Fantastic Force #1 (1994)
“Legacy”
Writers: Tom Brevoort and Mike Kanterovich
Pencils: Dante Bastianoni
In the days before the widespread proliferation of the Internets (late 80’s/early 90’s), a hot rumor among comic book fans was that Fantastic Four was due to be cancelled. Sure, the FF had the tagline of “The World’s Greatest Comic”, but let’s face it: it wasn’t very popular in the 80’s and 90’s. I always got the sense that Fantastic Four was probably Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s favorite comic book… but not their “greatest” as the book proclaimed with every issue. It seemed like Marvel kept it going out of respect, tradition, or even habit.
No one is really sure where the name “Fantastic Force” exactly came from, but it was tossed around in the early 90’s as either the rumored replacement or revamp of “Fantastic Four”. Marvel was never one to shy away from any type of publicity, and so it was in 1994 that Editor-in-Chief Tom DeFalco decided “hey, why not?” and this spin-off title was created. Taking visual cues from…well, just about EVERY Image Comics book…and including a roster of second-string and convoluted characters, we got the Fantastic Force, consisting of:
Psi-Lord (Franklin Richards)
An alternate future version of Franklin Richards, the eternal 4-5 year old offspring of Sue and Reed Richards (Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic, respectively). This Future Frank had strong ties to the X-Men title, particularly the “Days of Future Past” storyline and Rachel Summers. He came back to 1994 via a time traveling, dimension-hopping Fantastic Four arc that involved an EVIL version of Reed Richards, called the “Dark Raider”. It all led to the FF breaking up and Future Frank being stuck in the present. Or at least wanting to stay in the present…I honestly forget. Anyways, he has nearly limitless power; usually involving mental stuff, like telekinesis, telepathy, mind-blasts, etc. Like all good 90’s comic book heroes, he has headgear, techno-touches and armor!
Vibraxas (N’Kano)
A new Wakandan superhero, based on that country’s main resource: Vibranium. Yet instead of being a super-impervious metal-based guy, he’s actually all about vibrations. When you put it that way, you kinda’ think: “hey, why hasn’t there been a Wakandan vibration guy until now?” N’Kano is shown as being fairly young and brash. Of course, he’s also a 90’s hero, because he had a headband, shoulderpads, and armor!
Huntara (Tara Richards)
An alternate future version of Franklin’s aunt, from a place called “Elsewhen”. Her dad was Nathaniel Richards, time-travelling father of Reed Richards. She was even in the short-lived “Fearsome Foursome” with Klaw, Devos the Devastator and Rosey Grier. A self-proclaimed “Warrior Princess”, she can open dimensional portals with her “Psionic Scythe” and is pretty formidable hand-to-hand combatant. She looks like a mash-up of Thor and Sif (or Image’s “Angela”; who eventually came to Marvel). To fulfill her 90’s requirements, she has an haphazard costume with pouches and armor! She also gets my favorite line of dialogue in the story:
Devlor (no alias)
A young Inhuman who can turn into a wild hairy ape-monster. Cuz’ all 90’s teams need a big giant guy. Part of the FF/Inhumans connection that led to Medusa and Crystal being on the team, over the years. In previews and solicitations for this comic (and even in this issue’s” “Bullpen Bulletins”), he was billed as “Giganto”.That name isn’t spoken or referenced in the actual story, however. When he appeared in “Fantastic Four”, before this title, he was just “Devlor”…so I’m guessing the creative team toyed with the idea of making his official superhero code-name “Giganto”…but re-considered and just went with “Devlor”. He’s portrayed as a teenager, who’s more than a little unsure of himself. Even though he turns into a big monster, he still had shoulder straps and armor. Because 90’s!
Black Panther (T’Challa)
Yes, THAT Black Panther. He’s not really a member of the group, as he’s more of a mentor. In fact, it’s his diplomatic suite at the Regency Arms that this new team is using as their initial HQ. T’Challa had a long storied relationship with the Fantastic Four, so this is another “Legacy connection”….hey, that should be the title of this story. However, he’s still sporting his traditional, sleek, panther suit and no bulky armor. But he has a cool costume and sometimes has CLAWS, goshdarnit!
The actual story is fairly straightforward. Future Franklin is upset that the Fantastic Four has disbanded and disappeared, again (spoiler: it didn’t last). He’s lamenting that his family is gone, and only at the suggestion of the Black Panther does he decide to assemble this new “Fantastic Force….for good”. Panther then assigns Vibraxas to the team. Devlor’s more than enthusiastic to join, since New York City beats the pants off of Attilan. Huntara sticks around because….she’s Franklin’s aunt. I guess.
Yet any good superhero story needs a supervillain. This isn’t a good superhero story, but its’ getting a supervillain, regardless. Enter: Klaw, who finds out about the FF breaking up via newspaper. He also reads that his arch-enemy, Black Panther, is staying at the Regency Arms and should be easy prey. So Klaw busts into the hotel suite and announces himself, like a good supervillain should:
Just the Spanish Inquisition, Klaw did not expect other superheroes to be there. Thus, Psi-Lord, Huntara, Vibraxas and Devlor spring into action. Klaw initially mops the floor with them, but they soon realize that only TEAMWORK can help them defeat Klaw. Huntara and Devlor take on Klaw’s sound constructs, while Psi-Lord and Vibraxas zap Klaw with a double-team attack. Klaw is weakened by Vibraxas’s vibration powers, which allows him to be taken out by Black Panther’s special vibranium-laced punch.
Black Panther then re-iterates his suggestion that they all work as a team. Vibraxas is opposed to the idea, but only does so because his king, T’Challa, wants him to. Team picture, everybody bring it in!
“Legacy” is actually the perfect name for this story, as it weaves together a buncha’ characters from the original FF’s history. Yet the Fantastic Force didn’t have much of a legacy, as they only lasted 18 issues. All of the 4 “new” characters disappeared and the team is only a cursory footnote in Marvel’s history. One problem may have been that they were all secondary characters and, visually, looked like slapped together knock-offs of the popular superhero look of the time. Another problem may have been that nobody wanted a Fantastic Four spin-off. So it that regard it’s another example of Marvel throwing things to the wall and seeing what sticks. Marvel’s always been master tooters of their own horn, but this excerpt from “Bullpen Bulletins” is almost sad:
“33 years ago, we launched the FANTASTIC FOUR as the World’s Greatest Comic Magazine. Now here’s your chance to get in on the ground floor as we introduce the World’s Greatest Comic Mag, Phase Two!”
Perhaps another problem was that the concept of “Fantastic Force” was created by Tom DeFalco and (artist) Paul Ryan…yet they’re not working on this book, and only receive a footnote as “creators”. There was apparently a disagreement or scheduling conflict of some sort between the two, and this title was kinda’ left to die on the vine. I also feel a little bad for artist Dante Bastianoni, whom DeFalco touted: “nobody knows him now, but everybody will know him after the first issue!” It’s no fault of Bastianoni’s, though. He actually does a pretty good job for the era, and while he does have those 90’s tendencies (open mouths and posing), his work seems more focused on the action than trying to show off his style.
On top of all that wackiness, the timing and promotion of “Fantastic Force” wasn’t ideal. It was billed as replacing the Fantastic Four…but they were still around. The cover date is October 1994, which means it was on-sale or released around August 1994. In the Fall of 1994, Marvel was launching an all-new Fantastic Four cartoon, and the live-action Roger Corman movie was being (slightly) promoted. So all the hub-bub that the Force would be replacing and continuing on in the place of the Four rings hollow, and makes them seem unnecessary. “Yeah, this team will only be around temporarily” was the general thought. And one that proved correct.
The story does follow a somewhat old-school Marvel format and seems very much in-place. A “classic” villain in Klaw; four heroes who are thrown out there and have to quickly learn to work as a unit; a direct tie to a Marvel heavy-hitter in Black Panther; and it’s even a (fairly) self-contained story. Oh… I almost forgot: most importantly this issue had an extra-special foil-embossed wraparound cover! Because 90’s and FIRST ISSUE!!!!
Summary: Background characters from “Fantastic Four” hang out in Black Panther’s hotel suite. Klaw arrives, everyone wrecks the place and Panther loses his deposit.
Cover Price: $2.50
Rating: $0.65
