Post by codystarbuck on Jun 29, 2019 16:28:14 GMT -5
Fantastic Four #176
Creative Team: Roy Thomas-writer/editor, George Perez-pencils, Joe Sinnott-inks, Joe Rosen-letters, Michelle Wolfman-colors
This takes place after the Poppupians have sacrificed their world to sate Galactus (giving him indigestion!) and saving Counter Earth. ben Grimm had been returned to human form and used a Thing exo-skeleton suit; but, has been bombarded by cosmic rays again and has returned to his rocky old self. Now, the mayhem ensues...
Synopsis: Ben's metamorphosis is complete and he has been returned to his rocky form, his exo-suit smashed to pieces, by his growth. Roy recaps how they stopped Galactus from eating Counter Earth and the Impossible man shows up on their ship, reminding them that his people saved the day.
They are about to re-enter Earth atmosphere and ben goes to make a course correction and smashes the controls, due to his returned strength. The craft is speeding out of control and Impy goes to watch, while Torch flies outside and creates heat updrafts to slow the craft's descent. Sue puts a bubble around it and they land safely in the lake, in central Park. They hail a cab (Ben snatches one to a halt) and, after Sue goes invisible to fake out the driver (into thinking there are only 4 passengers) they head for the Baxter Building. The driver thinks they are fakes, since he has ever seen a superhero and doesn't believe they exist. Impy decides to mess with him and turns into a pair of green booties, hanging for the rearview mirror. The guy can't figure out where the 4th passenger went, when Impy says hi and turns into a balloon. The cab screeches to a halt and Ben knocks out the door, accidentally. The driver is about to have a coronary, as Reed and the rematerialized Sue try to calm him. Ben chases after the Impy balloon, which drifts into Marvel's office building
Impy spies through a 6th floor window and see George and Roy trying to explain to Stan that the FF have been gone, so they haven't had any adventures to record. they ask Jack Kirby (fresh in from the coast) if he has any ideas. Jack says just make something up and Stan says it just isn't done. Uh-hunh. Roy likes the idea, then Impy interrupts things. He wants to be in a comic book. Jack starts sketching, saying he will put him in 2001 or The Eternals. Jack reminds everyone they used him, in the past, and readers thought he was too silly. That sets Impy off...
The boys try to split, before they get repulsored, and John Verpoorten blocks Jack's exit, while fawning over an explosion in his newest comic. Then, Impy blasts through the door, wearing Cyclops' visor, and John and Jack are down, as John muses about these pushy new freelancers. Marv ducks and looks for Michele, to get to safety, when the FF show up. Impy turns his hand into Mjolnir and knocks been through a wall, past Marie Severin. Ben and Reed give chase and Johnny and Su bring up the rear, pushing past an oblivious EIC Archie Goodwin, who is trying to figure out what nickname to use.
(love the EIC office door with the names crossed out)
Reed snatches Stan and tells him they can stop this if he agrees to do an Impossible Man special or something. Stan nixes the idea, until Ben persuades him it would be healthier to agree (as Johnny lights Jack's cigar). Impy is happy.
The whole thing ends and Reed spots a notice in the paper that the Frightful Four is holding tryouts, at the Baxter Building and head off to investigate. Impy turns into the Surfer's board (times 3) and flies them home, while Stan reneges on his word (sounds familiar) and says he agreed under duress, and that he won't have comics about silly looking characters...
The FF and Impy land at the Baxter Building and find Wizard, Sandman, and Trapster waiting for them.
Thoughts: Nice bit of fun, as Impy crashes through the Marvel offices, taking on aspects of different Marvel characters, including Captain America, Sub-Mariner, Thor, Iron Man, Black Bolt, Cyclops, and Wasp. Marvel staffers seen include Stan & Jack, Roy Thomas, George Perez, marv Wolfman, marie Severein, Archie Goodwin, John Verpoorten, John Romita, Gerry Conway, possibly Jim Shooter (Maries says something to a Jim, whose back of head is the only visible part), and someone with a moustache, goatee and tricorner hat flees the office. I think it is Len Wein, though I am not sure.
Over at Supermegamonkey, they trashed this issue and the subsequent storyline that followed, through #178. I like it and always have. It's silly; but fun and it was nice to see the Marvel offices, as rendered by George. Perez had the right touch for this kind of thing and gets to strut a bit and Roy handled the comedic aspects of the FF well. he and George made a pretty good team, in this era.
This would be revisited, years later, in X-Men Annual #7, when Impy is on a scavenger hunt, which crashes through the Marvel offices, again. I'll cover that, and the New Mutants Annual, where Impy runs into Warlock, next time.
Creative Team: Roy Thomas-writer/editor, George Perez-pencils, Joe Sinnott-inks, Joe Rosen-letters, Michelle Wolfman-colors
This takes place after the Poppupians have sacrificed their world to sate Galactus (giving him indigestion!) and saving Counter Earth. ben Grimm had been returned to human form and used a Thing exo-skeleton suit; but, has been bombarded by cosmic rays again and has returned to his rocky old self. Now, the mayhem ensues...
Synopsis: Ben's metamorphosis is complete and he has been returned to his rocky form, his exo-suit smashed to pieces, by his growth. Roy recaps how they stopped Galactus from eating Counter Earth and the Impossible man shows up on their ship, reminding them that his people saved the day.
They are about to re-enter Earth atmosphere and ben goes to make a course correction and smashes the controls, due to his returned strength. The craft is speeding out of control and Impy goes to watch, while Torch flies outside and creates heat updrafts to slow the craft's descent. Sue puts a bubble around it and they land safely in the lake, in central Park. They hail a cab (Ben snatches one to a halt) and, after Sue goes invisible to fake out the driver (into thinking there are only 4 passengers) they head for the Baxter Building. The driver thinks they are fakes, since he has ever seen a superhero and doesn't believe they exist. Impy decides to mess with him and turns into a pair of green booties, hanging for the rearview mirror. The guy can't figure out where the 4th passenger went, when Impy says hi and turns into a balloon. The cab screeches to a halt and Ben knocks out the door, accidentally. The driver is about to have a coronary, as Reed and the rematerialized Sue try to calm him. Ben chases after the Impy balloon, which drifts into Marvel's office building
Impy spies through a 6th floor window and see George and Roy trying to explain to Stan that the FF have been gone, so they haven't had any adventures to record. they ask Jack Kirby (fresh in from the coast) if he has any ideas. Jack says just make something up and Stan says it just isn't done. Uh-hunh. Roy likes the idea, then Impy interrupts things. He wants to be in a comic book. Jack starts sketching, saying he will put him in 2001 or The Eternals. Jack reminds everyone they used him, in the past, and readers thought he was too silly. That sets Impy off...
The boys try to split, before they get repulsored, and John Verpoorten blocks Jack's exit, while fawning over an explosion in his newest comic. Then, Impy blasts through the door, wearing Cyclops' visor, and John and Jack are down, as John muses about these pushy new freelancers. Marv ducks and looks for Michele, to get to safety, when the FF show up. Impy turns his hand into Mjolnir and knocks been through a wall, past Marie Severin. Ben and Reed give chase and Johnny and Su bring up the rear, pushing past an oblivious EIC Archie Goodwin, who is trying to figure out what nickname to use.
(love the EIC office door with the names crossed out)
Reed snatches Stan and tells him they can stop this if he agrees to do an Impossible Man special or something. Stan nixes the idea, until Ben persuades him it would be healthier to agree (as Johnny lights Jack's cigar). Impy is happy.
The whole thing ends and Reed spots a notice in the paper that the Frightful Four is holding tryouts, at the Baxter Building and head off to investigate. Impy turns into the Surfer's board (times 3) and flies them home, while Stan reneges on his word (sounds familiar) and says he agreed under duress, and that he won't have comics about silly looking characters...
The FF and Impy land at the Baxter Building and find Wizard, Sandman, and Trapster waiting for them.
Thoughts: Nice bit of fun, as Impy crashes through the Marvel offices, taking on aspects of different Marvel characters, including Captain America, Sub-Mariner, Thor, Iron Man, Black Bolt, Cyclops, and Wasp. Marvel staffers seen include Stan & Jack, Roy Thomas, George Perez, marv Wolfman, marie Severein, Archie Goodwin, John Verpoorten, John Romita, Gerry Conway, possibly Jim Shooter (Maries says something to a Jim, whose back of head is the only visible part), and someone with a moustache, goatee and tricorner hat flees the office. I think it is Len Wein, though I am not sure.
Over at Supermegamonkey, they trashed this issue and the subsequent storyline that followed, through #178. I like it and always have. It's silly; but fun and it was nice to see the Marvel offices, as rendered by George. Perez had the right touch for this kind of thing and gets to strut a bit and Roy handled the comedic aspects of the FF well. he and George made a pretty good team, in this era.
This would be revisited, years later, in X-Men Annual #7, when Impy is on a scavenger hunt, which crashes through the Marvel offices, again. I'll cover that, and the New Mutants Annual, where Impy runs into Warlock, next time.
