The Fall & Rise Again of FANTASTIC FOUR (ft. Ryan North)

[@OwenLikesComics]

This video is sponsored by Ekster. Get up to 30% off with code OWENLIKESCOMICS ▶ partner.ekster.com/owenlikescomics

[@SuperSilver316]

This run really has family at its core and is also probably the best use of Alicia Masters as a character. It’s also has a really strong use of real world science something my Stem Major self can really appreciate.

[@iankane1733]

I’m glad you tackled this topic. The fact that Marvel’s flagship IP fell into relative obscurity has always perplexed me, yet no one ever talked about it.

[@Garry_Combine]

Same, they're my favourite super hero team. I really feel ya

[@galactic85]

LOVE the current ryan north run. Instead of trying to equal or top the blockbuster scope of what hickman did in his run, ryan wisely made the book about the characters and gave everyone time to shine.

[@matthewmastromatteo6355]

I love the current run so much I actually sent them fan mail which I've never done before. They actually printed my letter too which launched me over the moon.

[@OwenLikesComics]

That's amazing! Congrats

[@benparrish672]

​@OwenLikesComics No, that's FANTASTIC!

[@shinyocelot04archive]

I really need to read Ryan North's run. Sounds like it's Fantastic. (Pun intended)

[@OwenLikesComics]

...say that again

[@aksharaghav9657]

​@@OwenLikesComicsI think it's fantastic.

[@kayaanbedi5554]

​@OwenLikesComics North's ReedSue needs to be the norm going forward in F4 comics, movies and games.

[@pedroalmeida1456]

It indeed is fantastic for

[@kayaanbedi5554]

@@pedroalmeida1456 4️⃣

[@kamolhasan5411]

The goated run in current comics I love how Ryan writes Reed!!!!!

[@OwenLikesComics]

same here, especially with Ryan confirming he writes Reed explicitly as autistic

[@kayaanbedi5554]

@kamolhasan5411 and Sue, too. She's a loving wife, caring mother, great big sister, and loyal friend.

[@mcurran6505]

Dan Slott & Sara Pichelli's run on F4 did go off to a good start at first with the team finally back together again, Ben & Alica's wedding then later become parents, Johnny getting a new girlfriend (again) & a few others. However that run eventually came crashing down after what Slott did to Johnny Storm and what led to me stop reading it F4 altogether. Some time later, I decide to give Ryan North & Iban Coello's current run of the series a read and to my surprise it has the best stories I've read so far and it leaves me excited for more.

[@bradonbriffa9690]

Yeah Slott should have stopped after Empyre and that's pushing it

[@Angel-Otk]

What did he do to Johnny?😭💀didnhe touch him or something?

[@kayaanbedi5554]

@@Angel-Otk Made Johnny sleep with Doctor Doom's bride before her wedding

[@Angel-Otk]

@@kayaanbedi5554 it’s THAT story??!😭💀shame, I bought the first 2 hardcovers thinking it was going to be good🤣

[@gibsonputt1622]

Owen, I’ve been a fan of your channel for the past 1 or 2 years, and this is probably one of the best video essays I’ve seen from you. Ryan North’s run on “Fantastic Four” is the second comic I’ve officially subscribed to and read issue by issue, the first being Amazing Spider-Man, and I’ve gotta say, I have loved every single issue of North’s run. For a person generally unfamiliar with the team when he was tasked with writing, it seems that Ryan’s portrayal of the team was right on the dot. And I am really excited for next year’s FF movie. The future for Marvel’s First Family seems brighter than ever before. Great video. Keep up the good work!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Thank you so much! I really put a lot into this video and i hope it shows. Glad you're enjoying the run!

[@SootyMcFarlane]

I LOVE THE FANTASTIC FOUR THANK YOU OWEN

[@OwenLikesComics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@outpostalpha]

It's really wonderful to see the Fantastic Four's comics going strong again after the rough spot they were in for a while. Great interview with Ryan North, and excellent video Owen!

[@jamilfrost6217]

No matter how many times Marvel times marvel tried to knock them down or downplay them. The fans and writers always remind and show them why the first family are so important and integral to the marvel universe and to people as a whole.

[@tylerbertram7065]

It seems like Marvel treats the Fantastic Four, the same way DC treats Superman, portraying them as a bunch of outdated goofballs that can't do anything right.

[@KnightBat05]

​@tylerbertram7065 Yup, but ironically enough, both are getting movies in the same month in July! and both Marvel and DC are going to heavily rely on them for future successes, so it's really make it or break it for these 2 franchises in order to change the perceptions surrounding them.

[@ComicKrackle]

Due to anticipation of their return in the Slott run, I read from Waid to current. It made me a lifelong fan of the team. North’s run has brought me the same enjoyment that I had with the Waid/Ringo run, while also being completely unique.

[@apersonwhomayormaynotexist9868]

It's a shame that this series is losing the ross covers but thank god Brevoort let at least one of his A list books have a 3.99 price point, it honestly shocked me when I learned that considering his track record

[@wesreleases6346]

I didn’t know Alex Ross wasn’t doing the covers anymore. That’s so sad! I feel like his art has played a big part in defining this era of the FF.

[@scorchingpatriotMC]

Fantastic Four have always been my favourite team and characters in comics, seeing the end of their title in 2015, through corporate rights reasons especially, was horrible. However seeing the team now getting well deserved recognition, along with a wonderful on-going run is so great and full of heart and adventure! Thanks for a wonderful video on the World's Greatest Comic Magazine Owen!

[@justinriley]

This is maybe the best Fantastic Four run in years.

[@TheWebbedWonderASM1962]

The best since Hickman.

[@kayaanbedi5554]

@@justinriley THE BEST

[@majiceagle183]

I really love ryan north’s run! I had to take a college course over the summer on writing about temporality, so I picked issue 7 of his run when we got to analyze a piece of media of our choice. It was great getting people in an academic setting to go “wow dr doom is super interesting I should read this”

[@OwenLikesComics]

That is awesome!

[@Anynom]

North is great and restoring it after Dan Slott's rough run.

[@AngelPerez-tu1nk]

Honestly it makes me very happy and relieved that the Fantastic Four are returning to their rightful place in the Marve Universe. I will definitely have to read Ryan North's run. Though, as overstated as it is, it seriously pisses me off that an asshole like Perlmutter tried to erase the legacy of the FF AND the X-Men just to spite Fox. That man seriously has not received the proper amount of karma for what he did and attempted to do.

[@tylerbertram7065]

Thank you, Ryan North, for saving the Fantastic 4

[@jean-lucclark7598]

Great video Owen! I’m dreaming that we get a new fantastic four video game someday. Maybe in the style of eidios Montreal’s guardians of the galaxy game, but getting to switch between the four.

[@OwenLikesComics]

That would be cool!

[@ginoames]

I'm loving the current run on FF. It's such a great run. I love that it's kept to one-two issue books. The book is actually fun to read and sadly that is a rare thing in comics these days.

[@123iceboy]

I've actually been reading a bunch of silver age comics recently and realized my biggest problem with modern comics is that for one comic you no longer get one story, you get 1/5 of a story. When I need as much time reading the TPB of Huck as I need to read an issue of Captain Atom from Steve Ditko at charlton the reason is there is less story per comic nowadays. Now I really want to check out the ryan north ff run, as it sounds like exactly what I am missing in modern comics.

[@wesreleases6346]

I also feel this way, and I think North’s FF is just what you’re looking for. So far, no arc is longer than 2 issues. These days I really believe that if a publisher expects readers to pay for individual issues, that issue needs to be worth reading on its own. Silver Surfer by Dan Slott and Michael Allred is another great run with shorter, more focused stories like this.

[@SirSugarSkull]

Dan Slotts fantastic four is my favorite run of the FF, GLad to see it getting some love!

[@CapNemoSan]

Dan Slott's run was the first one I read from Fantastic Four and I adored it. It holds a special place in my heart. And thanks to this video I'll definitely give a go to the follow up.

[@Angel-Otk]

0:10 ?? They’re marvel’s first family. The stuff before it was under a different company name

[@AndorRobotnik]

Videos like yours truly help a newcomer understand the state of the characters, as someone who doesn't know that much about Fantastic Four, I am very grateful for this video

[@JuneieBack]

Ryan North’s run is SO GOOD. It makes me feel like a kid getting into comics again and exploring all of the new types of stories that I’ve never experienced before.

[@MatthewNovak]

I started reading Ryan North's run because Owen always talked about it on Twitter. It's great! North writes an excellent Doctor Doom.

[@OwenLikesComics]

If this is my legacy, I couldn't be happier. Glad you're enjoying it!

[@bobmularky7456]

Thanks!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that!

[@Jokomanopo]

Thank you for making this incredible video!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrWordsworth]

I’ll have check it out. This sounds like more of what the main two need I love smaller scale stuff.

[@OwenLikesComics]

It's really great! I rarely cover books that are still ongoing but I've been loving FF so much lately I thought it was worth spotlighting

[@CCCCCCCCC11]

North’s run is genuinely incredible. Easily the best current book being published.

[@TevyaSmolka]

I am so happy to hear Ryan north fantastic four is good because honestly the last good fantastic four we had was Jonathan Hickman run and that’s about it, everything else what Dan slott did wasn’t good and so disappointing and really boring in my opinion.

[@shinyocelot04archive]

I liked the wedding of Alicia Masters and Ben Grimm but it felt like it was constantly trying to up the stakes without the character moments previous runs were known for.

[@spectorthecritic1723]

Matt fraction had a fun run after Hickman, and the Robison stuff is solid

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@shinyocelot04archive same here as well and honestly that was probably favorite issue of Dan slott fantastic four 4️⃣ which was so cute 🥰

[@shinyocelot04archive]

@@spectorthecritic1723 Oh man I didn't know Fraction worked on one. I loved his Hawkeye series so I need to look into that.

[@spectorthecritic1723]

@@shinyocelot04archive he has both a fantastic four run and an FF run, both are very fun

[@kylecarter1599]

This book is quietly one of the top five superhero books right now

[@damioshodi2388]

Really appreciate how well done this video is, and love how you’ve covered decades of history in just under 40 minutes, hope you enjoyed making it and interviewing Ryan

[@OwenLikesComics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mattycbailey901]

What a great video! I’ve read Waid & Hickman’s Fantastic Four runs, and I am currently pulling North’s run monthly. Always one of my top comics of the month!

[@methanesulfonic]

I love the current run of Fantastic Four. Each chapter feels fun and exciting to read instead of feeling like a chore to me. I hate it when a comic one up each other/ previous run and thank God the current run is small scale and more focused on the characters instead of world ending events and whatnot.

[@alextheex]

My friend sootymcfarlane loves fantastic four more than any human being on earth. Thank you for acknowledging his lovely comment mr. Likes Comics

[@owensreviews625]

After an air of uncertainty that surrounded the team for a while, I’m glad to see that with the current Ryan North run and the release of the upcoming film (which I hope beyond hope will be good) the Fantastic Four are back in the limelight and better than ever.

[@Dalton_stuff]

Just started lee and Kirby’s fantastic four and yeah its fantastic

[@MarkBork-zn8ee]

The best 616 book right now imo.

[@jamluci]

I adore this run and especially love how every member gets time to shine. Too often do runs focus solely on Reed. I really hope that we are in for a new fantastic era for Marvel’s first family!

[@Nato2303]

From my point of view, James Robinson killed the Fantastic Four. I remember dropping the book because of his writing. Then the Fox behind the scene thing did or didn't happen. I like North's run for the optimisism, the freshness, the hard sci-fi, the characters innovation and inventiveness with their powers and what i called the "Coach Alicia'' effect. She's part of the team. She sees the Fantastic Four as they are. Great Video !!

[@johnthai6188]

Why? Personally for me, I think Robinson's run is underrated.

[@davidgraham8299]

I don't think Robinson killed it, but it was clearly tired and needing a rest.

[@bhp1313]

Great interview with Ryan North. Super interesting and great questions. Really elevated the video. Nicely done!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Much appreciated!

[@TitularHeroine]

I'm glad the current run is doing so well and it sounds really interesting. Owen, one thing I like about your channel is that your love of the FF really shines through in your videos about them. Thank you!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Thank you so much! They're my favourite superhero team (Doom Patrol are a close second)

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Great information, as always. Thank you.

[@Tymbus]

I must admit I waved goodbye to the FF with Heroes Reborn in the 1990s! But I'm thinking of getting back into them, so this was really interesting and useful. I can't help feeling the MCU would have been a whole lot different if Marvel had the film rights to the characters back in the day.

[@Sjaddix]

Probably should have covered Hickman's New Avengers (ie Illuminati) in the Wilderness Years Section. At least to get the point across of what the Incursions are.

[@NicholasLuong-f7p]

the fantastic four will never really have the mainstream appeal but that mean the writters that take on writting for them do so out of love for the characters. If the ff are gonna keep being forgotten, return for a banger run, and fade back into the background I personally am satisfied with that

[@giovannidanesin4193]

As someone who's childhood team was the FF and not JL, Avengers or X-men, the Ryan North run truly feels like a childhood dream come true, every issue take the team and their way of life and say how much more BAZINGA than the previous one I can go with it?

[@samfisher6606]

I've been loving Ryan North's run on FF. I love how he's using Reed's powers and diving into a bit of the body horror behind the ability to stretch. And I love how he's focusing on the women. My two favorite issues have been issue 17 which shows Sue is just as smart as Reed but has a different area of expertise, and issue 19 which casts Alicia as a 1940s noir detective. It makes me want a comic series about a blind 1940s private detective and her gentle giant muscle/helper/husband. And North finally gave Johnny a bit of focus with his doomed romance in issue 25.

[@ChomeDome]

The issue with the Doom bots in the town was sincerely one of the best Cyberman stories in years. And it wasn't even in Dr Who.

[@bradonbriffa9690]

...you have to admit this is close enough to Dr Who.

[@Pencilman246]

My first FF comic was the recent issue #25 and one of the things I loved so much about it was that it felt like a Doctor Who episode. But Doctor Who is just a long running ongoing version of classic sci-fi short stories very much like comics themselves so it makes sense that it fits so well! Definitely made me a fan.

[@Better_callMe]

I need to get on reading the new Fantastic Four Series!

[@OwenLikesComics]

It's really good, I highly recommend checking it out!

[@cephasokoro9504]

Who else came here after marvel rivals dropped read and su

[@Bigpapaforthewin]

Meeeee

[@Jordacar]

Thanks for the excellent primer on the great FF runs. Lately I've been reading the classic Lee/Kirby stories (30 issues in so far), and hopefully will have time for Byrne, Waid, and of course Hickman before the movie comes out.

[@OwenLikesComics]

Lot of great stories in those runs, enjoy!

[@friendlyneighorhoodpeyton4422]

For someone who didn’t start out familiar with the fantastic four, Ryan seems to really understand, appreciate and respect these characters and concepts. It makes me appreciate the series even more. It’s great from what I read!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Well said!

[@parsapouyafar1047]

thank you so much for making content such as this. i wasn't sure if i could read FF comic's since i infact have only watched the movies but im finally going to do so thanks to this video.

[@wesreleases6346]

I can’t believe you didn’t mention the huge controversy around North’s run: the Human Torch’s mustache. For real, this has been a great series. It’s the first FF comic I’ve read issue to issue and every story is enjoyable. Big fan of North’s work. I hope the movie sticks the landing

[@JoeLovesComics]

I adore the FF so great video and summary! I'm adoring the current run so I hope this gets more people to read it! It's one of my favourite comics on shelves.

[@peptobsmol]

This runs so cool

[@grantbaugh2773]

I picked up the dinosaur issue just for laughs, thinking "only in comics would they do something so silly and stupid." And then it was really good. And not just in a silly, goofy way, but a solid story that had me invested.

[@jacobchandler219]

I love it. I started reading it a couple weeks ago and now im waiting on the next release.

[@robertfalcone3025]

I've been a HUGE fan of the Fantastic Four since the Stan Lee Jack Kirby days..as well as the John Byrne era...& then Jonathan Hickman.. since then I've been off & on . but watching this December 2024.. this video makes me want to check out the modern day FF again.. Anyways great video brother.. looking forward to more of your Marvel Comics reviews 👑

[@nerdwarp112]

I’ve seen a couple videos now talking highly about this run and I’m definitely curious in reading it. Would I be able to start with this run or would it be better to start with some previous runs? I have basic knowledge of the Fantastic Four from cartoons and stuff but not much else. Edit: Thank you to those who replied. I’m planning on picking it up once I have some money to spare.

[@gynoidpoet]

The basic knowledge/this video is more than enough for the Ryan North run, the comic always explains things too. Very recommended.

[@wesreleases6346]

You’ll have no issue starting at any point in this run. #1 is a great place to start.

[@OwenLikesComics]

I'd recommend just jumping straight into North's FF run! There's a time skip after the end of the previous run, and doesn't require you to have much knowledge of what's come before (anything that may be required is explained throughout the run, or I've tried to cover in this video).

[@froggywam]

Ryan North has done a great job with his run so far, I was a little upset with how Dan Slotts run went as my first ongoing reading of the Fantastic four, but once Ryan took the reigns I really felt like I was reading the fantastic four story I was meant to read all along. I hope some of the story left over from Dan Slott's run gets covered or atleast doesn't get ignored since I don't like loose ends

[@DonnieHanby]

I have been reading the latest run and with the rising of Alicia and the kids, it is really the Fantastic Nine. I love it. It is a great story and it is not the typical "bad guy shows up so they have to beat them up." It highlights what makes FF so great. Family working together.

[@GreenBro11]

It’s heartbreaking how much corporate control dictates what entertainment we’re allowed to have.

[@nathanielk7415]

Ryan North finally explicitly stating he writes reed as an autistic man is one of the best things to happen to the f4 since hickman

[@OwenLikesComics]

Hopefully Marvel officially canonises it soon, but Ryan has done such a great job handling it respectfully while also clearly doing his research!

[@ginofrancejr555]

Excellent video ryan norths run on ff is really good its old school ff

[@OwenLikesComics]

Thanks!

[@donalddove472]

would enjoy seeing a good ff movie but i am sceptical about this new one they're doing

[@eastvandb]

Interesting. It's the first one I've had any serious hope for.

[@GenghisDon1970]

the only (new) monthly comic that's held my interest recently...which, as a comic book reader of about 50 years now, is really sad, but indeed, the book indeed doesn't suck; it's got some novel approaches & ideas

[@GoTenDu]

From Ryan North I only read Unbeatable Squirrel Girl... and it was SO GOOOOD... I'm looking forward to North's F4 ^^

[@bounty_hunter101]

North's Fantastic Four is not an anthology, its episodic.

[@kyledamron]

Im a huge FF and X-Men fan when Marvel basically stopped using them I was devastated

[@Listener.of.Sorrows]

Man is gonna make me read FF again after that spiteful, horrible Dan Slop run.

[@benlambe3168]

Ryan north's run is incredible

[@soysaucefool]

I have been a lifelong DC Comics reader, some marvel here or there. But the FF is calling to me.

[@cristianbumblebee]

Well, looks like I'm going to begin reading Ryan North's Fantastic Four.

[@OwenLikesComics]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@corvendata]

I LOVE THIS! cant wait for the ff to come back to worlds mind with the movie (even with the dissapointment that was dr dooms anouncement)

[@kingblackthorn4195]

Personally my favorite superhero team. The disrespect of them by both Marvel and MCU fans has always truly hurt me. The newest run is outstanding. I hope we never go a big gap again, the F4 are too great

[@sebastianpiriz]

liking and commenting for the algorithm...but I'll watch this in a few weeks, after I read this run

[@OwenLikesComics]

Much appreciated, hope you enjoy it!

[@sebastianpiriz]

@@OwenLikesComics done and done :)

[@NadeemShekh-uy9zn]

I want a great Fantastic Four video game

[@parkerpshebnisky1051]

I love the FF!😁👍👍

[@surbet11]

11:12 Akira Yoshida jump scare

[@OwenLikesComics]

😬

[@surbet11]

@@OwenLikesComics Really good video though! Loved it! Just will never not be wild that that like... happened.

[@J6Studios]

The 70's FF cartoon WAS Great!! 🤘

[@cephasokoro9504]

I've been going down a fantastic 4 loophole, watched like 8 video essays on their history and why they are the best superhero team and marvels first family...like I didn't know I cared about them , I suppose the question is...at what point can one say they are a fan of something

[@kevinrose4975]

What are the sales for the FF??? That will state whether the books are good.

[@xam.yo.3943]

the RYAN NORTH? fantastic!

[@OwenLikesComics]

the one and only!

[@vincentfranklin17]

Hickman 's run was.... Phenomenal! However, I also like Dan Slott's run, and I like what Ryan North has been doing so far.

[@OwenLikesComics]

It's a good time to be an FF fan, lots of great runs to enjoy!

[@vincentfranklin17]

@@OwenLikesComics very true! A good time, indeed!

[@vincentfranklin17]

I really love Alicia and Ben being married , and being parents. Jo and Nicki are great!

[@Paul-p6v3f]

Slott's run wasnt terrible but doing silly things like retconning Franklin's mutant status and giving Reed another sister for no reason keeps it from being a run that I'd recommend.

[@Paul-p6v3f]

Reckoning War was a weak conclusion too despite some good art.

[@gaxton4513]

Fantastic Four are to Marvel what Superman is for DC. They are both the characters that started their universe and were the most popular in the beginning, but lost their popularity in recent years with a 2025 movie set to bring them back into relevance.

[@sollywoods7554]

I started reading FF partway through Hickmans run and it made me love the comic! Ive been slowly going back stocking up on back issues. I stopped reading during Slotts run because it was just.... boring. Slott is hit and miss for me. Avengers Initiative is one of my all time favourite comics, along with things like Spiderverse, but hes got some garbage. I just couldnt hand over money any longer for his FF. Reading all the positive comments about Ryan Norths run makes me want to jump back in. For me, a good story is character first, then plot. A lot of writers today seem to forget to make characters a part of the story. You get big spectacle but it still ends up boring when the characters i enjoy seem like cardboard cut outs of themselves.

[@indianabones8820]

Can't get used to Johnny with facial hair

[@johnthai6188]

Joke: what?! Reed isn't this Monster I've heard about and cares for his family IMPOSSIBLE.

[@kayaanbedi5554]

RYAN NORTH NEEDS TO WRITE INFINITE FANTASTIC FOUR ISSUES 😤🙌

[@matthewschwartz6607]

Why does everyone skip over The Walt Simonson run? That was up there with the BEST FF runs and stories! It might be my favorite. Scott Lobdell also had a good (But too brief.) run, and he seemed to have some REALLY good plans for the book (He was supposed to be the regular writer , and hinted at a major Frightful Four storyline.), but he got fired !

[@OwenLikesComics]

All good runs that you've mentioned! They weren't discussed here since I was looking at more modern FF books, but they're certainly worth covering in future videos.

[@ericandrew9214]

Why does everyone skip over the Defalco/Ryan run? Most underrated run in comics. And my favorite run of FF.

[@fengusburnt]

I think the cancelling of the Fantastic Four comic series due to a film rights issue is the worst creative decision Marvel has ever made, and emblematic of the creative doom spiral they've been trapped in since deciding to basically operate as an extension of the MCU films.

[@johnthai6188]

well at the very least Secret Wars 2015 was a great send off to them.

[@fengusburnt]

@@johnthai6188 As always, the talent makes the best of it.

[@davidprosper3460]

It's a fine run but I had to drop it after Blood Hunt because I just lost interest. I think the lack of a strong interior artist was a big drawback for me.