From the moment I picked up Fantastic Four #24 to read it for my comic book review, I did not know what to expect. From just seeing the words “the Infant Terrible” right below the title, with the arrow that inform’s me that I never read a tale or seen a creature like this.   and then below, the picture of the strange creature, and the Fantastic Four, small by comparison engaged in futile combat while the whole universe seems to be in the creatures hands.

But is this tale as classic as the cover says? or would the word Terrible be better to describe it?  I knew this was one I would have to read before I even had a hint in my mind of what to expect.

Story

The story did remind me a bit of both Fantastic Four #20 and Fantastic Four #11. as it is a strange combination of an alien visiting earth that does not mean any harm, and having unlimited power of the world around him.  In fact,  it is a tale of any alien kid, who’s awesome power is beyond our understanding; and can we earthlings with the help of the Fantastic Four be good babysitters, while we try to locate its guardians?

While it is not my favorite story by a long shot, I do have to respect the work that went into it, as I feel it was written fairly, offering originality and character development along the way.

Artwork

Jack Kirby I think knew what he was doing when he drew this issue, and designed the infant alien, as the artwork not only is well drawn, but is wacky and strange enough to fit the story this issue is telling.  We also see a good use of passing, as Alicia finds herself in trouble, and only the Fantastic Four can save her, in sort of a side note to the main story.  This clip and its passing is what i choose to share with you here,  see how the seconds seem to tick away from panel to panel.

Originality & Continuity

I feel that Jack & Stan developed this story from inspiration of other tales they told,  including the two Fantastic Four tales it remind me of, but just the same, this issue shows us that the Fantastic Four is not just about beating up bad guys, but also about being the caretakers of the earth, and helping them enter into a new, and amazing age.  In the marvel universe anyway, we have already seen a few times that man is not alone.

Character & Development

There still shows signs over the internal conflict of the Fantastic Four over the leadership, this is something I expect to see again for some time, but I hope it does not go on into being something that I grow tired of.  but for now, I feel it was one of the key dynamics offered for development.

The only other thing to note, is that it led to us seeing Reed act as the brains while the other three played babysitter; I am sure this is deigned to show us the reader that there is a reason he is leader, but the others don’t a ways see it.