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Classic Comic Compendium: FANTASTIC FOUR – UNSTABLE MOLECULES

A commentary on the social structures that existed at the time of Fantastic Four's creation.

12/18/2023 11:00 am

There was a spirit of inventiveness at Marvel in the early part of the Aughts.

Marvel Knights and Heroes Return had helped turn around a tailspin for the company in the late ’90s and Joe Quesada was promoted to Editor-in-Chief. Under his tenure there were a number of different directions that the publisher went, working to attract readers new and old. Ranging from the Ultimate line to restoring legacy numbers on long-running books to reflect their publishing history. Yes, that’s an extremely simplified accounting for that bit of history.

There was also a brief-lived imprint that did both. In a rather unique way. Bringing in luminaries from mostly independent comics to look at unexplored angles to the characters. Startling Stories.

“If anything, I know far less now than when I began. The closer I look, the greater my confusion.”

Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules by James Sturm, Guy Davis, Robert Sikoryak, Michael Vrána, and Paul Trutone was possibly the highest profile of the four projects under the banner. Even winning an Eisner Award in 2004 for Best Limited Series. It purported to tell the “true story of comics’ greatest foursome”. Basically, that the Fantastic Four were based on real people.

In doing so, it told a story of Dr. Reed Richards of Columbia University, military vet Benjamin Grimm, and Susan & Johnny Sturm in the late ’50s. It’s a slice of life story that reflects much of what you’d take from their fantastic interpretations. Especially Sue and Johnny, as they kind of take an even more central role in this story than they necessarily do in Fantastic Four. Sue’s role within the confines of Middle America suburbanite values of the time increases that sense of a neglected, overlooked, and dismissed invisible woman.

The artwork throughout the book is incredible. Guy Davis’ scratchy, detail-oriented style perfectly lends itself to more serious quasi-biographical/historical storytelling. Juxtaposed against R. Sikoryak’s depictions of the Vapor Girl comics, there’s a nice interplay of “reality” and “fiction”. Also brought out by the changes in colouring style by Michael Vrána between the two. And Paul Tutrone switching between mixed case and all caps lettering. When you also include recontextualized portions of Fantastic Four from Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Artie Simek, it further elevates the metatextual elements.

“Don’t be afraid of the unbearable, beautiful, sad truth.”

It may be hokum, but it’s impressive as to how thoroughly the creators commit to the bit. Even to the point where there are notes, a bibliography for references, and a historical piece on the Vapor Girl comic.

Fantastic Four: Unstable Molecules by Sturm, Davis, Sikoryak, Vrána, and Trutone works on a manifold of levels. It’s a commentary on the social structures that existed at the time of Fantastic Four‘s creation. It’s a tale of a broken family. And it’s a fictional historical project. A completely unique take on the Fantastic Four that embraces both old and new. Startling.