Posted in: Comics, Marvel Comics | Tagged: fantastic four, john romita jr, marvel

John Romita Jr. Leads Art Team for Fantastic Four 60th-Anniversary

Published Wed, 12 May 2021 16:02:11 -0500

Last updated Wed, 12 May 2021 16:02:31 -0500

This John Romita Jr. guy has only been working for a Marvel for a couple of months, and they've already given him the Fantastic Four?! Yes, it's true, Fantastic Four is turning 60, but the fact that Marvel's first family will soon be able to take advantage of the senior citizen discount at Denny's isn't the only thing to celebrate. former DC Comics artist John Romita Jr. will lead what Marvel is calling an "all-star lineup" for Fantastic Four #35, a giant-sized issue celebrating the Fantastic Four's 60th anniversary. The issue will also kick off a new storyline in the book.

From Marvel's press release:

This year, Marvel Comics is proud to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Fantastic Four! Home to concepts and characters that revolutionized comic book storytelling, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's beloved creations have enjoyed one of the most memorable sagas in comic book history and this year will see some of greatest adventures yet! Following the highly anticipated BRIDE OF DOOM storyline, August's FANTASTIC FOUR #35 will be a special giant-sized spectacular that will see series writer Dan Slott teaming up with legendary artist John Romita Jr.

Recently returned to the House of Ideas, Romita Jr. is back to bringing his incredible artwork to Marvel's biggest heroes, starting with this celebratory 60th anniversary issue for Marvel's First Family. FANTASTIC FOUR #35 will launch a brand-new storyline that will see every iteration of the iconic villain Kang teaming up for a devious plot that will unravel across Fantastic Four history!

The entire Kang bloodline is out to destroy every era of the Fantastic Four! How can Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny hope to survive simultaneous attacks across their lifetimes by Rama Tut, the Scarlet Centurion, Kang the Conqueror and Kang's final descendant, the sinister Scion?! Still dealing with the repercussions of Doctor Doom's climactic wedding, the groundbreaking changes to the Fantastic Four's status quo are just beginning. Plus: Mark Waid and Paul Renaud deliver dramatic new insights into the origin of the fabulous foursome in an all-new anniversary tale and a third story written and drawn by Jason Loo in his Marvel Comics debut!

Krisis of Infinite Kangs.

Art by John Romita Jr. for Fantastic Four #35

Also in the press release, JRJr heaped praise on everyone at Marvel and Disney for helping him get the hell out of DC:

I've read, and been told by much smarter people, that 'luck is the residue of design' so I won't even attempt to claim I designed the events of these last few months, but I will take this kind of luck any day any time. I was lucky to begin my career with Marvel and now am extremely lucky to re-connect with Marvel. That's an enormous amount of good fortune. I sincerely thank all the folks up at Marvel, and Disney, who worked for this fortunate re-connection to happen.

To add to all this, and I hate to add a third section to my good fortune, is the opportunity to start off with a huge project, which is the 60th anniversary of the Fantastic Four! It is an honor and extreme privilege to be asked to work on this along with a friend and former collaborator, Dan Slott! Along with ink artist JP Mayer, I am looking forward to this being up for viewing in August!

Look for Fantastic Four #35 in stores in August.