John Byrne Fantastic Four #251 Cover (1982)
Artist: John Byrne (All)
29 Comments - 636 Views - 32 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionI loved this period of John Byrne's run when he took the FF on a little jaunt into some far out adventures in the Negative Zone. I have always very much enjoyed thinking of the FF as galactic guardians protecting Earth from unknown, mysterious, and menacing cosmic entities. My favorite FF stories are the ones where they ward off galactic threats to save humankind. Issue 251 set in motion a sequence of interdimensional and interstellar exploration stories that were fun and fascinating and completely original.It was cool to me that these travels happened outside the purview of us mere mortals, and left me thankful that the FF were out there on watch (except for the fact that they accidentally unleashed Annihilus, doh!). The positive energy and anticipation captured in this dynamic full team composition is FANTASTIC! I have owned other Byrne FF covers, but when I have marveled at all the JB FF covers side by side, this particular one has always stood out as one of my top favorite covers from the entirety of Byrne's legendary run on the title. For me, Byrne's FF run marks the pinnacle of his creative contribution to the story telling medium that is comic books. John clearly loved these characters he was entrusted with, and he infused that joy into his work. He took out all the stops once he was given creative ownership of the title. His exciting stories reintroduced the FF to a whole new generation, and he kept us eagerly anticipating next month's installment. I truly felt John brought back an exciting energy to the characters (and the villains) that had not been around since Lee and Kirby's stories. This mesmerizing cover is rendered in beautiful india ink, and is perhaps the last from Byrne's very best inking period on the FF run. Beginning after this cover JB began to experiment with markers and then different size board and style. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Filmore W. Bedwick
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/8/2025
My Fave and IMHO, his Best cover on this Groundbreaking Era of The FF! Bravo!!!!
Filmore W. Bedwick
Member Since 2003
Posted on 1/8/2025
My Fave and IMHO, his Best cover on this Groundbreaking Era of The FF! Bravo!!!!
Comics Superworld 
Member Since 2007
Posted on 1/8/2025
It's oka-ay. . .Holy Smokes! This is a killer.
Paul Brzegowy
Member Since 2010
Posted on 1/8/2025
It is a standout cover by JB and the cover perspective was unique and eye catching when you saw this on the shelf.
M L
Member Since 2015
Posted on 1/8/2025
Beyond outstanding. It evokes long-dormant memories and emotions.
Congrats! It's a joy to see this.
Steve Lawrence
Member Since 2016
2 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Outstanding cover from the master John Byrne. I think that a lot of his early FF work stands toe-to-to with his X-Men work. Thanks for posting this for all of us to enjoy.
Carlo M
Member Since 2006
Posted on 1/8/2025
I have always loved this cover . The perspective is amazing!
Joe Murray
Member Since 2006
Posted on 1/8/2025
Wow, whatta cover, has long been a favorite and amongst Byrne's best FF, I especially love the Thing circling the drain from the top, huge congrats!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
In the very best sense of Byrne's run, he brought the science and exploration adventures back into the title! The spiral composition of the team pulled into a vortex is a classic!
Stephen F
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/8/2025
Nothing beats a good Byrne FF cover and yours happens to be GREAT! Congrats!
Eelco V
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Many congrats Tom! I agree these stories were such a great adventures!
Steven Dilworth
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 1/11/2025
Peter Sullivan wrote:
All I see is hot Sue.
Yes, she looks like a young Barbara Bain.
This Negative Zone cover had a very positive effect on me. Another Byrne classic.
J. Sid
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
Only Byrne could get us to care about the FF in the 80s!
Tom Coker
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/8/2025
J. Sid wrote:
Only Byrne could get us to care about the FF in the 80s!
So true 😉
Tony Marine
Member Since 2016
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
I so love this cover!! And that's a great write-up of Byrne's historic run on this title. Nice to see this in your collection Tom - looks right at home! Congrats!
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 1/8/2025
What a cover! Much as I enjoyed Byrne's stint on X-Men, I loved his FF even more
Will Tervay
Member Since 2005
Posted on 1/9/2025
Great stuff as always, Tom. Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 1/9/2025
Bravo! I agree with you that Byrne's work on the Fantastic Four was some of the best work of his career. I loved his take on the characters and the team and I loved all the stories that he wrote for them. To me, the Fantastic Four was never better than when Bryne was in charge. This cover is a great example of his work on the title. It's fun to see the four teamates holding hands as they are sucked into the Negative Zone. I love that the Thing is upside down on the cover, it really plays with the reader's own sense of up and down. It's disorienting, but that's what makes it fun! Fabulous cover from a fabulous artist! Great pick-up, congrats!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
Posted on 1/14/2025
That quality of that work on that time only can be explained because JB is a geniuous. He was performing as a complete artist. Just superb! I always have lo ed the way JB draws The Thing! Congrats
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