KESEL DELIVERS REED & SUE RICHARDS AN ANNIVERSARY PRESENT

[MattBrady]

Quick Silver Age trivia buffs – how did Reed Richards propose to Sue Storm?

Where did the two go for their Honeymoon?

Alright – here’s an easier one – how long have the two been married?

Ready for your answers? Trick question, trick question, and 40 years.

But the last is related to the first.

Okay, quizmaster hat aside, here’s the straight version: in November, Karl Kesel and Drew Johnson will team up for a the romance of Marvel romances in the Fantastic Four Wedding Special, a project which will touch upon the marriage of Reed and Sue, as well as explore the past, present, and future of the relationship between the father and mother figures of Marvel’s first family.

If you’re keeping track, the special marks Kesel’s second recent Marvel project, his first being the Amazing Fantasy #13 & #14 in October, featuring a new character named Vegas, as well as a relatively new locale for the Marvel Universe – the present-day American West. For the one time inker-only, then writer, and now, mostly inker again, the move away from the brush and back to the keyboard is a welcome one.

“Inking fills most of my days right now, and certainly pays my bills,” Kesel told Newsarama. “I have a number of writing projects ‘in development’ as they say, ‘though nothing definite enough to talk about at the moment, but for this and Vegas, it’s great to be back to writing again.”

As for the genesis of the Wedding Special, Kesel pointed a finger at one person. “It all began when [editor] Tom Brevoort asked me to do a few fill-in issues of Fantastic Four,” Kesel said. “I sent him a number of springboards for possible stories, but nothing grabbed him. Then I thought of an idea that I knew was a real winner, a story that would look across Reed and Sue’s life together in a unique and special way that could only happen in the FF. Tom loved the idea. Now, it just so happened that he had already been thinking of putting together a special one-shot to celebrate Reed and Sue’s 40th Wedding Anniversary... and my story, with very little tweaking, fit the bill perfectly. So before I knew it, my one-issue FF fill-in had become a 30-page lead feature in an FF Special!”

Of course, it’s not the Richards’ 40th wedding anniversary in the Marvel Universe – it’s only their {mublemuttermuttermuble]th, given Marvel’s 10-ish year timeline. Regardless, the two got hitched in 1965’s Fantastic Four Annual #3, so it’s time for a party.

“In the Marvel Universe Reed and Sue have only been married for something like seven, maybe eight years,” Kesel said. “But here on Earth Prime - Oops! Wrong publisher! - 40 years have gone by. Fantastic Four... 40th wedding anniversary— you can’t let that just slip by! Without giving too much away, I did find a way to acknowledge the 40-year mark.

”The set-up is like any great FF story. It starts with something small and normal— Reed and Sue going out on a date to spend some quality time together— and then something happens that sends it into the realm of the fantastic. Over the course of the story they get to review their entire life together— past present and future. More than that I really don’t want to say.”

As mentioned earlier, the special’s story will fill in some gaps in the two’s mutual history thanks to Kesel hitting the books.

“Unbelievable as it sounds, during my research I found out that we never saw two extremely important moments in any romance: the proposal and the honeymoon! One issue of the FF ends with Reed clearly about to propose to Sue... Then the next issue begins with the paparazzi snapping pictures, their engagement already announced! The same with the honeymoon— the wedding ends one comic, and at the start of the next they’re setting up house together. There are clearly gaps in the continuity to allow for both, and so in this Special for the first time ever we’ll actually see Reed propose, and learn where they went on their honeymoon.”

Of course, the significance of his “contemporaries” in regards to the original stories that his pieces have to fit into – Stan Lee and Jack Kirby – is not lost on a lifelong FF fan like Kesel. That is, 1965 was roughly midway through the classic Lee and Kirby run of issues, so, in short, Kesel knew that he had to bring his A+ game to the table in order to tell a story that could match up.

“I pretty much had to take the baton from Stan for the proposal— he set everything up, I had to not drop the ball— and I think there’s some nice, unexpected bits to it. One of those bits is that as we were putting this story together, Drew got engaged to his wonderful girlfriend, Karen Carnegie. So the ring that Reed gives Sue is the same ring Drew gave Karen. In fact, they’re both family heirlooms handed down from their grandmothers. As for the honeymoon— Drew and I had dinner together and banged our heads against the wall to come up with a place that would be cool enough for Reed and Sue to honeymoon at. And I believe we finally came up with the perfect spot. I’d like to think we did Stan and Jack proud.”

Of course, by looking closely at Reed and Sue’s relationship over the years, Kesel has often been struck by something noticed by many others – it’s…odd. That is, it’s a serious case of opposites attract. Sure, it’s been worked on, hammered out, and explored in depth in the years since ’65, but c’mon…socially awkward/handicapped uber nerd and rich, celebrity hottie hooking up?

“No one doubts that Reed and Sue are one of the Great Romances in comics,” Kesel admitted, stressing the capitalization of the final phrase. “The question is why? For all the amazing things Stan and Jack did on the FF, Reed and Sue’s relationship was not the most deeply thought out relationship. He was a smart guy, she was a beautiful girl, end of story. But I felt if I was going to do a story about their life-long romance, I had to answer that question. This is part of it, at least: Sue helps Reed stretch beyond his normal, comfortable boundaries, while Reed shares with Sue things no one has ever seen before.

“And it’s no mistake that those things play off Reed and Sue’s powers.”

Speaking of weddings, the FF and Kesel, whenever the writer steps up to the plate for either fill-in issues of specials such as this, the phrase, “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride” does, admittedly slightly painfully for Kesel, come to mind. Kesel’s FF stories have been critically praised, most often for capturing the feel of the original Lee-Kirby FF run, while exploring new facets of characters who’ve seemingly done everything – twice – in their 44 years.

For Kesel, a pragmatic, if not slightly philosophical view works best as he’s seen the book skip him by any number of times.

“Look, there’s no other established characters I’d rather write than the FF,” Kesel said. “None. If Marvel ever gave me ‘The Call’ to take over the monthly book, I’d do it in a heartbeat, be it tomorrow, next month, or next year. But I have no control over that, and I’m certainly not expecting it. All I can do is my best work possible and go where that leads me, and if it eventually leads back to the FF... well, that really would be fantastic.”

[ParisCub]

What a nice idea... However, it's a reminder that Reed and Susan are the Marvel classic couple to have survived for all that time... Janet and Henry Pym, Jean Grey and Scott Summers, Vision and the Scarlet Witch....

[quigleytree]

Happy Anniversary!

Every time that it is announced that Karl is going to write an issue of FF, it is a joyful day. This is a man that understands the FF, how they tick, and what makes them go.

If you have never read them, check out his specials (that time-travel/alternate universe Thing story was so good), his fill in issues, and even the FF 2099 book. I do not know if that story ever finished as the line was cancelled, but it was the best FF of the day.

I can only hope that Tom is listening and gets this guy a regular FF book when the time comes.

Later - Brad

[Raphe Cheli]

Wasn't there another retelling of the Reed/Sue marraige about 5-10 years ago?

That FF Annual, BTW, is terrific, and while I really like Karl Kesel's writing/inking, I'm not sure why they need to do this again, when the original Lee/Kirby is still easy to get.

[Ace]

I have ALWAYS enjoyed Kesel's writing, whether it be on Hawk and Dove, Daredevil(my favorite run of the last 15 years), Harley Quinn, or Superboy.

As much as I like Aguirre-Sacasa on MK 4 (the best FF book in years, easily), I'd love to see Kesel on a steady FF gig someday.

[SuperStories]

Karl Kessel have been doing amazing fill-in issues and hopefully he can do some more or write some of the Marvel Knight 4.

[Kurt Avery]

Originally posted by quigleytree
This is a man that understands the FF, how they tick, and what makes them go.

Yeah, but this true of pretty much EVERYTHING Karl Kesel writes. For someone who started out as an inker, and still pays his bills doing that, Karl is one fantastically talented writer.

But I have to agree that Kesel should get a regular "FF" book. My one reason for making this comment? "Spider-Boy Team-Up". Remember that from the second Amalgam Comics wave? It was brilliantly written, and showed that he could do wonderful things with these classic characters -- even if they WERE combined into composite characters.

Now, get either Tom Grummett or J.O. Ladronn to draw it, and it's a home-run.


KAB

[algertman]

Didn't Superman make Jimmy Olsen marry a Gorilla before Sue married the loser Reed. Cuase that's what I want. An Olsen/Gorilla aniversary issue

[Julio Diaz]

Love that piece of art, which I assume is going to be the cover. Is that Stan and Jack trying to get in at the back?

[New Alfonso]

I think this issue sounds like a beautiful idea, I'm definitely going to pick it up.

And it's amazing to see how far Gene Ha's artistic talent has progressed since his Marvel work ten years ago. I thought he was fantastic then too, but he's so polished now.

[HowAreWeToLive]

I think that cover is horrible. What is Johnny looking at?

[eh_ver]

Oh man! This article just kills me! I love the idea of the project and all, but it just serves to remind me that the ONLY guy who should be writing the FF right now, well, isn't. Why hasn't Marvel given this book to him yet? Unbelievable. Loved his fill-ins, loved his annual a few years back and loved his treatment for the 2099 book.
I'm consistently tempted by MK 4 (I know the book hasn't gotten the best reviews and it started on a weird note as being a replacement for Waid's run, but there's a guy who knows and loved the FF, and writes them well), and I'm slightly interested in Straczynski's run (butt jokes about the Thing aside) because I think it'll likely lead into that Silver Surfer mini in a cool way. So that, combined with the Thing ongoing and Kesel's Wedding issue, make for a tempting corner of the Marvel U. An isolated FF 'line' may actually stand on its own for the first time, well, ever. Think about the world that Jack and Stan created, then try and tell me that isn't cool.

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Of course, it’s not the Richards’ 40th wedding anniversary in the Marvel Universe – it’s only their {mublemuttermuttermuble]th”...

Strong Bad?

[Tad Ghostal]

Originally posted by HowAreWeToLive
I think that cover is horrible. What is Johnny looking at?

Thank you! I was thinking the same thing myself! Yikes - Sue looks like a female impersonator!

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by HowAreWeToLive
I think that cover is horrible. What is Johnny looking at?

Better yet, what's Daredevil looking at?

HAHA! Ya get it?!


But for real, Johnny's neck does look a bit elongated.

You gotta love Cyclops in the old uniform back there, same for Scarlett Witch.

Who are Nick Fury and the black man trying to keep out of the wedding? And is that man and woman behind Scarlett Witch and Captain America supposed to be an in joke? The man especially looks like a reference to someone.

[cncoyle]

How many of the wedding guests are :rolleys: at Thor for waving his hammer around?
Frikkin' Thor--why can't he just sit quiet for a few minutes!?

Oh, and I wanna know how Reed got outta wearing a tux! I guess elastic body parts DO make him Mr. Fantastic...

[cncoyle]

Originally posted by adamcasey
Better yet, what's Daredevil looking at?

HAHA! Ya get it?!

That would be hilarious if they had Daredevil facing sideways!

[Beetle Bomb]

Not to mention, if that's supposed to be Clark Kent behind/beside Cyclops, I think it's cool that they're sorta making him look like Brandon Routh. It's the nose man!
But where are the Beatles, like in "Marvels"? I'd have at least thrown in Paul and Ringo....for continuity purposes if nuthin' else....

[wishlish]

"I sent him a number of springboards for possible stories, but nothing grabbed him."

I'm a bit taken aback. Every one of Karl's FF stories is a classic. I always look forward to his FF stories. I think the world of JMS, but Karl should be the writer on the FF. He's proved that he knows the characters better than anyone else working in comics today.

Give him the book, Tom!

[Ricochet]

This has gone top of my list of books to get.

I love Karl Kesel's work and I would love it to have him and Tom Grummett on a monthly FF book, thats my FF dream team right there. The Challenge of the Fantastic book they did just had that classic FF feeling to it!

[Vintage]

Originally posted by Beetle Bomb
Not to mention, if that's supposed to be Clark Kent behind/beside Cyclops, I think it's cool that they're sorta making him look like Brandon Routh. It's the nose man!
But where are the Beatles, like in "Marvels"? I'd have at least thrown in Paul and Ringo....for continuity purposes if nuthin' else....

I'm thinking that might be Hank McCoy, but who knows? Sue and Reed's anniversary is definitely worth celebrating! Here's to 40 more!

[GossAmerica]

Originally posted by Raphe Cheli
Wasn't there another retelling of the Reed/Sue marraige about 5-10 years ago?

There was a one-shot called "Heroes and Legends". It came out in 1996, while "Marvels" was coming out, because Phil Sheldon is in it. It's about a kid running around and being saved by various heroes during the attack of the villains on the wedding day. I re-read it a few months ago (I'm thinning out my collection, and deciding whether or not to keep it). Pretty lame story--the kid "falls out" of a taxi cab?!? Ugh!

Despite the last one being lame, I hope for something good. Marriage is a wonderful thing that seems to be underappreciated these days in the media. It's good to have one good example in the comic book world.

[SWillIAm]

You know, maybe it's my old age (28), but I'd like to see more happily married couples in the world of comics. Now, believe me, there was a time when I was horrified at the idea of Superman being married, I thought it somehow made him less adventurous. However, now being an adult, I realize that many younger comic book readers don't have the (once) typical mother and father model in their own home. Call me wacky, but I always looked up to my heroes while growing up and wanted to be like them. I now see that this doesn't just have to be in trying to do the right thing where crime is concerned, but even in how to make a relationship work with another human being. Take Wally West and Linda, for example. For the most part, that's a great example of a healthy relationship (by comic book standards, mind you) without any loss of action and adventure. Even more so, Reed and Sue Richards. They work. And even better, the fans love them for it.

SWillIAm
http://www.swilliamfoley.com

[Ricochet]

Originally posted by SWillIAm
You know, maybe it's my old age (28), but I'd like to see more happily married couples in the world of comics. Now, believe me, there was a time when I was horrified at the idea of Superman being married, I thought it somehow made him less adventurous. However, now being an adult, I realize that many younger comic book readers don't have the (once) typical mother and father model in their own home. Call me wacky, but I always looked up to my heroes while growing up and wanted to be like them. I now see that this doesn't just have to be in trying to do the right thing where crime is concerned, but even in how to make a relationship work with another human being. Take Wally West and Linda, for example. For the most part, that's a great example of a healthy relationship (by comic book standards, mind you) without any loss of action and adventure. Even more so, Reed and Sue Richards. They work. And even better, the fans love them for it.

SWillIAm
http://www.swilliamfoley.com

Im the same, I would rather have say Peter Parker married than single, it just adds to the characters.

Oh also welcome to newsarama

[Michael P]

Originally posted by Ricochet
Im the same, I would rather have say Peter Parker married than single, it just adds to the characters.

Oh also welcome to newsarama

It's probably stupid for writers to make promises, but if I ever write comics for one of the big two, I will not be breaking up any married couples.

I mean, there are so many worse things that can happen to two people...