "The Trial of Reed Richards." There were some gems after that, but those first 30 were powerful with very memorable action. The standout issues for me, the Galactus story from #242-244 and the Gladiator/Skrulls 2-parter from #249-250. Also the Surfer/Terrax battle from #258-260.
John Byrne is still one of, if not my very favorite comic book artist. I cherish my full run of Byrne's Fantastic Four, all of 236 and on purchased off the shelf brand new. Bought two copies of most issues, in fact. If you've never read issue #285 where Johhny almost quits the team, please do so. It's heartbreaking. In the mid-90's, John Byrne was doing an internet live group chat with fans, and I mentioned that sad story to him, and he instantly remembered it as one of his favorites of the run. A very unconventional story, and I won't spoil it for you. It's real. It's human.
I am glad to say I have a collection of all the monthly issues. They are amazing stories. Byrne brought the fun and thrill to the team that hadn't been seen since the Lee/Kirby days.
I own my original issues. I own the Omnibus volumes. I own the Marvel Masterworks volumes. I have it digitally. It’s a Masterpiece, only hampered by its sudden non-ending, as he never properly wrapped it up before heading to Superman.
I actually just found a book I have by Byrne, I thought I didn’t own anything by him. It’s the *Dark* *Phoenix* story, I actually didn’t even remember buying this, it seems to be part of a collection, it’s #2. It’s a hardcover with “Ultimate Graphic Novels Collection” at the top. I’ve no idea where I got it, and I haven’t read it yet.
Agreed. John Byrne will go down as THEE last comic creator who’s work is all about the joy of comics being just comics. Not a jump off to TV, Not a commentary of other media, not an event… just a great comic being a comic.
Fantastic Four #247 is the first comic I ever bought for myself. His FF run is still one of my favorite runs of all time. Really great storytelling, especially with Dr. Doom and Galactus
John Byrne’s FF ruined me for all other comic books to this day. In 1985, at about age 13, I started going to my local comic book store and was quickly drawn to the Fantastic Four cover art, right around issue number 277. The art, the stories, the laughs and sometimes tears (issue 285), every month I couldn’t wait until the next issue! No comic book run has given me the same feels since Byrne left. ❤️
Definitely a great run. I think what dates his art a little is how he would drawn kids and certain women. It would have a George Perez Jericho vibe (big freaky eyes) that just screams 70s-80s
Byrne's run on FF was FANTASTIC!!!! His run was second only to Stan and Kirby.A must read for any comic fan.Byrne also wrote,pencilled and inked most of his series,there were some issues inked by Jerry Ordway.Anyone remember him??? I remember in BACK ISSUE they did an excellent piece on John's run on FF.If you;re a comicbook historian I strongly urge you to purchase BACK ISSUE and other titles made by ToMorrows Publishing,you won't be disappointed.
As a new collector, recently picked up John Byrne's *Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol 1 & 2* which I'm excited to tackle once I've finished 1984 Secret Wars (this and the 2015 version were my first pick ups). Noticed Byrne also has an Omnibus for *The Thing* which is on my future targets too
John Byrne is a legend. Back in 85, when I foolishly auditioned for the school of the arts here in Baltimore in the mid 80s. One of the kids had drawn Byrne's splash page of She-Hulk sunbathing poster size.
Thank you for the video. I have always been very pleased with the work of Joh Byrne. Fantastic Four, Next Men, Wonder Woman, Superman and so much more, all great works. DC & Marvel need to learn that when you have such an artistic genius in their employ, you need to leave him alone and let him do his job. Don't eff around with your golden calf.
John Byrne is awesome. He's still very good. One Piece has very threatening villains. Fight manga are cool. (I also like how it's easier for old foreigners to understand than other manga. Though it was huge and influential in Japan but not the U.S. I don't completely understand why.)
4:50 I don't think the complaints against Bendis isn't the amount of words, but that there's so many words with little substance, or just being redundant with endless back and forth of the same words.
I was in high school at the time of this run. I just bought the Fantastic Four Byrne omnibus it’s the definitive take on these characters outside of Lee and Kirby. This was such a nice love letter. You’ve made me think about his run on alpha flight.
Without Byrne's F4 run, my lifelong love for She-Hulk(I had started to really like her in Avengers though), the F4 and some of the more cosmic corners of the Marvel U, may never had taken hold...Looking at what's happening with Shulkie and F4 now...DAMN YOU JOHN BYRNE!
Byrne's Fantastic Four run is one of the best comic book runs of all -time. We should be so lucky to have a writer, and artist this good in 2024..on any book. We unfortunately don't.
Byrne's run on the FF is second only to Stan and Jack's. Perch have you checked out the video comic adaptations that are being made by Harry Bauer here on youtube? They're great and the voice actor casting totally nails what the FF would sound like.
I have both OMNIs & their FANTASTIC...John Bryne is my favorite creator. I have his run on The Thing Incredible Hulk Alpha Flight & the MAN OF STEEL hardcovers. Back on Fantastic Four I have every issue from #1 in 1961-1989 & several other modern runs & John Byrne was as good as Stan Lee & Jack Kirbys run IMO it is a high water mark for the book. Everything felt very organic alive.
His run ended right before I really began collecting (it was his Superman that got me started as a collector). Now that I'm rebuilding my collection, this is high on my list.
What's sad is that a lot of what you were saying (characters should struggle and grow) sounds like it should be as obvious to comic writers. I sadly know WHY you had to emphasize that.
Thanks for talking about these comics! I love Byrne’s run on FF! I got both omnibuses for a pretty good price on eBay! Im also in the process of trying to collect the whole run in single issues. Im only on volume 2 but I’m having so much fun with it! The Trial of Reed Richards might be my favorite so far!
Hello! Bullseyes! X-men’s lose was an FF gain and they certainly needed it! 1981 ,20th anniversary holds up nice! Everything you need to know about the characters is in one book! If I could pick out a few issues to hand to someone to read it would be 242-250! Anyone reading these tales gets a lot of great stories without bullshit crossover slowing the momentum! I been an FF fan since 1969! Kirby/Lee102 issue run is a tough act to follow! Byrne shows that he had a good handle with storytelling! Marvel 2in1 50:Thing vs Thing also FF220/221 come to mind! Fun stuff that really missed in 2021, 60 anniversary is coming out late! Corporate lacks creativity! They cancelled the FF for few years! Sorry I got off track! John Byrne Fantastic 4 was/still/always a fun and great run! Thanks! Keep up the great work!
I pretty much gave up on the FF when Jack Kirby left but, years later, I came across the Byrne issues in the bargain bins and bought most of them. They were worth having.
This is when Sue became The Invisible Woman. Beautifully written and illustrated comics, and for some reason when they try to make an FF movie they ignore this time period.
I am an action fan so issues 259 and 260 are favorites with the fight between Doom, the FF, Silver Surfer, Terrax and they think Doom is dead. Plus throw Namor in as well. And that opens up the door for She-Hulk.
Byrne burned me twice as a Hulk fan. His art blew me away in ‘86 and the story seemed interesting, but he was off the book quickly. Then in ‘99 he couldn’t write to save his life, he wrote the same Hulk story for 5 months straight and it was awful. I know he then joined DC to write Superman ‘86, which is remembered well today. Love his X-men! I must read his FF run!
"Byrne burned me twice as a Hulk fan. His art blew me away in ‘86 and the story seemed interesting, but he was off the book quickly." That run is his one 'failure' in the 1980s I feel. When he arrived on the book it was on the back of the Crossroads arc and the series needed a new direction badly, what Byrne delivered though was more of the same - a mindless Hulk. And some terrible decompression. Back then I didn't understand 'decompression' in the same way that I do now, but we had had that meandering run on The Thing as he roamed across battleworld for over a year, and Action Comics had had that Lord Satanus storyline that also lasted a year, so the technique was starting to become more prevailant.... But John Byrne's run on The Incredible Hulk - how do you assess it fairly when what you got was six issues of open-ended run around? It is so unlike his writing approach of that era, where storylines on the Fantastic Four would be tightly plotted and last perhaps four issues, it is anyones guess as to when and where he had planned to come to the point with his Hulk storyline here as even by #319 there are no clues as to where it it all going, no hints as to what the end game would be for Bruce Banner and the Hulk. In hindsight it is almost as if Byrne himself was uncertain what he wanted too, why else would he not plot a standard four to six issue storyline as his opener and get right to the gist of his intentions for the character? That run still has gorgeous visuals, it IS exciting to look at, but as a read it goes absolutely nowhere and when you consider Bil Mantlo's wandering Crossroads arc and Al Milgrom's slowly developing road to the Gray Hulk, this is a period in the book lasting two years where the character and series are at their lowest ebb. There is no direction at all. No creative vision as to where to go with the character. And by the time Peter David arrived in #331(?) it made it all the more exciting as here was a new writer who gradually showed he _did_ have a vision for the character.....
I’ve been rereading a lot of Byrne’s books the last couple of years and eventhough the dialogue is somewhat dated, the stories, the characterization and the artwork is still very, very good. I would love to see Byrne write and draw a one-off with She-Hulk and Wyatt Wingfoot. The FF episodes with them are amazing and make me miss the good old days.
Since you mentioned it - Have you done any Y: the Last Man videos? That's a series I have serious trouble putting down once I pick it up. I've likely only read bits and pieces of Byrne's Fantastic Four. I'll give it a go.
Serendipity: I just commented on your latest video 21st August 2022, on how villains (simple or complex in characterization) should test and challenge the heroes and how this was lacking in modern Marvel/DC. And here you are pointing out Byrne's ability to do JUST THAT, as well as a style of art that is excellent. It's interesting to compare: Byrne is a "challenging character" with a reputation and a number of choice quotes and produces a stirring story as above. Current Marvel/DC creators are apparently "sympathetic and concerned to avoid offence & promote inclusion" and create stories that are devoid of challenge to the characters. What is the result: 1. Bryne's story = Uplifting and Life-Enhancing 2. Wioke M/DC = DEMORALIZING Is that an interpretation and an opinion of this writer, OR, is it an observable and thus objective, effect in the audiences?
I agree. It is the content of the words not the length. Bendis's back and forth repetitive banter has bothered me for a long time. It is often unnatural and excessive. He's not a bad writer. It just that back and forth stuff that. Others me. In Avengers The Initiative I just skipped over tons of it when Iron Man and Mrs. Marvel were talking.
John Bryne’s run on F4 means a lot to me because they were the first comics I ever read. I had an uncle who was huge into comics and one day he brought me to his attic and showed me his back issue collection. This included Superman, Batman and Fantastic Four. And it was Bryne’s stuff. It reminds me a lot of him and the time we shared. And really the run itself while it had problems to me will always be my favorite F4 run with respect to the others. Because that’s what comics were: fun stories you could get invested and for me it was a great bonding moment.
In my opinion John Byrne George Perez or the two greatest artists writer combinations in the history of comic books
Give me John Burns fantastic four alpha flight and Superman runs and give me Perez's Wonder woman and teen Titans runs with Marv wolfman you can't get better than that
Plus Perez had the great runs on the avengers
Byrne's FF is the epitome of the greatness of comics in the '80s.
Next to walt simonsons Thor run. I agree his best work was his FF run- I'm a byrne tragic.
The Trail of Reed Richards was amazing. It still holds up.
Byrne's FF run is the second greatest FF run of all time. It's second only to Lee and Kirby, and only because they were creating from whole cloth.
Lance Rager It's my favorite run behind Hickman and the Lee and Kirby stuff.
@@Avarn388 Hickman's run is number 3 in my book.
I can remember the day..............FF# 232. Racing (actually, running, as i was too young to have a driver's license) to my cherished book store to pick up my weekly books, and knowing the first John Byrne issue of the Fantastic Four would be on the shelf that night. What a great time, and run. That issue where Ego the Living Planet exploded to life on that final page left me stunned for weeks. Anyone who lived through this period of time every month was so fortunate.
I always liked Byrne’s layout of the thought/dialogue bubbles and narration boxes wherein the dialogue (internal/external) as well as the narration is intuitive to the reader. Have to agree with enjoying Byrne’s abilities to create separate voices for each of his characters that all had a wonderful level of depth.
It’s good to know we can always go back to a time when comics was fun.
In spite of the rest of the industry, FF has survived fairly unblemished. I just think of Susan's 90's outfit as What If or a tiny bit of Malice influence. Hahaha!
It’s a shame that Marvel couldn’t find a way to bring Byrne back for some part of the FFs 60th anniversary! He’s maybe the last of the great FF creators that made the book the World’s Greatest Comic Magazine! I’m glad Byrne’s place in comics is returning to a place of prominence right now (including this video), his work is so important to the industry.
I'll take Walt Simonson doing some art for the tribute issue in November as a consolation prize.
I think it has less to do with his status as the artist who brought the ff back to popularity, and more to do with him bieng an unpleasant jerk in real life... starting fights with just about everyone
John *Bryne* is both a great writer and artist
"Byrne"...😊
My friend always pronounced it “Bryne” lol
Great run!
At first I didn't like when Byrne swapped The Thing with She-Hulk, but he quickly won me over.
Ten year old me was annoyed at that because Ben Grimm was my favorite character in all of comics. But the FF stories around the time of She Hulk coming aboard were so awesome that it didn’t matter.
...till this day that swap bothers me ti look at! Ughhh
This is where Susan becomes three dimensional.
I agree. John Byrne made Sue a person, with her handling herself pretty well, figure out ways out of sticky situations, and beaten some villains. Even she still suffered the damsel in distress cliches, she has gotten herself out without the others help and is even the one to save the others like with the Roman with alien armor.
I love Byrne's Fantastic 4! The F4 has had such amazing stories looking at their back issues, which makes me wonder why the F4 has struggled to be relevant in recent years with all the rich history and characters, the unparalleled family dynamics, and the comrodery between the 4 that is some of the most pure and fantastic (pun, sorry) in all of comics.
In anyone else's hands, putting She-Hulk in the FF would have been a stunt which played itself out pretty quickly, but to this day anyone who came up reading the FF before during and after the Byrne era probably feel Jen is as part of the First Family as Wyatt, Crystal, Agatha, Franklin or even Ben.
I wish they reprinted that 2nd omnibus of this run. A great run from Marvel's strongest era.
Byrne's run on the FF is the best run on the FF in my lifetime! He really "got" the FF as a family of explorers/adventurers. I have both omnibuses (omnibi?) that cover his run on the title and they were great investments!
@@JennySparkz Same. I want that second omnibus. I have the first one.
@@JennySparkz I found the second omnibus for cover price with some careful online searching. I think I got it on ebay, one of those "or best price" deals.
John Byrne is a legend, the stuff he has done is pure gold. You say FF, I say Alpha Flight.
Alpha Flight is great! I'd love to see the original incarnation of the team brought back. The world needs more Canadian superteams .
@@TheNickcone Never will, I don't know if you've seen how horribly and dirty they've done them over the years. New Avengers: killed off panel. Brought back, had a 6 issue mini-series, then no real series materialized after (even though the creators were TOLD this, verified at a convention panel). Then turned into Alpha Flight Space No-one-cares for Captain Marvel. Puck joins an incarnation of X-Force for no good reason. Sasquatch is then killed in Hulk, because apparently he's all gamma amped as a background, and not the Great Beasts as originally stated. Then we have incarnations of Omega and Gamma Flight, first with Talisman and a bunch of odd choices, and then with this gamma radiation thing going on. Like many characters, Alpha Flight has been just used and disposed as trash at Marvel's whims.
He's still very good.
All bar Sasquatch are coming back a new series/mini this year.
He also has the best Superman run post crisis.
Amazing run. One of the all time greats. You can fel Byrne's deep love of characters and of the whole Lee/Kirby era. His takes on characters like Doom and Galactus (thinking particularly of 257 and 258 here IIRC) are pretty much definitive. That storyline with Tyros and the Silver Surfer is probably my favourite Byrne art ever. I used to read that whole stretch of issues around then over and over as a kid.
I think Byrne is an artist who is exceptional at using expression in a naturalistic style to make us really identify with characters and make us feel what they feel. I can't think of any comic book artist who does that better than him. Considering that he also specialises in a detached sci-fi style that is used to clinically mock the characters' behaviour that's an even more remarkable achievement.
My only real issue with the run was that he destroyed the Baxter Building. A terrible decision to retire a key part of the FF's iconography. Replacing it with something with the vomit inducing name '4 Freedom's Plaza' was something so awful that I was actually too young at the time to appreciate just how abysmal it actually was.
I literally JUST finished this run an hour ago. As much as I love the Lee/Kirby run (it is the foundation after all and is the height of epic), Byrne's run slightly surpassed it as my favorite. Byrne really cemented the group as science/space explorers and made them feel even more like people, in particular with his developments on Susan Storm Richards. I also loved She-Hulk's tenure on the team. I've just started Waid's run and am loving that as well, but as it stands, Byrne's FF might be my favorite run in all of comics.
I love your point about space explorers! That was one of the things I loved most about it too. The negative zone issues were so eerie but also goofy, it’s great. So different from someone like Hickman but great in its own right.
That was a great run and pretty much most of the stuff I tend to remember about the FF. It’s true though that the villains were absolutely ruthless in that run and that it was kind of a grinder to the FF at some times. They really had to earn their happy end.
The sacrifice for being true to their vocation and sense of duty
I loved Byrne's FF, but I have to admit that when he left to revamp Superman, it was like I'd won the lottery. My favorite artist on my favorite character.
John Byrne’s FF run is my favorite run in all of comics thus far. Walt Simonson’s Thor & Roger Stern’s Doctor Strange are up there as well 👍🏽
The Stern Doctor Strange run doesn't get near enough love. It's definitive to me.
I agree. BYRNE's run on the FANTASTIC FOUR is one of my all-time faves. The series truly lived up to its slogan "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine!" while JN was there. And then it quickly went to the dogs when he suddenly left after ish 295. Great summation of this run, PERCH, though I would've liked it more if you discussed the TRIAL OF GALACTUS story arc. The stories leading to that are major page-turners. The art's incredible too!
Mabuhay from the Philippines! 4 Aug 2021; 10:15pm
I just read the first issue of John Byrne's FF run and it's a perfect issue. It establishes the status quo of each character within the first couple of pages and gives all four of them equal screen time to perfectly showcase their distinct powers and personalities.
i was a teenager during his run, and i fell in love withi his artwork back then and still amazed and in love with his artwork.
Back when you couldn't wait for the next Fantastic Four issue to come out so you devoured those previous issues, pouring over every page of his amazing art style. Perch you may have a more accurate description but to me his line work was super clean yet full of detail. I loved every FF issue Byrne did and even appreciated when he changed up his art style during his run. I will always view The Trial of Galactus run as possibly one of the greatest storylines. He handled some tough topics from Human Torch being responsible for a Childs death to Sue's miscarriage. Byrnes art was my gateway drug into comics and cemented my love for them and his artwork in particular. John Byrne & George Perez were comic gods to me and still hold a very dear place in my heart. Iron Fist & all those two in ones anything with a Byrne cover or art inside was comic heaven back then. Thanks for another cool topic & take.
John Byrne has always been underrated as a creator. His work still holds up in my opinion because I think that some people aren’t really paying attention to the more relevant aspects. Byrne always had a talent for taking lower tier characters from Marvel and bringing attention to them by using them effectively in his stories and plot points. He also respected the canon and continuity even when he did a different take on them.His artwork while others may think dated was highly stylish yet simplistic. You can still see his influence on the industry, even though it’s largely dismissed. I followed his work thru Marvel and am still a huge fan to this day.
Other than an up and down run from Steve Englehart, 81 to 91 was a great decade for the Fantastic Four.
John Byrnes run was epic! Terrax was a great villain. Loved the arc with doom and tyros.
Yes, that storyline blew me away and I must have read those comics dozens of times.
@@chrisw6164 same here.
@@chrisw6164 has to buy new copies because I wore them out.
Agree 100% I also go back and reread this incredible run by Byrne. He might not agree but this was him firing on all cylinders. The FF have always been my favorite and this run sometimes surpasses the classic Lee/Kirby run. So many great stories here: "Terror in a Tiny Town," "The Trial of Reed Richards," "Small Loss," "This Land Is Mine," the Annhilus run, the "Whatever happened to the original Skrulls that were turned into cows, and one of my favorites, the one with the Black Panther and the H Rider Haggard type story!
Byrne's a classic comic writer, artist whose numerous runs classified him as the Mr fix it on flagging books, he understands that comic art is meant to be a stylized interpretation of reality, bending it to suit the needs of titles he's was asked to rescue.
As a lifelong FF fan, I believe it was the opposite. He ruined the series and it took years of work after by many talented creators to bring it back.
Trial of Reed Richards was probably my favorite Fantastic Four storyline
Mine too.
@@wtk6069 It added more depth to Galactus
With mad love and respect for making my childhood look at old art and falling in love with comics books.
From escape from LA comics.
Respect and admiration!
I had a by-mail subscription to the Fantastic Four starting with #256, and it carried through the Secret Wars and She Hulk coming aboard. I was 10 years old when the subscription started. This was a perfect year of a comic book series. It spoiled me for comic books for the rest of my life.
What does that mean? *Marvel* actually posted the comic out to you?
@@InfamyOrDeath-__- Yes.
Me too. I still have years of FF issues creased down the middle because the post office wouldn't obey the "DO NOT BEND" label.
Totally agree. Byrne definitively made an unforgettable mark upon the history of these characters. His only misstep, in my humble opinion, was the Johnny Storm/Alicia Masters romance. (So happy THAT was written out of continuity!) But his writing--and of course his stellar art--spoke volumes to readers of solid sci-fi action and adventure. Every single issue was not always terribly memorable, but as a whole, the run was entertaining and award-winning, and well worth rereading. My favorite stories from that run came in the first 30 issues or so, from his first issue #232 to about #262, "The Trial of Reed Richards." There were some gems after that, but those first 30 were powerful with very memorable action. The standout issues for me, the Galactus story from #242-244 and the Gladiator/Skrulls 2-parter from #249-250. Also the Surfer/Terrax battle from #258-260.
John Byrne is still one of, if not my very favorite comic book artist. I cherish my full run of Byrne's Fantastic Four, all of 236 and on purchased off the shelf brand new. Bought two copies of most issues, in fact. If you've never read issue #285 where Johhny almost quits the team, please do so. It's heartbreaking. In the mid-90's, John Byrne was doing an internet live group chat with fans, and I mentioned that sad story to him, and he instantly remembered it as one of his favorites of the run. A very unconventional story, and I won't spoil it for you. It's real. It's human.
Truly a great run. His art peaked early in it for sure. The handling of villains like Doom was top notch. Thanks for the video!
I am glad to say I have a collection of all the monthly issues.
They are amazing stories. Byrne brought the fun and thrill to the team that hadn't been seen since the Lee/Kirby days.
I own my original issues. I own the Omnibus volumes. I own the Marvel Masterworks volumes. I have it digitally. It’s a Masterpiece, only hampered by its sudden non-ending, as he never properly wrapped it up before heading to Superman.
I actually just found a book I have by Byrne, I thought I didn’t own anything by him. It’s the *Dark* *Phoenix* story, I actually didn’t even remember buying this, it seems to be part of a collection, it’s #2. It’s a hardcover with “Ultimate Graphic Novels Collection” at the top. I’ve no idea where I got it, and I haven’t read it yet.
Just came across this video again and I started this run and am loving it!
My all time fave comic creator and run. His inks were my favorite from 250-272. Perfectly inked line.
Agreed. John Byrne will go down as THEE last comic creator who’s work is all about the joy of comics being just comics. Not a jump off to TV, Not a commentary of other media, not an event… just a great comic being a comic.
To me, what they’ve done to all of his creations and characters he’s touched… nerfing his impact on Galactus, Terrax and stuff.
I love Byrn's work! But the bellbottoms, man! The Bellbottoms! This aggression will not stand, man! HAHA!
Old stuff by mr. Burne was pure gold!
Fantastic Four #247 is the first comic I ever bought for myself. His FF run is still one of my favorite runs of all time. Really great storytelling, especially with Dr. Doom and Galactus
John Byrne’s FF ruined me for all other comic books to this day. In 1985, at about age 13, I started going to my local comic book store and was quickly drawn to the Fantastic Four cover art, right around issue number 277. The art, the stories, the laughs and sometimes tears (issue 285), every month I couldn’t wait until the next issue! No comic book run has given me the same feels since Byrne left. ❤️
Definitely a great run. I think what dates his art a little is how he would drawn kids and certain women. It would have a George Perez Jericho vibe (big freaky eyes) that just screams 70s-80s
Byrne's run on FF was FANTASTIC!!!! His run was second only to Stan and Kirby.A must read for any comic fan.Byrne also wrote,pencilled and inked most of his series,there were some issues inked by Jerry Ordway.Anyone remember him??? I remember in BACK ISSUE they did an excellent piece on John's run on FF.If you;re a comicbook historian I strongly urge you to purchase BACK ISSUE and other titles made by ToMorrows Publishing,you won't be disappointed.
The only thing he did wrong was pairing Johnny Storm with Alicia Masters.
Yeah, I thought that was weird.
Yes. That is so wrong. I see them as brother and sister, not as a couple.
As a new collector, recently picked up John Byrne's *Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol 1 & 2* which I'm excited to tackle once I've finished 1984 Secret Wars (this and the 2015 version were my first pick ups). Noticed Byrne also has an Omnibus for *The Thing* which is on my future targets too
One of the greatest runs of all time.
This is how I feel about Avatar. Fits almost all the same descriptions
This run is what made me like the Fantastic Four, She-Hulk, and John Byrne. Also his take on Superman
John Byrne is a legend. Back in 85, when I foolishly auditioned for the school of the arts here in Baltimore in the mid 80s. One of the kids had drawn Byrne's splash page of She-Hulk sunbathing poster size.
Thank you for the video. I have always been very pleased with the work of Joh Byrne. Fantastic Four, Next Men, Wonder Woman, Superman and so much more, all great works. DC & Marvel need to learn that when you have such an artistic genius in their employ, you need to leave him alone and let him do his job. Don't eff around with your golden calf.
after Lee/Kirby, Byrne's it the only Fantastic Four.
John Byrne is awesome. He's still very good. One Piece has very threatening villains. Fight manga are cool. (I also like how it's easier for old foreigners to understand than other manga. Though it was huge and influential in Japan but not the U.S. I don't completely understand why.)
Great FF comics then. Byrne art NEVER bad in any era, timeless art because it’s high quality.
Art & writing is high quality in those books.
4:50 I don't think the complaints against Bendis isn't the amount of words, but that there's so many words with little substance, or just being redundant with endless back and forth of the same words.
Totally agree with you here, Perch. I have Byrne's run on FF and think they are great as well. Also enjoyed Simonson's run.
I was in high school at the time of this run. I just bought the Fantastic Four Byrne omnibus it’s the definitive take on these characters outside of Lee and Kirby. This was such a nice love letter. You’ve made me think about his run on alpha flight.
Without Byrne's F4 run, my lifelong love for She-Hulk(I had started to really like her in Avengers though), the F4 and some of the more cosmic corners of the Marvel U, may never had taken hold...Looking at what's happening with Shulkie and F4 now...DAMN YOU JOHN BYRNE!
Byrne's Fantastic Four run is one of the best comic book runs of all -time. We should be so lucky to have a writer, and artist this good in 2024..on any book. We unfortunately don't.
Byrne's run on the FF is second only to Stan and Jack's. Perch have you checked out the video comic adaptations that are being made by Harry Bauer here on youtube? They're great and the voice actor casting totally nails what the FF would sound like.
Great vid. Back in those days, "key" books were anything X-Men and anything drawn by Byrne.
I have both OMNIs & their FANTASTIC...John Bryne is my favorite creator. I have his run on The Thing Incredible Hulk Alpha Flight & the MAN OF STEEL hardcovers. Back on Fantastic Four I have every issue from #1 in 1961-1989 & several other modern runs & John Byrne was as good as Stan Lee & Jack Kirbys run IMO it is a high water mark for the book. Everything felt very organic alive.
His run ended right before I really began collecting (it was his Superman that got me started as a collector). Now that I'm rebuilding my collection, this is high on my list.
He also didn't always give them a clear cut win. The Negative Zone issues, Johnny's stuff, and a bunch more.
What's sad is that a lot of what you were saying (characters should struggle and grow) sounds like it should be as obvious to comic writers. I sadly know WHY you had to emphasize that.
Nice video. The first Marvel Omnibus that I purchased was "The Fantastic Four" by John Byrne Vol.1...good stuff
Thanks for talking about these comics! I love Byrne’s run on FF! I got both omnibuses for a pretty good price on eBay! Im also in the process of trying to collect the whole run in single issues. Im only on volume 2 but I’m having so much fun with it! The Trial of Reed Richards might be my favorite so far!
Great overview Perch!
L.E.G.I.O.N. 89/91 I always go back to read.
Barry Kitson at his best in that stretch.
Great video, Perch! Obviously, I’m a big fan of the Byrne FF run.
The best. I was born in 1970.
I’ve been meaning to explore more of Byrne’s work, this F4 run sounds really intriguing, also awesome to find another fan of One Piece and MHA!
Yup, Byrne is second after Hickam for me in FF. Only those two runs reflect the cosmic scale of FF's adventures.
Byrne's run was my introduction to the comic version of the FF. I wish I still had my issues from this era.
Hello! Bullseyes! X-men’s lose was an FF gain and they certainly needed it! 1981 ,20th anniversary holds up nice! Everything you need to know about the characters is in one book! If I could pick out a few issues to hand to someone to read it would be 242-250! Anyone reading these tales gets a lot of great stories without bullshit crossover slowing the momentum! I been an FF fan since 1969! Kirby/Lee102 issue run is a tough act to follow! Byrne shows that he had a good handle with storytelling! Marvel 2in1 50:Thing vs Thing also FF220/221 come to mind! Fun stuff that really missed in 2021, 60 anniversary is coming out late! Corporate lacks creativity! They cancelled the FF for few years! Sorry I got off track! John Byrne Fantastic 4 was/still/always a fun and great run! Thanks! Keep up the great work!
I pretty much gave up on the FF when Jack Kirby left but, years later, I came across the Byrne issues in the bargain bins and bought most of them. They were worth having.
This is when Sue became The Invisible Woman. Beautifully written and illustrated comics, and for some reason when they try to make an FF movie they ignore this time period.
I ❤️ Byrne's FF. Still need to find a couple of volumes of the visionaries trades, but I do have most of the missing ones in Dutch translations.
Found a plethora of these books from a guy selling them out of his garage. One of the best comic investments I ever made great read.
I liked his Fantastic Four run, too. I also enjoyed his Spider-Man: Chapter One mini series.
I am an action fan so issues 259 and 260 are favorites with the fight between Doom, the FF, Silver Surfer, Terrax and they think Doom is dead. Plus throw Namor in as well. And that opens up the door for She-Hulk.
Byrne’s run is right up there! Second only to Kirby & Lee.
Byrne burned me twice as a Hulk fan. His art blew me away in ‘86 and the story seemed interesting, but he was off the book quickly. Then in ‘99 he couldn’t write to save his life, he wrote the same Hulk story for 5 months straight and it was awful. I know he then joined DC to write Superman ‘86, which is remembered well today. Love his X-men! I must read his FF run!
"Byrne burned me twice as a Hulk fan. His art blew me away in ‘86 and the story seemed interesting, but he was off the book quickly."
That run is his one 'failure' in the 1980s I feel. When he arrived on the book it was on the back of the Crossroads arc and the series needed a new direction badly, what Byrne delivered though was more of the same - a mindless Hulk. And some terrible decompression. Back then I didn't understand 'decompression' in the same way that I do now, but we had had that meandering run on The Thing as he roamed across battleworld for over a year, and Action Comics had had that Lord Satanus storyline that also lasted a year, so the technique was starting to become more prevailant....
But John Byrne's run on The Incredible Hulk - how do you assess it fairly when what you got was six issues of open-ended run around? It is so unlike his writing approach of that era, where storylines on the Fantastic Four would be tightly plotted and last perhaps four issues, it is anyones guess as to when and where he had planned to come to the point with his Hulk storyline here as even by #319 there are no clues as to where it it all going, no hints as to what the end game would be for Bruce Banner and the Hulk. In hindsight it is almost as if Byrne himself was uncertain what he wanted too, why else would he not plot a standard four to six issue storyline as his opener and get right to the gist of his intentions for the character?
That run still has gorgeous visuals, it IS exciting to look at, but as a read it goes absolutely nowhere and when you consider Bil Mantlo's wandering Crossroads arc and Al Milgrom's slowly developing road to the Gray Hulk, this is a period in the book lasting two years where the character and series are at their lowest ebb. There is no direction at all. No creative vision as to where to go with the character. And by the time Peter David arrived in #331(?) it made it all the more exciting as here was a new writer who gradually showed he _did_ have a vision for the character.....
There’s a sale right now - I actually just got digital versions of all the visionary books
I’ve been rereading a lot of Byrne’s books the last couple of years and eventhough the dialogue is somewhat dated, the stories, the characterization and the artwork is still very, very good. I would love to see Byrne write and draw a one-off with She-Hulk and Wyatt Wingfoot. The FF episodes with them are amazing and make me miss the good old days.
Its on my omnibus wish list. In spite of reading comics for over 30 years, I have never read this run. Hangs, head in shame....
John Byrne is a phenomenal storyteller. John Bryne is a pretty salty fellow.
Salt adds flavor. Maybe it was necessary to make the legend he became.
Since you mentioned it - Have you done any Y: the Last Man videos? That's a series I have serious trouble putting down once I pick it up.
I've likely only read bits and pieces of Byrne's Fantastic Four. I'll give it a go.
Cheers Perch looking at the run on kindle.
I used to be one of the Faithful 50 he had.
I'm sure he will show up one of these days.
Serendipity: I just commented on your latest video 21st August 2022, on how villains (simple or complex in characterization) should test and challenge the heroes and how this was lacking in modern Marvel/DC. And here you are pointing out Byrne's ability to do JUST THAT, as well as a style of art that is excellent.
It's interesting to compare:
Byrne is a "challenging character" with a reputation and a number of choice quotes and produces a stirring story as above.
Current Marvel/DC creators are apparently "sympathetic and concerned to avoid offence & promote inclusion" and create stories that are devoid of challenge to the characters.
What is the result:
1. Bryne's story = Uplifting and Life-Enhancing
2. Wioke M/DC = DEMORALIZING
Is that an interpretation and an opinion of this writer, OR, is it an observable and thus objective, effect in the audiences?
Good stuff.
I couldn't give a spug about too many word bubbles, back then or now, once they move the plot along and/or we learn something about the characters.
I agree. It is the content of the words not the length. Bendis's back and forth repetitive banter has bothered me for a long time. It is often unnatural and excessive. He's not a bad writer. It just that back and forth stuff that. Others me. In Avengers The Initiative I just skipped over tons of it when Iron Man and Mrs. Marvel were talking.
Great books....was it Jim Shooter that put him on this run?