With the Disney buyout of Fox Entertainment properties now almost certain to go through, we comic speculators are left with no small amount of work in reflecting on just what will happen with the newly acquired Marvel properties: the extended Spider-man universe, the X-Men franchise and, of course, the related characters from Marvel’s first family: the Fantastic Four.
The Disney-Fox deal will have major consequences for the reacquired source material. As I suggested, here, I think something will finally be done right on the big screen with the Fantastic Four. Hopefully a Marvel reboot of this comic will complement rather than (as Fox was doing) tarnish the FF universe of characters.
After seeing the release of one bad movie after another (or, if not bad, let’s just say: cheesy and unfaithful to the spirit of the FF), a decent Fantastic Four movie should see the key issues of the classic Marvel title appreciate in value. Of course, this deal is not just an opportunity for Marvel to finally present the central characters of the Fox brands, i.e. a Wolverine or a Reed Richards, but for all of the associated characters –heroes and villains- to be used in future Marvel Movies.
In this post, I’ll look at the Fantastic Four rogues' gallery and list four potential villains that, if done right, would make for an excellent on screen presence and give a big boost to any movie they appear in. For various reasons, I’m ignoring the Mole Man. Whatever you think of him, he was the first villain the team fought and the comic featuring his first appearance: Fantastic Four #1 is a grail of grails for Marvel fans, so it doesn’t need more hype. Excluding Moley (who I would rank in the top 10 but nowhere near first), the best Fantastic Four villains -in reverse order -are:
4) The Over-mind. First Appearance: Fantastic Four #113 (August 1971)
Okay, this may seem a strange choice to start with, but bear with me. The Over-mind was the product of an advanced dying civilization. Taking their best scientist’s the Euyling created the Over-mind by transferring all of their immense brain power to their greatest champion: Grom. As a last attempt to save their civilization and avenge their people, in doing this, they created a being that would crush the universe! Like so much that’s good in the early FF, the story of the Over-mind has sci-fi roots and pulp action mixed with over the top melodrama. More than this, the Over-mind was one of the few FF villains who almost managed to destroy the FF. By taking over Reed’s mind and turning him against his friends, things get so dire in this story that the rest of the team are forced to turn to one of their greatest foes for help. As I write this, 9.6 graded copies of this issue are still a very affordable $140.00.
3) Annihilus. First Appearance: Fantastic Four Annual #6 (November 1968)
Annihilus, the Lord of the Negative Zone, is another bad guy who doesn’t get the attention he deserves. He’s a great foe and central to the FF series since he appeared fairly regularly throughout the run and set up some of its finest moments. Calling himself the living death that walks, Annihilus is actually a creature driven by his fear of death. When the FF seek out his life-extending ‘cosmic control rod’ to save Sue’s life during her pregnancy, it leads not only to their first confrontation with Annihilus but also sets up the future transformation of Sue and Reed’s newborn child, Franklin, to eventually develop his incredible powers. Franklin Richards, by the way, also makes his first appearance as a newborn in this classic comic. 9.0 graded copies currently go for around $350.00.
2) Galactus. First Appearance: Fantastic Four #49 (April 1966)
Galactus first appears in cameo at the end of FF #48, but his first full appearance is in the currently undervalued FF #49. The great thing about Galactus is that, like all great villains, he’s not simply evil for the sake of being evil. Galactus is a cosmic force, he simply is. Needing to eat, he consumes planets with no more pang of conscience than a lion feels when it feasts on a gazelle or Ben Grimm when he eats a steak. Moreover, the development of Galactus’ character made it clear how he actually served a purpose in the wider Marvel Universe. If he didn’t devour worlds the way he does, the Celestials would multiply and threaten the balance of power in the universe. In terms of cosmic majesty, dignity and power, Galactus is hard to beat. Get this one before the price soars. A 6.0 can currently be purchased for around $270.00.
1) Doctor Doom. First Appearance: Fantastic Four #5 (July 1962)
Number one with a bullet is Dr. Doom. Victor Von Doom is another of those villains who’s multi-dimensional. Originally a college rival of Reed’s and eventually dictator of the kingdom of Latveria, a small country in North Eastern Europe, Doom is a scientist, politician and egoistic genius who has caused more trouble for the FF than you can shake a stick at. Doom has been portrayed several times on screen, but never with the right blend of menace, pride, stubbornness and brilliance. In the comics Doom even became a god for a while, so obviously he’s not a villain to be under-estimated. First appearance of Dr. Doom is currently valued at $100, 000.00 for the highest recorded grade of 9.6. A 9.4 copy sold for $55, 000.00 at a Comic Connect auction three months ago.
