The comic book industry has always been rocked by numerous and frequent character deaths and rebirths. Often times killing off some of their largest characters in an effort to shake up their fan base with the hope that sales will spike based upon the sudden jump in publicity.
Last spring Marvel’s longest running series, the Fantastic Four, just shy of their 600th issue, experienced a death in the Four that crept across numerous magazines, newspapers, and ePublications reaching muggles and wizards alike. The Human Torch, aka Johnny Storm, was killed of in Fantastic Four #587 resulting in the dissolution of the Fantastic Four and thus the creation of the Future Foundation. The remaining three members of the Fantastic Four mourned the death of Johnny Storm and proceeded to enlist Spiderman as their new fourth. In order to preserve the Human Torch’s memory the new Fantastic Four renamed the group while simultaneously continuing forward to the future by becoming the Future Foundation. After the death of Johnny Storm the Fantastic Four serial ceased to exist and the Future Foundation released its first issue in its wake, which continued where the Fantastic Four left off in issue #588.
However, amongst comic book preview guides and various internet leaks Fantastic Four #600 is featured hinting at a possible return of the Human Torch. These guides showcase both a Future Foundation issue as well as a Fantastic Four issue. With Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four in its 50th year of publication, as Marvel’s longest running series, and Marvel’s precedent of splitting a successful series into two equally successful franchises it makes sense economically for Marvel to split the Future Foundation series into two runs.
Covers for Future Foundation #12 and Fantastic Four #600 have been released and interestingly enough the cover of Fantastic Four #600 depicts five members: the Human Torch, the Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, the Thing, and Spiderman. This begs questioning: Will there be five members in the Fantastic Four, or is the cover merely depicting the transition between the two titles? And, is the Human Torch truly Johnny Storm, or a replacement with same alter ego?
My money is on Johnny Storm returning as the Human Torch come November, fully lit and ready to fly. I think that Marvel will ‘rebirth’ Johnny Storm in an effort to pay homage to the late Jack Kirby and the 50th anniversary of the Fantastic Four. There has been fan backlash in accordance with Marvel’s laissez-faire attitude towards Kirby’s legacy and his creations. Without Jack Kirby and Stan Lee there would be no Marvel, much less a successful one.
Nevertheless, check out the Fantastic Four #600 cover, the Future Foundation #12 cover, and several teaser images that cropped up during my research of the countless leaks and articles surrounding the Fantastic Four and the Future Foundation.
Also, remember to pick up Future Foundation #12 and the Fantastic Four #600 once they release in early November to see if Johnny Storm returns to the mantle or if Marvel found a ‘replacement.’ As always feel free to comment and debate below.
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