Happy Birthday, John Byrne! And Welcome Back, Fantastic Four!
Today, as the world gears up for the cinematic spectacle that is Fantastic Four: First Steps, something else equally momentous is happening for comic book fans of a certain vintage: it’s the birthday of the legendary John Byrne! And what a perfect, cosmic coincidence it is that the two events align. Because for me, and for so many who came of age with a comic book in hand during the 80s, John Byrne is the Fantastic Four.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The late 80s, my allowance carefully hoarded, the smell of newsprint and slightly dusty longboxes at my local comic shop. I’d pick up my weekly dose of Marvel magic, and without fail, nestled among the Avengers and Thor titles, there was Fantastic Four. But it wasn’t just any Fantastic Four; it was John Byrne’s Fantastic Four.
The specific run, #232 to #294 (though Byrne’s influence actually extended slightly before and after as a fill-in and a writer), was a revelation. Prior to Byrne, the First Family had, frankly, been a bit… adrift. They were the cornerstone of the Marvel Universe, created by the titans Lee and Kirby, but the subsequent years had seen them fluctuate in quality. Then came Byrne. He didn’t just write and draw the book; he rebuilt it, brick by fantastic brick, taking it back to its core principles while injecting it with a renewed sense of adventure, character, and sheer, unadulterated fun.
Byrne understood the Fantastic Four as a family first and foremost. This wasn’t just a team; it was Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben, a dysfunctional but deeply loving quartet who happened to have superpowers. He explored their relationships with a depth that felt both classic and fresh. Sue’s evolution from the “Invisible Girl” to the powerful, confident “Invisible Woman,” a true force to be reckoned with, was a highlight. Byrne gave her agency, made her decisions matter, and showcased her immense power and intelligence. That was a big deal for a kid like me, seeing one of the founding members step out of the shadows and truly shine.
And Ben Grimm, the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing? Byrne understood his pathos, his humor, and his unwavering loyalty. The storylines exploring his humanity, his constant struggle with his rocky form, and his enduring friendship with Reed were masterclasses in character development. He even gave us the memorable stint where She-Hulk temporarily replaced Ben, bringing a whole new dynamic to the team while Ben went off on his own adventures in his solo title (also by Byrne!). It was a bold move, but it worked, proving Byrne’s innate understanding of these characters.
Beyond the character work, Byrne’s storytelling was simply phenomenal. He brought back classic villains like Doctor Doom and Galactus with a renewed sense of menace and grandeur. He introduced new concepts and characters, expanding the FF’s corner of the Marvel Universe in exciting ways. Every issue felt like a complete, satisfying story, often with threads that built into larger, epic sagas. His art was clean, dynamic, and expressive, perfectly capturing the fantastic scope of the stories while nailing the intimate moments between the characters. You could feel the emotion, the power, and the wonder on every single page.
Thinking back, that run truly felt like a “second golden age” for the Fantastic Four. It captured the spirit of Lee and Kirby while evolving it for a new generation. It was the gold standard, the benchmark against which all subsequent Fantastic Four runs were, and still are, measured.
So, as we prepare to buy our tickets for Fantastic Four: First Steps, and hope beyond hope that this new cinematic interpretation finally gets it right, let’s also raise a glass (or, in my case, reread a few cherished issues) to John Byrne on his birthday. His contributions to the Marvel Universe, and specifically to the Fantastic Four, are immeasurable. He showed us what a truly “fantastic” comic book could be, grounded in character, soaring with imagination, and always, always with a sense of boundless adventure.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Byrne! And thank you, for all the incredible “first steps” you showed us the Fantastic Four could take. Here’s hoping the movie does your legacy justice.