Fantastic Four (4): First Steps - Movie Review and Commentary

The problem with blogging is that you have to strike while the iron is hot, meaning you have a limited window to act on something you want to write about before the urge diminishes or a new concept emerges to take its place.  It's one reason why this blog has been dormant for so long, life simply happens and dedicating a specified time that overlaps with the desired post can be quite elusive, or you simply move on.  And I have to admit, I'm struggling somewhat this morning because I've been wanting to write about this movie (in detail) since I saw it two weeks ago, but I can already tell the window is starting to close both on desire and time.  It doesn't help that I actually was able to sleep in until 0700 this morning - when I usually do my writing way before dawn.  And there are a few other ideas that I have brewing around, which I won't even mention because if I do, it'll be like crossing them off the list...

Tip #1: If you want to be a rank amateur blogger like me, the above preamble writing is essential to focus your mind on the actual topic.

If you read yesterday's two postings, you'll know that I loved the new Fantastic Four (4): First Steps movie, and I've seen it three times already.  Now, let's delve into why:

Fantastic Four (4): First Steps - Related Merchandise Smorgasbord

It's too late to go back to bed, so I'm caffeinating up with a cup of guayusa tea to keep the headache at bay.  So, let's dive into my latest jam (and obsession), Fantastic 4: First Steps merchandise:

There is so much cool stuff that they've put out in support of this movie.  It may be the best product-related blitz that's ever occurred for a Marvel movie.  Of course, we've got the traditional Marvel Legends Action Figures, Funko POPS, and Popcorn/Drink buckets.  But leaning into their 60s-era vibe, we also have cereal toys (good luck finding one) as seen in the film, collectible milk glasses (good luck getting one), and best of all - an actual 45rpm single of the main theme.

Fantastic Four (4): First Steps - Movie-ing Experiences

Previously on Comics And...Other Imaginary Tales:

"It's going to be hard for Fantastic Four (4): First Steps to compete.  Not only does it need to be entertaining, I really hope it makes me feel something."

Apologies for my absence dear reader, my family went on a shortened summer vacation to Wyoming and Kansas, visiting relatives all along the way.  We had to drive 2000 miles over 2.5 days to get to a wedding reception, which took us along I-80 across four states (out of the eleven we traversed). Day two had us going from Peru, IL to Kimball, NE, with nary a chance to see the new Fantastic Four movie on it's official July 25th opening day, or at least so I thought...

Sidney Fox Theatre 2025 July 25

Follow-Ups

Multiple random bits and follow-ups today.  Let's see where we go because I certainly don't know myself...

DC Studios opening logo

Yesterday, I watched Superman (2025) for the third time in under a week; this time in IMAX, which is the BEST format to see the film.  It gives you superior sound and the fullest extent of the viewing screen, really immersing you into the picture.  One of the reasons for the multiple viewings is from my family members who want to see it with me!  (Ahhhh, the benefits of being a lifelong comic book fan, I can offer expert testimony and commentary.)  And as I predicted, my enjoyment of the movie continues to grow.  I can honestly say I love it.

I appreciate Lois more and more, and find the interview scene to be such a clever way to not only recap pre-story events, but to expose the heart of their relationship and motivations as people.  It was Clark's, "People were going to die!!" line that really hooked me the first time.  Having lost his family, his world, etc.; he doesn't want anyone to go through the pain he has. This is why he tries to save everyone, including squirrels and B.E.Ms (bug-eye-monsters).

Sometimes when I hear an album for the first time, a few songs will immediately catch my ear and become quick favorites.  These are the ones you want to listen to over and over.  But with multiple listening's (usually three - the same number to get to the center of the tootsie roll pop), you start to uncover other hidden gems.  They've been gradually infiltrating your mind, transitioning from background to foreground with subtle themes or moments that you don't realize you're becoming attuned to.  Similarly, when you're cleaning you take care of the obvious things first and once they're out of the way, look what's underneath!  And so it can be with some movies.

As I marinate on Superman again and again, I can unpack all the good things contained therein.  The jokes land better because I'm prepared for them*, and the performances are seen more fully (not just the words but the gestures, especially on a giant screen).  Guy Gardner is rising in prominence when initially (to me) he was overshadowed by Mister Terrific.  Critics who complain about the busyness of the film and the almost overwhelming number of characters to process, aren't wrong, but that's only if you're a one-time-only consumer.  As a creator do you produce your story to the lowest common denominator and simplify the storytelling, or do you challenge people to engage more fully?  Here I think it worked, but it doesn't always.

Superman (2025) - Movie Review and Analysis

My wife and I got to watch James Gunn's new Superman movie yesterday.  And we both really liked it.  You should go see it.  

If you're a "skimmer", then that's all you need to know.

Now that the thesis statement is out of the way, let's go to the executive summary (without spoilers):

Actually, while you're about to read the ES, I'm going to be composing the more detailed spoiler-filled analysis below the jump break.  I'll see you back up here later.  Don't go away.

Executive Summary

James Gunn's Superman is fun and entertaining, and sure to be a crowd pleaser with most.  The story, characters, and stylistic choices are well thought out, creating a valid reinterpretation and synthesis of the Superman mythos over the decades, which should resonate well with modern audiences.  This is not the Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Copper Age, or even the Modern Age version of Superman - it's the Gunn Age (aka "all of the above") - and that's how it should be.  The acting is well executed and the overall movie, while not perfect, exceeds expectations from what we were shown in the trailers.  It's great to have a less tortured version of Superman again.  And I for one, not only want to see the film repeatedly, but I want more of this new DCU.

Ironically Iconic Images from Fantastic Four Omnibus Vol. 5 - the 1973 to 1975 era

Happy 7/11 Day, aka Slurpee Day!

1977 Hulk cup

Most of my early comic book purchases were made at the 7-11 in Colonial Heights, VA, near my hometown of Matoaca. Two of them were quite significant and memorable:

#1) I was flipping through a comic in the backseat of our Chevy Impala (it's a wonder I didn't get sick!) on the way to said store where I first saw the House Ad for Godzilla #1.  And lo and behold, when I arrived, it was there right on the spinner rack! Truly, one the most thrilling comic book purchases in all my 48 years of collecting (only a few months at that time).  A couple of years ago (2023) at the Baltimore Comic-Con I discovered an artist (Doctor Chopper) who creates 3D art from comic book clippings. He had one of that very same House Ad, which now is proudly displayed in my study along with some other Godzilla collectibles.  Whenever my granddaughter, Athena, comes over I sing her the theme song from the 1978 cartoon and we count all the Godzilla's (figures and comic images) in the room:

Up from the depths

Thirty stories high

Breathes Fire

His Head in the Sky 

Godzilla, Godzilla, Godzilla ...

And Godzoooooooky!

If you want to know, I currently have ten. (And eight year old me liked the cartoon much better than 55-year old me.)

 

Only 8 are shown in this photo.

Blogger get your stinkin' Times New Roman paws out of my post! I want to use Arial, not to be confused with Ariel.

#2) Now, I have an underdeveloped jaw, which is probably why I'm quickly developing a turkey-neck in my advanced years (I hate it!).  So when I was young, the dentist said I had to get six adult teeth removed to make room for my remaining teeth to drop.  They had to put me under to perform the oral surgery.  I was promised by my mother that I would be able to buy one comic for each tooth!  She knew what motivated me. (It would've been $2.10 before tax [6 @ 35 cents] or $10.67 in 2025 dollars.)  So, after counting backwards as I began to breath the gas, the next thing I remember is my mother and sister walking me out the back door of the dentist office.  I think I was around 8 years old.  Not only could I barely walk, but I was still in a post anesthetic fog where my vision (and brain) wasn't fully cleared yet.  However, I was bound and determined that I would pick out my comics that day before we went home.  And we did.  Probably the closest time I've ever been to being in a semi-drunken stupor (I'm a teetotaller).  I was going through those spinner racks (there were usually two) trying to find something I wanted/needed. (The image in my head is similar to the vaseline covered lens of a Dark Shadows dream sequence - my peripheral vision was nonexistent.)   And wouldn't you know, I have no rememberance of what I got that day!

But that's not what I had decided to write about this morning.  More after the jump break...

This Space Reserved - A Mega-Sized Marvel Masterworks Read-Thru

 

First off, Happy Fourth of July! It's America's 249th Birthday, and last night kicked off the "America 250" celebration that will continue throughout the year.  The Red, White, and Blue is back, baby!  I can still remember the excitement for the Bicentennial back in 1976.  It really promises to be a fun time.  So many things are turning around for the good these days (Praise God!).  And if today's music isn't as good as those bygone times, we can just catch an old American Top 40 with Casey Kasem broadcast on iHeart Radio!  I'm listening to one I recorded years ago right now from June 26, 1976!

Is it possible to digress before you even start?  If so, I think I just did ...

I really should have weighed these!

In less than two months, I finished reading all that you see shown above.  I started on May 8th, and finished last night (July 3rd).  And that was after reading the Marvel Masterworks (MMW): Doctor Strange #11 right before that, which was preceded by my first reading of John Wyndham's classic Midwich Cuckoos. My inspiration was the forthcoming (no pun intended) Fantastic Four: First Steps movie coming out in three weeks. Now, I have reservations about this movie.  I don't like Mister Fantastic with a moustache and the female Silver Surfer is S-t-(bad word).  However, I love that it takes place in the 60s, something I always thought should be done.  Anyway, in case the movie flops and fails to generate renewed FF reading interest, I figured I better take advantage of the anticipation, just in case.