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

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...