I have no idea what happened, but this video had a second wave of success and is now on pace to be my MOST VIEWED VIDEO on this channel! To all the people who have liked, recommended, and shared this video around (including Ryan North who FREAKING SHARED IT ON TWITTER the day after it came out AHHHHH), I cannot thank you enough! Know that I will do my best to make this a thoughtful and insightful space for passionate fans of the comic book art form, and I hope you join me on this journey.
@hiddensquid7048 Plans could change, but as of this moment, that's what my next video is going to be about. Honestly insane you mentioned that hahahaha!
I agree. I reread a story when it ends or just once a year will read the last 12 issues, and since it takes 10-15 min to read modern books, I can do it all at once.
There are so many professionals at Marvel and DC comics that need to watch this video. It covers where comic storytelling came from, to where it is currently and what actually works! Nice video. Well done.
This was a very good video, I love that you clearly have a passion for this medium of art and for this comic specifically. I will definitely be reading this series.
Just here to say your video worked wonders. I didn't finish it last time because you sold me under halfway through, and I just caught up on the run. It is phenomenal, just when you think you read the best issue you read the next one. And this newest one was simply beautiful.
Thank you so much for coming back to the video, hahaha! Glad you ended up enjoying the run. Haven't gotten my copy of the latest issue yet, but I've heard amazing things. I can't wait to get it!
I think one of the things that really solidifies this run as brilliant is that it’s a great return to form of self contained issues but with modern sensibilities
This video is part of the reason (plus the Ultimate and Absolute universes starting) that I went from digital-only reading to collecting single issues. The way you described the current FF run made me go out and buy the current issue, which was #25. I loved it so much, I added it to a pull list and went back to read from issue 1 on Marvel Unlimited. So thank you! It’s such a good series.
The twenty-fifth issue was AMAZING, even for the book's standards! My heart opened up and shattered all in the span of a single issue. It's my new favorite issue of the series so far! Thank you so much for watching the video and checking the book out. It really is the highest compliment you could give to me and I'm genuinely flattered. Keep enjoying comic books, Pencil Man!
I'm actually on a mission to read every Fantastic Four issue ever published from any and all universes. I was on about issue #147 before my Marvel Unlimited subscription was paused do to finical problems. But so far, it's my favorite piece of Comic-book literature ever. Absolutely fantastic storytelling.
This has easily been my favorite series to read monthly for the past two years. I unfortunately had to drop it recently, along with a few other series, simply because I needed to save some money. But issues 1-20 are for sure permanent members of my collection. I loved this video btw.
My favourite fantastic four issue is where the team is starting to lose the letters of the alphabet from their minds only to show at the end that there are only 3 letters that they can say and those 3 letters form the name of who's behind all that
First of all, nice to see a fellow Joshua in the comments! Welcome to the channel! Secondly, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I sadly couldn't fit (and maybe also forgot mnfeawbfejabwliguawe) a discussion of Alex Ross' covers in the video, and they're such a HUGE part of this book's appeal. I just decided to mention him and credit all the other creators I failed to talk about in the video's description.
As a long time FF fan, North's run is very fun, educational and nice bite size stories, backed up by someone with a scientific background is just great. I can't wait for it to come out in omnibus format in a few years, id get it for sure. You got a subscriber by the way.
Really enjoyed this video -- and not for the reasons I thought I would. Loved the way you described the thrill of monthly pull lists, and the antidote to the scammy feeling of an often overly-commercial medium. Will definitely keep watching your stuff!
An amazing thing about North is that, even though he is mostly associated with humor and lighthearted stories, he has an incredible narrative range. Darkhold: Iron Man is a horror retelling of Iron Man's origin and is one of the creepiest stories I've ever seen in a Marvel book. He has also worked in videogames! One of his books, To be or Not To Be, has a videogame adaptation, he has worked on the script of Lost in Random and he's currently working on the upcoming Iron Man game by Motive Studio!
Agree! I suggested to him on Twitter he should do it, bc of SG and the book of his; then a little while later they announced he was on the FF book. I'M TAKING FULL CREDIT FOR THE RUN lol.
I'm só glad that you guys are Discovering this amazing run on fantastic four. This Will be whith mark waid and jonathan hickman one of the best runs of f4 in this century.
Great Job buddy! Ryan North's Fantastic Four was a series I was considering buying, and I think you pushed me over the edge to buy it! Other than that, I have subscribed your channel and I look forward to your work!
Very cool, didnt know about Ryan North's history, but it makes sense, given how high quality his entire run has been. It's incredible how a smart, talented writer can create such fantastical concise stories as opposed to a mediocre writer that meanders and tells a nothingburger story Great vid 👍
Yeah. When researching for this video, I found out he did WAY MORE than just comics and graphic novels. I think his background in humorous webcomics and writing science books is what makes his work stand out for the current FF.
this is I know this video is a little older, but I have to agree with you that Fantastic Four right now is awesome. It’s always been one of my favorite comic book teams, and it’s good to see you have such a strong writer working on it. One thing I do think is a little weak is the art, none of it is bad and I think all the artist on it are very talented, but I wish it was something a little more distinct, an artist like Lee Weeks comes to mind.
On the accessibility of comics, back during the Inside Times (lockdown), I needed something to do that would conceivably keep me occupied indefinitely. We had no idea how long it would last, so I needed a distraction that would go the distance. I, with Marvel Unlimited, began reading everything Spider-Man right from Amazing Fantasy 15 on. Before that I'd already read the more recent stuff, starting with Miles Morales in the Ultimate universe since I figured the start of a new hero's run was a good jumping on point, but it was during the Inside Times I decided to read _all_ of it. Everything. I'm so far up to 1998, having not long ago slogged my way through the Clone Saga, and I'm just finishing up Identity Crisis today. I've enjoyed the whole journey, but my _god_ have I read a lot of crap. Filler that will never come up again. Big changes that get retconned out two years later. I'm not really questioning my decision to read literally sixty years of comics, here, but I think the next series I pick up, I'm going to research a good jumping on point, a classic story from maybe the 80s or 90s that we're still feeling the ripples from today. Something _relevant_ to the current configuration of the world. I just don't think I can go back to 60s comics with their really _bad_ illustration of motion, poor spacial awareness in the art, and paragraphs of characters telling us exactly what the panel art failed to (after diving below his punch I slipped behind him to get him into a hold! Oh no! He's thrown me over his shoulder against the wall!).
I'm an old geezer -- when I was a kid, comics had two or three complete stories in each issue. Not saying it was better, but I did notice about 20 years ago how hard it was to follow the storyline in a monthly comic. I'd pick up my favorites and not be able to remember what happened in previous issues, which made it difficult to figure out what was going on in current issues. Part of the trouble came from how I read comics as a kid, reading them over and over until they were burned into my mind. Part of it came from all the adult demands on my attention later, and another trouble came from the way comic storytelling was changing, as you noted. Those stories kept getting stretched out further and further, with the creators all trying for an "epic run". Ultimately discouraging to the monthly reader. Eight years ago, I just gave up. I had moved to a small town without a comic shop, comic spinner racks in grocery stores were a distant memory, and online ordering was too hit-and-miss hard work. Last month I was in a city and dropped into a comic shop, and walked right out again. Didn't see anything that looked good, and there were too many toys. But your enthusiasm for this run of Fantastic Four has gotten me curious. It does make me wonder if I should try harder. I've had dry spells of years without comics before, and come out of them. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your story. I think you're right about age playing a big part in whether monthly comics can be appealing for you. Even though I have more free time than working adults, I still sometimes forget what happens in the previous issue when reading my monthly comics. Hahaha! Hopefully this Fantastic Four run can appeal to you; but if it doesn't, I hope you can find other monthly books or other comic formats (like tpbs) that keep the medium alive for you. Anyway, thanks a lot for the really nice comment! Really glad to have you here, whether or not you get back into comics.
I'm new to reading the actual Marvel Comics and you had me at Ryan North. Can't wait to see his take on FF. Squirrel Girl is one of the first things I've read and I love his humor and writing. I haven't been reading long but he's definitely one of my GOATs along with Al Ewing and Donny Cates. I hope after this run with FF they have him bring back the Great Lakes Avengers along with Squirrel Girl as a part of their team. I don't think they're very popular but I absolutely adored them and Ryan North would be the perfect writer to bring them back.
Dude ur awesome for making this video🙂↕️ So few talk about this run here on yt, its one of the first few FF books I first read since I was starting out my FF binge. Other than how accessible it is as a FF starter comic, one of the things I adore about North's run is that he has dedicated issues for every member, so its so easy to get attached🥲
Thanks, I haven’t read an FF since Hickman left, but this current run sounds like just what the FF needed. It actually sounds like what Marvel needs, and hopefully they’ll hire a bunch of new writers and artists that appear to actually like comic books and simply want to tell some cool stories.
Thanks for the nice comment! It might just be my personal tastes speaking, but there's honestly a lot of amazing recent stuff coming out of Marvel. I know the current Spider-Man run is constantly trashed on social media (I haven't read it), but if you look behind the curtain and beyond the limelight, there's gold waiting to be found. She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell, Moon Knight by Jed McKay and Alessandro Cappuccio, and Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky and Marko Checchetto are some books you might want to check out! They're finished, relatively new, and super good!
Ryan North adapted Slaughterhouse Five in 2019 and blew my mind. Last night I looked up to see what he has been up to and surprised that he was on FF. I decided not to get it for some reason, but you just sold me.
I picked up #20 on a whim recently and really enjoyed the characterization of the four in North's run. Since then I've picked up the first TPB and issues 7 up to 21. I really, really, REALLY like this run of Fantastic Four. Their dynamic as a family is great, and even Doom in issue 7 gets in on it.
It's the same with audio visual media. If a series is good, you enjoy it and want it to last longer, if it's bad, you're not interested in finish it, or worse, you keep consuming it just go see when it ends that you wasted your time. With single issues, like with movies, if they're good you want more of it, but if they're bad, you just say "that was bad, but now I can move on."
Thinking about the whole extensive storytelling thing, I think the problem is that the content has evolved, but the continent hasn't. Like trying to carry soup on a plain dish. The monthly full-price single-issue system wasn't designed for this kind of stories. Compare it to mangas. In Japan, they also use extensive storytelling, and there's also issues where almost nothing happens, but the difference is, they don't sell the issues by themselves. They sell a magazine, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, *really cheap* (tipically made with recycled paper) that collect the individual issues of *a lot* of different series. You're supposed to follow that one, since it's cheap, and then collect the recopilatory books of the series you like the most. You aren't supposed to keep the tankobons, they're made with the intent of being a "read and throw away" kind of book, to make people want to buy the compilations.
my first ever comics were reprints of the 60s FF. I have a very sentimental attachment to the FF and am very happy that you're so enthusiastic. also enjoyed your happy energy. xxx
I picked up issue 20 on a whim, read it without any knowledge of the prior 19, and absolutely loved it! edit: Just saw someone else say nearly the exact same thing in the comments. Just goes to show ya!
Brooklyn in 1964 is different from Brooklyn in 2024, and we've learned a lot since then. Look at the first F4 film. Ben Grimm is a compelling character because he was the best test pilot Reed Richards knew, took the job, and became the "Thing." He's now a rock monster, but still a guy from Brooklyn that everyone respects. He's called Ben. People buy him drinks. I forgot where I was going with this, Carry on.
Well as someone who has abandoned monthly comics for the lack of density and self contained stories, i will check out this run (Hickman's is the last one I read and I didn't really care for it despite loving the FF)
Take it from an old guy, the thing about comics that will always be true. It’s one thing. Jack Kirby said it best, comic books are movies on paper. No matter what era we are currently in. That is why comics for the most part are decompressed. We live in a movie culture so naturally comics being a visual medium is going to strive more and more to be what Jack Kirby always knew they were that is movies on paper.
I totally agree with you about decompression. I love many series that tell stories in this mode, like Jed McKay’s Moon Knight, which is very much like this, or Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men. But I feel that if the publisher is asking readers to buy single issues, then each issue should be worth buying on its own. Getting 1/5 of a single story just isn’t an appealing format to me. This style, where each issue is a complete episode of an ongoing narrative, is much preferred. And, as you mention, it’s refreshing to see this run let the FF chill in this time of their lives and not push the status quo forward just for the sake of additional continuity.
Thanks! Someone on here said I sounded like a gnome from a cave/cottage in the forest HAHAHAHA! Out of curiosity, what type of character do you think I could pull off well?
@@spectacularlysentimental various types honestly, a lovable sidekick type character or all the way to anything villain related any creature or vile type necromancer. I’m serious man you should really look into it
Okay, wow! Thanks for the encouraging response! Although I've never tried to be a voice actor, being a part of the cast of an animated project is a childhood dream of mine. If I ever pursue it in the future, I'd have you to partially thank for it.
Thanks a lot. This is a great video and I’m definitely considering reading this Also, in case you see this comment, I have a question. Are there any other good comics like this one that involve a lot of science?
Great video, definitely will check this run out. Btw could you tell me what comic those panels of Giganta attacking DC are from? They look familiar but I can't place them. Thanks!
Thank you so much for enjoying the video! The panels of Giganta attacking DC are from Wonder Woman #6 by Tom King and Daniel Sampere, which is part of the current Wonder Woman series.
4 місяці тому
Your diction is amazing. You seem too young to be this good. Subscribed!
North's Fantastic Four was the first series I bought issue to issue instead of waiting for the compilation,. The only other one I've done that with is the Ms. Marvel the New Mutant miniseries and I'm starting know with the new Ultimate Spider-Man.
I think it's hilarious, but I'm pretty indifferent toward it generally speaking. I know it's a common complaint with the run though (which goes to show how good it is if that's what people are complaining about lol), so I'm really glad you love it!
the problem with comic books and story media in general is that many students and hobbyist get told "SHOW DONT TELL" and to many writers this phrase limits the potential of creative writing and often discourages people to "write less". And while you shouldn't word vomit and overwhelm the audience with a ton of information all at once you shouldn't do the opposite if your imagery also does not convey enough information on its own. the rule of thumb will always be 'Show and inform" what is necessary for the audience to know at that specific moment, combining both techniques to convey a better story. Also writers need to learn how to write dialogue, story dialogue and realistic dialogue are not the same and should not be treated the same.
I like the longer story telling. After all, I'm not gonna buy one issue, I'm gonna buy each issue. Ultimate Xmen is great! BUT.... I hate events. With an event, theres a good chance the book ive been reading will get interrupted by the event....and if i dont buy the event series, then the comic i normally read won't make any sense. And how do i store the event comics? Its easy to store comics for future rereading, just store in numerical order of the issues. But an event? Well, i need to store the event comics plus the series i normally read plus some other titles that i dont normally buy. And i need to store them in some way so that i can reread them in the proper order. So, i generally buy noncanonicals. I dont buy the FF regular series. But i did get FF Life Story, because a noncanonical series is never interrupted by an event. I wish there were more out of continuity FF stories. There's always plenty of noncanonical Spider-Man and Batman series.
Birds of Prey has been a really fun series! I can't wait to find out what's going on with Barbara, and I'm absolutely looking forward to the chibi issue that was just revealed recently. Thanks a lot for your contribution to the book! I can't believe you're here. Hahaha! Thanks for checking this video out.
Oh yeah, for sure. HAHAHAHA! I forgot if I implied it in the video, but I remember saying that I generally like the way comic book storytelling is right now. It's just that sometimes monthly comics don't feel like a very full experience, which is what makes the current Fantastic Four series stand out.
I have no idea what happened, but this video had a second wave of success and is now on pace to be my MOST VIEWED VIDEO on this channel!
To all the people who have liked, recommended, and shared this video around (including Ryan North who FREAKING SHARED IT ON TWITTER the day after it came out AHHHHH), I cannot thank you enough! Know that I will do my best to make this a thoughtful and insightful space for passionate fans of the comic book art form, and I hope you join me on this journey.
I saw transformers #8 during that scroll of single issues, do you ever think you'll make a video on that series?
@hiddensquid7048 Plans could change, but as of this moment, that's what my next video is going to be about. Honestly insane you mentioned that hahahaha!
@spectacularlysentimental Nice! Love that series and eagerly awaiting volume 2 (I can't afford monthly books unfortunately).
Great vid!
One question: where did you get that Dairugger XV shirt?!?
Dude the intro explaining how hard following a book monthly really is hits home. This is why I wait for trade most of the time. Also great video
Thanks a lot, Michael!
I agree. I reread a story when it ends or just once a year will read the last 12 issues, and since it takes 10-15 min to read modern books, I can do it all at once.
That kills the industry as they run it now.
Sure that is the main reason they are written like that,for the trades.
There are so many professionals at Marvel and DC comics that need to watch this video. It covers where comic storytelling came from, to where it is currently and what actually works!
Nice video. Well done.
This was a very good video, I love that you clearly have a passion for this medium of art and for this comic specifically. I will definitely be reading this series.
Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy the run!
Just here to say your video worked wonders. I didn't finish it last time because you sold me under halfway through, and I just caught up on the run. It is phenomenal, just when you think you read the best issue you read the next one. And this newest one was simply beautiful.
Thank you so much for coming back to the video, hahaha! Glad you ended up enjoying the run. Haven't gotten my copy of the latest issue yet, but I've heard amazing things. I can't wait to get it!
I think one of the things that really solidifies this run as brilliant is that it’s a great return to form of self contained issues but with modern sensibilities
Exactly!
This video is part of the reason (plus the Ultimate and Absolute universes starting) that I went from digital-only reading to collecting single issues. The way you described the current FF run made me go out and buy the current issue, which was #25. I loved it so much, I added it to a pull list and went back to read from issue 1 on Marvel Unlimited. So thank you! It’s such a good series.
The twenty-fifth issue was AMAZING, even for the book's standards! My heart opened up and shattered all in the span of a single issue. It's my new favorite issue of the series so far!
Thank you so much for watching the video and checking the book out. It really is the highest compliment you could give to me and I'm genuinely flattered. Keep enjoying comic books, Pencil Man!
I'm actually on a mission to read every Fantastic Four issue ever published from any and all universes. I was on about issue #147 before my Marvel Unlimited subscription was paused do to finical problems. But so far, it's my favorite piece of Comic-book literature ever. Absolutely fantastic storytelling.
Same! I’m trying to sell my old comics and get only fantastic four comics
SAME!!!
So far North's, Waid's and Marvel Adventures are my favourite FF titles
I didn't really read chronologically but just read runs blindly
Thanks. Your view opened me up to great writing which is missing in all media rn. Keep up the good work!
Jonathan Hickman's Fantastic Four is definitely top 3 runs for me
Top 5
This has easily been my favorite series to read monthly for the past two years. I unfortunately had to drop it recently, along with a few other series, simply because I needed to save some money. But issues 1-20 are for sure permanent members of my collection.
I loved this video btw.
You sold me on the run, thanks! I can't lie, I prefer wordy comics, so this looks right up my alley.
My favourite fantastic four issue is where the team is starting to lose the letters of the alphabet from their minds only to show at the end that there are only 3 letters that they can say and those 3 letters form the name of who's behind all that
Who was it?
@@frankwoods9680 Gru
@@frankwoods9680 DOOM
@@AleksanderPeterJensenDOO
I just finished reading that issue, so good!
Your videos are so insightful. I'm really glad I stumbled across your channel.
The Alex Ross covers is what caught my attention. Sounds like a good read I'll will have to check them out.
First of all, nice to see a fellow Joshua in the comments! Welcome to the channel!
Secondly, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I sadly couldn't fit (and maybe also forgot mnfeawbfejabwliguawe) a discussion of Alex Ross' covers in the video, and they're such a HUGE part of this book's appeal. I just decided to mention him and credit all the other creators I failed to talk about in the video's description.
As a long time FF fan, North's run is very fun, educational and nice bite size stories, backed up by someone with a scientific background is just great. I can't wait for it to come out in omnibus format in a few years, id get it for sure. You got a subscriber by the way.
Great video! I recently started reading fan 4 with Hickmans run and I’ve been eagerly wanting to get to this run
Ryan North's FF run is one of the best runs I've ever read. You are completely right.
Exact type video and comic series I was looking for. Thanks for the info and looking forward to reading ff
Solid take. It is a refreshing run. Quality video man, thank you.
Mate your thumbnail is amazing
Thank you! Hahaha! Been trying to make them better lately. Glad you like it.
Really enjoyed this video -- and not for the reasons I thought I would. Loved the way you described the thrill of monthly pull lists, and the antidote to the scammy feeling of an often overly-commercial medium. Will definitely keep watching your stuff!
I miss my wife
What happened? 😕
Yuhhh & ???!!!!!!!!!!!!🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜🥜
Sorry man. I lost my mom as a young boy, never really got over it. Just hold strong cause that’s what we are put here to do
I miss your wife too
Me too.. buddy... Me too
I love this fantastic four run it feels like a family road trip but with the fantastic four
An amazing thing about North is that, even though he is mostly associated with humor and lighthearted stories, he has an incredible narrative range. Darkhold: Iron Man is a horror retelling of Iron Man's origin and is one of the creepiest stories I've ever seen in a Marvel book.
He has also worked in videogames! One of his books, To be or Not To Be, has a videogame adaptation, he has worked on the script of Lost in Random and he's currently working on the upcoming Iron Man game by Motive Studio!
This has been my favorite ongoing comic run by far since I was recommended it
Happy to see it getting the credit it deserves
Amazing video! This run is so damn good.
Love the FF I’m so glad I found this video 🤙 Thanks for the recommendation
Thank you so much! Surprised to find such a huge channel commenting on my video.
@@spectacularlysentimental you make good stuff🤙
Agree! I suggested to him on Twitter he should do it, bc of SG and the book of his; then a little while later they announced he was on the FF book. I'M TAKING FULL CREDIT FOR THE RUN lol.
Very Well put together!! Will definitely pick the series up
First time seeing your channel, very good work
Thank you!
You are very articulate and I really enjoyed your perspective on this series, comic collecting and the power of anthology story telling! Great video 🔥
I'm só glad that you guys are Discovering this amazing run on fantastic four. This Will be whith mark waid and jonathan hickman one of the best runs of f4 in this century.
Great Job buddy! Ryan North's Fantastic Four was a series I was considering buying, and I think you pushed me over the edge to buy it! Other than that, I have subscribed your channel and I look forward to your work!
Thank you so much, Steve! Hope you enjoy both the comic and this channel's videos.
Great video. Never been too into FF but now I'm intrigued
Thanks for the support! It means a lot.
Definitely gonna check this out now keep up the great work with the videos man
Thank you, Kermit!
Awesome video! You have convinced me to pick up a F4 next time I visit my local shop!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it.
Super informative video :) loved to hear your insights
A really great video, from a fellow Owl City fan 🙏 I'll check out these F4 comics for sure.
Wait wait how did you know I was an Owl City fan? Hahaha!
@@spectacularlysentimental your bio on UA-cam lol my fav song from Owl City is "Plant Life" 🪴
Very cool, didnt know about Ryan North's history, but it makes sense, given how high quality his entire run has been.
It's incredible how a smart, talented writer can create such fantastical concise stories as opposed to a mediocre writer that meanders and tells a nothingburger story
Great vid 👍
Yeah. When researching for this video, I found out he did WAY MORE than just comics and graphic novels. I think his background in humorous webcomics and writing science books is what makes his work stand out for the current FF.
this is I know this video is a little older, but I have to agree with you that Fantastic Four right now is awesome. It’s always been one of my favorite comic book teams, and it’s good to see you have such a strong writer working on it. One thing I do think is a little weak is the art, none of it is bad and I think all the artist on it are very talented, but I wish it was something a little more distinct, an artist like Lee Weeks comes to mind.
How interesting. Thanks for the heads up!
On the accessibility of comics, back during the Inside Times (lockdown), I needed something to do that would conceivably keep me occupied indefinitely. We had no idea how long it would last, so I needed a distraction that would go the distance. I, with Marvel Unlimited, began reading everything Spider-Man right from Amazing Fantasy 15 on. Before that I'd already read the more recent stuff, starting with Miles Morales in the Ultimate universe since I figured the start of a new hero's run was a good jumping on point, but it was during the Inside Times I decided to read _all_ of it. Everything.
I'm so far up to 1998, having not long ago slogged my way through the Clone Saga, and I'm just finishing up Identity Crisis today. I've enjoyed the whole journey, but my _god_ have I read a lot of crap. Filler that will never come up again. Big changes that get retconned out two years later. I'm not really questioning my decision to read literally sixty years of comics, here, but I think the next series I pick up, I'm going to research a good jumping on point, a classic story from maybe the 80s or 90s that we're still feeling the ripples from today. Something _relevant_ to the current configuration of the world. I just don't think I can go back to 60s comics with their really _bad_ illustration of motion, poor spacial awareness in the art, and paragraphs of characters telling us exactly what the panel art failed to (after diving below his punch I slipped behind him to get him into a hold! Oh no! He's thrown me over his shoulder against the wall!).
Great Stuff man. Keep it up!
I'm an old geezer -- when I was a kid, comics had two or three complete stories in each issue. Not saying it was better, but I did notice about 20 years ago how hard it was to follow the storyline in a monthly comic. I'd pick up my favorites and not be able to remember what happened in previous issues, which made it difficult to figure out what was going on in current issues. Part of the trouble came from how I read comics as a kid, reading them over and over until they were burned into my mind. Part of it came from all the adult demands on my attention later, and another trouble came from the way comic storytelling was changing, as you noted. Those stories kept getting stretched out further and further, with the creators all trying for an "epic run". Ultimately discouraging to the monthly reader.
Eight years ago, I just gave up. I had moved to a small town without a comic shop, comic spinner racks in grocery stores were a distant memory, and online ordering was too hit-and-miss hard work. Last month I was in a city and dropped into a comic shop, and walked right out again. Didn't see anything that looked good, and there were too many toys. But your enthusiasm for this run of Fantastic Four has gotten me curious. It does make me wonder if I should try harder. I've had dry spells of years without comics before, and come out of them. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your story. I think you're right about age playing a big part in whether monthly comics can be appealing for you. Even though I have more free time than working adults, I still sometimes forget what happens in the previous issue when reading my monthly comics. Hahaha!
Hopefully this Fantastic Four run can appeal to you; but if it doesn't, I hope you can find other monthly books or other comic formats (like tpbs) that keep the medium alive for you. Anyway, thanks a lot for the really nice comment! Really glad to have you here, whether or not you get back into comics.
I'm new to reading the actual Marvel Comics and you had me at Ryan North. Can't wait to see his take on FF. Squirrel Girl is one of the first things I've read and I love his humor and writing. I haven't been reading long but he's definitely one of my GOATs along with Al Ewing and Donny Cates. I hope after this run with FF they have him bring back the Great Lakes Avengers along with Squirrel Girl as a part of their team. I don't think they're very popular but I absolutely adored them and Ryan North would be the perfect writer to bring them back.
Dude ur awesome for making this video🙂↕️
So few talk about this run here on yt, its one of the first few FF books I first read since I was starting out my FF binge.
Other than how accessible it is as a FF starter comic, one of the things I adore about North's run is that he has dedicated issues for every member, so its so easy to get attached🥲
Yeah. I really like how character and family-centric the current series is. Thanks for the nice comment!
Thanks, I haven’t read an FF since Hickman left, but this current run sounds like just what the FF needed. It actually sounds like what Marvel needs, and hopefully they’ll hire a bunch of new writers and artists that appear to actually like comic books and simply want to tell some cool stories.
Thanks for the nice comment! It might just be my personal tastes speaking, but there's honestly a lot of amazing recent stuff coming out of Marvel. I know the current Spider-Man run is constantly trashed on social media (I haven't read it), but if you look behind the curtain and beyond the limelight, there's gold waiting to be found. She-Hulk by Rainbow Rowell, Moon Knight by Jed McKay and Alessandro Cappuccio, and Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky and Marko Checchetto are some books you might want to check out! They're finished, relatively new, and super good!
@@spectacularlysentimental Don't forget Al Ewing's Immortal Thor. Also spectacular, though not finished.
was meaning to get around to this run for like 3 months now ! my algorithm is scary lol you've convinced me
HAHAHAHA! Hope you enjoy it when you come around to reading it.
The new ultimates is so good, every issue feels complete while also building up a bigger story
Dude, I have heard nothing but good things about it. Can't wait to get to it eventually!
Fantastic Four was the second comic I subscribed to after Spider-Man and I’m so glad I did. It’s so good.
I was infected by your enthusiasm... Will read... Thanks!
Ryan North adapted Slaughterhouse Five in 2019 and blew my mind. Last night I looked up to see what he has been up to and surprised that he was on FF. I decided not to get it for some reason, but you just sold me.
Hope you enjoy Ryan North's FF!
I picked up #20 on a whim recently and really enjoyed the characterization of the four in North's run. Since then I've picked up the first TPB and issues 7 up to 21. I really, really, REALLY like this run of Fantastic Four. Their dynamic as a family is great, and even Doom in issue 7 gets in on it.
It's the same with audio visual media.
If a series is good, you enjoy it and want it to last longer, if it's bad, you're not interested in finish it, or worse, you keep consuming it just go see when it ends that you wasted your time.
With single issues, like with movies, if they're good you want more of it, but if they're bad, you just say "that was bad, but now I can move on."
Thinking about the whole extensive storytelling thing, I think the problem is that the content has evolved, but the continent hasn't. Like trying to carry soup on a plain dish. The monthly full-price single-issue system wasn't designed for this kind of stories. Compare it to mangas. In Japan, they also use extensive storytelling, and there's also issues where almost nothing happens, but the difference is, they don't sell the issues by themselves. They sell a magazine, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, *really cheap* (tipically made with recycled paper) that collect the individual issues of *a lot* of different series. You're supposed to follow that one, since it's cheap, and then collect the recopilatory books of the series you like the most. You aren't supposed to keep the tankobons, they're made with the intent of being a "read and throw away" kind of book, to make people want to buy the compilations.
8:25 spear and fang from Genndy tartovski's primal looking at dinosaur comics
Congrats! I think you're the first one who got that reference!
my first ever comics were reprints of the 60s FF. I have a very sentimental attachment to the FF and am very happy that you're so enthusiastic. also enjoyed your happy energy. xxx
Thanks a lot! Hahaha!
Ryan North would do a great Spider-Man run
This got me to start the book and I've been enjoying every moment. I avoided anything F4 for the longest time.
Also the alex ross covers are phenomenal
I picked up issue 20 on a whim, read it without any knowledge of the prior 19, and absolutely loved it!
edit: Just saw someone else say nearly the exact same thing in the comments. Just goes to show ya!
Nice! Feel free to share more thoughts about the other issues. Would love to hear them!
100k in a few days if not weeks. Let the UA-cam algorithm cook
Hahaha! Let's see about that.
Brooklyn in 1964 is different from Brooklyn in 2024, and we've learned a lot since then. Look at the first F4 film. Ben Grimm is a compelling character because he was the best test pilot Reed Richards knew, took the job, and became the "Thing." He's now a rock monster, but still a guy from Brooklyn that everyone respects. He's called Ben. People buy him drinks. I forgot where I was going with this, Carry on.
Well as someone who has abandoned monthly comics for the lack of density and self contained stories, i will check out this run (Hickman's is the last one I read and I didn't really care for it despite loving the FF)
Hope you find it enjoyable!
You convinced me. Just bought issue 24
You sold me. I just ordered four graphic novels.
WOAH... I.. I don't know what to say. Thank you so much for watching the video, and I hope you enjoy the comic as much as I do.
You should check out Hickman’s run too. I am going to check North’s run, many thanks.
Thanks for the recommendation! I did read the whole run a few years back and enjoyed it.
Take it from an old guy, the thing about comics that will always be true. It’s one thing. Jack Kirby said it best, comic books are movies on paper. No matter what era we are currently in. That is why comics for the most part are decompressed. We live in a movie culture so naturally comics being a visual medium is going to strive more and more to be what Jack Kirby always knew they were that is movies on paper.
I totally agree with you about decompression. I love many series that tell stories in this mode, like Jed McKay’s Moon Knight, which is very much like this, or Peach Momoko’s Ultimate X-Men. But I feel that if the publisher is asking readers to buy single issues, then each issue should be worth buying on its own. Getting 1/5 of a single story just isn’t an appealing format to me. This style, where each issue is a complete episode of an ongoing narrative, is much preferred. And, as you mention, it’s refreshing to see this run let the FF chill in this time of their lives and not push the status quo forward just for the sake of additional continuity.
Thanks for the really nice comment, Wes!
Astonishing Analysis!
Man you have such a unique voice for character VA
Thanks! Someone on here said I sounded like a gnome from a cave/cottage in the forest HAHAHAHA! Out of curiosity, what type of character do you think I could pull off well?
@@spectacularlysentimental various types honestly, a lovable sidekick type character or all the way to anything villain related any creature or vile type necromancer. I’m serious man you should really look into it
Okay, wow! Thanks for the encouraging response! Although I've never tried to be a voice actor, being a part of the cast of an animated project is a childhood dream of mine. If I ever pursue it in the future, I'd have you to partially thank for it.
Sir, you are a gentleman and scholar
Thanks a lot. This is a great video and I’m definitely considering reading this
Also, in case you see this comment, I have a question. Are there any other good comics like this one that involve a lot of science?
From the writer (but not the artist, thank God) of Unbeatable Squirrel girl.
You sold me e on this book. Gonna go get it
North is hilarious! Great video.
i alreay have vol one and two. volume 3 is coming in a few days and already preordered vol 4. best run ever.
Great video, definitely will check this run out. Btw could you tell me what comic those panels of Giganta attacking DC are from? They look familiar but I can't place them. Thanks!
Thank you so much for enjoying the video! The panels of Giganta attacking DC are from Wonder Woman #6 by Tom King and Daniel Sampere, which is part of the current Wonder Woman series.
Your diction is amazing. You seem too young to be this good. Subscribed!
Peach Momoko has me rethinking liking comics
Ryan North's Fantastic Four is the best current Marvel comic!
Ok, I’m sold. 👍🏻
North's Fantastic Four was the first series I bought issue to issue instead of waiting for the compilation,. The only other one I've done that with is the Ms. Marvel the New Mutant miniseries and I'm starting know with the new Ultimate Spider-Man.
Nice! Glad the book caught your interest and made you buy month-to-month.
You know what needs to be read is Unicorn Knights of Monokeros excellent origin story.
I actually googled this. Did you make that book?
@@spectacularlysentimental No but he is a friend of mine.
Johny with the mustache is peak
I think it's hilarious, but I'm pretty indifferent toward it generally speaking. I know it's a common complaint with the run though (which goes to show how good it is if that's what people are complaining about lol), so I'm really glad you love it!
thanks for the video
the problem with comic books and story media in general is that many students and hobbyist get told "SHOW DONT TELL"
and to many writers this phrase limits the potential of creative writing and often discourages people to "write less".
And while you shouldn't word vomit and overwhelm the audience with a ton of information all at once you shouldn't do the opposite if your imagery also does not convey enough information on its own.
the rule of thumb will always be 'Show and inform" what is necessary for the audience to know at that specific moment, combining both techniques to convey a better story.
Also writers need to learn how to write dialogue, story dialogue and realistic dialogue are not the same and should not be treated the same.
I think one series comparable to North's Fantastic Four is Mark Waid's World's Finest.
Oooh. I keep hearing good stuff about that. Does it also feature frequent one-shot issues?
@@spectacularlysentimental There's a date between Robin and Supergirl that's fun to go back to.
@@jakepalermo9181 Oh, cool! I'm guessing it's Tim? Anyway, thanks for the recommendation. I really got check the series out sometime.
@@spectacularlysentimental It's Dick, this takes place in the past.
Ohhh okay wow. Is the whole run set in the past?
Is this in the ultimate universo or 616?
616!
What if I wanna read X Men bub
I like the longer story telling.
After all, I'm not gonna buy one issue, I'm gonna buy each issue. Ultimate Xmen is great!
BUT....
I hate events. With an event, theres a good chance the book ive been reading will get interrupted by the event....and if i dont buy the event series, then the comic i normally read won't make any sense.
And how do i store the event comics? Its easy to store comics for future rereading, just store in numerical order of the issues.
But an event? Well, i need to store the event comics plus the series i normally read plus some other titles that i dont normally buy. And i need to store them in some way so that i can reread them in the proper order.
So, i generally buy noncanonicals. I dont buy the FF regular series. But i did get FF Life Story, because a noncanonical series is never interrupted by an event.
I wish there were more out of continuity FF stories.
There's always plenty of noncanonical Spider-Man and Batman series.
This video was really good, but the vocal fry really got to me. But then I listened to it on headphones.
Thank you very much! Don't know if I can do anything about my voice to be honest, but I'll try to keep this in mind for the future.
Imma read it yo
Doom making them forget every letter but D, O, and M is PEAK Doom nonsense. The best.
IT WAS SO COOL!
Epic. Will read
The Dead Cells of comics...cool
Hahahaha! I guess it kinda is like a roguelite.
Hope you liked Birds of Prey 9.
Birds of Prey has been a really fun series! I can't wait to find out what's going on with Barbara, and I'm absolutely looking forward to the chibi issue that was just revealed recently. Thanks a lot for your contribution to the book! I can't believe you're here. Hahaha! Thanks for checking this video out.
@@spectacularlysentimental you got me reading F4. Good work on the video!
I get wanting more for how expensive they are but for me a lot of those old runs are just ass to read.
Oh yeah, for sure. HAHAHAHA! I forgot if I implied it in the video, but I remember saying that I generally like the way comic book storytelling is right now. It's just that sometimes monthly comics don't feel like a very full experience, which is what makes the current Fantastic Four series stand out.
Dang, if only I had money.
There are always... other means to access it if you can't afford it.
@@spectacularlysentimental Reading online really isn’t my thing. I think I’ll just wait until I have some money.