'Marvel Comics Library, Fantastic Four. Vol. 1. 1961–1963'

The creation of The Fantastic Four was a career changing move for veteran comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Not only did the introduction of these emotionally complex characters mark a shift back to the magic of comics after having being pushed aside for a decade by romance, horror and war comics, but it symbolized a historic moment in Marvel history. Comprising Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Thing and the Human Torch, The Fantastic Four signaled a significant change in the approach to comic books, with stories set in New York City, rather than fictional stand-ins, and the Marvel heroes regularly crossing over into each other’s books. Presented in an XXL-size volume, Taschen's 'Marvel Comics Library. Fantastic Four. Vol. 1. 1961–1963' includes the first 20 issues reproduced from well preserved original comics and is accompanied by an essay from New York Times best-selling author and comic book writer Mark Waid, with Mike Massimino, Ph.D. as a contributing author and a foreword by former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino.