Rasmussen, Rune :: Superheroes (Published Art)

Fantastic Four #556 Cover by Bryan Hitch

Artist: Bryan Hitch (All)

8 Comments - 1,797 Views - 2 Likes

Fantastic Four #556 Cover by Bryan Hitch Comic Art

Additional Images:

Published cover

Colored cover

Framed (behind museum glass = UV protected)

Close-Up #1

Close-Up #2

Close-Up #3

Previous Item:
Green Lantern (2011) #16 Third Army Cover by Doug Mahnke

Artwork Details

Title:	Fantastic Four #556 Cover by Bryan Hitch
Artist:	Bryan Hitch (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Cover
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	1,797
Likes on CAF:	2 3
Comments:	8
Added to Site:	6/7/2014
Comic Art Archive:	Fantastic Four Issue: 556 Page: cover View

Description

This stunning cover by Bryan Hitch features a very dark image of the Fantastic Four's rock monster, the Thing, seemingly holding the dead and bloody bodies of his fallen friends and colleagues, Reed and Sue Richards (Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman). The city has apparently been obliterated and the 3 members are resting on top of thousands of human remains; very creepy indeed. This detailed piece makes a huge impression, not just from a content and emotional standpoint but from a size standpoint. The art is larger in size than most vintage large art pieces. This oversized cover has an image area of approximately 13" x 19.5".

I have read the complete story behind this amazing cover (FF #554-557). It turns out that this cover really has nothing to do with the story. The printed cover has been softened by making the Thing say: "CAP, please! Don't kill us! Ya already done enough!" (CAP is a giant robot), implying that Reed and Sue are not dead.
But reading the books, Sue is never harmed and CAP never harms Reed. Especially not Reed, because CAP has a build-in safety that makes it impossible for CAP to harm Reed. And CAP does not kill by making giant bullet holes in victims, CAP uses some sort of energy beam that evaporates all meat leaving just bones behind. Sue’s and Reed’s twisted and bloody bodies clearly show that they are truly dead – and CAP has nothing to do with this scenario.
So to the best of my knowledge, Hitch' OA is simply a picture of Ben's emotional despair and profound grief after losing Reed and Sue. The art should be viewed for what it is in itself - that is, without any association to the story in #556.

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About the Owner

	Rune Rasmussen
Joined:	June 2014
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	Not Specified
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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George H
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 6/8/2014

Such a dark and memorable cover.

Joe Shaffer
Member Since 2010

1 - Posted on 6/8/2014

Awesome cover! Congrats

Alexandre Collection
Member Since 2010

1 - Posted on 6/8/2014

Fantastic piece! Congrats!!

Rune Rasmussen
Member Since 2014

Posted on 6/9/2014

Thank you, this cover is special to me, maybe just the scene or Ben's facial expression, but it really touched me when I saw it the first time. Good to know that I am not the only one appreciating this cover, although I fear for the final wife test, when I've got it framed... ;-)

Fred's CAF Gallery
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 6/22/2014

This FF cover is absolutely STUNNING!!!

Rune Rasmussen
Member Since 2014

Posted on 2/2/2015

Also my thanks to Rob Stolzer for considering this cover the best published cover in the Lowry 2014 competition. Rob wrote to the Comicart-L Newsgroup, January 26th, and voted:

"1. Rune Rasmussen - Bryan Hitch - FF #556. I'm honestly not all that familiar with Hitch's work, but was struck by the piece as it's such an incredibly powerful image. Incredible drawing to boot.

2. Hans Kosenkranius - Mike Mignola - Conqueror Worm #1 - Beautifully textured and wonderful high contrast richness.

3. Jim Halperin - Adventure #73 - I'm a sucker for Kirby/Simon, and this is a wonderful image.

4. Felix Lu - Eric Powell - Goon #9 - Terrific painting and figure movement. The Rockwell vibe is wonderful.

5. Brian Peck - Nova #12 - This one tugs at the nostalgia heart-strings. I recall that comic book with great fondness, and it's simply a terrific image."

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 9/23/2015

That is a harrowing image...in an artistically good way! You can tell Bryan spent some time on this. Congrats on picking this up!

S Riz
Member Since 2014

1 - Posted on 5/3/2018

You don't see many covers like this. A memorable one indeed. Great pickup.

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