Fantastic Four 674 comes out tomorrow (or later today if you’re reading this later). Generally, a new issue of FF isn’t worth a post like this, but this month’s issue is special for me. 50 years ago this month I got a copy of FF 110 (I do NOT own the error, although I have seen one in person).
From that issue on, I’ve been buying every issue. It’s been fifty years of collecting Fantastic Four for me and tomorrow’s issue is kind of special in that regards. My first issue was 85.
The issue appealed to me because I like the cartoon on TV. I did wonder why Sue had orange hair and why the others were calling her Crys. But I quickly realized what was going on. It’s why I’m not too worried about media difference from the comics confusing people. I was eight and I got it just fine.
But back to issue 110 and the journey. So being a fanboy, I naturally wanted a complete set. I looked, made contacts, traded, wheeled and dealed, hit flea markets, and finally was down to five issues I needed. One of them was issue 108. It irked me that if I started at a certain point, the issue a mere two months before that SHOULD have been considerably easier to acquire. Marvel was kind enough to put this in a special edition, Fantastic Four:The Lost Adventure #1, to remind me of my struggles and to celebrate my perseverance. Or they just wanted to rub it in.
Anyway, as of this issue #674, I mark 50 years of being a Fan 4 fan. May God have mercy on my soul.