Summary
In a mind-blowing new piece of fan art,Wolverineleads a new incarnation of theFantastic Four, and its sheer creativity challenges Marvel to be even more so. The Fantastic Four are the cornerstones of the Marvel Universe, and their lineup has remained the same, with a few notable exceptions. Now, artist Tom Hoskisson has unveiled a piece that wonderfully pushes the boundaries of what the Fantastic Four can be.
Tom Hoskissonunveiled the piece in a post on Instagram, prefacing the piece by saying “New New FF.” An aging Wolverine, claws unsheathed, leads an extremely powerful version of the venerable team. Among the heroes accompanying Logan is a mysterious, white-suited Spider-Man. Also on the team is a Galactus/Silver Surfer mashup. Once again, no background information is provided, but the look is undeniably cool. Rounding out the team is an unidentified, brutish character carrying a giant hammer charged with ARC Reactors.
Whether this hammer is Mjölnir is not specified, but it is an impressive sight.
The Fantastic Four Was Unlike Any Other Comic Before It
The Fantastic Four’s Line-Up Has Largely Stayed the Same
TheFantastic Four’s arrival inthe fall of 1961 launched the Marvel Age of Comics. Unlike the Justice League, the Fantastic Four were a family, and sometimes they fought among themselves, as families sometimes do. The team was presided over by Reed Richards and his wife Sue. Sue’s brother Johnny and Reed’s best friend Ben were also part of the team. This new dynamic in superhero comics, mixed with Kirby’s awe-inspiring art, resonated with fans. Across 100-plus issues ofThe Fantastic Four, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby changed the course of the American comics' scene.
By and large, the Fantastic Four has kept the same lineup since 1961, but on the few occasions they have strayed from it, there have been interesting results.
By and large, the Fantastic Four has kept the same lineup since 1961, but on the few occasions they have strayed from it, there have been interesting results. In the early 1980s, during John Byrne’s legendary tenure, the Thing was lost in space, and She-Hulk temporarily took his place. Then, several years later, during Walt Simonson and Art Adams’ run, they introduced a lineup, consisting of the Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man and Ghost Rider, that came to be called the “new Fantastic Four.” Neither of these changes lasted, but still left an impression on fans.
This Mysterious Fantastic Four Will Fire Up Fans' Imaginations
Tom Hoskison’s new Fantastic Four piece invoked these classic eras, and shows an incredible way to approach the team for future creators. Lee and Kirby’sFantastic Fourwas chock-full of nutty and mind-bending concepts,such as the shape-shifting Skrullsand Galactus. Hoskisson’s fanart keeps in this spirit, as he creates characters who are powerful and intriguing, such as the Galactus/Silver Surfer hybrid. Furthermore, howWolverinecame to lead a team far more powerful than him is a story unto itself. The originalFantastic Fourstirred the imaginations of fans in the Silver Age, and Hoskisson’s piece does the same.
