So I was going to write a review of The Wallflower anime series today until I came upon this post at Everyday is like Wednesday and its subsequent comments. The question was raised in the comments whether or not the Fantastic Four is still a relevant concept with relevant characters. Next year the FF will have its 50 year anniversary and some people have wondered if Marvel has continued publication simple because it was the first 'real' Marvel book. This idea can be quickly discounted since Fantastic Four, while no longer a best seller, still does pretty well, certainly well enough to justify it's existence. It is true however that despite brining in 'hot' creative teams, despite two (all be it terrible) movies, despite even two animated series's, The Fantastic Four hasn't been able to gain much buzz or excitement among comic readers or the general population. The fact that the FF have spawned so many adaptations shows that there certainly is something to the concept, though one could argue that that something is the issues that Stan and Jack did in the 60s.
So why isn't The Fantastic Four still the 'World's Greatest Comics Magazine', why aren't people excited about the FF, and how can they be better? As a public service your friendly neighborhood Renaissance Nerd is going to provide the answers in a segment I'm calling: If I Ran Shit.
1. Superheroes no more.
Marvel and DC are filled with spandex wearing heroes that live to fight evil and that's all well and good but the FF always had a bit of a sci-fi (syfy*) explorer angle that's made them unique. At this point though they're just another superhero team so, ditch the superhero thing entirely. Oh sure they can still help out in whatever mega crossover is going on and they'll still save the universe on a regular basis but as SCIENCE! explorers. They can still have blue and white outfits but ditch the spandex. Have them wear regular pants and jackets and such but with a clear team design element. Make them stand out out by really embracing the pulp adventure roots of comic books. Most of their conflict should be driven by themselves, not as reactions to a super villain but as a problems that they confront while exploring new places/things/ideas.
2. Make the characters likable.
This is especially important for Reed since if you are going with a science explorer angle he's going to be a big part of that. The fact is that under a lot of writer the members of the FF aren't very likable. Reed often comes of as an callous, insensitive jerk rather then as a somewhat forgetful genius. Sue doesn't always seem to have much of a personality at all unless she's being evil or flirting with Namor (which should pretty much stop at this point). Johnny can be a lot of fun but some writer make him so self-centered that you want to punch him. Ben...well Ben's pretty awesome actually. None of these characters have to be unlikable. I understand that people write them this way to create drama but in doing so you sacrifice having a character that your audience actually loves and wants to read about. In such a close knit family environment you can have tension from small things rather then someone acting like a dick.
3. Be more than four.
While Marvel has rotated in new members for a small time by the very title The Fantastic Four is rather limited in the number of members they can have. While overly large teams can suffer from lack of focus team books accrue a lot of their engrossment through character interactions. Books like The Avengers or X-Men that can play with a lot of different members can always fashion excitement through hook ups, break ups, feuds etc. The FF has done a lot of this as well but it's much harder to do with a smaller cast. This one is a bit harder to solve. They can continue to rotate in replacement members from time to time (and use that time to have the members who are replaced join other teams or individuals), or, they can build a cast of supporting characters around the FF as they've done in the past. I would add that these people need not be civilians, they don't need to have powers either but some additional scientists, archaeologists, astronauts, or just explorers would be a welcome addition. This actually leads to my next point...
3.5. Let the kids play too.
If it was anything I loved more then superheroes growing up it was kid adventurers and the FF has two already built in. I know they already get involved in small ways as is but I don't think they fully take advantage of the fact that you have two kids, one normal (provided he's not all-powerful), one super smart, with access to some of the coolest toys imaginable. This is Jonny Quest times 10. The kids should be main characters and should be involved in the adventures. Of course it doesn't help that Marvel has stunted Franklin's age (going by X-Men time he should be like 11 or 12) so let them both grow up a bit. Really play up the gadget angle with the kids as well as the adults, these people have jet backs, and shrink rays, and time travel devices, and portals to other worlds, let them have some fun.
4. Have Fun.
I think that's the answer really: fun. Sure life is hard, responsibilities, drama etc. but these people go place and do things we can only dream about. When they take a trip into a distant galaxy it should be cool and exciting for the audience and the FF. They have superpowers, they have future tech, they don't have to get real jobs, these people should be enjoying life. If Harrison Ford has taught us anything it's that you can have fun even when you're being shot at by Nazis or chased by Imperial Fighters. So just because the world might be invaded by aliens or conquered by Moloids, that is no reason not to enjoy yourself.
That's my thinking anyways.
Am I on to something? Am I fool? Comment below.
-egs
Why has Grant Morrison never written the Fantastic Four?
*correct spelling if you're a douche bag
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