Fantastic Four #239
Published and © by Marvel, February 1982
Title: “Wendy’s Friends”
Synopsis: When people in a small Arizona town start dying of fright, the Thing’s Aunt Petunia seeks help from the FF.
Writer: John Byrne
Artist: Byrne
Review: Long an A-list artist, John Byrne was still honing his craft as a writer on these early FFs. Story wise, this issue is a bit of a mixed bag. On the down side, Byrne continues to deliver character details to new readers via conversation, leading to some awkward and occasionally jarring dialogue. His reach also exceeds his grasp, a bit, as his attempt at a powerful child-abuse tale is undermined by a muddled conclusion. But strong character moments abound, and his exposition can border on poetic. The surprising introduction of the long-mentioned-but-never-seen Aunt Petunia makes this issue a must read.
Grade (for the entire issue): B+
Second opinion: “Byrne does the unspeakable.” – Comics Coast to Coast #1, 1982 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: The introduction of Aunt Petunia. Well played, Mr. Byrne.
Notable: First full appearance of Petunia Grimm.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Wait a minute! This is your Aunt Petunia?!?” – The Human Torch, dumbfounded
A word from the writer/artist: “I wanted to do something that was weird and mystical, that was out of the established milieu of the Fantastic Four, just to show that there is no established milieu for the Fantastic Four.” – John Byrne, in Comics Interview #25, 1985
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Aug. 26, 2009.
