Marvel; February 1983
Cover by John Byrne

Title: “Into the Negative Zone!”
Synopsis: The Fantastic Four departs to explore the Negative Zone – but what’s that coming back the other way?

Writer: John Byrne
Penciler: Byrne
Inker: Byrne

Review: A year and a half into his Fantastic Four run, John Byrne reaches something of a turning point with this classic Negative Zone arc. As a writer, he’s clearly on top of his game. This issue is mostly setup, but there are plenty of strong character moments and interesting plot developments. Ironically, it’s as an artist that Byrne seems unsure of himself. When he first started inking his own work, there was a noticeable Terry Austin influence. Now Byrne is experimenting, with fewer backgrounds and a thicker line. The finished results are mixed, but the underlying art remains sound.

Grade: B+

Cool factor: John Byrne prepares for his first big adventure into the Negative Zone. (Hint: It’s going to be a good one.)

Character quotable: “The shaft is dimensionally transcendental.” – Mr. Fantastic (yeah, that’s what all the boys say)

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