Like the previous ten issues, this group of ten (#21-30 of the comic magazine) continues to rely on standard formula: constant bickering between Torch and Thing, misunderstandings between Reed and Sue, and repeating villains who can’t learn from their previous encounters. It’s hard to look at these and discover what was so exciting about this comic, but that’s because the next group of ten was to start to move into new territory as Lee began to expand the soap opera elements of his stable of characters. This volume could likely be skipped, unless you’re a completist like me. ( )

The Fantastic Four steps up a gear in this volume as Lee and Kirby scale new heights. Guest stars abound: Sgt Nick Fury, The Watcher, The Avengers and The X-Men while baddies like The Mole Man, Dr Doom, The Mad Thinker and The Sub-Mariner are back and joined by newies like Diablo and The Hate-Monger who turns out to be one of the 20th century's biggest baddies. ( )